The passenger railway network of the Finnish Railways, VR Ltd, covers 5,867 km (3645 mi) of which 2,197 km (1365 mi) are electrified. The most northern railway station for passenger traffic is Kolari, which lies a good way beyond the Arctic Circle. Travel from the capital Helsinki to Kolari takes about 13 hours by (night) train.
The national railway company of Finland is called VR (VR Ltd – VR Oy).
Finnish railway service
InterCity trains offer excellent connections on the most popular tracks. The coaches offer facilities as: services for wheelchair, family compartments, play space for children, deposit-operated bicycle and ski locks, luggage lockers, a telephone booth for mobile phone callers, a compartment for passengers with pets, a smokers’booth and a compartment for allergy sufferers.
Long-distance trains have facilities such as: restaurant or buffet cars, public telephone, special facilities for allergic and disabled passengers. For those passengers who want to avail themselves of sleeping facilities on the night trains there are comfortable sleepers available at an affordable price.
Travel to Sweden or Norway
There are no direct trains between Sweden or Norway and Finland, but the bus over the gap from Boden/Luleå (Sweden) to Kemi (Finland) is free with an Eurail pass.
Finland can also be reached by ferry from Denmark, Germany or Sweden. You can get a 50% discount on most ferries, with your pass.
Most domestic trains in Finland do not require seat reservations, you can just hop on with your Eurail pass. Exceptions are:
- The high-speed Pendolino where train seat reservation is required. Reservations are available locally from € 2,50, the price depends on the distance.
- InterCity (IC) trains. Advance reservation is not compulsory, but recommended if you want to be sure of a seat.
See more reservation fees for domestic trains.
Scenic route
- Lappeenranta – Joensuu
Airport - station link
From Helsinki airport a bus departs every 10 minutes to Helsinki City (line 615) or the Tikkurila rail station (line 61). Eurail Passes are not valid on the bus.
Eurail aid office in Finland
For questions about Eurail, visit the international ticket office at Helsinki station. It is open Monday to Friday, 10.00 – 17.00.
See more Eurail aid offices in Europe
