FAQ Rovaniemi

Each person driving a snowmobile must be at least 18 years of age and must hold a valid driving license. A class B license for driving cars is valid for snowmobiling too. National driving licenses, including ones from non-European countries, are also accepted.

Normal cancellation policy applies when illness has been mentioned as a reason for cancellation. We recommend you get a travel insurance when travelling to Finland.

All of our safaris are possible to book directly from our website at minimum 24 hours prior to safari departure. Choose your travel dates, preferred safaris from the selection and your holiday destination – and follow the instructions. Remember to inform the ages of your children and possible allergies/illnesses/special diets/pregnancy, so that we can take care of you the best possible way. You can also send us an email if you need help choosing the adventures!

Kindly note that all reservations must be paid in advance to be confirmed; therefore, booking over the phone is not possible. If you do not manage to book online, please send us an email at:

Rovaniemi: safartica@safartica.com
Levi: levi@safartica.com
Ylläs: yllas@safartica.com
Saariselkä: saariselka@safartica.com

If you are making a booking in less than 24 hours, please contact us by email or visit our offices to book on the spot.

Please send us an email or call us:

Rovaniemi: safartica@safartica.com / +358 16 311 485
Levi: levi@safartica.com / +358 40 660 8571
Ylläs: yllas@safartica.com / +358 40 502 6458
Saariselkä: saariselka@safartica.com / +358 40 838 8285

Kindly note that all reservations must be paid in advance to be confirmed.

Yes, each participant will be provided the necessary clothing and equipment before the start of the safari:

WINTER: thermal overall, winter boots, woollen socks, gloves, scarf. For snowmobile programs balaclava and helmet.
AUTUMN: thermal overall, winter boots, woollen socks, gloves, scarf.
SUMMER: rain coats, rubber boots, woollen socks

Available sizes:
Thermal overalls: children 86-164 cm, adults 44-70 (men’s size)
Winter boots: EU 23-52

Your own clothing, which can be worn under the overall, should be thin but warm and comfortable. We recommend you read our tips on how to dress in Lapland in the section below.

In Rovaniemi, you can also rent thermal clothing for the whole duration of your stay here on our website.

We offer discounts on our website when booking some selected activities together (you can see the offer when booking, before you go to the checkout). If you wish to book 3 or more activities, you can contact our front desk at safartica@safartica.com and get 10% off your reservation (valid for new bookings only, it’s not possible to apply the discount after payment).

We occasionally run special campaigns and offer discounts for a limited time. Follow us on social media and stay up to date with all our offers!

Sure, if you are our customer you can leave your luggage and your personal belongings at our office free of charge. Please, note that Safartica is not responsible for any loss or damage to your belongings. We recommend you take a small backpack or handbag with your valuables with you.

You need to have a proof of your driving license with you. A picture, paper or digital copy of driving license are also accepted. Police will patrol time to time also in snowmobile tracks and may ask to see your driving license. Most often the police will also check the alcohol levels with a breath test.

In snowmobile safaris children 4-12 years old are usually seated in a sledge behind the guide’s snowmobile. We recommend one of the parents to sit with a small child in the sledge for the child’s comfort and safety. Due to safety reasons, infants 0-3 years cannot join on snowmobile safaris.

Everyone seated on the snowmobile must be at least 140 cm tall and capable of sitting safely on the vehicle. If the child of 13 or 14 years old is less than 140 cm , they will be seated in the sledge.

If a child over 140 cm wishes to sit in a snowmobile as a passenger, a full adult price will be charged (according to availability).

We do not recommend long snowmobile safaris for children less than 12 years old.

Safartica reserves the right to change the timetables or contents of the activities due to unfavourable weather conditions. If it is not possible to adapt the programme, the activity will be cancelled and a full refund will be provided to the customer.

Refunds are always done with the same method as the original payment. If you have paid your booking with VISA credit card, the refunded sum is transferred to the same credit card. According to the law, there is no possibility to refund money to different location. Kindly note that refund procedure may take up to 10 working days in total.

In Ylläs and Levi, all our husky tours are self-driven. You will have a quick stop during during which you can swap drivers, if you wish.

In Rovaniemi, our shorter tours are driven by a husky musher. This information is specified in the “includes” section of the activity description. Tours with a 3-km or longer husky rides are always self-driven.

Depending on the size of your group, the guides will decide on the spot how to divide you between the sleds. This cannot be confirmed in advance, as it depends on the size of the sleds, the passengers’ weight, and the snow and weather conditions.

Normally, a reindeer sleigh can accommodate 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child. On self-driven husky tours, the sleds usually fit 2 adults (one driving) and 1 child, depending on the child’s size. On short husky rides driven by a musher, the sleds are larger and can accommodate up to 2 adults and 2 children.

– Dress in layers. Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers. It will insulate better and allow you to strip off some layers if the temperature climbs. Staying dry is the top priority.

– When wearing layers, better to wear clothing that is not too tight. Loose clothing helps to trap a layer of warm air between the fabric and your body, which acts as insulation to keep you warm.

– Add a first layer consisting of a comfortably light fabric that will remove the sweat away from your body. Avoid pure cotton, linen, or other similar materials, however, because these fabrics retain moisture and will chill you down. The best material is synthetic fiber.

– Next layer should be a knit sweater, sweatshirt or fleece. This layer is to keep you warm. Also, a warm tracking suit will do or the latest trend of one piece overalls.

– Wear thick socks, preferably layering one thin pair with one or two thicker ones. Use socks made of 100% wool or wool blends for a better insulation, and avoid cotton socks in cold temperatures.

– Thin under gloves (best material is fleece).

– Also, remember to pack a good moisturizer with you as the cold air can dry your skin and lips.

Children

Children should be dressed the same way as adults: remember the layers and warm, long, underwear. As long as the children keep on moving, they will be warm in same weather as the adults. Smallest children such as babies and toddlers should be protected with more layers, as they do not move as much.

Important: before booking your safari, please consider if 2-5 hours outside in winter conditions is suitable for your child.

Rovaniemi is located in Finnish Lapland. The city is about 800 km up north from Finland’s capital city Helsinki, but it is still easily accessible! Here are our & Visit Rovaniemi’s tips for your journey.

By plane – Flight connections all year round
– Finnair flies to Rovaniemi all year round from Helsinki Airport.
– Finnair operates direct flights daily between Rovaniemi and Helsinki.
– Norwegian flies to Rovaniemi all year round from Helsinki Airport.
Norwegian operates direct flights between Rovaniemi and Helsinki.

– Ryanair flies to Rovaniemi all year round from Milan Bergamo.
Ryanair operates direct flights between Rovaniemi and Milan Bergamo year-round. Starting from April 2026, the direct flights will be operated on Mondays and Fridays until the end of October. Flight schedule for winter 2026-2027 will be operated between 25th of October 2026 and 27th March 2027 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Between 21st of December 2026 and 3rd of January 2027 on every day of the week!

Winter flight connections to Rovaniemi
– EasyJet: London (Gatwick), Manchester, Bristol, Milan, Edinburgh, London (Luton), Paris, Birmingham, Berlin, Lyon, Belfast and London (Southend)
– Ryanair: London, Dublin, Brussels, Liverpool, Milan, Paris, Shannon, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester
– Turkish Airlines: Istanbul
– Iberia: Madrid
– Eurowings: Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg and Prague
– KLM: Amsterdam
– Austrian Airlines: Vienna
– Vueling: Barcelona
– Finnair: Helsinki, Tromsø and Paris
– Air France: Paris
– Transavia: Paris
– Norwegian: Munich, London, Barcelona and Helsinki
– Edelweiss: Zurich
– SAS: Copenhagen
– Lufthansa: Frankfurt and Munich
– LOT: Warsaw
– British Airways: London (Gatwick)
– SunExpress: Izmir

By train
Another easy option is train. There are direct trains running between Helsinki and Rovaniemi.

If you’re coming to Finland by plane, take a train from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Tikkurila and transfer to a long-distance train towards Rovaniemi. All trains are operated by state company VR.

The easiest is to buy the tickets beforehand from VR’s own website, but you can also find ticket machines and personnel who can help you with the purchase.

Rovaniemi train station is about 1,5 km away from the city centre. To reach the city or your accommodation, you can book our pick-up, take a 15-minute-walk, hop on the bus (bus number 8) or take a taxi by downloading Taksi Rovaniemi app or Uber.

By bus
Buses might be the most reliable way of travelling in Finland – they usually operate on time, no matter how the weather is. There are several bus operators in Finland, for example Matkahuolto and Onnibus, and you can take a bus even further north to, e.g. Levi and Ylläs.

Matkahuolto bus tickets can be purchased directly on their website or at the bus station. There are also direct connections from Helsinki airport to Rovaniemi. The bus station (Matkahuolto Rovaniemi) is about 1 km away from city centre. Again, you can book our pick-up, walk (about 15 minutes), hop on the bus, or take a taxi to reach the city.

By Car
If you have more time and are comfortable with driving abroad, you may also take a road-trip through Finland.

In summer, the driving time from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is about 10 hours (without breaks). During winter the speed limits are lower and travel-time is noticeably longer, but you should be prepared for changing weather conditions all year round.

You can find information about road conditions on Liikenne Tilanne website. And beware: there might be reindeer on your way!

The Airport Bus has multiple stops in the city centre. You just need to check the time table on their website The bus stops as well at the bus and train station and Santa Claus Village.

There are also local taxis available in front of the airport, which might be the fastest way to reach your accommodation. You may also book a taxi by downloading Taksi Rovaniemi app or Uber.

Rovaniemi is a great destination if you want to experience the magic of Lapland, Arctic adventures and the home of Santa Claus. In winter, you can visit Santa Claus Village, meet reindeer, enjoy husky and reindeer safaris, go snowmobiling or head out to hunt for the Northern Lights. And the best part? You can meet Santa Claus at Santa Claus Village all year round, even in summer!

But there is much more to discover beyond Santa Claus! Explore the surrounding Arctic forests and frozen landscapes, go snowshoeing or enjoy a peaceful walk in nature. You can also discover local culture and art at Arktikum, which explores Arctic life and Lapland, and Korundi House of Culture, home to the Rovaniemi Art Museum and a concert hall.

As the largest city in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi offers a wide range of restaurants, cafés, shops and cultural events throughout the year. From concerts and exhibitions to seasonal events and festivals, there is always more to discover. It’s a great place to combine Arctic adventures with the convenience and services of a city.

In summer and autumn, Rovaniemi offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, canoeing, river activities and exploring the colourful Arctic nature. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, city life or a chance to meet Santa Claus, Rovaniemi offers something for every kind of traveller throughout the year.

Yes, you can book your accommodation with us at Vaattunki Wilderness Resort or Ounasvaara Lakituvat Chalets.

Our office is located in the city centre of Rovaniemi, in Koskikatu 9. Unfortunately, there is no free parking available. You may park your car in the streets nearby the office, but remember to pay your parking ticket by using the parking machines. You can pay by card or by using the app EasyPark.

The first snow usually arrives in late October. However, this early snowfall may melt away before winter settles in. A more permanent snow cover typically arrives in November, although the timing varies from year to year. If you’re hoping to enjoy snowy landscapes and winter activities, late November onwards is generally a better time to plan your visit. Keep in mind that weather conditions can vary, so snow is never guaranteed on a specific date.

Yes, you can! However, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and their visibility depends on cloud coverage and solar activity. It’s always best to chase auroras away from the light pollution, so we recommend you find a spot far from the city lights. A very popular place in town to see the northern lights is by the Arktikum museum.

Safartica also arranges tours to hunt Auroras. These options are usually the best if you want to maximise your chances in case of less favourable weather conditions, as you travel outside the city of Rovaniemi chasing clear skies.

Want to know more about your chances to see the Auroras during your holiday in Finland? Read our blog post here!