Kilpisjärvi on the Northern Lights Route in Finnish Lapland
Kilpisjärvi is located in the far northwest of Finland, close to the borders of Norway and Sweden. Although the village is remote, you can reach it through Finland or Norway by combining a flight, bus, taxi, rental car or train journey.
There is no airport or railway station in Kilpisjärvi. Because distances are long and public transportation varies by season, we recommend planning your entire journey before booking your flights.
Flying to Kittilä Airport in Finland
Kittilä Airport (KTT) is approximately 280 kilometers (174 miles) from Kilpisjärvi. The drive usually takes around four hours, depending on weather and road conditions.
Kittilä has scheduled connections from Helsinki and seasonal direct flights from several European cities.
From Kittilä Airport, you can continue to Kilpisjärvi by:
bus, when the schedules connect
prebooked airport transfer or taxi
rental car
Always check the onward connection before booking your flight.
Flying to Tromsø Airport in Norway
Tromsø Airport (TOS) is approximately 170 kilometers (106 miles) from Kilpisjärvi. The journey by road takes around two and a half to three hours.
Tromsø has domestic and international flight connections. From the airport, you can continue to Kilpisjärvi by rental car, private transfer or the seasonal Arctic Route bus.
The journey crosses the border from Norway into Finland. If you rent a car in Norway, confirm that the rental company allows you to drive it into Finland and that the necessary insurance is included.
Please also remember that Finland is one hour ahead of Norway throughout the year.
Enontekiö Airport
Enontekiö Airport (ENF) is mainly used for charter flights and does not have regular year-round scheduled flights.
If your travel package includes a charter flight to Enontekiö, check the onward transportation arrangements with your tour operator.
Traveling to Kilpisjärvi by Bus
Bus connections from Finnish Lapland can be searched and booked through Matkahuolto.
Connections may be available from Rovaniemi, Kittilä and other locations along the route through Muonio to Kilpisjärvi. Schedules vary according to the season and day of the week, so search using your exact travel date.
During parts of the winter and summer seasons, The Arctic Route operates between Tromsø and Rovaniemi, with a stop in Kilpisjärvi.
Always check current operating dates, schedules and ticket availability directly with the transportation provider.
Traveling by Train
There is no railway station in Kilpisjärvi. The nearest railway stations are:
Kolari, approximately 270 kilometers (168 miles) away
Rovaniemi, approximately 430 kilometers (267 miles) away
You can travel by train from southern Finland to Kolari or Rovaniemi and continue to Kilpisjärvi by bus, taxi or rental car.
Check train schedules and book tickets through VR Finnish Railways. Make sure that your train and onward transportation schedules connect before completing your booking.
Driving to Kilpisjärvi
Kilpisjärvi is located on the E8, also known as Highway 21 in Finland.
When arriving from southern Finland, the road follows the route through Tornio, Pello, Muonio and Karesuvanto. When arriving from Tromsø, the E8 leads through Nordkjosbotn and Skibotn before crossing the border into Finland.
The road is open throughout the year, but winter conditions may include snow, ice, strong winds and poor visibility. Wildlife such as moose and reindeer may also be on or close to the road.
Check current Finnish road and weather conditions through Fintraffic and Norwegian road conditions through the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
Allow enough time for the journey and avoid planning a tight connection during winter.
Airport Transfers and Taxis
KilpisTaxi provides prebooked airport transfers and taxi services between Kilpisjärvi, Kittilä and Tromsø. Availability and schedules vary, so transportation should be reserved well in advance.
Destination Kilpisjärvi does not provide airport transfers or other passenger transportation.
Plan Your Journey in Advance
Before booking your trip, we recommend that you:
arrange transportation for the entire journey to Kilpisjärvi
check seasonal bus and transfer schedules
confirm cross-border permission for a rental car
allow extra time for changing winter conditions
remember the one-hour time difference between Finland and Norway
Once your travel arrangements are confirmed, you can explore our guided experiences and begin planning your stay in Kilpisjärvi.