The modern Finnish rail system links all the country's major towns and cities. The scenery is beautiful, especially in Eastern Finland where there are many lakes.
The passenger railway network of the Finnish Railways, VR Ltd, covers 5867 km. The most northern railway station for passenger traffic is Kolari, which lies a good way beyond the Arctic Circle.
Helsinki is the main railway hub, from which all major cities in Finland can be reached, like Tampere and Turku (duration about 2 hours) and Rovaniemi (10-13 hours). The Central Helsinki Railway Station is a national monument in Art Nouveau style.
How to get there
Finland has ferry connections to Germany, Denmark and Estonia. With your InterRail Pass you get a discount on ferries operated by Tallink Silja Oy and Viking Line to Stockholm, Mariehamn, Tallin and Rostock. See the page about Pass Benefits in Finland.
Download: rail map Finland (PDF)
Railway Service
InterCity trains 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.
Bikes are allowed on most trains. Some trains have special bike compartments. You need to buy a ticket in advance and, in the commuter traffic in the Helsinki metropolitan area, travel outside peak hours (7:00-9:00 and 15:00-18.00). Advance booking for bicycles is required on InterCity trains.
Whether you need a reservation depends on the type of train:
- Pendolino: high speed trains, reservation required
- InterCity (IC): reservations are recommended, but not compulsory
- Pikajunat (P): interregional trains, reservations are not required
- Taajamajuna (H): regional and local trains, reservations are not required
- Yöjunat: night trains, reservations are required
Reservation is only required for Pendolino high-speed trains, international trains and night trains. For details, see the pages:
