Tips for driving in Lapland

In Lapland the driving conditions are different and are mainly influenced by the weather conditions and the wildlife around. Here are some tips on how to drive safely and enjoy the road.

• The cold conditions in Lapland make the roads icy and slippery, so drive slowly, carefully and avoid pressing the brake for a long time.

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• The braking distance is longer than usual due to the road conditions, so it is important to keep a distance from the vehicle in front of you.

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• Most of the roads in Lapland are without road lighting, so it is recommended to drive with high beams in dark areas. It is important to remember to reduce to normal lights when oncoming traffic arrives or when the distance from the vehicle in front of you is small in order not to dazzle other drivers.

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• All over Lapland there are many reindeer herds that roam freely and may be near the roads, when you come upon a herd of reindeer or a single reindeer slow down and let the reindeer cross the road safely. Moose can be unpredictable so it is important to drive carefully even if they are on the side of the road. If the vehicle coming in front of you signals you with its lights, it is warning you of reindeer near or on the road ahead. You may also signal other drivers of possible danger on the road. 

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• The driving distances in Lapland are long and therefore also long and tiring, set off after you have checked that the fuel tank is full, the driver is alert and not tired, and that there is a refreshment station on the way if the journey requires a stop to refuel and rest.

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​• If the temperature drops to minus 15 or below, it is recommended to connect the car with a cable to the electricity, usually if you rent a car the cable will be inside the car. Connecting to electricity helps keep the engine at a reasonable temperature for starting driving. You can find the connection in almost every outdoor parking. 

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• Before each entry into the vehicle, it is recommended to turn on the heating and defroster to maximum power. This will help melt the ice if it accumulated during the night on the windshield. After switching on, the windshields and side windows can be cleaned using the scrubbing device found in the vehicle. By the time the cleaning is finished, the vehicle will have warmed up and will be ready to drive.

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• Please note, sometimes after a long walks in the snow, the snow accumulates and gets caught on the boots. It is recommended to shake your feet and clean your boots of snow before entering the car. This will prevent moisture in the vehicle after the snow melts.

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• If you want to take pictures along the way, stop at places that are known to stop, there are many such places along the way. Make sure that you stop in a safe place that does not disturb other drivers, if the stop is in the hours of darkness, make sure that you leave the lights in the car on so that other drivers will notice you.

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• Please note, sometimes after a long walk in the snow, the snow accumulates and gets caught in the boots. It is recommended to shake your feet and clean your boots of snow before entering the car. This will prevent moisture in the vehicle after the snow melts.

• Before each entry into the vehicle, it is recommended to turn on the heating and defroster to maximum power. This will help melt the ice if it has accumulated during the night on the windshield. After switching on, the windshields and side windows can be cleaned using the scrubbing device/brush found in the vehicle. By the time the cleaning is finished, the vehicle will have warmed up and will be ready to drive.

• In Finland, you give the right of way to a vehicle coming from the right even if they are coming from smaller streets (only if they don't have a slow and give right of way triangle).

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• At signalized intersections you have to pay attention to the other vehicles even if the traffic light is green. When turning, if the traffic light is an arrow, there is no need to give the right of way. But if the traffic light is a circular general traffic light when turning, you should pay attention and give the right of way to vehicles coming from the right throughout the entire turn.

• During the winter season, there are many snowmobiles that travel on the paths designated for them, sometimes these paths cross the road if you see a sign with a snowmobile sign, please pay attention and be careful of snowmobiles crossing.

• The emergency number in Finland - 112

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• In Lapland, there are many parking spaces in the urban environment, limited in time. The time will always be written on the sign located in the parking area. That's why a tool called a parking clock is used. The parking clock indicates the time the parking began. The disc must be located on the inside of the windshield.

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• Paid parking usually starts with a basic fee of 1.40 euros per hour, near every paid parking place there is a machine through which you pay, after paying place the receipt on the inside of the vehicle's windshield. In addition, you can download the EasyPark application for quick and easy payment.