Renting a car in Lapland

In short

• Book early. In December prices rise to 4–6 times those of May and October, and cars run out. Some airport offices do not accept customers without a reservation.
• A credit card is a must. A physical credit card in the main driver's name. Debit cards, virtual cards or someone else's card are not accepted by most companies.
• A Turkish licence is valid in Finland. Still bring an International Driving Permit: some companies ask for one with non-EU licences.
• Winter tyres are mandatory between 1 November and 31 March if the weather and road conditions require them. Rental cars are supplied with winter tyres in this period.
• Headlights stay on in daytime too, the alcohol limit is 0.5‰, and there are no motorway or bridge tolls in Finland.
• If you hit a reindeer, call 112. You do not pay for the animal.

Who is at which airport

According to the official list from the airport operator, Finavia:

• Rovaniemi also has city offices. Hertz in the city centre and at the railway station, Sixt and Green Motion at the railway station, Europcar in the city centre. Handy if you arrive on the night train.
• The rental desks at Rovaniemi Airport will move in future. According to Finavia's September 2026 announcement, the desks will move to the car park area at the end of the terminal. Check the pick-up instructions in your booking documents.
• At Kittilä, Ivalo and Kuusamo the offices are in the airport, next to the arrivals hall.

Licence, age, card

Turkish and other non-EU licences

According to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, Traficom, a Turkish licence is valid in Finland for visitors. At a traffic check the police may ask for an international licence or an official translation alongside your licence. If your licence clearly shows the categories and the expiry date, this is not needed.

Rental companies, however, apply their own rules: Hertz asks for an International Driving Permit together with non-EU licences. The smoothest way is to get this document before leaving Turkey and to carry your physical (plastic) licence with you. Digital licences are not accepted. You will also be asked for your passport.

Age and licence history

• At most companies a licence held for at least 1 year and an age of 18–19 is enough.
• Enterprise charges a young driver fee of €20 per rental for ages 19–24. Avis and Hertz do not charge this fee in Finland.
• For large vehicles and minibuses the age limit can be higher. A main driver over 25 makes things easier.

Credit card and deposit

• Card: Avis, Enterprise and Europcar accept only a credit card in the main driver's name. Debit cards, prepaid cards and Apple/Google Pay are not accepted.
• Deposit: It is blocked on the card. Example: at Enterprise, €300 plus the estimated rental cost. Make sure your card limit covers the deposit and the rental together.

Insurance

Basic damage and theft protection is included in the rental, but the excess you pay in a claim is high. For example €2,000–4,000 at Enterprise and €1,200–4,000 at Avis.

• An extra package that reduces the excess ("Super Cover" at Avis, "Excess Protection" at Enterprise) is worth considering in winter.
• At most companies tyres and windscreen are outside the standard cover. In winter gravel and pieces of ice can hit the windscreen, so ask about this separately.
• The "full protection" products of broker sites (Discover Cars and others) work differently: you pay for the damage first and then claim it back from that company. The rental company still blocks the deposit.

Prices and best value

Monthly averages published by Discover Cars in October 2026 (all vehicle classes, per day):

These are averages, not exact prices for your dates and vehicle class. In December that means roughly €1,000 for a week for an average car. Less for a small car, more for an SUV or minibus.

Where is it cheaper to rent?

• Rovaniemi or Kittilä? In December there is no difference between them. Ivalo and Kuusamo are more expensive and have fewer cars.
• Airport or city? In Rovaniemi the city offices are not noticeably cheaper. With winter luggage and children, picking up at the airport is the most practical.
• Comparison site or company site? On sites such as Discover Cars, Rentalcars and Kayak, the lowest prices usually come from Green Motion and Alamo. When comparing prices, also put the excess, the deposit, the card requirement and the free cancellation period side by side. A cheap-looking offer can turn out expensive with a high excess.
• When? For December, at least 3 months ahead. Cars become hard to find in the Christmas and New Year week.

Winter driving rules

• Winter tyres: Mandatory between 1 November and 31 March if weather and road conditions require them. The "mandatory December to February" rule was dropped in 2020. For non-studded winter tyres, the mountain-snowflake (3PMSF) symbol has been required since 1 December 2024. Ask at booking whether the rental car will have studded or non-studded tyres; most companies do not guarantee this.
• Speed: Unless signed otherwise, 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside. In winter the limit drops to 80 on many main roads and to 100 on motorways. Follow the signs.
• Headlights: They must be on in daytime too. Daytime running lights do not switch on the rear lights, so use dipped headlights in the dark.
• Engine heater: Almost all cars in Finland have one, and it plugs into a normal socket. The sockets in hotel and apartment car parks are for this. On cold mornings plug it in 1–2 hours before departure; ask at pick-up whether the cable is in the car.
• Snow and ice: Clear the windows, lights and roof before setting off. Black ice forms most on bridges, in shaded stretches and around 0 °C. At 80 km/h the braking distance on ice can exceed 180 metres.
• Darkness: In December Rovaniemi gets 2–4 hours of daylight. Two-thirds of accidents with injuries happen in the dark. Plan long drives around midday.
• Fuel: Stations are sparse in the north. Do not let the tank drop below half.

Reindeer and elk

On Lapland's roads you meet reindeer every day. They travel in herds: if you see one, others will follow. Slow down and do not stop in the middle of the road for a photo. The elk is more dangerous and is most active at dawn and in the evening dusk.

Crossing into Norway and Sweden

Finland, Norway and Sweden are inside Schengen, and there are usually no passport checks at the border. But to cross a border in a rental car you need the company's permission in advance:

• Enterprise: Allows only Sweden and Norway, €60 per rental, with prior approval from the branch.
• Hertz and Europcar: Allow it with a prior request and an extra fee. Crossing is forbidden for some vehicle groups.
• Sixt: Asks for written permission.
• Finn-Rent: Free, provided you agree in advance.
• If you cross without permission, your insurance is void.
• Dropping off in another country: Most companies do not allow the car to be returned in another country (international one-way).

The last stretch of the road to Nordkapp opens in convoy in winter and can be closed for hours depending on the weather. If you are thinking of this journey, see the Great Northern Tour page.

For families

Child seats

Children under 135 cm must use a suitable seat or booster. Reserve it in advance; at Budget, for example, a baby or child seat costs about €46 per rental and a booster about €20.

Large family: a 7–9 seater

There are very few 9-seater minibuses in Lapland and they are very expensive in December. Get the licence and age requirements confirmed in writing by the company. As alternatives, consider two separate cars or a transfer with a driver.

Parking in Rovaniemi

Parking in the city centre is paid: €2.20 per hour, Monday to Friday 08–18, Saturday 08–16. You pay at the machine or with the EasyPark and ParkMan apps. A parking fine is €60. In time-limited areas you need a parking disc (kiekko); with a rental car it usually comes with the car.

An electric car?

In very cold weather the range drops noticeably; in tests it is around 60–70 per cent of the summer range. It can work for short trips around Rovaniemi. For long drives and a first Lapland winter, a petrol or hybrid car with an engine heater is more predictable.

Sources

Information checked in October 2026. Terms may vary by company and branch; before booking, read the conditions of your own rental company.

• Finavia, airport rental listings: Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo, Kuusamo; Rovaniemi Airport announcement
• Traficom: driving in Finland with a foreign licence
• Poliisi: winter tyres; Traficom: the 3PMSF symbol; Yle: winter speed limits
• Visit Finland: driving in Finland; Liikenneturva: difficult driving conditions
• Reindeer Herders' Association: reindeer on the roads
• Company terms: Avis, Enterprise Rovaniemi, Finn-Rent, Budget child seats
• Price averages: Discover Cars Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo, Kuusamo
• City of Rovaniemi: parking; Visit Rovaniemi: car rental