seve98
Traveller
21 comments
Posted 3 years ago
Does anyone of you know if there is any train service between Helsinki and St. Petersburg. When I check Internet-Websites, they state no trains available.
Does anyone have more information or an internet site where I can book those trains or at least where I can get a ticket with Interrail. I know if you have the Global Pass you can use the Interrail for the Finnish part. There has to be Allegro trains but why aren't they shown?
Thank you
Kirill
Traveller
8 comments
Hi, Seve98!
There were "Allegro" and "Lev Tolstoy" trians between SPb and Helsinki before the Corona. Now they are cancelled, no info on when they'll be back. No luck with trains here.
But you can travel on the bus, they are still available.
There's a lot of private bus companies in SPb, which travel daily from the center of SPb. It takes about 6 hours. Some buses are so-so, some are very comfortable. Price will be €15-30 one way trip.
Also, minubuses ( vans ) available. They are faster, but less comfortable to travel, I wouldn't recommend.
Big companies like Eurlines, LuxExpress have buses as well. Check this link for example.
https://luxexpress.eu/en/tickets/search?departDate=2021-10-20&returnDate=2021-10-22¤cy=EUR&promocode=&fromBusStopId=18880&toBusStopId=21874&lang=en&passengers=1
Cheers,
Kirill
nltrainer
Traveller
1404 comments
Oh-and when/if they run again, an IR is worthless, its global pricing so same price from HEL or from border-or so little difference its not worth to bother about. I also think these trains are excluded from IR.
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi Sevi.
Here as well two interesting blog posts of Alexander... oooh... even three! :)
Saint Petersburg - Helsinki in winter: https://rail.cc/blog/saint-petersburg-helsinki-train
Saint Petersburg - Helsinki: https://rail.cc/blog/saint-petersburg-helsinki-allegro
Helsinki - Moscow night train via Saint Petersburg: https://rail.cc/blog/helsinki-moscow-nighttrain-tolstoi
I don't know your exact route. But I would definitely also include a Finish overnight train. I like them! :)
Best, Peter :)
seve98
Traveller
21 comments
Thank you all so much for answering the question.
I know that interrail is probably just partially valid (this is what the tariff says). It's not about booking I can do it by myself it is just about your experiences and tipps and when/if there are trains running. Journey will be next year and schedules are not out yet. But maybe anyone has an idea if those trains will start running from next year.
Also currently you can not enter Russia by land (just if you fly), as a side note i found out.
Danke Peter ;) Grossartige Bilder und ein Super-Tipp, den ich mir zu Herzen nehme :)
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi Seve,
Interrail is valid on the Finnish part of the route, which basically means that you will get a discounted ticket Helsinki - SPB. Booking is only possible locally at stations; but you could try to contact VR (Finnish Railways, vr.fi/en) if you want to have your reservation before your arrive in Finland.
Currently, all trains between Finland and Russia are suspended but VR currently thinks about reintroducing at least the Allegro service (Helsinki - SPB) from Christmas.
But even then, we´ll have to see for which citizens the border will be opened.
Flo