Railways and trains in Finland
Railway chain in Finland covers the southern and central part of the country to Oul, from where they go to the north to Lapland, to Colari and Kemiyarvi. Passenger trains are divided into six types: suburban (Lähijuna – "Lyahiyuna", In schedules are denoted by H), fast (Pikajuna – "Pikayuna", Letter P), Three Express Options: Intercity, Intercity2 and Pendolino (IC, IC2 and S), plus night trains (also lite P). In the metropolitan region there is an developed network of electricians, expressses prevail between cities. Railways are serviced by state-owned VR (Valtion Rautatiet, "State Railways").
Through the use of a wide range of 1524 mm (compatible with Russian), the wagons in Finland are more comfortable compared to most European similar layouts. InterCity compositions consist of two-storey and one-storey wagons, Intercity2 – only from two-storey. These trains can move at a speed of up to 200 km / h, operation is possible on non-electrified paths. PENDOLINO electric trains are faster and more comfortable and used in four directions from Helsinki north and east. These compositions tend to go to peak hours and have less stops on the route.
All expresses are equipped with sockets and include a restaurant car, with the exception of Intercity2, in which food is sold from carts. Trains Pendolino and both intercity options, as well as sleeping cars of night trains are equipped with free Wi-Fi Internet access. Two levels of comfort are offered: the basic Eco Class and more expensive Extra Class, which is completely or partially assigned the first car composition. Trains are provided for a variety of services: bicycle transport, ski and pets, storage cameras, places for baby strollers and wheelchairs, separate rooms for allergy. Schedule is rather dense, and docks are thought out. On all train trains in Finland, there is a ban on smoking.
The cost of tickets is held in a reasonable framework, and in advance, it becomes quite low. For example, on the popular route Helsinki Turku, which is served by the Intercity2 trains over time on the way 2 hours, the minimum cost of tickets on the trip is 28-36 euros, depending on the time of departure. When buying in advance (from 60 to 7 days before departure) a ticket costs from 9 euros for separate flights. Five types of trains are functioning on the Helsinki Tampere route; Time on the way is 1:30 on Pendolino and 1:45 on Intercity, 2 hours at the suburban Lähijuna and 2:40 on Pikajuna. Cheap ticket price in economy class – 26-28 euros for slow trains and 32-39 euros for Intercity and Pendolino. Price with advance purchase – 10-18 euros depending on the time of departure, and for all types of trains.
Express buses on these routes slower and cheaper: travel time to Turku 2: 15-2:45, to Tampere 2: 25-2: 50, tickets – 31.5 and 27 euros, respectively. There is no discounts for an early purchase, but when buying online even on the day of departure for some flights is a discount of up to half of the cost.
The standard daytime train rate for long distances to the north of the country is about 100 euros, when pre-purchase, the price may decrease in two or three times. In addition, night trains go to Lapland from Helsinki: two seasonal to Colari and two regular to Rovaniemi, one of which goes further to Kemiyarvi. The cost of a sedentary ticket to Rovaniemi in Eco Class begins from 87 euros. When buying in advance the price can drop to 26 euros. The price of lying places usually exceeds 100 euros. In winter, trains with cars for transportation cars also walk from Helsinki in Lapland.
Train tickets are sold on Shop.Vr.fi in automata, at stations, as well as using a mobile application. Possible buying a ticket on the train at the conductor, with the exception of night trains and pendolino. Sales Systems take into account possible docks and offer routes with transfers, including special buses Trainbus. Cancellation of tickets is possible before a trip with a fine of 10 euros, a change in the date and time costs 5 euros for the base tariff and free tickets to Extra Class.
In Helsinki and the surrounding area there is a suburban train system extending to Caris (Karjaa) in the West and Lahti in the north and divided into zones from A to H. Tickets for the first three zones (in Zone A enters Helsinki, Zone B – Espoo, Kauniaine and Vantaa, C – Kirkkonummi, Sipoo and Cerava) integrated with HSL – Helsinki city transport system. Transplants between suburban trains and metro, buses, trams, as well as ferries to Suomenlinna.
A one trip ticket costs from 2.5 euros (for Helsinki, when buying in a machine) to 7 euros (regional for all three zones) and acts from 60 to 100 minutes, depending on the number of zones and directions. Tickets for two hours, stand from 4 to 8.4 euros. Direct for a period from 1 to 7 days cost from 12 to 48 euros. The fare from Helsinki to Lahti (zone A-H) is 16.4 euros. Ticket sales machines are on most stations, on the site VR tickets for suburban trains are not sold. The penalty for a non-flying passage is 80 euros, a ticket itself will also have to pay. Children under 7 years old are free, from 7 to 16 years inclusive – in half the cost.
Station works, as a rule, from 7 to 22 hours. On the VR website, you can get information for each station: opening hours, availability and location of tickets, offered services, parking costs, etc. D. Storage cameras are available at large stations, luggage storage ranges from 2 to 6 euros per day.
European travel InterRail is valid for all trains within the country. Pre-reservation is necessary for night trains and pendolino; For trains Intercity Reservation is possible. Interrail also provides free travel at the Finnish part of the route on Allegro trains to St. Petersburg, but for this, book a place follows in Finland.
