Helsinki Travel Forum

The cost of Finnish train in comparison to bus is so much more expensive.

Aparently there is a Finnish train and a Russian train that leaves Helsinki to St. Petersburg. Is the Russian train less expensive and where is the site to purchase tickets? I would imagine the Russian train would have more culture. Does the train stop anywhere along the way and can one get off to take photos? Is English spoken and does one bring one's own food on board?

What is the cost?

Thanks

Don
Peterborough, Canada

Hi Don,
unfortunately you can't buy the tickets for this journey from the "Russian Railways" site. So it's better for you to use VR.fi site or find any agents.
The price for this trip in Russia is about 100 euro (first class)and 60 euro(second class)/one way.
May be it's better to use bus service, you can find more comfortable time of departure and arrival than train?! You can find a lot of agents for this service in Finland.

Good luck!

Hi Don,

last year I took the russian train, but only because this one has a smokers compartment. I wouldn't say that the train had culture, just a normal train.

There were stops in a few really beautiful stations but only for a very short time, so it wasn't possible to get off and take photos. It stopps for a longer time at the border, but during that time you're not allowed to leave your seat. Nor the staff neither the customs officers did speak english, but that was no problem. You don't have to bring your own food, there is a restaurant compartment where you can buy simple meals, snacks, drinks.

In Petersburg you will arrive at the so-called "finnish station" - a marvellous building. Dont't forget to take a lot of photos - unfortunately I had no time for even one photo.

Enjoy your trip!