If you hire a car for your Rovaniemi apartment stay in winter, the thing worth knowing before you leave the airport is that reindeer can be on the road, especially at dusk and after dark, and they do not follow traffic rules. Most of the drive from the airport to our neighbourhood is on busy, ploughed roads where you will see few animals, but the habit you build in the first hour — lower speed, longer gaps, eyes on the verges — is the one that keeps a winter drive pleasant.

We are Joona and Alla, local hosts who drive these roads every winter. This is practical host advice, not a driving course; check official Finnish road guidance for rules and speed limits. If you are weighing whether to hire a car at all, start by checking dates for Nine Pines on Airbnb or Booking.com, then decide on transport.

Why reindeer are on Lapland roads

Most reindeer in Finnish Lapland are semi-domesticated: owned by herders but roaming freely over large areas. They cross roads, stand on warm tarmac and sometimes walk along the verge. Their dark winter coats are hard to see, and they move unpredictably. You are most likely to meet them outside towns, on longer drives such as day trips north of Rovaniemi, and less likely on the built-up roads between the airport, the centre and our neighbourhood. Still, assume the possibility rather than rely on its absence.

Other animals matter too. Moose and other wildlife are present in Finland, and the same advice applies: slow down at dusk and dawn, and in the dark.

The habits that make winter driving safer

• Drive slower than the limit when it is dark or snowing. The sign shows the maximum for good conditions, not a target.
• Keep your distance. Braking on snow takes longer, and the car behind you may not stop in time if you brake hard for an animal.
• Use your headlights properly. Dipped beams on, and main beam when the road is clear and no traffic is ahead.
• Scan the verges, not only the lane ahead. Eyes glow in headlights.
• Give yourself time. Rushing to a booked slot is what causes accidents in winter.

Our guide to checking the forecast and roads before you travel and the one on driving to Rovaniemi and arriving by car add more.

If you see a reindeer

If you see one on the road, slow down early and calmly. Do not honk repeatedly or flash your lights; they may bolt. Stop if you need to and wait until the road is clear. Reindeer often come in groups, so when one has crossed, expect others. Do not get out of the car to take photographs on a road with traffic. If you do want a photo, find a safe lay-by and keep away from the animals.

If you hit an animal or have an accident

Stop safely, switch on hazard lights, wear a reflective vest if you have one, and call 112, the Finnish emergency number. The emergency centre will tell you what to do and will inform the right authorities. Do not approach an injured animal. Tell your car-rental company afterwards. Our guide on illness and emergencies in Rovaniemi says more about 112.

Winter tyres, daylight and the car

Rental cars in Finnish Lapland are equipped for winter, and as far as we know winter tyres are required by law in the winter months; confirm this with your rental company when you collect the car. Check that the windscreen washer fluid is full and that you have an ice scraper. At Nine Pines we provide an ice scraper and snow brush, which you will use on the car in the morning. Allow ten minutes to clear snow before you drive off. Our post on clearing snow off a rental car has a routine.

Daylight is short. In December you may drive to the apartment in the dark at 15:30. Plan arrival times, especially for a first drive after a long flight, and consider taking a taxi on the first evening. A taxi from the airport to the apartment takes about 15 minutes and costs roughly €35–45.

The roads around our apartment

By car, Nine Pines is 8 minutes from the centre, 15 minutes from Santa Claus Village, SantaPark and the airport, and 10 minutes from the Ounasvaara ski slopes. These are built-up roads, ploughed in the morning, with street lights in most places. The real surprises tend to come on longer trips; for those, take extra care. In our neighbourhood the main hazards are ice, children on sledges and the parking yard.

There is one free parking space in the yard next to the entrance, with room for a car with a roof box. Our winter parking guide explains how to park in snow. If you do not want to drive at all, the bus stop is 150 m from the door, with a direct bus to the centre in about 15 minutes. Read do you need a rental car in Rovaniemi?

Walking and cycling near roads

Pedestrians in the dark are hard to see. Wear reflectors, carry a small light on footpaths, and walk facing traffic where there is no pavement. Our post on walking in the dark in Korkalovaara has more.

A short pre-drive checklist

1. Clear all windows, mirrors, lights and the roof of snow.
2. Check the forecast and the road conditions for your route.
3. Set your satnav before you start, not while you drive.
4. Keep warm clothing, a charged phone and a bottle of water in the car.
5. If you are tired after travelling, let someone else drive or take a taxi.

More about the apartment is on the Nine Pines page, and the location page lists distances.

FAQ: reindeer and winter driving around Rovaniemi

Are reindeer common on roads near Rovaniemi?

They are more common further from town, but they can appear anywhere. Drive carefully in the dark.

What number do I call after an accident?

112, the Finnish emergency number.

Do I need winter tyres?

Rental cars should be fitted for winter; ask your rental company to confirm.

Is it safe to drive from the airport after dark?

Many guests do. If you are tired, a taxi for the first evening is a sensible alternative.