Before you go

Your trip to Kiruna.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Kiruna – Norrbotten Destination Kiruna and Lapland

How to get there

Aeroporto de Kiruna (KRN) 9 km
Estação de Kiruna (Kiruna station) 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Flights from Stockholm arrive at Kiruna Airport, about 9 km from the center, in roughly 1h30. The overnight train from Stockholm takes about 17 hours. From Luleå, the capital of Norrbotten, it's about 345 km by car or roughly 4 hours by train.

How many days

Two days for the mine, Jukkasjärvi, the Icehotel and a winter activity such as a dog sled ride. With two or three more days in Abisko your chances of seeing the aurora increase.

When to go

From December to March there is usually snow, dog sledding and the Icehotel; the northern lights are commonly visible from September to March on clear nights. In December and early January there is polar night, with temperatures often dropping below -15 °C. From late May to mid-July there is usually the midnight sun.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not necessarily. Buses connect the airport, the town center and Jukkasjärvi, and the train goes to Abisko. Winter tours usually pick up at hotels. Driving on snow and ice requires experience; those who rent a car in winter are provided with season-appropriate tires.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Kiruna

Morning
Kiirunavaara mine
Take the guided tour of the LKAB mine, which departs from the tourist centre and descends 540 metres.
Afternoon
Jukkasjärvi
Head to Jukkasjärvi: a wooden church from 1726 and a visit to a Sami family with reindeer.
Late afternoon
Icehotel
Guided tour of the Icehotel in season, or of the permanent section, open year-round.
Evening
Aurora
From September to March, go on a tour to see the northern lights, away from the city's lights.

2 days in Kiruna

Day 1

Morning
Mine
Guided mine tour.
Afternoon
New center
Walk through Kiruna's new center and the new town hall.
Late afternoon
Jukkasjärvi
Jukkasjärvi church.
Evening
Aurora
Night aurora tour, in season.

Day 2

Morning
Dog sledding
In winter, a dog sled ride on the frozen Torne River; in summer, canoeing.
Afternoon
Reindeer and Sami culture
Visit to a Sami family in Jukkasjärvi.
Late afternoon
Icehotel
Icehotel and ice bar.
Evening
Night on the ice
Sleep at the Icehotel or take the train to Abisko.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you see the northern lights in Kiruna?

Yes, from September to March on clear nights. Move away from city lights on guided tours or in Jukkasjärvi and Abisko.

How to get from Kiruna Airport to the centre?

By bus, which usually aligns with flight arrivals, or by taxi, in about 15 minutes. Hotels in Jukkasjärvi offer transfers.

What clothes to bring to Kiruna in winter?

Layered thermal clothing, a snow jacket and trousers, hat, gloves, wool socks and waterproof boots. Many tours lend insulated overalls and winter boots.

Why is Kiruna being moved?

The iron mine is advancing under the old center and the ground can collapse. The town is being gradually moved to a new center to the east.

Is the overnight train to Kiruna a good option?

Yes, for those with time. The journey takes about 17 hours from Stockholm, with sleeper cabins, and arrives with views of the northern landscape.

Back to Kiruna