Helsinki Airport is where Finland stops being poetic and starts being practical. You land, winter hits you in the face, and one question matters:
How do I get from the airport to Lapland without wasting a day?
This guide covers flights, trains, tour-based solutions, and Lapland arrival transfers that actually hold up in winter.
First reality check
Helsinki Airport is not Lapland. Lapland starts hundreds of kilometres north. A “direct transfer†on arrival day usually means a misunderstanding that costs time and energy.
When people search “HEL airport Lapland transferâ€, they usually mean one of four things:
- a connecting flight north
- a train connection (often overnight)
- a tour package with transfers included
- an overly optimistic road plan
If your plan requires improvisation at arrival, it will fail at the worst possible time.
The four real transfer categories
Every airport-to-Lapland movement fits one of these:
- fly north from Helsinki Airport
- train north after an airport → city transfer
- join a Lapland tour with transfers included
- self-drive (only with staging)
| Option | Time outcome | Friction | Best for | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecting flight | Fastest | Low–medium | 3–5 day trips, families, fixed tour schedules | Baggage rules + last-mile timing |
| Night train (via Helsinki city) | Overnight (sleep while moving) | Medium | 6–10 day trips, comfort-first winter planning | Cabins sell out, needs a city transfer step |
| Tour package (transfers included) | End-to-end outcome | Lowest | First-timers, limited planning time, fixed dates | Low flexibility, you’re locked into the schedule |
| Self-drive from HEL | Longest | High | Freedom + detours (only with staging) | Fatigue + darkness + distance (especially day-of-arrival) |
Option 1: Flying north (fastest and cleanest)
For most travellers, the simplest HEL airport → Lapland route is another flight. You land, connect, and arrive north quickly.
Best for short trips and fixed tour schedules. Less ideal if you have heavy winter luggage and you hate paying for it twice.
Option 2: Train connections (sleep your way north)
Trains are Finland’s quiet superpower. You don’t board Lapland trains at the airport: you first transfer into the city, then continue north.
It adds a step, but it buys sleep and a functional arrival day, which in winter often matters more than shaving hours.
Option 3: Lapland tours with transfers included
Many Lapland packages bundle transport, Lapland transfers, accommodation and activities. In these cases, you’re buying an outcome: “arrive and startâ€.
Best for first-timers and limited-time trips. Worst for travellers who want flexibility.
Option 4: Self-drive from HEL (technically possible, often a mistake)
Yes, you can rent a car at Helsinki Airport and drive north. Doing it immediately after landing is how people discover fatigue, darkness and distance all at once.
The correct strategy is staging: sleep first, then drive in planned segments.
If this is your route, use: Car rental Helsinki.
Arrival in Lapland: the second transfer problem
Getting to Lapland is only half the job. You still need to reach your accommodation. In winter, the “last mile†is where time disappears.
| Arrival method | Best outcome | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Shared shuttle / pre-booked minibus | Structured, predictable | Waiting window + multiple stops |
| Public bus (seasonal / timetable-based) | Budget-friendly when it lines up | Unforgiving if it doesn’t match your arrival |
| Private transfer | Boring in the best way (low stress) | Costs more, especially for solo travellers |
| Taxi | Works, but not always the cleanest plan | Availability/pricing can vary; pre-book if late |
Pre-book your Lapland arrival transfer whenever timing matters (late arrivals, families, first activity next day).
Biggest winter transfer mistake
People plan the long journey meticulously and then improvise the last 10 km. Always plan your Lapland arrival transfer. Treat it like a booking, not a vibe.
Conclusion
Helsinki Airport → Lapland transfers aren’t complicated. They’re structured. Choose deliberately: fast when time matters, shared when structure matters, private when comfort matters.
Internal links: Getting around Finland ·Lapland tours ·Offer checklist
Last verified: 2026-01-04