LaplandReady Logo
emergency
Emergency Help Medical, breakdown, crisis resources
arrow_forward
Where to Stay
Before You Go
Food & Getting Around
EN | 한국어

Where to Stay

By Experience
Glass Igloos & Aurora Skiing & Winter Sports Santa & Families
Destinations
Rovaniemi Levi Saariselkä Ruka Ylläs
Destinations (cont.)
Pyhä-Luosto Kilpisjärvi Pallas Oulu
Help Me Choose
Destination Finder

Before You Go

Getting There
Distance Reality Calculator Flights & Airports Santa Claus Express Driving to Lapland
Packing & Gear
The Layering System Clothing Calculator Tech & Batteries
Know Before You Go
What Things Cost Weather & Daylight Summer vs Winter Midnight Sun Guide Northern Lights Ethical Travel Booking Activities

Food & Getting Around

Eating
Supermarket Guide Dining & Dietary
Getting Around
Airport Transfers Taxis and Costs Local Buses Walking on Ice Renting a Car
Practical
Cultural Essentials Paying & Tipping Finnish Phrases Mosquito Survival
Winter Season — Daylight is currently 12h 0m. Levi 2°C, Wind: Moderate, Snow 52 cm·Kilpisjärvi -2°C, Wind: Low, Snow 88 cm·Saariselkä 1°C, Snow 72 cm Rovaniemi 2°C·Ruka 0°C, Wind: Moderate, Snow 51 cm·Ylläs 2°C, Wind: Moderate, Snow 52 cm
Transport Updated: Feb 2026

Arctic Driving Guide

Studded tires are mandatory in winter in Lapland. You must also carry a high-visibility reflective vest in the cabin, and use an engine block heater at temperatures below -10°C for at least 1-2 hours before departure.

Driving in Lapland is a meditative experience through vast landscapes, but it requires shifting your mindset between the extreme conditions of summer and winter.

Mandatory Equipment

Regulations change with the seasons. Depending on when you visit, your vehicle will be equipped with:

  1. Winter Season: Studded Tires (Nastarenkaat) are the gold standard for ice grip. You'll also have an engine heater cable and snow brush.
  2. Summer Season: Standard summer tires. Note that studded tires are actually illegal in many areas during peak summer to protect the roads.
  3. Year-Round: A high-visibility reflective vest must be carried in the cabin, not the trunk.

Winter Protocol: Block Heaters

electric_car When to Plug In?

0°C to -10°C Not needed
-10°C to -20°C 1 Hour before departure
Below -20°C 2+ Hours Mandatory

Pro Tip: Most parking posts have a timer. Set the timer to finish at your departure time, not start instantly.

If you experience a breakdown, follow our Vehicle Breakdown Protocol and check realistic route times with the Distance Reality Calculator before setting out.

Wildlife Hazards

Reindeer are active year-round and have no fear of vehicles. In fact, they often prefer the road to the forest:

  • Winter: They lick road salt for minerals. They are hard to see against the dark asphalt.
  • Summer: They stand on the road to catch the breeze and avoid biting insects in the woods.

If you see one, slow down immediately. Where there is one, there are usually five more hiding in the tree line.

Summer: The Midnight Sun

During June and July, the sun does not set. While this provides great visibility, it often leads to driver fatigue. Tourists frequently forget to sleep, leading to microsleeps on long, straight roads. Stick to a schedule even if it's light out.

→ Sources & References