Matkahuolto Bus Ticket Booking Guide (Ivalo, Saariselkä, and Beyond)

日本語

Hello, I’m Zukky.

When traveling in Finland, there are often places you can’t reach by train or plane alone. For example, to get to aurora spots and national parks far from large cities, such as Ivalo or Saariselkä, taking a bus is essential (though hotel transfers are sometimes available, they can often be quite expensive!).

The Matkahuolto online booking site is the key to reserving these buses. Matkahuolto is Finland’s largest long-distance bus operator, and its website acts as a comprehensive booking platform covering bus companies nationwide.

While booking is not always mandatory, it is highly recommended during the tourist season, especially for aurora viewing, as pre-booking is the cheapest and most reliable way to secure your seat.

You can also easily check routes using the app “Reitit ja Liput” (Routes & Tickets).

I often used the bus when I was a student because it was cheaper than the train.

　

　

Basic Information to Know Before Booking

Ticket Types and Prices

There are mainly three ways to buy a ticket:

When traveling as a tourist, especially during peak seasons, online booking is safest to guarantee a seat. It’s often cheaper, and the language barrier is lower since no conversation is required.

	Remarks	Discount Details
Saver Ticket (Sale)	Limited discount slots. Varies by operator.	around15-20% off
Adult	Standard fare.
Child	Less than 50% off (varies by operator).	Ages 0-11
Student	Less than 50% off (varies by operator).	Requires a Matkahuolto-certified student card (e.g., exchange students).
Youth	Less than 50% off (varies by operator).	Ages 12-16
Pensioner	Approx. 30% off (varies by operator).	Age 65 and older.
Military Service	Varies by operator.	Discounts may apply.
Press	Varies by operator.	Discounts may apply.

Information Needed for Booking

Please have the following information ready before booking. You can use Google Maps or an AI chat tool to find the exact bus stop name for your destination.

　

　

Matkahuolto Official Website Booking Procedure

First, access the Matkahuolto official website.

Step 1: Entering the Search Form

Scroll down a bit until you see the “Timetables and Ticket Purchase” section.

Enter the necessary information:

Once finished, click “Search.”

　

Step 2: Selecting Your Trip

The search results list will appear. My search (Ivalo Airport → Hotel Inari) displayed 3 options.

Choose the time, bus company (e.g., OnniBus/Eskelisen Lapin Linjat), and price that suits you, then click the price button.

I think OnniBus could not be booked via Matkahuolto about 10 years ago, but it seems possible now. Be aware that OnniBus is cheap but their seats were quite hard, so be careful if you are taking a long journey.

　

Transfers and Bus Details

By clicking the “Stops and description of service” link next to the ticket price (Info), you can check the stops and the bus’s final destination. Here you can also find the distance and travel time between stops.

Be cautious: Some routes require a transfer mid-journey. While the driver might notify you when boarding, missing a transfer is generally your own responsibility.

　

Search Errors

Sometimes search results may not appear depending on the chosen bus stop. While the route might genuinely not exist on that day, often the bus stops at a nearby major station. Try changing your search terms to a different nearby stop.

　

Step 3: Selecting Tickets and Passenger Information

Ticket Selection

Select the ticket type.

Click the “+” button for the number of tickets you want. In this example, a child rate is not available. Fares are highly dependent on the service and route.

Early purchase is recommended, as sales/Saver Tickets are often available. Once decided, click “Accept” to proceed.

To buy a return ticket, click “Click here to add return journey.”

　

(Example: A search from Rovaniemi Bus Station → Saariselkä Holiday Club showed many more ticket options. It is recommended to explore various options during the planning stage, as ticket prices vary significantly by route.)

　

Seat Reservation

If seat reservation is available for the service or time, the seat reservation screen will appear here. The official website states that seat selection is generally free. (This used to cost extra, so it might change again.)

　

Passenger Information

Next, enter the passenger information. This usually only requires your name and email address on the next page.

Instead of your name, you can use a preferred string of characters for personal identification. If you are likely to forget a custom string, like me, it is safest to just enter your full name.

Step 4: Payment

Next, you will input your email address and payment information.

First, read the eBus Ticket Terms and Conditions and check the box that says “I have read and I accept the conditions for eBus Ticket.”

Next, enter your email address twice.

Scroll down further for payment methods. If you don’t have a Finnish bank account, payment will likely be via credit card. Select either Mastercard or Visa and click the logo.

Enter your credit card number, expiration date, and the 3-digit security code, then click “PAY.”

　

Step 5: E-Ticket Confirmation

Once the credit card payment is successful, you will receive an email. Be sure to check the contents.

While you don’t necessarily need to print the e-ticket, make sure you can display the ticket screen and barcode on your phone (e.g., by taking a screenshot). I often lose my phone or wallet, so I prefer to print it out.

　

　

Day of Travel: Flow and Precautions

What to Bring

Never forget your ticket and passport. If the driver says, “ID please!”, show your passport.

　

Confirming Your Platform and Time

I am often careless about the platform. If you are highly prone to clumsiness like me, you might find the bus platform is in an unexpected location or farther than you thought, leading to a near miss. Always confirm in advance.

Ivalo Airport is simple (just outside the airport), but your reserved stop might be in a different spot than you expected in other locations. For example, Rovaniemi Bus Station is in a slightly inconvenient spot, and I am usually running just in time.

Finnish buses are generally punctual unless the weather is bad or the bus is full. The typical “the bus will be slow, so it’s okay!” rarely happens here.

　

Boarding and Presenting Your Ticket

Show the E-ticket screen on your phone to the driver for scanning. Also, show your passport.

If you purchase the ticket on the bus, tell the driver your destination and pay by cash or card. You will receive a receipt that serves as your ticket. If you have large luggage, it can be stored in the trunk.

If you are bringing a bicycle, you must book it in advance. Otherwise, the driver might tell you, “Sorry, you can’t board now, take the next bus. I will inform the next driver,” (based on my own experience).

　

Bus Amenities

For long-distance buses, a restroom is usually available. You should be able to check the details under “Stops and description of service” in Step 2.

Also, Finnish buses have had Wi-Fi for a long time, even before it was common in Japan. It sometimes doesn’t work, but let’s consider that part of the charm!

　

　

Summary

Matkahuolto is very convenient for traveling to places in Finland not reachable by train. By booking online, you avoid the need for conversation in English at the station, and you can buy tickets affordably.

While renting a car with an international license is an option for local travel, I’m too nervous to drive abroad—the rules are different, and they drive on the right side! The charm of Finland is not limited to places reachable by train. Why not try using the bus to discover new attractions in Finland?