Finland
General train travel information for FINLAND. Rail travel tours, accommodation, sightseeing.
Brief History
Passenger trains in Finland have a rich history, starting from the opening of the first railway line between Helsinki and Hämeenlinna in 1862. Steam locomotives initially powered the trains, but in the 1930s, major lines began to be electrified, enabling faster and more efficient travel. Diesel locomotives gradually replaced steam engines after World War II, improving flexibility and service. In the 1960s, Finland introduced Pendolino trains, its first high-speed rail option. Ongoing modernization efforts have upgraded infrastructure, signaling systems, and train models, leading to improved reliability and passenger comfort. Today, Finnish passenger trains provide reliable and scenic transportation across the country.
General Information and Statistics
The main rail transportation company in Finland is Finnish State Railways, commonly known as VR (Vr Group Oy). In 2020, Finnish State Railways (VR) reported carrying around 56 million passengers during the year.
There are 9,216 kilometres of railway lines in Finland. There are about 200 railway stations in Finland.
3,249 km of tracks are electrified (35%).
What connections to other countries there are.
There are no direct train connections between Finland and neighbouring countries, but there are international ferry connections to Germany, Sweden and Estonia.
Are trains fast in Finland in general? How much time to cross the country?
Although Finland has no dedicated high-speed rail lines, sections of its rail network are capable of running speeds of 200 km/h (124 mph). The Finnish national railway company VR operates tilting Alstom Pendolino trains.
What railway companies are available?
In Finland, the main passenger railway company is Finnish State Railways (VR). VR is a state-owned company responsible for managing most of the country's railway network.
In addition, there are private railway companies in Finland that provide specialised services or operate on specific routes. For example
Junakalusto Oy: This private railway company operates charter and excursion trains for tourist purposes.
What train types are available in Finland
In Finland, there are several types of trains available to cater to different travel needs. Here are some common train types:
InterCity (IC): These are long-distance trains that connect major cities in Finland. InterCity trains offer comfortable seating, onboard amenities, and often provide services like dining cars and free Wi-Fi.
Pendolino: Pendolino trains are high-speed trains that operate on select routes, such as the Helsinki-Tampere line. They are known for their tilting technology, allowing them to maintain higher speeds on curved tracks, resulting in faster travel times.
Express Trains: Express trains are regional trains that connect smaller towns and cities across Finland. They provide convenient transportation options for shorter distances, often with fewer amenities compared to long-distance trains.
Commuter Trains: Commuter trains primarily serve urban areas and provide transportation within and around major cities like Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku. These trains are designed to cater to daily commuters and offer frequent services during peak hours.
Night Trains: Night trains in Finland provide overnight travel options, allowing passengers to sleep on board while covering longer distances. The most notable night train route is between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, offering a comfortable way to reach Lapland.
Are there high-speed-trains available?
Finland does have high-speed trains. High-speed trains in Finland are operated by the Finnish State Railways (VR) and are known as Pendolino trains. Pendolino trains are inclined trains that reach speeds of up to 220 kilometres per hour (137 mph), allowing faster travel on some routes.
Most important train stations / hubs.
The main railway hubs in Germany are Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Lahti, Espoo, Vantaa, Rovaniemi.
Websites to buy train tickets for Finland?
https://www.vr.fi/en
Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Finland?
VR has its own app "VR Matkalla app" where you can buy, change, cancel tickets as well as view the schedule.
Possible to buy a ticket at a railway station in Finland?
You can buy a ticket in the VR Matkalla-app, at https://www.vr.fi/en, at a service point in Helsinki or Tampere, at R-kioski and from ticket vending machines.
Can I buy my ticket by phone?
The traveller also has the option to buy a ticket by calling the customer service number.
Return the ticket.
You can cancell your long distance-train ticket by logging in to vr.fi or the VR Matkalla app, or by using the cancellation form. Cancelled tickets cannot be refunded without the cancellation insurance. The journey must be cancelled before the train’s scheduled departure.
Train ticket prices
VR offers different types of tickets. The price of a single ticket for long-distance transport varies depending on the date of purchase and the journey. To get a favourable price, buy your ticket well in advance. You can buy tickets for most long-distance journeys within Finland for as little as EUR 5.90 – even on major routes such as Helsinki to Tampere.
Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?
There are no direct train connections between Finland and neighbouring countries.
Where to find timetables.
Find train schedules on https://www.vr.fi/en
Buying tickets in advance or right before the train
The price of a single ticket for long-distance transport varies depending on the date of purchase and the journey. To get a favourable price, buy your ticket well in advance
Types of tickets.
There is an option to purchase single tickets. VR also has multi-tickets and season tickets for travellers who like to travel frequently by train. But, a multi-ticket doesn't work if you are travelling across the whole country and not with the same connection over and over again. Because the multi-ticket is for the same stations, e.g. Helsinki-Tampere and others.
Interrail/Eurail Passes in Finland
The Eurail and Interrail Pass is available for Finland
The best option is to buy your Eurail or Interrail Pass on the official website.
Saver price.
Tickets are cheaper the earlier you buy them. There are no special tickets with the best price. If you buy tickets in advance, to anticipate unexpected situations, always buy cancellation insurance, because without it, you will not be able to cancel the tickets.
Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?
Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans. It is not cheaper to buy return tickets.
Flexible tickets.
There are no special flexible tickets. You can change the departure date and/or time of your ticket by calling customer service. The change fee is 5 euros per ticket, and if the new trip is more expensive than the original one, you pay the difference in price. You can also change tickets yourself either using the VR Matkalla app or from your customer page on vr.fi if the tickets are linked to your VR Customer account.
Rules of boarding.
When boarding the train, in addition to the ticket, it is better to take your ID card with you.
Discounts for group travel.
If your group size is between 19 and 50 people, you can request a quote and we will contact you shortly. Groups of less than 19 passengers can purchase tickets as normal single tickets. When pricing a group ticket, flexible ticket terms and conditions regarding payment schedules, changes and cancellations are taken into account.
Individual tickets, which are cheaper than group tickets, may be available on vr.fi.
Age groups and discounts.
Passengers under 18 years of age are always eligible for a 40% discount on domestic long distance trains. Children under 4 years old travel for free. On VR's commuter trains, children under 7 years old travel for free and children aged between 7 and 17 with a 50% discount.
Children under 12 travel free of charge with an adult who holds an Interrail train ticket. Children under 11 travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult in a sleeper car without a designated berth.
In intercity transportation, students are entitled to a 30% discount.
On suburban trains, students are entitled to a 50% discount on: single tickets and multi-tickets. Night train cabins are not eligible for discounts.
In intercity transportation there is a 20% discount for pensioners on single tickets in intercity transportation and multi-tickets. Suburban trains offer a 50% discount on single tickets and multi-tickets. Night train cabins are not eligible for discounts.
Age limitations for minors.
There is no age limit, its for the parents to decide if the child can travel alone on a train and knows about what station they need to leave and if there is something happening (for example the train is late or other matter) the child can handle the situation. So the child is always the parents responsibility, even if they travel alone on train.
Handicapped passengers.
VR (Finnish State Railways) provides an assistance service free of charge for passengers with special needs. This includes elderly passengers, individuals using wheelchairs, those with impaired vision or hearing, as well as individuals with disabilities or memory disorders. Assistance can be booked at specific stations, and the service must be requested at least 36 hours before the train departure. The assistant will meet the passenger at a designated rendezvous point wearing a yellow high-visibility vest. They will assist with boarding, changing trains if necessary, and disembarking at the destination station.
Seat reservations in trains in Finland.
The seat reservation is for the long-distance trains, when you buy the ticket it picks one automatically, so the price is for the ticket with a seat reservation. You can also change it if you like.
Comfort classes on the trains.
On InterCity and Pendolino trains, the traveler has the option to upgrade to ekstra seat class prior to travel. The extra class seats are wider, more comfortable and have power outlets at each seat. Coffee and tea are available. There is no aisle in Extra class – you will be in complete peace during the journey.
Night trains have sleeping cabins as well as seating.
Food and drink in trains / train restaurant in Finland.
Not on all trains, but usually on IC and Pendolinos there is a restaurant car. From train map you can check where restaurant car is located.
Meatballs & mashed potatoes €13.90
Pasta Carbonara €12.90
Salmon soup, bread with spread €12.90
Club sandwich €7.90
Night trains in Finland?
Night trains are present, e.g. from Helsinki to Rovaniemi or similar, so usually night trains go to or from Lapland. Night trains have sleeping cabins as well as seating.
Important train routes in Finland.
Helsinki – Tampere /from 1:38 hours / from 7,90 EUR / 2-3 trains per hour (July 2023)
Helsinki – Kupittaa (Turku) / 1:49 hours / from 8,90 EUR / every hour (July 2023)
Tampere – Kupittaa (Turku) /from 3:25 hours / from 23,90 EUR / every hour (July 2023)
Helsinki – Oulu / from 5:28 hours / from 32,50 EUR / 1 train per 1-2 hours (July 2023)
Helsinki – Rovaniemi / from 8:26 hours / from 43,60 EUR / 1 train every 2-3 hours (July 2023)
International train routes.
There are no direct train connections between Finland and neighbouring countries, but there are international ferry connections to Germany, Sweden and Estonia.
Tourist / scenic routes in Finland.
Turku and the Aura River valley
The Aura River is dozens of kilometres long and it winds its way through downtown Turku and into the Archipelago Sea. The Aura River valley is a Finnish national landscape where there you can observe signs of life spanning centuries. If you wish to make the most of your riverside-life experience, book a hotel room on a ship or enjoy a supper on an atmospheric riverboat.
Tampere and the rapids of Tammerkoski
Tammerkoski is known for the surrounding industrial area where you can find gorgeous old red-tiled textile factories. Tammerkoski is located in the heart of Tampere, and you can marvel at the roaring rapids from the many bridges that span it. You may want to grab a couple of sugary doughnuts from Pyynikki and head for the rapids where you can see the roaring waters.
The expanses of Seinäjoki
The flat expanses and fields that seem to go on forever are characteristic of the landscape of Pohjanmaa. A branch of the river Kyröjoki flows through the centre of Seinäjoki, and if you continue following the river further on, you will end up in the expanses of Seinäjoki. The expanses come into their bloom as the picturesque field landscape reaches its full colour splendor after nature awakens from winter hibernation.
Vaasa and the Kvarken archipelago
Vaasa has often been titled the sunniest town in Finland. The coastal trails of Finland’s first Unesco world heritage site, the Kvarken archipelago, are all you need to enjoy a perfect day. There are hiking trails for everyone’s tastes and there are various accommodation options to choose from. For example, you can choose between a charming wooden cabin or a modern villa for your accommodation.
Oulu and Pikisaari
Facing the centre of Oulu, the old industrial area of Pikisaari represents old timber building. Currently, Pikisaari serves as an area for artists, where there has been craftsmanship from the 17th century onward, e.g. in the form of shipbuilding.
If you are interested in the history and harbour life of Pikisaari, you should visit the local Sailor’s Home Museum. The museum is like a journey to a time when, in all likelihood, almost every person you came across in town was a sailor.
Lapinlahti and Väisänlänmäki
Väisälänmäki represents the forested hill landscape characteristic to North Karelia. The Väisänlänmäki national landscape has inspired many Finnish artistists in their works, with Eero Järnefelt’s painting from the late 19th century, “Burning the Brushwood”, undoubtedly being the most famous one. The painting depicts burn-beating in a Finland plagued by famine, and the melancholic blonde girl in the foreground draws in the viewer’s gaze. Järnefelt visited Väisälänmäki on numerous occasions to work on the painting.
Nurmes and the villages in the fells
The villages in the fells are a traditional landscape characteristic to North Karelia. Burn-beating, animal husbandry and grain farming are what characterise the variety of villages in Nurmes, as depicted by Järnefelt. The villages in the fells are picturesque landscapes that can make you momentarily forget you are in the 21st century Finland.
Savonlinna and Olavinlinna
The national landscape of Savonlinna can be seen near Pihlajanvesi, where there are beautiful Finnish lake vistas to behold. Olavinlinna is the pride of Savonlinna, and many curious people are eager to explore the over 700-year-old castle every summer. If you are interested in active holidays in addition to the exploration of history, you should rent a kayak and paddle around the waters of Pihlajanvesi. This way, you get to take in the national landscape from a whole new perspective.
Coastal Helsinki
Suomenlinna and the surrounding coastal Helsinki are a most fitting way to end the tour of Finnish landscapes. The journey to Suomenlinna takes only around 10 minutes by ferry from the Market Square. If you have time before your ferry departs, have a traditional Market Square coffee while you wait. You may spot notable Finnish figures from politicians to the president himself.
Luggage information.
Small carry-on luggage, such as a handbag, laptop bag or a backpack, and two large pieces of luggage are allowed on trains with no separate luggage charge.
IC trains also have baggage lockers that can be locked by using a 50 cent coin as a deposit.
In IC and Pendolino trains two large pieces of baggage (maximum size 80x60x40 cm) are allowed on trains with no separate charge.
Bicycle on the train.
You can travel with a bike on nearly all domestic long-distance and commuter trains. If you are travelling on an InterCity train, you must book a space for your bike in advance. On commuter trains, bikes can be transported free of charge in the designated spaces. Bikes cannot be taken on Pendolino trains.
Ski or snowboard on the train.
On suburban trains, you can take with you, for example, shopping bags, suitcases, baby carriages or skis. Please ensure that your luggage does not inconvenience other passengers.
Passengers. Night trains have space for skis or snowboards.
Luggage lockers on the stations in Finland.
At some stations – there is a luggage storage room, you can check this on each station's page on the official website.
Lost and Found Items.
For items lost on trains and at stations, contact the Finnish Lost and Found Service: 0600 41 006 (you can check the cost of the call on the service's website).
Pets on the trains.
Pets can travel on long-distance trains for € 4–8, depending on the length of the journey. On commuter trains, pets travel for free. Pets can travel with their owner only in the pet seats or in the pet compartments on night trains.
Pets must travel with their owner in designated pet areas.
Guide dogs, assistance and hearing dogs may travel in any passenger compartment free of charge.
The size of the designated spaces for pets on the floor is approximately 50x50 cm.
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