Skip to content
EN

Icebreaker cruises from Tornio and Haparanda

Two towns, two countries, two time zones, and both icebreaker harbours within an hour.

Top picks
Sampo cruise from Haparanda/Tornio
Icebreaking Company Sampo cruise from Haparanda/Tornio
★ 5.0 (6) from €435
Book now
Arktis cruise from Haparanda/Tornio
Icebreaking Company · 8.5 hours in total; 3 hours on board Arktis cruise from Haparanda/Tornio
★ 4.5 (6) from €340
Book now
Polar Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker Polar Explorer cruise
★ 4.7 (490) from €325
Book now
Compare all 4 options

Tornio is in Finland, Haparanda just across the border in Sweden. From here the Kemi harbour is about an hour by bus, and the Axelsvik terminal 45 km by road. Watch the clock: Tornio runs on Finnish time, Haparanda on Swedish time, one hour behind.

PhotoCruiseShipHarbourTime on boardWhole dayIce floating fromPriceReviewsBook
Polar Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker		Polar ExplorerAxelsvik, Sweden3 h3–8.5 h, by option125 cm€325per person★ 4.7 (490)Book now
Arctic Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker		Arctic ExplorerAxelsvik, Sweden2.5 h2.5–8.5 h, by option125 cm (operator)€250per person★ 4.9 (16)Book now
Sampo cruise from Haparanda/Tornio
Icebreaking Company		SampoKemi, Finland3.5 h (morning) or 4 h (afternoon)8–8.5 h140 cm€435per person★ 5.0 (6)Book now
Arktis cruise from Haparanda/Tornio
Icebreaking Company		ArktisKemi, Finland3 h8.5 h140 cm€340per person★ 4.5 (6)Book now

Cruise prices here are per adult and come live from GetYourGuide, taxes and fees included. Compare them with the whole-day column: the cruises with a bus from Rovaniemi or Oulu include the transfer in the price.

Cruises to book from Tornio and Haparanda

Each card shows the pickup town and time on board first. Open a card for pickup stops, inclusions and the ice conditions note.

Sampo cruise from Haparanda/Tornio
Icebreaking Company

Sampo cruise from Haparanda/Tornio

Pickup in Haparanda and Tornio, about an hour by bus to Kemi. All times on the listing are Finnish time.

  • Duration: 8–8.5 hours in total; 3.5–4 hours on board
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
from €435 ★ 5.0 (6 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • Pickup on both sides of the Finnish–Swedish border
  • About an hour by bus to the SnowCastle area in Kemi
  • Ice floating, ship tour, diploma and the SnowExperience exhibition

About this cruise

Morning pickups are at Cape East (Sundholmen 1, Haparanda) at 06:35, Haparanda Stadshotell (Torget 7) at 06:45 and Hotel Olof in Tornio (Hallituskatu 16) at 06:55. The listing gives every time in Finnish time (UTC+2), which is one hour ahead of Haparanda.

Lunch on the restaurant deck is included on the afternoon cruise (13:30).

What’s included

  • Return shuttle bus from Haparanda or Tornio
  • 3.5–4-hour Sampo cruise
  • Welcome drink on board
  • Guided tour of the ship
  • Ice floating in a survival suit
  • Diploma
  • Visit to SnowExperience365 in the SnowCastle area

Pickup and check-in

Cape East (Haparanda), Haparanda Stadshotell, or Hotel Olof (Tornio).

Know before you go

  • All times on the listing are Finnish time (UTC+2).
  • Ice floating needs a minimum height of 140 cm.
  • Walking on the ice may not be possible on cruises early in the winter season and depends on the ice.
  • All programmes depend on the weather and can be changed to suit the conditions.
  • The cruise is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users
  • People with reduced mobility

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

Arktis cruise from Haparanda/Tornio
Icebreaking Company

Arktis cruise from Haparanda/Tornio

Pickup at four stops in Haparanda and Tornio from 06:35 (Finnish time) for the morning cruise.

  • Duration: 8.5 hours in total; 3 hours on board
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
from €340 ★ 4.5 (6 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • Pickup in Haparanda and Tornio, about an hour by bus to Kemi
  • 3-hour Arktis cruise with ice floating
  • Morning or afternoon departure

About this cruise

Morning pickups start at Cape East in Haparanda at 06:35 and end at Hotel Olof in Tornio at 06:55; the cruise runs 09:15–12:15. All times on the listing are Finnish time (UTC+2).

What’s included

  • Return shuttle bus from Haparanda or Tornio
  • 3-hour cruise
  • Ice floating in the Gulf of Bothnia
  • Cruise diploma

Not included

  • Lunch or breakfast buffet
  • SnowCastle exhibition tickets
  • Photo service
  • Welcome drink

Pickup and check-in

Cape East (Sundholmen 1, Haparanda), Haparanda Stadshotell (Torget 7), Köpmansgatan 10 (Haparanda) or Hotel Olof (Hallituskatu 16, Tornio).

Know before you go

  • All times on the listing are Finnish time (UTC+2).
  • Ice floating needs a minimum height of 140 cm.
  • Walking on the ice may not be possible on cruises early in the winter season and depends on the ice.
  • All programmes depend on the weather and can be changed to suit the conditions.
  • The cruise is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users
  • People with reduced mobility

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

Polar Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker

Polar Explorer cruise

The larger ship of the Swedish operator: seven decks, an audio guide app, a short film in the onboard cinema. Bring a passport or ID card.

  • Duration: 3 hours on board; 3–8.5 hours in total depending on the transfer option
  • Language: Live guide in English, Chinese, French, Polish, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, Italian, Russian, Sinhala and Swedish; audio guide in further languages including German
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 45 days before the start
from €325 ★ 4.7 (490 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • A tour of all seven decks with an audio guide app
  • A short documentary film in the onboard cinema
  • Floating in a survival suit and a walk on the sea ice
  • Cruise & Swim certificate

About this cruise

The terminal is in Axelsvik near Kalix, on the Swedish side of the gulf. You can take the shuttle bus (the option sets the pickup town) or drive yourself and park at the terminal free of charge. Lunch, snacks and drinks are sold on board.

Children from 125 cm can join the floating with their parents. Ice and its thickness are not guaranteed until early January, and walking on the ice may not be possible before then.

What’s included

  • Icebreaker cruise
  • Hot drinks on board
  • Guided tour of the seven decks
  • Audio guide
  • Film in the onboard cinema
  • Floating in a survival suit
  • Cruise & Swim certificate
  • Transfer from and to Rovaniemi (optional)

Not included

  • Meals (can be bought on board)

Pickup and check-in

Depends on the option you choose: shuttle pickup or the cruise terminal at Axelsviksvägen 291 C, Båtskärsnäs, Sweden.

What to bring

  • Passport or photo ID
  • Warm clothing

Know before you go

  • Children from 125 cm can take part in the floating together with their parents.
  • Ice and its thickness are not guaranteed until early January; walking on the ice may not be possible before then.
  • Departure times at the terminal are Swedish time, one hour behind Finland.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

Arctic Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker

Arctic Explorer cruise

The smaller ship from the same Swedish terminal: 2.5 hours, an e-guidebook and a small café. Times are Swedish time.

  • Duration: 2.5 hours on board; 2.5–8.5 hours in total depending on the transfer option
  • Language: Driver: English, Chinese, French, Spanish; e-guidebook in 16 languages
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 3 days before the start
from €250 ★ 4.9 (16 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • About 30 minutes out through the ice, 1.5 hours at the stop, 30 minutes back
  • Walk on the sea ice and float in a survival suit when conditions allow
  • Self-guided tour with an e-guidebook, small café on board

About this cruise

The Arctic Explorer leaves from the same terminal in Axelsvik as the Polar Explorer, about 40 km from the Finnish border. It is the smaller ship, with four decks and room for 80 passengers according to its operator.

Walking on the ice and floating depend on ice thickness, sea conditions and safety. If the operator limits or cancels them, the listing states that this is not a reason for a refund.

What’s included

  • 2.5-hour cruise on the Arctic Explorer
  • Hot drinks on board
  • Self-guided tour with an e-guidebook
  • Floating in a survival suit (when conditions allow)
  • Walking on the frozen sea (when conditions allow)
  • Cruise & Swim certificate signed by the captain

Not included

  • Personal travel insurance
  • Tips

Pickup and check-in

Shuttle stops depend on the option (drop-off points include Rovaniemi railway station, Santa Claus Holiday Village, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, Scandic Kemi and Kemi station), or the Arctic Explorer cruise terminal in Axelsvik, Sweden.

What to bring

  • Passport or photo ID
  • Warm clothing
  • Warm shoes

Know before you go

  • All departures are in Swedish time.
  • Walking on the ice and floating can be limited or cancelled for safety without a refund.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

Sampo and Arktis pickups

For the morning cruises the bus stops at Cape East (Sundholmen 1, Haparanda) at 06:35, at Haparanda Stadshotell (Torget 7) at 06:45 and at Hotel Olof in Tornio (Hallituskatu 16) at 06:55. The Arktis listing adds a stop at Köpmansgatan 10 in Haparanda. The day lasts 8 to 8.5 hours with the Sampo and 8.5 hours with the Arktis.

Finnish time on the Kemi listings

The Sampo and Arktis listings give every time in Finnish time (UTC+2), including the pickups in Haparanda. The 06:35 pickup at Cape East is therefore 05:35 on a Swedish clock.

Polar Explorer and Arctic Explorer

Axelsvik is 45 km from both towns, about 35 minutes by car, and you can park at the terminal free of charge. The operator’s shuttle timetable lists Tornio Grand Hotel (Finnish time) and Stadshotell Haparanda (Swedish time) as stops. On the product pages the transfer is an option; which pickup towns are offered for your date is shown when you choose it. The cruise departs on Swedish time.

Which harbour from the border

Both are about the same distance. Kemi has the Sampo and the Arktis with floating from 140 cm and a bus included on the listings above. Axelsvik has the two Swedish ships with floating from 125 cm,, and with your own car the drive is about 35 minutes. Bring a passport or ID card for the Swedish side.

FAQ

Is Haparanda in a different time zone from Tornio?

Yes. Haparanda is in Sweden and one hour behind Tornio in Finland. The Kemi cruise listings give all times in Finnish time; the Axelsvik cruises depart on Swedish time.

How far is Axelsvik from Haparanda?

About 45 km, roughly 35 minutes by car, according to the operator.

Where are the pickups in Haparanda and Tornio for the Sampo?

At Cape East and Haparanda Stadshotell in Haparanda and at Hotel Olof in Tornio.

Related on this site

Polar Explorer

The larger Swedish ship.

From Kemi

Check-in and harbour of the Kemi ships.

With kids

125 or 140 cm, and which ship that means.

Finland or Sweden for your cruise

All four ships side by side.

Open the ship comparison