Transport - Finland - page 685

RUSSIA
Daily express buses run to Vyborg and St Petersburg from Helsinki and Lappeenranta (one
originates in Turku). These services appear on the website of Matkahuolto
( www.matkahuolto.fi ) . Semi-official buses and minibuses can be cheaper options. Goldline
( www.goldline.fi ) runs three weekly buses from Rovaniemi via Ivalo to Murmansk.
Car & Motorcycle
Vehicles can easily be brought into Finland on ferries or overland, provided you have regis-
tration papers and valid insurance (Green Card).
Train
SWEDEN
There is no train between Finland and Sweden, but train passes give significant discounts
on ferry and bus connections.
In the north, Swedish trains travel no closer than Boden/Luleå; from there take connect-
ing buses to Haparanda/Tornio, and on to the train station at Kemi. International rail passes
cover bus travel all the way from Boden to Kemi.
RUSSIA
Finland's only international trains are to/from Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia.
Three high-speed Allegro train services run daily from Helsinki to the Finland Station in
St Petersburg (2nd/1st class around €86/140, 3½ hours). The evening train is usually
cheaper. The Tolstoi sleeper runs from Helsinki via St Petersburg (Ladozhki station) to Mo-
scow (2nd/1st class €128/188, 13½ hours). The fare includes a sleeper berth. There are a
number of more upmarket sleeper options.
All trains go via Lahti, Kouvola, Vainikkala (26km south of Lappeenranta) and the Russi-
an city of Vyborg. At Helsinki station tickets are sold at the international ticket counter.
You must have a valid Russian visa; immigration procedures are carried out on board.
There are significant discounts for families and small groups. See www.vr.fi .
Sea
Arriving in Finland by ferry is a memorable way to begin your visit, especially if you dock in
Helsinki. Baltic ferries are big floating hotels-cum-shopping plazas, with duty-free, restaur-