travelling from russia to finland

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Finland bans entry to Russian tourists starting at midnight

Cars coming from Russia wait in lines at the Vaalimaa border check point between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Eastern Finland Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. The mass exodus of men — alone or with their families or friends — began Sept. 21, shortly after Putin’s address to the nation, and continued all this week. Early on, they snapped up airline tickets, which spiked in price on the few airlines still flying out of Russia. But the rest had to gas up their cars and join the long lines snaking on roads toward the borders. (Sasu M’kinen/Lehtikuva via AP)

Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto speaks during Finnish Government’s press conference in Helsinki, Finland, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The Finnish government said Thursday it would significantly limit passenger traffic on Finland’s border with Russia, banning Russian citizens traveling with tourist visas from entering the Nordic country effective Friday. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)

Russian passengers exit a bus to the passport control at the Vaalimaa border check point between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Eastern Finland Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. The mass exodus of men — alone or with their families or friends — began Sept. 21, shortly after Putin’s address to the nation, and continued all this week. Early on, they snapped up airline tickets, which spiked in price on the few airlines still flying out of Russia. But the rest had to gas up their cars and join the long lines snaking on roads toward the borders. (Sasu M’kinen/Lehtikuva via AP)

Finnish border guards check the cars at the Vaalimaa border check point between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Eastern Finland Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. The mass exodus of men — alone or with their families or friends — began Sept. 21, shortly after Putin’s address to the nation, and continued all this week. Early on, they snapped up airline tickets, which spiked in price on the few airlines still flying out of Russia. But the rest had to gas up their cars and join the long lines snaking on roads toward the borders. (Sasu M’kinen/Lehtikuva via AP)

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HELSINKI, Finland (AP) — Finland announced it would ban Russian citizens with tourist visas from entering the country starting Friday, curtailing one of the last easily accessible routes to Europe for Russians trying to flee a military mobilization aimed at bolstering the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.

With the exception of Norway, which has only one border crossing with Russia, Finland has provided the last easily accessible land route to Europe for Russian holders of European Schengen-zone visas.

“The decision in principle aims to completely prevent Russian tourism to Finland and the related transit through Finland,” Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said during a news conference Thursday.

The government justified its decision by saying that continued arrivals of Russian tourists in Finland is endangering the country’s international relations and cited security concerns related to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the “illegal” referendums arranged by Russia in parts of Ukraine and recent sabotage in the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia under the Baltic Sea.

Russian citizens can still enter Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) land border with Russia, for family reasons, study or work. Also, Russian political dissidents may seek to enter for humanitarian purposes.

As of Sept. 1, Finland slashed the number of visas — including for tourism purposes — issued to Russian citizens to one-tenth of the typical number, in a show of solidarity with Ukraine.

Haavisto had earlier said he was particularly worried about Russian tourists flying through Helsinki airport to other European nations to circumvent flight bans imposed after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

Follow all AP stories on the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.

Russians pack trains into Finland as sanctions bite

Helsinki (AFP) – It's one of the few remaining routes from Russia to the EU: trains to Finland are packed with Russians fearful that now is their last chance to escape the impact of Western sanctions.

Issued on: 04/03/2022 - 07:42 Modified: 04/03/2022 - 07:41

After two years of pandemic, the 6:40 am from St Petersburg was full of largely Russian passengers as it pulled into Helsinki station on Thursday.

"We decided with our families to go back as soon as possible, because it's unclear what the situation will be in a week," Muscovite Polina Poliakova told AFP as she wheeled her suitcase along platform 9.

Travelling "is hard now because everything is getting cancelled," added Beata Iukhtanova, her friend who studies with her in Paris, where the pair were headed.

The Allegro express train linking St Petersburg to the Finnish capital is currently the only open rail route between Russia and the EU.

It is therefore one of the few remaining ways out of the country since the widespread airspace closures in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine a week ago.

"The trains coming from St Petersburg to Helsinki are now full for the next few days," said Topi Simola, senior vice president of Finnish railway operator VR.

He said that passenger numbers jumped on Saturday, two days after Moscow began its assault on Ukraine.

Since then, people's motives for travelling on the 3.5 hour twice-a-day service appear to have changed, Simola said.

"We can see from the luggage they carry that people are moving to somewhere else, they are basically moving for good."

'We are lucky'

The Allegro train to Helsinki is, however, only open to a select few.

Russia stipulates that passengers must be Russian or Finnish citizens, a visa is required, and passengers must prove they have an EU-recognised Covid vaccination, not the Sputnik dose which is most commonly given in Russia.

Most passengers are therefore Russians who live or work in Europe, such as 14-year-old Maria and her mother Svetlana, who took a last-minute train to Finland after the cancellation of their flight on Sunday back to Austria, where they live.

"Everyone was like, 'I don't know what to do'," Maria told AFP. "First we thought we should travel through Turkey, but it's way more expensive than Finland, so we are lucky."

VR, which operates the service in partnership with the Russian railways, is looking to have the service opened to EU passport holders, and to increase capacity.

"We know that there are tens of thousands of EU citizens still in Russia and we assume that many of them would like to come back home," Simola said.

'Desperate' to leave

Since the start of the invasion large numbers of Russians are reported to be looking to leave the country, worried that the borders will close imminently and about the impact of Western sanctions.

"Many people are in a panic," said Daria, arriving back in Helsinki a week or two earlier than planned, to resume her studies.

"I know some people who are quite desperate at the moment to go abroad," said Elena, a Russian who lives and works in Finland and who did not want to use her full name.

Elena was visiting her native Moscow when the Ukraine assault began last Thursday, and changed her flight to return to Finland on the same day, becoming one of the last to travel before flights to the EU were frozen.

A lot of people "don't feel safe, they know that the economic situation will be very hard from now on, and also many people from a moral perspective can't bear staying," the 37-year-old told AFP.

While trains out of Russia have been sold out, the return service from Helsinki to St Petersburg has only been 30 percent full, Simola told AFP.

"I'm not planning to go back to Russia anytime soon, that's for sure," Elena said.

But she added that despite the difficulties there, "it's impossible to compare it to the horrors happening in Ukraine at the moment."

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Finland might reopen border with Russia on one condition

F inland may reopen the border with Russia if a law on border restrictions is passed, according to Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen.

According to him, the adoption of this law may allow passenger transportation at some border crossings in southeastern Finland.

"The migrant law is currently under refinement and is slated for submission to parliament within 1-2 weeks. We aim for swift implementation of the law," Häkkänen said.

Migrant crisis at Finland-Russia border

Last autumn, Finland grappled with a surge in migration as the number of arrivals from Somalia and Iraq sharply increased along its border with Russia. In response, Finland was compelled to shut down its border, and recently, the government extended the ban on the operation of border checkpoints pending further directives.

Journalistic investigations have revealed that behind the migrant influx lies the activity of Russian security forces. According to available data, the same entities involved in provoking similar situations at the borders of Poland and Belarus were implicated in orchestrating this crisis.

More Russians travelled to Finland during weekend, border data shows

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Russian anti-aircraft units intercepted a drone south of Moscow and there were no injuries or damage from falling debris, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said early on Friday.

Ukraine's air defence systems destroyed all 10 attack drones that Russia launched overnight, Ukraine's air force said on Friday.

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Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

FCDO advises against all travel to Russia

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

FCDO advises British nationals against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine. The situation in Russia is unpredictable. This includes:

• security incidents, such as drone attacks, happening in some parts of the country
• lack of available flights to return to the UK
• limited ability for the UK government to provide consular assistance

There is also a high likelihood that terrorists will try to carry out attacks, including in major cities. See ‘Safety and Security’ section .

Security situation in Russia

The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. There are reports of drone attacks and explosions in areas in western and southern Russia, particularly near the Russian border with Ukraine, Moscow and St Petersburg.

Political rallies and demonstrations can take place in Moscow, St Petersburg and across Russia. Check the local media for the latest information. Be vigilant and avoid any political demonstrations or gatherings.

The situation remains unpredictable and could escalate without warning.

Leaving Russia

FCDO advises British nationals to consider leaving Russia.

If you do not need to be in Russia, we strongly advise you to consider leaving.

You cannot fly directly from Russia to the UK or through EU countries. Commercial flight options are limited and can sell out quickly. Check with your airline or travel provider.

British nationals should exercise extreme caution at all times. Travel within or out of Russia is at your own risk.

You cannot fly direct from Russia to the UK or through EU countries. There are limited commercial airlines with indirect flights via the Middle East, Serbia and Turkey. Check the latest information with your airline or travel provider.

Land borders may be busy. Be prepared for a long wait to exit Russia. You may also be questioned at the border. During periods of unrest, check the local media for updates on the situation before travelling.

Road border crossings between Finland and Russia will be closed until at least 11 February 2024. Consult the  Finnish border guard website  for up-to-date information. Further changes may be announced at short notice.

Some European countries have restricted or banned the entry of vehicles registered in Russia, this includes:

If you plan to drive a vehicle registered in Russia into Europe check that you are eligible to do so.

Some bus companies have international routes. The situation may change quickly. From 18 November 2023, Finland will restrict entry at some road border crossings (See ‘Travelling from Russia to Finland’). Check these companies for availability of buses, timetables and tickets:

• Ecolines – buses to Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), Vilnius (Lithuania) and other destinations in Europe
• Baltic Shuttle – buses from St Petersburg to Tallinn (Estonia)
• Lux Express – buses from St Petersburg to Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia)

Travelling from Russia to Latvia

Check the travel advice for Latvia .

See the Latvian government website for information on crossing the border.

Travelling from Russia to Finland

Check the travel advice for Finland .

Road border crossings between Finland and Russia will remain closed until further notice. Consult the  Finnish border guard website  for up-to-date information. Further changes may be announced at short notice.

The border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio will be closed to leisure boating from 15 April until further notice.

The train service from Russia to Finland is no longer available.

Travelling from Russia to Estonia

Check the travel advice for Estonia .

See the Estonian police and border guard website for information on crossing the border.

From 1 February 2024, it is not possible to cross the border by vehicle via the Narva-Ivangorod crossing point, whilst construction works take place on the Russian side. The crossing is open to pedestrians.

Travelling from Russia to Lithuania

Check the travel advice for Lithuania .

If you’re planning to cross into Lithuania by road from Kaliningrad oblast at the Kybartai border crossing point, see the Lithuanian state border crossing website .

Travelling from Russia to Norway

Check the travel advice for Norway .

Staying in Russia

If you decide to stay in Russia, you should:

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Read FCDO advice on what to do if you’re affected by a crisis abroad and how to prepare.

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The British Embassy in Moscow and British Consulate Ekaterinburg are open, but the situation could change at short notice.

In person consular support in Russia is limited. It is very limited in parts of Russia because of the security situation and the size of the country, particularly in the North Caucasus.

If you need consular assistance, call our 24-hour helpline +7 495 956 7200 and select the option for consular services for British nationals.

Contact the Russian emergency services on 112.

Dual nationals

Dual British-Russian nationals are treated as Russian nationals by local authorities. The consular support FCDO can provide is severely limited. If you are arrested or detained, Russian authorities are unlikely to allow us consular access.

In 2022, Russia declared a partial mobilisation of Russian citizens to join the military forces. Military recruitment continues. Anyone with a Russian passport could be conscripted.

In August, Russian law was amended to stop Russian nationals eligible for military conscription from leaving Russia from the day their draft notice appears on the federal electronic conscription register.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
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Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

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If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

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European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks; however, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.

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See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

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Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification : If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

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LGBTI Travelers : There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Finland.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights Report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance : Laws mandating access to buildings for persons with disabilities are generally enforced, but many older buildings remain inaccessible. Some public transportation systems are less adapted to individuals with disabilities. You should check ahead with your hotel/destination to learn more about options to accommodate disabled traveler needs before visiting Finland.

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Medical facilities and staff are generally excellent and widely available for emergency services. English is commonly spoken by Finnish medical personnel. The public hospital system and many private hospitals accept foreign credit cards.

• Local medical centers, clinics, or first-aid stations are located at hospitals and will provide a full range of services to tourist and temporary visitors.
• For emergency services in Finland, dial 112 .

Ambulance services are widely available.

We do not pay medical bills . Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.  Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

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We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.  Check with the government of Finland  to ensure the medication is legal in Finland.

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Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information, go to:

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Air Quality: Visit AirNow  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals .  We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

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Road Conditions and Safety:  Finland has an extensive network of highways and excellent public transportation services throughout the country. Driving in Finland is on the right side.

• A valid U.S. driver’s license may be used while visiting Finland, but drivers must be at least 18 years of age.
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• Many urban streets have traffic lanes reserved for public transportation only.

Winter driving in Finland can be hazardous . Daylight hours are very short and drivers should be comfortable driving in darkness.

• Icy road conditions are common.
• Your vehicle must have snow tires from December through February. Engine heaters are strongly recommended.
• When driving at night, drivers must be alert to moose wandering onto major roadways. Striking a moose can severely damage a vehicle and even fatally injure its occupants.
• If you are in a car accident, you must have your insurance paperwork with you.

Traffic Laws : Unless otherwise noted on traffic signs, the speed limit varies from 30 to 40 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on open roads, and 120 km/h on expressways during summer (100 km/h in winter).

• Vehicles must use headlights at all times.
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• Children under 135 cm (approximately 53 inches) in height must be seated in approved child or booster seats or use appropriate safety equipment as stated on the  Finnish Police website .
• Drunk driving laws are strict.

o   Police strictly enforce all traffic laws and institute random roadside breath-analyzer tests. Drivers who register a 0.05% or higher blood-alcohol content are subject to immediate arrest. For more information, please review the  Finnish Police website .

Public Transportation : Public transportation in Finland is of good quality and is the recommended method of travel.

• Passenger trains, intercity buses, and air flights provide regular service over longer distances.
• Public transportation in urban centers includes buses, subways, trams, suburban trains, and taxis.
• Taxis are more expensive than in major U.S. cities. Rates vary widely depending on the company providing the transportation service.
• Most local residents use public transport in Helsinki as parking is expensive and can be hard to find.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the  Finland National Tourist Board  and the  Finnish Road Safety Council .

Aviation Safety Oversight : The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Finland’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Finland’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel : Mariners planning travel to Finland should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

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Anxious Russians flee by the hundreds each day into neighbouring Finland

As economic sanctions and political uncertainty grip russia, many travel to finland en route to the west.

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The trains from the east pulling into Platform 9 at Helsinki's central train station are packed, transporting nearly 700 passengers from Russia each day, as people seek to escape the uncertainty and fear the war in Ukraine has brought to their own country.

A 25-year-old student looked around anxiously as she stepped off the train in the Finnish capital. She asked not to be identified, as she fears repercussions.

"It is unstable [in Russia] now," she told CBC News, describing a feeling of unease in her country that prompted her to have severe panic attacks.  

She pulled out her phone to show photos snapped in the days before she left St. Petersburg, one in support of Ukraine — with yellow and blue ribbons tied to a tree — and another of a giant Z broadcast on a multimedia screen in a subway station. The letter Z has morphed into a pro-war symbol in Russia, painted on tanks advancing on Ukrainian territory. 

"Some of my friends have been arrested already, some have been fined, some have been released," said the student, who has now joined her Russian boyfriend in Helsinki and doesn't know when — or if — she'll return home. 

"Many of my friends are fleeing Russia as well." 

Crossing into Finland is one of the few remaining routes out of Russia for those looking to escape the economic uncertainty related to punishing sanctions or to avoid a new law criminalizing spreading what the Kremlin deems to be "fake" news, a charge that could lead to 15 years in jail.  

Just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his invasion of Ukraine, the twice-daily trains destined for Finland from St. Petersburg, on a line reserved for Finnish and Russian nationals, started filling up. A few weeks ago, an official said, the trains were operating at about 20 per cent capacity.

"We can see the demand is quite high for now," said Viktoria Hurri, director of Finnish-Russian passenger services at VR Group, Finland's national railway. The train line is run jointly by VR Group and its Russian counterpart. 

"So now we're proposing to our colleagues to … put a third train also running daily," she said. The hope is the third daily run would start next week, with the option to eventually expand to the pre-pandemic four trains a day. 

Circuitous route

Hurri confirmed VR Group has asked Russian Railways for permission to allow other nationalities to take the Allegro train, which would allow expatriates in Russia to use the train to depart the country. The decision would need to be made by both Finnish and Russian rail companies. 

After more than 30 countries closed their airspace to Russian flights, Dmitry, a 26-year old Russian PhD student, said the only option for him to get to Paris was a circuitous route by bus from Moscow, via St. Petersburg and Helsinki, where he can board a flight. 

He wasn't planning on leaving Russia but changed his mind after what he called a "long reflection," abandoning his PhD field work study as the war in Ukraine intensified. 

"I was starting to get a little bit worried due to the legislation that they were beginning to pass in the Russian Duma and I thought it's better not to risk [it]," he told CBC News, asking that we use his first name only because he fears for his safety. 

Dmitry said the effects of the sanctions imposed on Russia have yet to be truly felt but many in his country are bracing themselves. 

'Very stressed'

"Many people in Russia are very stressed," he said, adding that the concern is not confined to those watching independent news outlets.

"Those who are following the news on the Russian federal channels through the propaganda machine, they are increasingly worried, too," Dmitry said. "They feel that the situation is not going as planned and their operation is not going as planned." 

When Dmitry talked of possibly returning to his home country, he spoke of years, not weeks. 

For Russian political activist Elena Shendera, that option feels tightly shut. 

Her decision to leave was clinched, she said, after she attended one of the first large protests in St. Petersburg on March 2 where Russian authorities clamped down on demonstrators. More than 13,000 protesters have been arrested across the country at anti-war rallies in dozens of cities, according to OVD-Info, an independent group that monitors detentions. 

"I could have stayed and protested and I would have been arrested first for 15 days or even worse," Shendera said. "Or I would have to be silent, which I cannot do." 

Disdain for some compatriots

After two days in Helsinki, Shendera, 50, struggled to put into words the feeling of freedom and release she felt. She also expressed disdain at some of her compatriots.

"They are like zombies saying that this is the Ukrainians' own fault," said Shendera. "They close their eyes. 

"I am not sure if I can forgive them."

She crossed at the eastern land border dividing Finland and Russia on Sunday, a day on which border officials confirmed 2,259 Russians arrived, an increase in usual traffic.

Finland has a long and complicated history with its eastern neighbour, built around proximity and that 1,340-kilometre shared border.

An invasion from Soviet Union forces in 1939 led to the Winter War, with Finns ferociously fighting back the Russians for several months before negotiating an agreement to maintain the country's independence. After the war, Finnish foreign policy was dedicated to military non-alignment. The country decided not to join NATO when it signed into the European Union in 1995.

But polls are now showing for the first time ever that a majority of Finns support joining the military alliance.

WATCH | Support grows in Finland to join NATO:

Support for Finland to join NATO picks up steam

It's "a radical historic shift," said Alexander Stubb, a former Finnish prime minister who is now a professor and director at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. 

"We used to be about 50 per cent against NATO and 20 in favour and that pretty much shifted overnight," Stubb said, attributing the change to a heightened fear of being left alone if Russia invades.

"The longer the war goes on, I think, the higher the figures in favour of NATO's membership [will go]."

Stubb cautioned, however, that a rushed push for Finland to join the alliance could further destabilize European politics. 

"We can't do it right now. It's a little bit like trying to buy fire insurance when the fire is already on."

Russia's Foreign Ministry has repeatedly warned in recent weeks that there would be "serious military and political consequences" were Finland and neighbouring Sweden to join NATO. 

At a protest in support of Ukraine that wound through the streets of Helsinki's city centre on Saturday, Leena Rauramo couldn't hold back tears.  

"I'm also very much afraid that Russia would come here," the 37-year-old Helsinki resident said, "that they will start to invade our country.

"I am not always a fan of NATO and U.S. foreign policy, but if someone would ask me right now, I would say yes for NATO," said Rauramo, adding that it would give Finland a strengthened independence. 

That same protest drew Russian citizens Andrey Maltsev and his wife, Paulina Stepanova, who were carrying a European Union flag and wearing buttons with Ukraine's colours. 

"We are Russians and we do not support Putin and his team," Maltsev said.

The couple has been in Helsinki for two months for his work, along with their three-year-old son, and they said they've received several messages from friends and colleagues back home, worried about how to get out of the country. 

• Photos Thousands of anti-war protesters detained across Russia
• Some Russians scramble to leave, fearing they may be drafted to fight in Ukraine

"Many males think they will be moved to the military facilities," Maltsev told CBC News, and he is worried the same would happen to him if he were to return to Russia. 

"I'm simply afraid that I will be detained on the border because of our support for those peace movements we have in Finland." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Salimah Shivji is CBC's South Asia correspondent, based in Mumbai. She has covered everything from natural disasters and conflicts, climate change to corruption across Canada and the world in her nearly two decades with the CBC.

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How to Get to Finland without Flying

How can you travel to Finland without flying? This guide describes flightless routes to Finland.

I’ve covered over 50 destinations in this travel blog. Still, I’ve written very little about my own home country, Finland. This guide post about traveling to Finland without flying fills the void.

• See also: Things to Do in Finland in the Summer

Here are six flightless ways to travel to Finland. The routes are listed in a counter-clockwise order, starting from the north. Note that my post focuses on public transportation, not routes for private cars and motorcycles.

Reaching Finland without flying takes some time and effort, and many people choose to fly instead. If you fly to Finland, please consider donating 10% of your ticket cost to a high-impact climate charity recommended by Giving Green . Such donations are much more effective than traditional carbon offsetting .

Route 1: Overland Travel to Finland from Sweden and Norway

Finland shares land borders with three countries: Sweden, Norway and Russia. I’ll talk about the Russian border later in this post. First, let’s begin with overland travel from Sweden and Russia.

There are multiple border crossings between Finland and Sweden or Norway. The borders are not heavily guarded, and you can walk or drive your way from one country to another without any stops.

If you’re coming from Central Europe, you can travel through Sweden on public transport. In 2020, a direct night train started operating between Berlin and Stockholm. Several trains from Malmö, Sweden, on the border of Denmark also travel directly to Stockholm. From there, you can continue further up north through Stockholm on buses and trains. 

The most popular land border crossing from Sweden to Finland is between Haparanda (Sweden) and Tornio (Finland). The distance between Stockholm and Haparanda is ~1000 kilometers. The journey takes around 18 hours on public transport. Further up north, there are less train connections than buses available. The coaches are very comfortable, but the tickets are a bit expensive.

For more information about overland train routes from Europe to Finland, check out this guide by the always helpful Seat61.com.

Route 2: Sea Routes between Sweden and Finland

Finland’s land borders with Sweden (and Norway) offer a challenge to long-term travellers. The countries are connected by land only in the north, far away from the biggest cities of the countries. Further south, Finland and Sweden are divided by the Gulf of Bothnia .

If you wish to travel faster, you can cross the Gulf on a ferry or a cruise ship.  The most popular sea lane from Sweden to Finland goes from Stockholm (the capital of Sweden) to Turku, Finland with a stop in the autonomous Åland Islands . The cruises leave daily and take 10-12 hours. Cruises from Stockholm to Helsinki are also available (16-17 hours).

The connection between Stockholm and Turku is cheap and practical, but it’s not necessarily good for the environment. After all, cruises can cause more CO2 emissions than flights .

As a greener choice, you can cross the Gulf of Bothnia at its most narrow part. To do this, you must travel 640 kilometers north from Stockholm to Umeå. A ferry leaves from Umeå to Vaasa every day and the journey takes 4.5 hours.

The shorter journey (and smaller ship) makes this crossing much better for the environment. The current ferry M/S Aurora Botnia started sailing in fall 2021, and the ferry company Wasaline claims that it’s the most environmental car/passenger ferry in the world.

A third option also exists: Ferries from Kapellskär to Naantali leave twice a day. Kapellskär is located 90 kilometers northeast of Stockholm, while Naantali is right next to Turku. This ferry crossing is a little bit shorter than the one from Stockholm to Turku. Unfortunately the ferry doesn’t take passengers without vehicles. (A bicycle still counts as a vehicle, though.)

Route 3: Ferry from Germany to Helsinki

If you wish to travel from Central Europe to Finland without flying with minimal hassle, the Finnlines ferry from Germany to Finland is your choice. The ship leaves Travemünde, Germany, every night (at 2-3 am) and arrives in Helsinki 30 hours later. I used this connection when I returned to Finland at the end of my 777-day trip around the world .

While convenient, the Finnlines ferry is also quite pricey. For example, the prices per person in May start from 235 euros. And because of the long journey and the size of the ferry, this journey causes almost 370 kilograms of CO2 emissions ( source in Finnish ). In comparison, the CO2 emissions of a direct flight from Berlin to Helsinki are around 250 kilograms. 

Route 4: Cargo Ship Travel to Finland

See also: How to prepare for traveling on a cargo ship

We’ll now continue our tour of the Baltic Sea east from Germany. After Germany, the next potential points of departure are Poland, Lithuania, Latvia – and Kaliningrad, the lone exclave of Russia located between Latvia and Lithuania.

None of these countries offer regular ferries to Finland. ( Poland , Lithuania and Latvia have regular connections to Sweden, though.) The lack of commercial lines doesn’t stop sea travel completely, if you manage to travel as a passenger on a cargo ship.

I’ve written several articles about in Arimo Travels, including one about my own journey across the Pacific . Freighter travel is possible, although it demands some time, money and flexibility. Freighter voyages usually cost around 100 euros per day, food included. 

Here are three potential freighter routes from Europe to Finland. Some cargo ships only allow return trips without disembarkation on the other side, 

• This journey gets you from Belgium to Hanko , the southernmost city in Finland. Hanko is situated just 120 kilometers away from Helsinki. You can get to the capital in 2 hours on public transport.
• If you wish to visit Lapland without flying, this ferry to Oulu gives you a head start. A train from Oulu further north to Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, takes 2-3 hours.
• To my surprise, I managed to find a freighter connection from Kalingrad to Finland in 2021. The freighter began its journey in Hamburg and Bremerhaven in Germany. The route has since disappeared from the Slowtravel website, so I don’t know about its current fate.

Route 5: Get from Estonia to Finland without Flying

The shortest Baltic Sea crossing to Finland goes from Tallinn, Estonia, to Helsinki. The distance between the two capitals is only 82 kilometers.  Plans to connect the two cities with the world’s longest underwater tunnel have not materialized, and it’s unlikely that they will anytime soon.

To travel from Estonia to Finland without flying, you need to travel by sea. Luckily there are many ways to do it.

The easiest way is to take a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki . There are several departures available every day and the journey takes less than three hours. If you wish to try something different, you can also try to hitchhike a ride on a boat to Helsinki. I haven’t done this myself, but I know people who’ve done this.

Getting to Estonia from other parts of Europe takes some time, but it’s not too expensive. Several cheap bus companies operate in the Baltics. The ongoing Rail Baltica project aims to improve railway connections from Poland towards Finland.

Route 6: Flightless Travel from Russia to Finland

Finland and Russia share 1300 kilometers of border . Unsurprisingly there are multiple border crossings between the two countries. Traveling from St. Petersburg or Moscow to Finland used to be easy, but this changed first with COVID and now (2022) with the war in Ukraine.

The most convenient way to travel from Russia to Finland without flying was by train. The Allegro train leaves several times each day, and a journey from St. Petersburg to Helsinki took only 3.5 hours! I made a weekend trip from Finland to Russia on Allegro in 2019, and the train journey was very easy and enjoyable.

The Allegro train used to be a great gateway to the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian Railways, offering great overland travel opportunities all the way to Southeast Asia. Though it is only a minor annoyance in the bigger picture, I am saddened by the loss of this gateway to the east.

A Lux Express bus route from St. Petersburg to Helsinki also started operating in 2019. The route is now closed, but if it ever returns to operation, there should be buses leaving multiple times each day. A bus journey from St. Petersburg to Helsinki took 7.5 hours.

The Most Sustainable Way to Visit Finland

What’s the most sustainable way to get to Finland? Because of my country’s distant location, it is difficult to travel to Finland without flying. As cruise ships cause a lot of pollution, a direct flight can sometimes be a greener choice.

However, not all cruise ships are the same. The Vaasa-Umeå ferry claims to be very environmentally friendly, while some ships between Turku and Stockholm use new technology such as rotor sails (Viking Grace) and natural gas (Tallink Megastar).

If you do take a plane, smaller propeller planes are more CO2 friendly than bigger (and faster) turbine planes. There are some propeller planes flying between Sweden and Finland.

Traveling on a cargo ship is considered CO2 neutral. After all, the freighter ship travels anyway and having an extra passenger has very little impact on the CO2 emissions. However, there are only a few freighter connections to Finland available.

Trains are one the most sustainable modes of transport. According to some estimations (source in Finnish), the most sustainable way to travel to Finland might be by train through Sweden. There are parts where you have to take a bus, but otherwise this slow route is one greenest.

Overland Travel in Finland

How can you travel overland in Finland? Finnish roads are in good condition and cycling is also possible. In this section, I focus on public transportation and hitchhiking in Finland.

Finland has only one railway company, VR that’s owned by the government. The trains are pretty fast and reliable, although the tickets can be expensive without a student discount.

For cheaper transportation, I recommend bus companies such as Onnibus.com . With many companies, the tickets are cheaper the earlier you buy them. Matkahuolto.fi sells tickets to most buses. There’s also a website called Pikavuorot.fi (in Finnish only) that shows prices and schedules for both buses and trains.

As a rule of thumb, traveling from on the north-south-axis – or to any direction from Helsinki– is pretty fast. Western Finland has better connections than the East – especially in the north – and traveling between East and West can take more time than expected.

Hitchhiking is not common, but people know about it and you can catch a ride relatively easily. Hitchhiking on motorways is not allowed, and it can be challenging to find a good hitchhiking spot near the bigger cities. Hitchwiki has more information about hitchhiking in Finland.

Is it possible to travel to Finland without flying? Yes, absolutely. It just takes time. Traveling to Finland through Sweden is easy, and you can take a ferry or a cargo ship from Central Europe as well. Connections between Finland and Russia are limited for now, but the connections in the Baltics are improving all the time.

I haven’t hopped on a freighter to/from Finland yet, but I’ve done almost all the other routes mentioned in this article.

I’ve started all my InterRail trips with the ferry from Sweden to Stockholm. My 2-year trip around the world began with a ferry ride to Estonia and ended with the ferry from Travemünde, Germany. I’ve passed all the border crossing between Sweden and Finland, and I’ve made multiple trips to Northern Norway. In 2013, I even traveled from Finland to North Korea by train!

This guide lists most of the flightless travel routes to Finland. I haven’t delved very deep in the details. I hope this post acts as an inspiration and a starting point as you plan your adventure. If you have any questions about overland ways to travel to Finland, you can share your thoughts in the comments below.

For other flightless travel routes, check out my page Flightless Travel.

Tell Me More!

Arimo Travels is a sustainable travel blog by Arimo, a mostly traveler from Finland. The site focuses on sustainable travel guides and randomness.

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