Car Rental in Kiruna, Sweden: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you want to chase the northern lights or explore the city's amazing surroundings, this guide has everything you need to rent a car in Kiruna.
Driving through Kiruna (befor the City Hall got moved)
Kiruna, Swedish Lapland, is definitely small enough to walk across, but the moment you want the ICEHOTEL, Abisko, or a run at the aurora somewhere darker than town, you'll want your own wheels. Here's your guide to rent a car in Kiruna. We’ve been there 7 times!
🛌 Where to stay:
• ICEHOTEL — in Jukkasjärvi, rebuilt fresh every winter from ice carved out of the Torne River. We've visited seven times and counting. Includes year-round options
• Camp Ripan — cabins scattered between birch trees, an outdoor pool steaming under the aurora, and a Sámi-inspired spa we've tested ourselves.
• Camp Alta — we stayed here. Simple cabins on the frozen banks of the Torne River, away from city lights, with a sauna and ice fishing right outside.
🇸🇪 Top experiences:
• Northern lights minivan chase — a guide drives toward clear sky rather than parking in one spot, usually with a stop for hot drinks or a fireside dinner.
• Dog sledding northern lights tour — huskies through the wilderness with the aurora as a bonus if the sky cooperates. Our favorite thing to do in Kiruna, lights or not.
🚗 Rental cars for the region — useful if you want to chase clear skies on your own.
Jump to: Do you need a car? · Where to rent · Airport vs city pickup · Winter driving tips · Where to go · Where to stay · FAQ
Do you need a car in Kiruna?
For the town itself, no. Kiruna's compact, especially since the center is being rebuilt and relocated (more on that in our Kiruna Travel Guide), and everything downtown is walkable. A car becomes worth it the moment you're headed to Jukkasjärvi for the ICEHOTEL (if you don’t want to take the bus), out to Abisko, or trying to get away from the streetlights for the aurora. It also allows you to book a cabin outside of the city, which we always prefer for northern lights possibilities and the authentic Lapland experience. Read our guide to the Northern Lights in Kiruna for more.
Where to rent a car in Kiruna
Driving from Kiruna to Abisko in August
The major international companies all have a presence here, and Kiruna also has smaller regional options like Rent-A-Wreck Scandinavia if you're after something cheaper and don't mind an older car. Whichever way you go, compare what's available for your dates rather than booking the first listing you see.
City vs Kiruna airport to pick up your rental car
Kiruna Airport is about 10 kilometers out of the city, with a shuttle bus running 20 to 25 minutes into the center. That's still close enough that airport pickup is the default for most visitors, since it's where you'll find the fullest range of companies and cars. If you're staying centrally and don't want to deal with the transfer, a handful of agencies also operate downtown; just expect a smaller selection.
Winter driving tips for Swedish Lapland (and the Arctic in general)
In Lapland, reindeer own the road. You just have to wait!
Winter tires are legally required in Sweden from December 1 to March 31 whenever there's snow, ice, or frost on the road, and rental cars are equipped for it automatically during that window.
Daylight is scarce in December and January. Plan your driving for the hours you have.
Reindeer show up on roads outside town without warning. Slow down, especially at dawn and dusk.
Fuel stations thin out fast once you're off the main routes. Fill up before you need to, not after.
If you're crossing into Norway or Finland, keep your passport or ID on hand even though both are Schengen countries.
Exercise extreme caution in winter. If you’re not used to driving in snowy and icy conditions, we recommend you book tours instead. You’ll find options in our guide: Things to Do in Kiruna in Winter.
Day trips and road trips from Kiruna
Feeding the moose in Överkalix
Day trips
Jukkasjärvi, about 20 minutes away, home to the ICEHOTEL (read our full ICEHOTEL review). The village itself is super cute, especially the church. You can also feed the reindeer and learn more about the Sámi culture at Nutti Sami Siida.
Abisko, roughly 94 kilometers and just over an hour, known for its national park and the aurora sky station. Read our guide How to Get to Abisko from Kiruna, and learn more about the Blue Hole and the Northern Lights in Abisko here.
Gällivare, about 120 kilometers and under an hour and a half, a good alternative base with its own mining-town history.
Longer trips
Muonio, Finland, about 228 kilometers and just under 3 hours, crossing the Sweden-Finland border. Compare Swedish and Finnish Lapland in our Kiruna vs. Rovaniemi guide.
Norway via the E10, through Riksgränsen and on to Narvik, about 173 kilometers and just over 2 hours. One of the more dramatic drives in the north, especially once you're past the tree line. Read all our Arctic Norway Guides here.
Luleå, about 340 kilometers and 4 hours, if you want to end the trip on the coast. Explore the Best Things to Do in Luleå.
Jokkmokk, about 213 kilometers and 2 hours 40 minutes, worth it for Sámi culture. The Ájtte Swedish Mountain and Sami Museum here is one of the best in the country for it.
Överkalix, about 242 kilometers and just under 3 hours, home to the Arctic Moose Farm if you want to see moose up close. When I (Eli) visited, a moose was being difficult, and the owner explained that they’re just like people — some of them will just annoy everyone for the sake of it!
Where to stay
No northern lights that night, but Camp Ripan spa is always lovely at -30ºC!
Our best hotels in Kiruna guide covers everything from the fancy ICEHOTEL to the more budget-friendly Camp Alta in detail. If you're picking up a car at the airport, most of the in-town options are a short drive from the shuttle stop.
Zoom in and out on the map below to explore accommodations in Kiruna and around:
✈️ Find flights
🏨 Explore hotels, apartments, guesthouses, cabins
🧭 Browse activities and tours
🚗 Compare car rentals
🧳 Get travel gear
🛡️ Travel safe with Heymondo Travel Insurance (5–15% off)
📱 Get a travel eSIM
🐾 Protect & track Arctic wildlife with Fahlo Bracelets (20% off)
FAQ: Car rental in Kiruna
Do I need a car to visit the ICEHOTEL from Kiruna? Not necessarily. It's about 20 minutes away in Jukkasjärvi, and shuttle transport is often included with a booking. You can also take the bus for a day visit. A car just gives you more freedom to come and go on your own schedule.
Are winter tires required on rental cars in Kiruna? Yes. Sweden requires winter tires by law from December 1 to March 31 whenever road conditions call for it, and rental companies fit their cars accordingly during that period.
Should I rent a car at Kiruna Airport or downtown? Airport pickup is the more common choice since it has the widest selection, even though it's about 10 kilometers from the center with a 20 to 25 minute shuttle ride. A few smaller agencies operate downtown if you'd rather skip the transfer.
Can I drive from Kiruna into Norway or Finland? Yes. The E10 connects Kiruna to Norway through Riksgränsen and on to Narvik, and the road toward Muonio crosses into Finnish Lapland. Both are straightforward drives, and Schengen means no border checkpoint to worry about.
Kiruna, and the Arctic in general, rewards anyone willing to drive a little further. The town covers the basics on foot, but the ICEHOTEL, Abisko, and two other countries are all within a few hours once you've got a car. Rent it at the airport, and head wherever the sky looks the clearest or where the best trails are, depending on the season!
Finally, explore all of our Lapland Travel Guides here.
Best Hotels in Kiruna
ICEHOTEL Sweden
Things to Do in Kiruna & Swedish Lapland Year Round
Things to Do in Kiruna in Winter
Northern Lights in Kiruna
Northern Lights Tours in Kiruna
Car Rental in Kiruna
Abisko:
Abisko Northern Lights Tours
Best Hotels in Abisko
How to Get to Abisko from Kiruna
Luleå Northern Lights
Hotels in Luleå, Sweden
Winter Travel to Luleå
Swedish Lapland in general:
Best Hotels in Swedish Lapland
Northern Lights Tours in Sweden
Best Time to Visit Lapland
Northern Lights in Lapland
One Lapland Trip, Three Countries
Our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide
Northern Lights for Dummies
