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By train you'll see more of Finland. Image: Leif Rosnell/VR

Finnish Rail

Finland has reliable and frequent train services operating to most parts of the country, apart from the northernmost Lapland. Guild Travel Ltd acts as agent for VR, the Finnish Rail Operator and sells a variety of tickets for regional and express train services, for night-time trains and for car-carrier trains. We also sell tickets for the three daily departures from Helsinki to Russia.

Travel to Lapland by train. Image: Leif Rosnell/VR

Trains to Lapland

You may travel from south to the north of Finland by night train. The night trains have a daytime coach with seats and sleeping-cars with single, double and three-person compartments. Night trains operate on the route: Helsinki – Riihimäki – Hämeenlinna – Toijala (OR Turku – Toijala) – Tampere – Parkano – Seinäjoki – Kokkola – Ylivieska – Oulu – Kemi – Rovaniemi OR Kolari. If you are flying to Tampere or Helsinki, it is possible to continue your journey to Rovaniemi, Lapland.

Most night trains also have car-carrier wagons serving the most important stations. When travelling by car, your vehicle will be loaded on the wagon in the evening and upon arrival in the morning you may continue your journey.

Children’s playrooms. Image: Leif Rosnell/VR

Families

VR renewed all of the children’s playrooms in the InterCity and InterCity2 trains during the summer of 2006. A playroom is located on each train on the double-decker car’s upper deck.

In addition to the enlarged playroom, InterCity and InterCity2 trains have family compartments with room to play and read books with the whole family. Baby care facilities are located in the washroom on the lower deck. A feeding bottle warmer is also available.

A child under the age of 16 travels free with an adult paying a standard fare. Up to four under 5-year-olds can travel for free when accompanied by an adult, although it is not possible to book seats for them. 6 to16 year olds benefit from a 50% junior discount.

Seniors

Persons over the age of 65 receive a discount on basic and flexible tickets, and on group journeys. Whilst travelling, proof of age may be requested (a passport, for example).

Group Discounts

• Ask for a special offer for a group of six or more

Children are counted as group members but do not qualify for group discounts (if, for example, two children travel with one adult, the adult would receive a 15% discount and the children would each receive a junior discount as described above). Large groups may book an entire compartment, car or even the whole train.

Superfast trains to Russia

Visiting St Petersburg from Helsinki is now easier than ever. The new Allegro train takes only 3 hours and 30 minutes to connect the two cities. The maximum speed is 220 km per hour, and the new cars offer a luxurious travel environment.

The new trains, improved tracks and faster border controls make the connection fast and hassle-free. After Helsinki the train stops only in Pasila, Tikkurila, Lahti, Kouvola and Vainikkala before crossing the border, and on the Russian side the only stop before St Petersburg is Vyborg. The Russian Tolstoi night express train continues to run all the way from Helsinki to Moscow via Vyborg and St Petersburg.

Click here to view the timetables.

Your journey will be quick and smooth, as border formalities and currency exchange take place while the train is moving, and if you do not have anything to declare, a visit to customs is not necessary. On Tolstoi trains, only cash payments are accepted.

Seats are booked when tickets for trains between Finland and Russia are bought. Travel tickets and seat/berth tickets are sold separately. Discounts are only granted on travel tickets. Tickets may be booked up to eight weeks before the travel date.

Don’t forget to take a look at our exciting Helsinki & St Petersburg city break!

Please make sure that you have a visa entitling you to enter Russia before leaving your own country. Click here for information regarding Russian visas.

Discounts

Seniors

• Persons over the age of 65 receive a discount on basic and flexible tickets, and on group journeys.

Family discounts

• A child under the age of 5 travels free of charge when travelling without own seat / berth.
• 6 to 16 year olds benefit from a 50% junior discount.

Group discounts

• Ask for a special offer for a group of six or more.

Finnrailpass

The Finnrailpass, which is available for passengers living permanently outside Finland, entitles you to unlimited travel on all trains in Finland.

Seat reservation is recommended but not obligatory for InterCity, InterCity2 and express trains.  For Pendolino trains seat booking is mandatory.  A seat reservation fee must be paid. A supplement is charged when travelling Pendolino Plus class or InterCity Plus class.

Finnrailpass prices in 2011
3 days within 1 month: 2nd class EUR 131, 1st class EUR 195
5 days within 1 month: 2nd class EUR 175, 1st class EUR 260
10 days within 1 month: 2nd class EUR 237, 1st class EUR 353

50 % discount is available for children under 17 years of age. Please contact us for bookings and enquiries.