Arctic Car Rental Reality

Renting a car in Lapland is a ticket to freedom in any season, but the technical requirements shift dramatically between the midnight sun and the polar night.

Tire Regulations & Safety

In Finland, tires are strictly regulated by the season. Your rental agency will always provide the correct set for the current date:

• Winter Season (Nov–April): Winter tires are mandatory when conditions require. Most rentals use Studded Tires (Nastarenkaat) with steel pins for ice grip.
• Summer Season (May-Oct): Cars switch to standard summer tires. Note that in early spring (April) or late autumn (October), Agencies may keep winter tires on if the weather is unpredictable. If you are visiting Lapland in April, please check the weather reports, as rental cars may switch to summer tires too early for the northernmost resorts.

Cold Weather Ops (Lohkolämmitin)

If visiting in winter, you will notice every parking spot has an electrical pole. If it is below -15°C, you should plug your car in for at least 2 hours before driving. This keeps the engine block warm enough to start and reduces engine wear.

Road Hazards

• Reindeer & Elk: They are active year-round. In summer, reindeer often stand on the road to avoid insects in the forest. They are not afraid of cars.
• Midnight Sun Fatigue: In summer, the 24-hour daylight can mess with your sleep. Driving while tired is as dangerous as driving on ice.
• Winter Darkness: In polar night, high-beam management is critical as there are no streetlights for 100km stretches.
• Gravel Roads: Some scenic routes are unpaved. In summer, these can be extremely dusty; in spring/autumn, they become muddy and slippery.
• Speed Cameras: Finland uses "Average Speed" zones. Even 3km/h over the limit results in a massive automated fine.