Rovaniemi Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Rovaniemi airport, nicknamed the "Santa Claus airport", is about 10 km from the city centre (15 minutes by car) but only 3 km from Santa Claus Village, which is therefore closer to the runway than to the heart of the city. Anyone staying more than one night and wanting restaurants, shops and the Kemijoki river within walking distance does well to aim for the centre, well connected by city buses and the seasonal airport shuttle; anyone renting a car and favouring a visit to the Village, or with a direct same-day flight, can stay in the stretch between the airport and the Village, where recently built villas with private saunas and jacuzzis are found.

Rovaniemi centre

City centre · By car 15 minutes and about 10 km from the airport; from early November the Airport Express shuttle stops at the central hotels in 20 minutes (about 8-10 euros), the taxi costs 25-40 euros.

Best for: Those who want restaurants, shops and evening life within walking distance, with the airport-hotel shuttle and city buses to Santa Claus Village close at hand.

Pros

Restaurants, shops and the Kemijoki riverside within walking distance
City bus number 8 to Santa Claus Village, with no need for a car

Cons

The Ounasvaara slopes, about 4 km away, still require a bus or a taxi
In summer the airport shuttle is not running: only the taxi or the scheduled bus remain

Recommended hotels in this area

Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi: In the heart of the city, 5 minutes on foot from Lordi Square and the Sampokeskus shopping centre; 9 km from the airport and a meeting point for many organised excursions (sleigh rides, huskies, northern lights).
Scandic Pohjanhovi: On the banks of the Kemijoki river, a few steps from the city bus station and about 4 km from the Ounasvaara slopes; the airport shuttle is among the services on offer.

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Between the airport and Santa Claus Village

Airport area · By car 5-10 minutes from both the airport and Santa Claus Village, along the same road that connects them; the area is not covered by city bus number 8.

Best for: Those who rent a car, want more space and privacy than a hotel room and prefer having Santa Claus Village and the airport both just minutes away.

Pros

Private sauna and jacuzzi even in recently built villas, rare in the hotel rooms of the centre
Just minutes by car from both check-in and the Village visit, handy for short layovers

Cons

Without your own car getting around is inconvenient: the area is not served by city buses
There are no restaurants or shops within walking distance nearby

Recommended hotels in this area

Villa Haven with private Jacuzzi and Sauna: A newly built villa with a private jacuzzi and sauna, in the stretch of tourist cottages that separates the airport from Santa Claus Village.
Villa Northern with private Jacuzzi and Sauna: A twin villa to Villa Haven, in the same stretch between the airport and Santa Claus Village, with a private jacuzzi and sauna and more rooms for groups or large families.

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