Car
The classic choice for exploring at your own pace
Do you need a car in Lapland?
It mostly depends on the destination. Some places work perfectly well on foot or by shuttle, others benefit a lot from having a car on hand. The breakdown by destination:
Rovaniemi
Not essential: shuttles and organised tours cover the basics, useful for exploring beyond the centre
See Rovaniemi →Levi
Not needed on site: walkable resort, shuttles run to the airport and Kolari station
See Levi →Saariselkä
Useful but not mandatory: airport shuttles and organised tours exist, a car helps explore the national park
See Saariselkä →Kiruna & Abisko
Not essential between the two: train and local buses connect Kiruna and Abisko in just over an hour
See Kiruna & Abisko →Tromsø
Not needed in town: everything is walkable, a car adds little since aurora hunting runs as organised tours
See Tromsø →
Winter tyres and regulations
All three countries covered by this guide require winter tyres in season. In practice, professional rental companies fit their cars with winter tyres automatically once the cold season starts: there is nothing extra to arrange on your end.
Finland
Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 November to 31 March whenever conditions require it (snow, ice). Studded tyres are allowed over the same window.
Sweden
Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 31 March under winter road conditions (snow, ice, frost). Studded tyres are allowed from 1 November to 15 April.
Norway
Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 November to 31 March across the country, but from 16 October to 30 April in the far north (Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, which covers the Tromsø area). Studded tyres follow equivalent windows.
Bottom line: book a car in winter and it will arrive already fitted accordingly, no surcharge to ask for.
Which vehicle type to choose
Two-wheel drive: fine on main roads
Lapland's main roads are cleared within hours of a snowfall and well maintained throughout the season. A regular compact car or sedan fitted with winter tyres is more than enough to connect the destinations in this guide and get around town.
4x4 or AWD: a real plus off the beaten path
A four-wheel drive vehicle becomes useful for reaching an isolated cabin, a secondary road that is not a snow-clearing priority, or simply for extra confidence on packed snow. It is not essential for visiting the 5 destinations in this guide, but it is a welcome comfort if your route strays from the main roads.
Automatic or manual gearbox?
Manual gearboxes remain the norm in Northern Europe and are generally cheaper. Automatics exist but are in more limited supply and often cost more: book early if you need one, especially in high season.
Minimum age and licence
The minimum age varies by rental company and country, usually between 19 and 21, sometimes higher for larger vehicle categories. A young-driver surcharge applies almost everywhere under 25. A licence held for at least 1 to 2 years is generally required. Always check your rental company's exact conditions before booking.
Road safety in Lapland
- Reindeer and moose on the roadAnimal crossings are common and marked with dedicated warning signs. Slow down in these areas, especially at dawn and dusk when visibility is low. The general speed limit on main roads in winter is often 80 km/h: adjust it further to match the weather and road conditions.
- Petrol stations can be far apartIn remote areas, between two destinations or north of Kiruna and Abisko, petrol stations can be tens of kilometres apart. Fill up as soon as you can rather than waiting until you are low.
- Winter darknessDays are very short in December and January, sometimes just a few hours of grey daylight north of the Arctic Circle. Plan your drives around this narrow window of light.
- Recommended emergency kitCarry warm clothing, a blanket and enough supplies to wait out a breakdown far from anywhere. Where possible, let someone know your route on long, isolated drives.
Distances between the destinations
Approximate distances and drive times between the 5 destinations in this guide, for the routes a traveller would actually make.
| Route | To | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rovaniemi | Levi | 170 km | ≈ 2h 15 |
| Rovaniemi | Saariselkä | 260 km | ≈ 3h |
| Levi | Saariselkä | 230 km | ≈ 3h |
| Rovaniemi | Kiruna | 340 km | ≈ 5h |
| Kiruna | Abisko | 95 km | ≈ 1h 10 |
| Kiruna | Tromsø | 390 km | ≈ 6h |
| Abisko | Tromsø | 300 km | ≈ 4h 45 |