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Next ECIC Conference will meet in Finland September 20.-23. 2027.
Venue and accommodation: Tievatupa.
Adress: Tievatuvantie 69, 99830 Saariselkä
Registration will be available 19.10.2026!
How to get there?
Getting to the next ECIC conference at Tievatupa in Saariselkä, Finland, will be a beautiful journey into the heart of Finnish Lapland. September is also ruska season—the time when the Lappish landscapes turn bright red, orange, and gold.
Here is a clear, step-by-step travel guide you can share with attendees traveling from across Europe.
Saariselkä is located far north in Finnish Lapland. While it feels wonderfully remote, it is very well-connected by air and road.
Option 1: By Air (Fastest & Most Convenient)
For almost all European attendees, flying will be the easiest way to reach Tievatupa.
- Fly into Helsinki (HEL): Attendees should book flights from their local European airports to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Finland’s primary international hub.
- Connecting Flight to Ivalo (IVL): From Helsinki, take a domestic flight on Finnair straight to Ivalo Airport, which is the closest airport to Saariselkä (about 30 km / 20 miles away).
- Ivalo Airport to Tievatupa:
- Airport Shuttle / Bus: Shuttle buses are scheduled to meet every arriving Finnair flight. The bus takes about 25-30 minutes to reach Saariselkä.
- Taxi: Taxis are readily available right outside the small terminal. A taxi to Saariselkä typically costs around €60–€80.
- Rental Car: Several major car rental desks operate at Ivalo Airport for those who prefer to drive.
(Note: Rovaniemi Airport (EFRO/RVN) is another option with more international flight connections, but it is a 3-hour drive/bus ride (260 km) south of Saariselkä. Attendees should only fly to Rovaniemi if they plan to rent a car or don’t mind a long bus transfer.)
Option 2: Train + Bus (The Scenic Route)
For attendees looking to lower their carbon footprint or experience a bit of romance on the rails, the Finnish railway system (VR) is fantastic.
- Fly or Ferry to Helsinki: Arrive in Helsinki via air or a car ferry (e.g., from Tallinn, Stockholm, or Germany).
- The “Santa Claus Express” Night Train: Take the comfortable, double-decker night train from Helsinki Central Station up to Rovaniemi. This overnight journey takes about 11.5 hours, and passengers can book private sleeping cabins.
- Bus to Saariselkä: Upon arriving at the Rovaniemi train station in the morning, attendees can catch a direct long-distance bus (operated by Matkahuolto or Eskelisen Lapin Linjat) heading north to Saariselkä. The bus ride takes about 3 hours.
Option 3: Driving
If attendees are driving from Northern Europe or taking their car on a ferry across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki:
- The drive from Helsinki to Saariselkä is roughly 1,060 km and takes about 12–14 hours of pure driving time.
- The route follows Highway E75 (Highway 4) directly north through the country, straight into Saariselkä. The roads are excellent and the scenery—especially passing thousands of lakes and autumnal forests—is spectacular.
