Hop aboard this little-known sleeper train for Europe’s most festive winter adventure

Spring cleaning is old news.

Now’s the best time to dig deep into your closet and dust off your puffer jacket, grab your favorite hat and book a trip to Europe to join in the Christmas spirit with endless cups of mulled wine and savory treats.

While renowned cities such as Vienna, Prague and Munich are rightly considered among the most festive destinations, there is one surprising country that is breaking tourism records, with one trendy city in particular. celebrating Christmas every day of the year.

Although their little airport has gained more fame thanks to social media, many travelers may not know that there’s a much more adventurous way to get here than packing sardines on Ryanair.

Leaving Helsinki, Finland’s underrated capital, visitors can hop aboard the Sinterklaas Expressa night train that serves as a comfortable hotel on rails to wake up in the heart of Lapland, the Arctic’s most sought-after winter wonderland.

Finland expects a record-breaking winter season

At Travel Off Path we get it: it’s tempting to follow the crowd to Europe’s household names because you know what you’re going to get.

But more and more reports are revealing new travel trends; one of which is to explore the lesser known ones to avoid crowds and broken-out routes.

What better place to do that than Finland, a country surprisingly well connected to many US airports via Finnair, the flagship four-star airline.

Lonely Planet even recognized Finland as the “best place to find happiness in wild places.”

Therefore, Finland expects one record breaking tourist season this winter, ready to welcome over a million tourists between December and February.

But let’s take a moment to focus on Lapland and look at other destinations in Finland that are gaining popularity.

Helsinki is certainly one of them. With a timeless Old Town (Vanhakaupunki) and underrated Christmas markets, Helsinki could easily be your mainstay or weekend exploration before heading deeper into the country to discover unsuspecting delights.

Little known Turku is about 2 hours by train from Helsinki (not the Santa Claus Express). This is Finland’s oldest city and has stood the test of time beautifully with medieval castles and a riverside market square – not to mention a small airport offering connections to other great European cities.

If there’s a true hidden gem ready to shine, this is it Oulu. Featured in National Geographic’s must-visit destinations guide for 2026, this unheard of Scandinavian wonder offers unrivaled Northern Lights sightings and was named Europe’s 2026 Cultural capital.

Plus, who could pass up the opportunity to sign up for the World Air Guitar Championship?

Rovaniemi: the world’s one and only Christmas destination all year round

Finland as a whole may be expecting an influx of tourists, but Rovaniemi has already beaten its beloved homeland by welcoming a record number of visitors in its own right.

You don’t have to wait for Black Friday sales or clearance racks the day after Christmas to get into the holiday spirit during the off-season: Rovaniemi is Christmasy every day of the year.

Of course, visiting in the middle of winter brings snow-covered forests and frequent sightings of the Northern Lights, and there’s just something magical about sipping mulled wine or hot chocolate in the icy Arctic air.

But have you ever heard of ‘Christmas in July’?

It’s really a thing in Rovaniemi, Lapland’s increasingly popular holiday destination, where everything from real reindeer and landscapes seemingly comes from a Quality mark film.

Anchored by Santa’s Village, a free to visitr “North Pole” for Christmas lovers who want to immerse themselves in decorated halls: there is truly no place like it.

Keep in mind that while many places around the world consider December to be a low season, for Rovaniemi it’s the complete opposite, so expect bank-high prices for hotels.

But we have the ultimate loophole for you!

Presentation of the Santa Claus Express: Europe’s secret sleeper train

Riding the Santa Claus Express is truly a thrill, and you don’t have to worry about getting a window seat.

Finland sees minimal daylight during frigid winters, but hey, that only increases your chances of witnessing the dark sky dancing green away from the city’s light pollution.

This little-known sleeper train has received better service during busy winters. Travelers can choose from numerous time slots departure from Helsinki from 7:29 PM – 11:40 PM for a sleeper cabin.

Otherwise, if you want to get that window seat, you’re better off leaving earlier in the day for at least an 8-hour journey.

We recommend reserving a sleeper cabin so you don’t double your spending on accommodations, our favorite hotel hack here at Travel Off Path.

Rates start at $57, but that’s the best-case scenario. Interest rates are likely to rise as we get closer to Christmas.

Individual sleeping cabins can accommodate up to 3 people (or 4 with a partition between adjacent rooms).

Ground floor accommodations are usually cheaper. Upgrade to a top-floor cabin for more privacy with showers and toilets.

The cabins are equipped with several electrical outlets, free wifiand bunk beds (but buying a single bed is not an option).

Unless you’re a sled dog owner, chances are you’re not traveling with Fido, but pets are welcome.

We recommend that you search the restaurant on board menu as well as them useful tips before boarding for a seamless journey to Finland’s best winter wonderland.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.