Driving from Espoo to Lapland around X'mas

daveba · Post by **daveba** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 12:28 am

Is this a stupid idea?

We will have some friends over from the UK and we are planning to take our car and families all the way to Inari. Will make 1-2 stops on the way and same back. Have already booked a cottage there but haven't yet booked the transport. This happened last minute as the friends only booked their tickets today.

Anyway, is this a stupid idea and should I just book the train to Rovaniemi and then hire a car (really expensive this time of the year) there or is it not that bad. The car is a 4x4 and 7 seater.

Thanks!

**Sponsor:**

DMC · Post by **DMC** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:14 am

I don't see a problem. For years I have regularly driven to and around Lapland in January without issue. I have used both 2 and 4 wheel drive cars. I suppose it makes sense to take precautions like carrying warm clothes, a shovel and so on. I always do but have never needed them myself, although I have used the shovel a couple of times to help other people who have got into difficulties through their own stupidity.

daveba · Post by **daveba** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:50 am

DMC wrote:I don't see a problem. For years I have regularly driven to and around Lapland in January without issue. I have used both 2 and 4 wheel drive cars. I suppose it makes sense to take precautions like carrying warm clothes, a shovel and so on. I always do but have never needed them myself, although I have used the shovel a couple of times to help other people who have got into difficulties through their own stupidity.

Hey thanks a lot for your reply. How many stops do you recommend on the way? our main concern was if the roads are regularly cleaned in case of snow.

DMC · Post by **DMC** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 1:11 pm

Depends what you mean by stops. Overnight stops or stops for refreshment?
I have to see people in Rovaniemi so I drive there in 1 day, then go on from there next day. I stop for refreshment as & when I want to, with no set pattern.

The roads are generally cleared very well. Of course if you happen to be driving as or soon after it snows it can be more difficult, but I have never found any of the larger roads to be impassable. Smaller local roads can be blocked of course.

interleukin · Post by **interleukin** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 1:21 pm

Just be well prepared and bring coffee and sandwiches, making stops whenever you feel like it.

Honest · Post by **Honest** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 1:50 pm

You should also consider booking your car with you on a train to Oulu/Rovaniemi and then drive ahead. Depends how long is your holiday but driving long distances in winter conditions can be quite tiring.

daveba · Post by **daveba** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:17 pm

Thanks a lot DMC, Interleukin and Honest for your answers, much appreciated. Yes, I meant overnight stops as we will have 4 kids with us. I thought I would make an overnight stop in Oulu and then drive ahead.

Honest - I have been constantly trying to get the car train but due to Christmas it is not available for the days I want. And the hotels are not available for the days car train is there.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 7:58 pm

Just in case you haven't found it already, this website shows all the webcams for the road network in Finland:

http://www2.liikennevirasto.fi/alk/engl ... rat_5.html

DMC · Post by **DMC** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 9:31 pm

daveba wrote:Yes, I meant overnight stops as we will have 4 kids with us.

I that case you may want to make your first stop somewhere around Keha III and go forward from there

007 · Post by **007** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:08 pm

you should take a stopover, in Oulu. Try to drive during the day when there's some lights. In the dark without street lamps in some sections of the road is bit uneasy and if it's snowing, it becomes really unpleasant to drive. Beware of deers and mooses crossing the roads.... in the north, there are plenty of them.

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland