We’re unsure about you, however there is not any different means we would relatively discover Europe than by prepare. Though you might make an argument for sustainability, in actuality, it goes far past that:
Trains are typically extra dependable than price range carriers like Ryanair and easyJet, you do not threat getting charged upwards of $50 as a result of the wheels in your cabin baggage simply barely stick out previous the fitter, and let’s face it, it is simply much more scenic and suits the Old World vibe.
Now, in case you’re planning a Scanditrip this yr, you would possibly wish to maintain off on reserving these flights till you learn this.
Passenger trains are relaunching from Finland into Sweden. Both nations share a 345-mile border, but haven’t loved rail connections in over since, ahem, 1988.
There’s a motive for that, which we’ll get to briefly, however first, this is the whole lot you’ll want to know in regards to the thrilling new route:
Finland To Sweden By Train
Starting June 2026, you’ll journey from Helsinki, the capital of Finland, by way of the tundra-covered Lapland, all the best way to Stockholm in Sweden, for the primary time in over 30 years.
Now, the journey is lengthy, and never precisely a substitute for flying in case you’re planning to maneuver rapidly between cities, however it is a main growth, nonetheless.
Prior to this announcement, passengers touring on this route might solely get so far as Tornio, a small city in Finland dealing with Sweden. From there, they must both take a taxi, or bus it some 1.2 miles into Haparanda, the neighboring Swedish city, earlier than boarding a Stockholm-bound prepare.
As Finnish broadcaster Yle News explains, Finnish VR trains will now terminate at a soon-to-be-restored station in Haparanda as a substitute of Tornio. The constructing dates again to the early 1900s, and it is at present being refurbished to behave as a connecting hub for passengers to cross the border extra seamlessly.
If you are going to Europe within the close to future, be sure you double-check the Entry Requirements that apply at your vacation spot upfront.
Why Haven’t Cross-Border Trains Launched Before?
It nonetheless will not be a ‘sit on the prepare and journey throughout’ expertise, however as a substitute of arriving first to Tornio, then commuting to Haparanda, you may merely need to stroll by way of the station constructing to change from the Finnish VR to the Swedish Norrtåg prepare going to Stockholm.
The entire switch will take just a few minutes.
There is at present a rail line linking the 2 cities. Regrettably, there’s an operational challenge that dates again all the best way to the nineteenth century, when Finland was beneath the Russian Empire:
The Finnish monitor gauge is ready to the outdated Russian commonplace of 1524mm, versus the standardized European 1435mm, which is utilized in Sweden. This means trains would simply derail in the event that they tried to cross the border.
With the reopening of the outdated station in Haparanda, the place the Finnish and Swedish rail networks meet, on-foot transfers throughout the border will turn into so much simpler.
What Does The Journey Look Like?
We’re fast-approaching launch month, but additional route particulars, together with stations it’s going to name at, timetables, and ticket costs, haven’t been launched. Based on the present, bumpier present route, nevertheless, we are able to make an informed guess:
The journey is roughly 458 miles, and even as soon as the hole between border cities are bridged, in case your aim is to journey from Helsinki all the best way to Stockholm, that is nonetheless a multiple-day journey involving a number of stops.
Of course, it is so much simpler in case you’re breaking apart the journey in components, otherwise you’re touring to and from another intermediate factors alongside the best way.
Let’s break up it into 4 legs, beginning with Leg 1.
LEG 1: Helsinki → Oulo
2 Daily Departures: 2:54 PM | 6:24 PM
Arrival Times: 8:36 PM | 00:16 AM (following day)
Est. Journey Time: 5h30
Average Price: $105–$190 (normally cheaper in case you guide early upfront)
Stops (ranging from Helsinki):
- Pasila
- Tikkurila
- Tampere
- Seinäjoki
- Kokkola
- Ylivieska
- Oulu
You might want to keep in a single day in Oulo for the following leg.
LEG 2: Oulo → Tornio | Haparanda (Sweden)
2 Daily Departures: 5:08 AM | 7:50 PM
Arrival Times: 6:35 AM | 9:20 PM
Est. Journey Time: 1h30
Average Price: $16–$30
This is a direct prepare to Tornio with no stops.
LEG 3: Tornio | Haparanda (Sweden) → Luleå
3 Daily Departures (From Haparanda): 07:11 AM | 1:47 PM | 6:49 PM
Arrival Times: 09:19 AM | 3:52 PM | 8:46 PM
Est. Journey Time: 1h57
Average Price: $30–$35
Stops (ranging from Haparanda)
- Kalix
- Boden
- Sunderby Sjukhus
- Luleå Notviken
- Luleå
LEG 4: Luleå → Stockholm (Night Train)
1 Daily Departure: both at 5:00 PM or 9:10 PM (varies by schedule/day)
Arrival Time: both at 6:30 AM or 10:15 AM the next morning
Est. Journey Time: 13h00
Average Price
- Budget seat: $35–$70+
- Sleeper cabin: $130–$200+
Stops (ranging from Luleå)
- Boden
- Älvsbyn (typically)
- Umeå
- Örnsköldsvik
- Härnösand
- Sundsvall
- Gävle
- Uppsala Arlanda Airport
- Stockholm
Finland is likely one of the most secure locations in Europe, having fun with a certified-safe Level 1 standing in keeping with U.S. authorities. However, not all European locations are the identical, notably components of Sweden, the place crime has surged lately.
Please seek advice from the Travel Advisories web page earlier than flying.
Break Up Your Trip
For these touring the complete extent of the route, in apply, the journey from Helsinki to Stockholm takes between 3 and 4 days relying in your prepare connections.
Going from Oulo to Haparanda in Sweden as a brief cross-border journey? Easy-peasy. Just keep on the trian previous Tornio, and you will be arriving straightou to Haparanda’s newly-restored station.
Moving between another intermediate factors, or any of the 2 capital terminuses on this multi-day route? That’s when it begins wanting both like a posh, logistical nightmare, or the biggest, most fun Scandinavian journey ever.
Wondering how protected Stockholm is to go to on the minute? Travelers on the bottom are rating it at an 85/100 proper now on our Traveler Safety Index;
By the best way, with the brand new Finland-Sweden connection, now you can journey from Helsinki, Finland all the best way to bloody Lagos, Portugal, utilizing trains alone.
That’s a whole pilgrimage route we’re unsure we’re making an attempt anytime quickly, however… you already know… in case you would not thoughts braving the Finnish-Swedish stretch, then hopping on a prepare from Stockholm to Copenhagen in Denmark, from there onwards to Germany, Germany into France by way of Belgium, France into Spain, and eventually Spain to Portugal, be our visitor.
