Location and Connections
Salla is located in the wilderness of Eastern Lapland, far enough away from everything but still very well-connected. The eastern border separates Salla from Russia and the Arctic Circle cuts through the southern part of the municipal district.
Bus connections connect Salla to the airports in Kuusamo and Rovaniemi and the railway station in Kemijärvi. You can find more detailed information below.
Arrival by train
The Kemijärvi railway station is located 65 kilometres away from Salla. There is a bus service connecting the station and arriving trains to Salla, this service also connects with the the night train.
- Please find the up-to-date train schedules on Finland’s national railway operator VR timetable search
UPDATED INFORMATION FOR THE NIGHT TRAIN CONNECTIONS:
The bus connection from Sallatunturi to Kemijärvi train station runs EVERY DAY from Monday to Sunday (excluding public holidays). Always check the schedules on Matkahuolto’s website as there may be service exceptions on unofficial weekdays and public holidays. Tickets can be bought directly on the bus.
Train connection schedule:
Kemijärvi railway station | Salla bus station/ centre | Sallatunturin Tuvat/ Holiday club Salla | Salla Visitor Centre | |
> | 9:15 | 10:40 | 10:50 (if needed) | 10:50 (if needed) |
< | 18:40 | 17:30 | 17:10 | 17:00 |
Arrival by plane
Salla can be accessed by plane from and via Helsinki. The nearest airports are located in Kuusamo (110 km) and Rovaniemi (145 km). Both have bus connections to Salla.
The bus connection to_Salla_FEBRUARY 2024
The bus connection to_Salla_MARCH 2024
Winter 2023-2024
Bus operating from 1st December to 30th April between Friday and Sunday from one afternoon flight a day.
All rights reserved.
Always check the schedules on Matkahuolto’s website
Salla – Kuusamo airport – Salla 01.12.2023-28.04.2024
NOTE! There isnt always a connection to/from all flights and some transports need to be combined. The connection from Salla to Kuusamo airport starts from Salla bus station and in front of Hotel Revontuli.
The Arctic Circle / Karhunkierros nature center is located on the route of the Kuusamo-Salla airport connection. The airport bus will stop if necessary in Hautajärvi – in the yard of the nature center.
Extra transfers to Kuusamo Airport now also in Matkahuolto onlineshop.
Routes to Rovaniemi (via the airport) are operated by Möllari lines on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year (The only exeptions to this are the public holidays that happen to be close together, not on individual weekdays).
Rovaniemi airport | Sallatunturi/Holiday Club Salla | ||
18:05 | > | 20:30 | SAT & SUN |
16:45 | < | 14:30 | SAT & SUN |
There is also public bus to/from Rovaniemi airport on weekdays! Bus stops at airport based on reguest, please make reservation straight to info@mollarinlinjat.fi.
Rovaniemi airport | Salla bus station/ centre | Sallatunturi | ||
11:45 *) | > | 14:10 | MON-FRI | |
17:50 | > | 19:55 | MON-FRI | |
11:40*) | < | 08:35 | MON-FRI |
*) You have to change bus at Kemijärvi ABC. Bus available only on school days
Always check the schedules on Matkahuolto’s website
(the right to make changes is reserved)
Bus stop in Salla village center
(canopy area behind Matkahuolto, next to the parking lot):
Airport shuttle stops in Sallatunturi:
To the Bear Trail (Karhunkierros) and Oulanka National Park
The popular Karhunkierros hiking trail runs in the area of Salla and Kuusamo municipalities, mainly in Oulanka National Park. The nearest villages are Hautajärvi, Käylä, Juuma and Ruka. It is 25 km from Kuusamo to the Ruka starting point and 40 km from Salla to the Hautajärvi starting point.
Karhunkierros bus is not operatin during the winter season. Please check the connections to Kuusamo airport above.
The bus can also conveniently take you to the Topsakantaival hiking trail, connecting Salla and Oulanka national parks.
Arriving by bus
You can get to Salla by bus from all over Finland. The Salla bus station is a covered area behind Simpsetti, on the edge of the parking lot. Matkahuolto operates in Simpsetti (on the other side of the same building at Myllytie 2).
Bus timetables can be found on Matkahuolto’s website
National bus and train timetable information can also be found from the route guide
The Finnish Transport Agency’s Matka.fi includes domestic travel, but not long-distance buses
Arriving by car
The municipal center of Salla is located at the intersection of national road 82 from Vikajärvi in Rovaniemi and regional road 950 from Kuusamo.
Distances to Salla:
Helsinki 915 km
Turku 950 km
Tampere 800 km
Joensuu 565 km
Rovaniemi 150 km
Kuusamo 110 km
Kemijärvi 65 km
We reserve the right to change schedules and connections. Further information about services, businesses, and everything else offered in the area can be found from Salla Tourist Info.
To Karhunkierros and Oulanga National Park The popular Karhunkierros hiking trail runs in the area of Salla and Kuusamo municipalities, mainly in Oulanga National Park. The nearest villages are Hautajärvi, Käylä, Juuma and Ruka. It is 25 km from Kuusamo to the Ruka starting point and 40 km from Salla to the Hautajärvi starting point. Timetables summer 2023 Rukabussit operates from 1 June 2023 to 31 October 2023 from Thursday to Sunday as follows: