Helsinki cathedral

Helsinki cathedral

UK to Finland without flying

It's easy to travel from London to Helsinki by train and ferry, a wonderful 2-day 3-night journey across Scandinavia with a lot to see on the way.  It's a great alternative to an unnecessary flight.  On this page you'll find a step-by-step guide to planning, booking & making a journey from the UK to Finland by train or ferry, with train & ferry timetables, approximate fares, and the best way to buy tickets.

Train times, fares & tickets

small bullet point  Which route should you choose?

small bullet point  Route map for UK to Scandinavia journeys

small bullet point  London to Helsinki via Stockholm using a sleeper

small bullet point  London to Helsinki via Stockholm with overnight stops

small bullet point  London to Helsinki via ferry from Travemünde

small bullet point  Train travel in Finland: The Night Train to Lapland

small bullet point  Helsinki station guide

small bullet point  Trains & ferries from Helsinki to other European cities

small bullet point  Trains & ferries from other European cities to Helsinki


Useful country information

Train operator in Finland:

 

VR, www.vr.fi for train times & fares within Finland.

Trains between Helsinki & Moscow

Trains between Helsinki & St Petersburg

Ferries to Finland:

 

www.tallinksilja.com & www.sales.vikingline.com (Stockholm to Turku & Helsinki)

www.finnlines.com (Germany to Helsinki)

Railpasses:

 

Beginner's guide to European railpasses    Buy a rail pass online

Time zone & dialling code:  

 

GMT+2 (GMT+3 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October).  Dial code +358.

Currency:

 

£1 = approx 1.15 euros  Check current exchange rates

Tourist information:

 

www.visitfinland.com.  Helsinki metro, bus, tram info: www.hsl.fi.

Page last updated:

 

14 January 2024.


Which route should you choose?

There are several good options for reaching Finland in comfort without flying:

Interactive map:  London to Helsinki by train & ferry

Click on a route for train & ferry times from the UK, and how to buy tickets.

Route map London to Helsinki by train Key - Finland via ferry from Germany Key - via Harwich-Hoek Key - via Eurostar Via the Harwich-Hoek ferry Train travel in Sweden Train travel in Norway Train travel in Finland Travemunde to Helsinki by ferry Helsinki-St Petersburg by train Ferries to Tallinn Stockholm-Riga by ferry Stockholm-Helsinki by ferry London-Norway via Hirtshals London to Oslo by train London-Sweden by train London-Copenhagen by train


Option 1:  London to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper

This is easily the nicest way from the UK to Helsinki & Finland, taking 2 days, 3 nights, including an afternoon at leisure in Hamburg and the best part of a day to explore Stockholm and its amazing Vasa museum.  It includes a ride on a sleeper train from Hamburg to Stockholm and the highlight is a cruise across the Baltic from Stockholm to Helsinki, past the many beautiful islands.  In the inbound direction this option takes just 48 hours, still with a day to explore Stockholm.

London ► Helsinki

Helsinki ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar including check-in procedureSt Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.

 

1st class:  Standard Premier or Business Premier.

Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

 

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3, Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4

Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE trains Brussels Midi station guideCologne Hbf station guideHamburg Hbf station guide.

ICE3M to Cologne & Frankfurt, boarding at Brussels Midi

An ICE3M to Cologne at Brussels Midi.  More about ICE trains Advice on changing trains in Brussels.

2nd class on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train   1st class on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train

2nd class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

 

1st class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Erdinger Weissbier on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE train   Restaurant car on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.

 

Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

4. Hamburg to Stockholm by SJ EuroNight sleeper train

Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight train normally has one or sometimes two sleeping-cars, two or sometimes three couchette cars and two seats cars.  Each sleeping-car has 14 narrow standard compartments with washbasin which can be sold as single or double, plus two deluxe compartments with shower & toilet which can be sold as single, double or triple.  The couchettes come in 6-berth compartments.  The seats cars have 6-seat compartments, but you should always book a couchette or sleeper if you can.  The sleepers convert to private sitting rooms for evening or morning use, the couchettes convert to seats.  Limited food & drink (including beer & wine) can be ordered from the train staff, you can see the menu at www.sj.se/en/travel-info/sj-euronight.html.  A simple breakfast box with jam, butter, rolls, yoghurt and a tea or coffee is included in the sleepers and can be ordered the night before in the couchettes.  Unlike most other European night trains, as this train is Swedish you are not permitted to consume your own alcohol.  More photos & information about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

AB32 sleeping-car

A sleeping car on the SJ EuroNight from Hamburg to Stockholm.  Photo courtesy of @ayranundspeck.

Standard sleeper, set up as a double   Standard sleeper, set up as a single   Deluxe sleeper, set up as 2-berth   En suite in deluxe sleeper compartment

Standard sleeper with washbasin set up as a double.

Standard sleeper with washbasin set up as a single

Deluxe sleeper with shower & toilet set up as a double.

Deluxe sleeper, en suite shower & toilet.

Hamburg-StockholmSJ EuroNight at Hamburg Altona   6-berth couchette on the Hamburg-Stockholm SJ night train

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure.

6-berth couchettes.

Larger photo.

Couchettes in day mode on the Hamburg-Stockholm train   Hamburg-StockholmSJ EuroNight at Padborg

Couchettes in day mode, en route to Stockholm.  Larger photo.

The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Scenery from the Hamburg to Stockholm train

Typical Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm.

5. Stockholm to Helsinki by overnight ferry

An Silja Line ferry links Stockholm with Helsinki overnight every day, and a Viking Line ferry sails overnight to a similar schedule every second day.  It's a much more relaxed affair than the Stockholm-Turku route.  You can board an hour an a half before sailing rather than 15 minutes before, the ferry sails late afternoon so you have a whole evening on the ship, and there's time for a lie-in and leisurely breakfast with a late-morning arrival.  The facilities on board are top-class, from the Grande Buffet to the Lobster restaurant.  A full range of cabins is available, including suites.

Silja Line ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki

The Silja Serenade at her berth in Helsinki.  Sister ship Silja Symphony is virtually identical.

A class cabin on Silja Serenade from Stockholm to Helsinki Deluxe cabin on Silja Serenade from Stockholm to Helsinki

A class cabin on Silja SerenadeLarger photo.

 

Deluxe cabin on Silja SerenadeLarger photo.

A class cabin on Silja Serenade from Stockholm to Helsinki Central promendade on the Silja Serenade from Stockholm to Helsinki

Grande Buffet on the Silja Serenade.

 

Central promenade on Silja SerenadeLarger photo.

Sunset as the Silja Line ferry sails out of Stockholm for Helsinki

Good night Sweden!  Sunset as the Silja Serenade sails slowly past the many islands out of Stockholm into the Baltic.

Good morning Helsinki!

Good morning Finland!  Make sure you're on deck for the approach to Helsinki.  The ships sails past the King's Steps on the fortress island of Suomenlinna, past the Finnish WW2 submarine Vesikko and through a remarkably narrow gap between Suomenlinna and neighbouring island Vallisaari to reach Helsinki harbour.  This photo was indeed taken from the Silja Serenade!

Good morning Helsinki!

The ferry docks in Helsinki, walking distance from all the sights.  Alternatively, a number 2 or 3 tram will take you from the Olympia ferry terminal to Helsinki station in the city centre.

Back to top


Option 2, London to Helsinki with overnight stops

You travel from London to Hamburg by Eurostar & onward trains on day 1, stay overnight in Hamburg, then travel from Hamburg to Stockholm on day 2.  Take a bottle of wine and a good book, and enjoy a 2-day train ride across Europe on modern & comfortable trains with not an airport security queue in sight.  Stay overnight in Stockholm then take the daytime ferry+train service to Helsinki next day.  Or spend the day exploring Stockholm and take the overnight cruise ferry to Helsinki with a comfortable en suite cabin reserved.  What's the journey like?

London ► Helsinki

Helsinki ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets by phone

Let Railbookers arrange it

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedureSt Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.

 

1st class:  Standard Premier or Business Premier.

Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

 

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3

Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE3 trains Brussels Midi station guideCologne Hbf station guide.

ICE3M to Cologne & Frankfurt, boarding at Brussels Midi

An ICE3M at Brussels Midi.  More about ICE trains Advice on changing trains in Brussels.

2nd class on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train   1st class on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train

2nd class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

 

1st class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Erdinger Weissbier on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE train   Restaurant car on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train

Proper china & metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See  current month's menu.

 

Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

3. Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4

ICE4s have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and are capable of 265 km/h (165 mph).  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf, Cologne-Hamburg trains cross the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine, then pass through the industrial Ruhr.  More about ICE trainsHamburg Hbf station guide.

ICE4 at Hamburg Hbf

An ICE4 at Hamburg Hbf.  Click on the images below for larger photos.

1st class on an ICE4 train   Restaurant car on an ICE4 train

1st class on an ICE4.

 

Restaurant car on an ICE4.  Sample menu.

Bar counter car on an ICE4 train   2nd class on an ICE4 train

Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.

 

2nd class seats on an ICE4.

4. Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train

As from June 2023, Hamburg-Copenhagen trains are operated by former German Railways intercity cars like this, now shown in the timetable as EC for EuroCity.  This is only temporary, as brand-new trains being built for DSB will be delivered in 2024.  These ex-DB intercity cars have power sockets at all seats (although no WiFi).  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

Hamburg-Copenhagen train at Copenhagen

On 17 June 2023, the first Copenhagen to Hamburg train to use the 'new' German intercity cars is boarding at Copenhagen.  Photo courtesy of Peter Kincey.

2nd clas seats on a DB Intercity train

2nd class seats in are almost all open-plan like this.  There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches.

1st class comparment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train   1st class 6-seat compartment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo Larger photo.

Hamburg to Copenhagen train approaches the Great Belt fixed link

Crossing the Little Belt (Lillebælt in Danish) from Jutland (mainland Denmark) to Funen, the island on which Odense is located.

5. Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000

These Swedish 200km/h (125mph) tilting trains link Copenhagen & Stockholm in just a few hours, centre to centre.  They cross from Denmark to Sweden over the Oresund Link, a combined tunnel and bridge.  On the bridge section you seem to be flying just feet above the water. More about X2000 trains.

An X2000 train at Stockholm Central

Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm CentralMore about X2000 trains.

1st class seats on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train 2nd class seats on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train

1st class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

 

2nd class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

Bistro seating area on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train   Bistro seating area on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

 

Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

On the Oresund link!

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

6. Stockholm to Turku by cruise ferry & train to Helsinki

There is both a day service and a night service between Stockholm & Helsinki using the Stockholm-Turku Viking Line ferries.

Viking Line ferry from Stockholm to Turku

The Viking Glory to Turku at her berth in Stockholm.

A seaside cabin on Viking Glory from Stockholm to Turku A beer on the vista bar on Viking Glory from Stockholm to Turku

Seaside cabin on Viking GloryLarger photo.

 

A beer at sunset at the vista bar on Viking Glory.

Sunset from the Viking Line ferry

Sunset from the Viking Glory.  A beautiful way to travel.

Intercity train from Turku to Helsinki

Turku to Helsinki by Intercity train:  This is a double-deck push-pull Intercity train at Helsinki station, with restaurant car, power outlets at all seats & free WiFi.

The train would normally go direct to Turku Port station just 100m from the Viking Line terminal, but from 2022 for a couple of years long-term construction work means a bus transfer from Kupittaa (Turku east) to the port.  However, the bus transfer is well-signed and well-organised.

Ekstra class on a Helsinki to Turku Intercity train Eco class on a Helsinki to Turku Intercity train

Ekstra (1st) class.  Larger photo.

 

Eco (2nd) class.  Larger photo.

Helsinki station

Journey's end:  The magnificent Helsinki station.

Back to top


Option 3, London to Helsinki via Travemünde

This leisurely option runs every day and takes 3 nights outward to Helsinki, just 2 nights inward back to London.  In the outward direction it includes a day at leisure exploring Hamburg, too.  Take a morning Eurostar to Brussels and onward trains to Hamburg, and stay overnight.  After a day exploring Hamburg, transfer by local train to Travemünde on Germany's Baltic coast, then take the daily Finnlines ferry from Travemünde to Helsinki, a 2-night cruise.  This route is shown on the route map above in red between London & Hamburg and in dark blue between Hamburg & Helsinki.

London ► Helsinki

  • Day 2, travel from Brussels to Hamburg, leaving Brussels Midi at 08:23 (08:25 weekends) by ICE3, changing at Cologne Hbf onto another ICE arriving Hamburg Hbf at 15:14.  Taking this departure allows plenty of time.

    These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant or bistro car, power sockets at all seats, the ICE3 has free WiFi.

  • Day 2, transfer from Hamburg to Skandinavienkai Terminal, Lübeck like this:

    Take a local train from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck Hbf, these run every 30 minutes during the day, hourly in the evening, journey time 42-43 minutes.

    At Lübeck Hbf, leave the station and follow the signs to the ZOB bus station 100m away.  Lübeck is a good place for dinner with plenty of bars & restaurants in the old town 5 minutes walk from the station.

    Now take bus 30 from Lübeck ZOB bus station to Travemünde Skandinavienkai Terminal (this is the stop before Travemünde Skandinavienkai - Bahnhof Skandinavienkai).  The bus ride takes 30 minutes, the last bus goes around 21:00.

    You can check journey times from Hamburg to Travemünde Skandinavienkai Terminal at the German Railways website, just use this link to bahn.de as it has the bus times in its database as well as the trains, or you can find bus information at www.xn--sv-lbeck-95a.de.

    Alternatively, take a frequent local train from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck Hbf, then a frequent local train to Travemünde Skandinavienkai Bahnhof, Lübeck from where the ferry terminal is an 8-minute taxi ride or a 34-minute 2.8 km walk.

    At the terminal, walk into the large modern office block marked HAFENHAUS next to the bus stop, with a green neon Check in sign by the front door.  After check-in, you go downstairs to a large waiting hall, with a bar/cafe open until 10pm, toilets and a large supermarket open until 01:30 selling alcohol and chocolate.

  • Day 2-3, sail from Travemünde to Helsinki on the daily Finnlines ferry, see www.finnlines.com or the Direct Ferries website.

    Check-in opens at 20:30, the ship boards from 23:30 onwards, foot passengers are driven onto the car deck in a minibus.  Check-in closes 2h before departure.

    The ship sails at 02:45 (day 3), the exact time varies by day of the week.  It arrives at the Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari harbour just outside Helsinki at 09:15 Mondays-Saturdays, 10:00 Sundays (day 4), a 2-night 1-day crossing from Travemünde.

    The ship may not be as glamorous as some other cruise ferries on the Baltic, but it has all the essentials: Comfortable cabins with private shower & toilet, satellite TV & WiFi (paid for), cafe-restaurant, shop, bar, sundeck, gym and (naturally, being Finnish) a free sauna. A very civilised way to travel.

  • Day 4, transfer from Vuosaari to central Helsinki by bus+metro.

    Helsinki's Hansa Ferry Terminal in Vuosaari harbour is 16 km east of central Helsinki, see map of Helsinki showing Vuosaari

    Bus 90 runs every 15 minutes from outside Vuosaari Hansa Terminal to Vuosaari metro station for the metro into central Helsinki.  Total journey time 40 minutes.  A Helsinki Zone AB ticket covers both bus and metro from port to city centre, for Helsinki public transport see www.hsl.fi.

Helsinki ► London

  • Day 1, transfer from Helsinki to the Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari, some 16 km east of Helsinki by metro+bus, see map showing Vuosaari.

    Take metro line M1 from Helsinki station to Vuosaari metro station, then bus 90 from Vuosaari metro station to its terminus, right outside the Hansa Terminal.  Bus 90 runs every 15 minutes, total metro+bus journey time from Helsinki city centre around 40 minutes.  Buy a Helsinki Zone AB ticket, this covers both metro & bus from city centre to port.  For Helsinki public transport see www.hsl.fi.

  • Day 1, sail from Helsinki to Travemünde on the daily Finnlines ferry, see www.finnlines.com or the Direct Ferries website.

    Check-in is 13:30-15:00 Monday-Saturday, 12:00-13:30 Sunday.

    The ship sails at 16:15 Monday-Saturday & 15:00 Sundays, arriving Travemünde 21:45 next day (day 2).

    The ship may not be as glamorous as some other cruise ferries on the Baltic, but it has all the essentials: Comfortable cabins with private shower & toilet, satellite TV & WiFi (paid for), cafe-restaurant, shop, bar, sundeck, gym and (naturally, being Finnish) a free sauna. A very civilised way to travel.

  • Day 2, transfer by bus and local train to Hamburg Hbf.  Buses link the ferry terminal (Travemünde Skandinavienkai Terminal) with Lübeck ZOB bus station, it's a short walk to Lübeck station, then local trains run every 30-60 minutes to Hamburg Hbf.

How much does it cost?

  • London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).

  • Brussels to Hamburg starts at €29.90 each way in 2nd class, €56.90 each way in 1st class.

  • Hamburg to Travemünde by local train & bus costs around €19 each way.

  • Travemünde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry costs between €120 and €155 (£95-£120) each way in a reclining seat depending on the day and season.  However, I recommend a cabin.  The fare including a bed in a 3-bed shared inside cabin is between €200 and €287 each way.  The fare including a bed in a 2-bed outside cabin is between €279 and €413 each way.  Children under 6 go free, and there are reduced fares for children 6 to 12 and youth fares for children 13-17.  See the fares at www.finnlines.com or the Direct Ferries website.

How to buy tickets

It takes several websites so it's best to try a dry-run on all of them first to check prices and availability before booking for real.  Here's how it's done:

  • Step 1, book the Travemünde-Helsinki ferry at www.finnlines.com or the Direct Ferries website.

  • Step 2, book the London-Brussels Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.  If returning, book this as a round trip as Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  • Step 3, book Brussels-Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking usually opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. 

  • Step 4, you can also buy a Hamburg-Travemünde ticket at int.bahn.de, or simply buy it at the station when you get to Hamburg.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedureSt Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.

 

1st class:  Standard Premier or Business Premier.

Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

 

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Brussels to Cologne & Cologne to Hamburg by ICE

Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE3 trains Brussels Midi station guideCologne Hbf station guideHamburg Hbf station guide

ICE3M to Cologne & Frankfurt, boarding at Brussels Midi

An ICE3M at Brussels Midi.  More about ICE Advice on changing trains in Brussels.

2nd class on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train   1st class on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train

2nd class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

 

1st class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Erdinger Weissbier on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE train   Restaurant car on the Frankfurt-Brussels ICE3M train

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.

 

Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

3. Transfer from Hamburg to Travemünde & sail to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry

The ship has comfortable cabins with private shower & toilet, satellite TV & WiFi (paid for), cafe-restaurant, shop, bar, sundeck, gym and a free sauna

Finnlines ferry Travemunde-Helsinki

Finnlines operate the Finnstar, Finnmaid &Finnlady on the Travemünde-Helsinki route.  Photo courtesy of Hubert Bartkowiak.  Photos below courtesy of Chris Russell.

Cabin on Finnlines ferry Travemunde-Helsinki   Gym on Finnlines ferry   Sauna on Finnlines ferry

Standard cabin.  Larger photo.

 

Gym with a view.

 

Sauna.

Back to top


Train travel in Finland

Back to top


Guidebooks

You should take a good guidebook.  For the independent traveller, I think this means either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  I personally prefer the layout of the Lonely Planet, but others prefer the Rough Guide.  Both guidebooks provide the same excellent level of practical information and historical background.  You won't regret buying one!  My own book, an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called "The Man in Seat 61", was published in June 2008, and is available from Amazon with shipping worldwide.

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Lonely Planet Finland - buy online at Amazon.co.uk Click to buy - Lonely Planet Scandinavia Rough Guide to Scandinavia - buy online at Amazon

Or buy direct at the Lonely Planet website, shipping worldwide.

Back to top


European Rail Timetable & maps

Thomas Cook European Timetable -  click to buy onlineTraveller's Railway Map of Europe - buy onlineThe European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable) has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  It is essential for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.  You can buy it online at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).  More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map.  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Back to top


Hotels in Helsinki & Finland

For advice on hotels in Helsinki see the Helsinki station page.

Find hotels at Booking.comMy favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Back to top


Travel insurance & other tips

 

Staysure travel insurance

 

Columbus Direct logo

Always take out travel insurance

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here.  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

UK flag  www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

UK flag  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

US flag  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

 

Maya.net logo

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

 

Curve card

Curve card

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:  1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

 

Express VPN

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explainedExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

 

Anker Powerrbank

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com.

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

 


Back to top

Back to home page