Finland–Sweden Trains Return After 38 Years

Finland and Sweden have restored regular passenger train services across their border after a 38-year break.

The first scheduled VR train left Oulu shortly after 5am on Monday, 10 August, travelling through Kemi and Tornio before crossing the Tornio River into Haparanda, Sweden.

The new service gives passengers a direct rail connection from Finland to Sweden, with onward travel possible towards Stockholm and other European destinations.

VR will operate two return services every day between Oulu and Haparanda, one in the morning and another in the evening. The journey takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Passenger trains between Kemi, Tornio and Haparanda last operated in 1988, when Finland ended its railbus service. Freight trains, however, continued crossing the border.

Transport and Communications Minister Lulu Ranne, along with representatives from VR, Traficom, Oulu and Tornio, travelled on the first service.

Connections with Swedish trains are still limited, but VR says connections with Norrtåg are expected to improve during the autumn.

A new rail link between Finland and Sweden — after 38 years.