Buses and trains offer an easy way to reach many places all around Finland. Taking the train is a fast and ecological way to travel between the bigger cities in Finland.
But what is even more impressive, is the vast bus network in Finland.You can literally travel by bus on dirt roads of the countryside.
Bus rides are especially handy in Lapland, as trains stop at Kolari, Kemijärvi and Rovaniemi but you might want to have an adventure further in the north (and you totally should!).
This local’s guide is here to explain how you can travel around Finland without a car.
I hope to give you helpful detailed advice so that you feel comfortable planning your trip! Here are some of the questions I’ll answer in this post.
- How and where can you check timetables and buy tickets online?
- Can you combine train and bus traveling?
- Can you travel in Lapland without a car?
- Why Finns are so funny on board?
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Here’s what I will be talking in this guide. I will cover topics ranging from the booking sites to our quirky local habits. If there’s anything you’d like to ask, please leave me a comment!
Table of Contents
- 1 Trains in Finland
- 2 Taking the Train at Helsinki Airport
- 3 Long-Distance Buses in Finland
- 4 Onni Bus in Finland: Budget Travel Option
- 5 Book Your Bus or Train Ride Early
- 6 Combining Train and Bus Traveling in Finland
- 7 Lapland without a Car
- 8 Entertainment in Trains and Buses in Finland
- 9 Eating in Trains and Buses in Finland
- 10 Greeting in Trains and Buses in Finland
- 11 Socializing on Trains and Buses in Finland
- 12 Finns Piling their Stuff in Public Transport Vehicles
- 13 Funny Seating Games on Buses in Finland
- 14 Toilets on Board
Trains in Finland
To check destinations, timetables or ticket booking, do this:
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- Type date, your starting point (e.g., Helsinki) and end destination (e.g., Rovaniemi) and get a suggestion of connections.
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- There are many ways to purhase the ticket. You can buy it at the station, ticket vending machine or any R-kioski shop across Finland. R-kioski is a Finnish chain of kiosks like the chain ‘7-Eleven’.
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- You can also buy the ticket online, print or take a print screen of your ticket. Or use the VR app.
Taking the Train at Helsinki Airport
Long-Distance Buses in Finland
To check destinations, timetables or ticket booking, do this:
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- Type date, starting point, and end destination. You get a suggestion of connections.
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- Buy the tickets when you enter the bus. You can also book a ticket online. Print the ticket or save a print screen of the ticket.
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- Special advice to Helsinki: The main bus station is on the cellar floor of Kamppi shopping center. There you can find buses to other cities, for example, Porvoo, which is a cute day trip destination.
Onni Bus in Finland: Budget Travel Option
Onni bus is a Finnish bus company which sells super cheap bus tickets online. Notice that for Onni bus you always have to buy your ticket in advance!
You can see their buses on the Matkahuolto site I mentioned above, but their site is good to know if you want to see just their connections. Also, I have noticed that sometimes the tickets are the cheapest there.
To check destinations, timetables or ticket booking, do this:
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- Use the online shop of Onni bus
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- Type date, starting point, and end destination. You get a suggestion of connections.
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- Buy online in advance.
Traveling by bus allows you to see the gorgeous Finnish nature up and close.
Book Your Bus or Train Ride Early
Public transport in Finland is comfortable and reliable. The train rides can be cheap if you book your tickets at least three weeks in advance.
I just bought train tickets three weeks early and scored 40€ tickets for 10€. So, if you can, make your arrangements in advance and you will truly have cheap logistics in Finland.
Combining Train and Bus Traveling in Finland
Combining train and bus traveling gives you more options in terms of price, timetables and destinations.
In Finnish, a railway station is “rautatieasema” and a bus station is “linja-autoasema”. In many cities, the two stations are within walking distance from each other (the distance is z. 200 m – 1 kilometer), for example in Tampere, Turku, Kuopio, Oulu, Pori, Joensuu, Rovaniemi and Helsinki.
But, what’s even cooler is that some cities have a travel center, “matkakeskus”, in Finnish. This travel hub has both the trains and buses making transfers super easy! You can find a travel center in Lahti, Jyväskylä, Mikkeli, Vaasa, Seinäjoki and Lappeenranta.
Personally, I love a transfer in these cities because I don’t have to carry my luggage and worry about finding the other station.
Lapland without a Car
First of all, getting from Helsinki to Lapland is super easy via train. You just need to book a ticket to the Lapland night train. I have a detailed post to help you with Lapland night trains.
Thus, a car in Lapland helps you see more but it’s not a must. The Lapland train takes you to Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi or Kolari. Then you’ll have to take a bus.
In terms of easiness and not spending over two hours on a bus, I’d focus on a couple of Lappish destinations.
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- From Kolari railway station, you can travel by bus to Äkäslompolo, Ylläsjärvi or Levi.
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- From Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi, you can quite easily travel to Pyhä, Luosto and Salla.
My Lapland guide is a great read for you if you’re planning a Lapland vacation!
Entertainment in Trains and Buses in Finland
Most long-distance buses and trains have a working wi-fi. However, this may not be the case with long-distance buses in Lapland as the Lapland is a vast rural wilderness.
Newspapers and magazines can be borrowed from the front of the bus. You’ll see a pile next to the driver. By the way, newspaper on a seat or in a seat pocket doesn’t necessarily mean that the place is booked in Finland. It means that the newspaper has been left there for other passengers to enjoy.
Eating in Trains and Buses in Finland
It is okay to eat and drink in all forms of public transportation in Finland. If you are traveling on an afternoon or evening train, be sure to visit the restaurant carriage. There, you’ll see locals relaxing.
Greeting in Trains and Buses in Finland
In Helsinki region, it is rare that people greet the driver when entering or exiting the vehicle. You can even get a surprised face from the driver if you say ‘Hello’.
However, the situation changes, the further you travel away from the capital. In smaller cities, it is entirely the opposite!
Socializing on Trains and Buses in Finland
Finns rarely talk to strangers (Check out my post on small talk in Finland). This also is the case in public transport. We keep our voice to the minimum and avoid unnecessary conversations.
If you are in a group, it is okay to talk with mild voice. Also, don’t watch a video or have a skype call without a headset!
Finns Piling their Stuff in Public Transport Vehicles
We love to show our personal zone by piling our stuff to the seat next to us. This is nothing personal. Everybody does it.
Funny Seating Games on Buses in Finland
In Finland, we only sit next to another person when all possible window places are taken, and you have to start filling up the aisle seats. As a Finn, we get a slight feeling of irritation when this happens. Two seats for one person is a luxury we are used to, especially on long-distance bus rides.
It is very typical to ask for a seat without any words. Just stand or slow down next to the seat you want and watch the pile of stuff on it. The person sitting next to the pile will gather them away and you can take your seat. Naturally, you can also ask! 🙂
Toilets on Board
The toilets are decent on trains and buses. In Lapland, they operate connections either with a big or small bus. The big buses usually have a toilet.
The small bus doesn’t have a toilet but just let the driver know that there’s a need for a bathroom. They will let you go to the bathroom on the stops or, if it’s an emergency, the side of the road. So you are okay to travel with kids on a bus in Lapland!
What else would you like to know about trains and buses in Finland? Let me know in the comments! Looking for more information about different traveling styles in Finland? Check these other posts:
Warm wishes from Finland,
Varpu
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Hello there!
I’m Varpu. One blonde,
travel-loving,
Finnish engineer driving this site.
I am traveling to Finland next month. We will be doing a lot of train travel. Is it going to be difficult to find train connections? I don’t know how large the train stations are. We are traveling from Helsinki to Hanko, then Hanko to Turku and then Turku to Pori. I am worrying about missing my trains!
Hei Jody! The train stations are not large so it will be very easy to find the correct platform. The platforms are always displayed on a screen at the train station. It’s very straight-forward, I promise! <3
Hi Varpu
I am travelling to Finland in the next couple of weeks as a young solo female traveller and will be taking the night bus to get between Helsinki – Oulu. Is there any safety precautions I should take if I’m sleeping on the bus? Or is Finland a very safe place?
Also, any tips for general solo travel in Finland would be greatly appreciated! I am very much looking forward to this trip!
Thank you!
Hei Glynis!
I’m so excited for your trip! Finland is a fantastic destination for a solo female traveller because it’s super safe. I can’t think of any special safety precautions you would need. Just common sense, not leaving your wallet and mobile on show in general. Have a wonderful trip and do let me know if you have anything else! <3
Hei Varpu!
Kiitos for your response! Very glad to hear it is very safe in Finland, I’m now even more excited for my trip!
I’m looking at all the different parts of your blog and it is very helpful! Kiitos for sharing all this wonderful information! 💖
You are welcome! I’m so happy to hear that my blog is helpful! <3 Kiitos! I hope your trip will be awesome!!!!
Hei, Varpu,
We are taking a boat from Helsinki to Porvoo and staying the night there, The next day we will be going on to Elimaki. Do you know if we can get a bus from Porvoo to Elimaki, or do we have to go to Kouvola? Which bus company do you recommend? On one bus website I looked at showed a very high price compared to others or the train. There doesn’t seem to be a train going that way either.
Thanks for you help with this.
Susan
Hei Susan! All the bus connections in Finland are found on the same site: Matkahuolto. More about the process on this post https://herfinland.com/trains-buses-finland/
You are right, there isn’t a train from Porvoo to Elimäki. There’s only a bus connection once a day on weekdays by Savonlinja, around noon.
Hi Varpu,
My husband and I are traveling to Finland in a few weeks. We are flying into Helsinki and then need to get to Turku. We are considering taking the train. Do you know where we would find a schedule? Do we need to get tickets beforehand? Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thanks so much!
Jeanne
Hei Jeanne! Turku is great If you follow the steps on this post, you can book the tickets in advance. You don’t need to buy them in advance but I probably would as it’s easier.
To check destinations, timetables or ticket booking, do this:
Use the online shop of the Finnish Railway company (www.vr.fi), switch to English language.
Type date, your starting point (e.g., Helsinki) and end destination (e.g., Turku) and get a suggestion of connections.
You can buy the ticket at the station ticket counter or ticket vending machine. You can also buy the ticket online, print or take a print screen of your ticket. Or use the VR app.
Hei Varpu
When I was there in September I took Onnibus from Helsinki to Lahti. I bought the ticket the night before for 7 euros, I think. I was staying at Hotel Helki and it was a fairly short walk to Kampii where I boarded. Did I read last fall that Onnibus was bought by one of the other bus lines? Do you think that will affect their pricing?
Hei Steve! A great question! Yes, Onnibus was bought by Koiviston Auto, a big Finnish bus company. They have informed that the Onnibus brand will stay and for the time being, I haven’t noticed anything about the pricing.
I am so happy I found this website! My boyfriend and I are traveling in a few weeks to visit a friend he has in Kotka. Neither of us have been to Finland before. On our next-to-last day we plan on taking the bus from Kotka to Helsinki to spend the day exploring the city before staying at the Hilton by the airport. Which bus stop do you recommend in Helsinki? I’m clueless on which one would be close to neat places to explore, good food, etc. Thank you so much!
Hei Heidi! Thank you for commenting. I’m so excited for your Finland trip! In Helsinki, I’d just hop off at the central bus station at Kamppi basement floor. You will find yourselves right in the city center! It’s the perfect starting point.
Hi Varpu, I’m planning a few days in Helsinki and want to take a day trip to Tampere.
I want to book a seat upstairs in the restaurant car. I want a forward facing, window seat to enjoy the scenery. The VR site appears to not give this detail. Can you please advise?
Regards
Richard
Hei Richard! I think I have sat a couple of times like that, and if my memory serves me right it has been the “Extra” class. You could ask the chat service on VR Facebook? The chat is super good and they can help you in detail with this one! Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/VRmatkalla/
Hi Varpu! I’m coming to Finland for my Erasmus experience and your website is very useful, thanks! I will arrive at the Helsinki airport and then I have to go to Turku from there, let me know if I got it right: there are no direct trains for Turku from the airport, I have to change the train in Helsinki, right? But there are buses I think (I had some difficulties in understanding the buses website) than can go directly to Turku from the airport, named as ‘express’.. Why bus prices are so different? Do you recommend me to go by bus or by train?
I hope I was clear, thanks for the answer!
Hi Emma! Thank you so much, it’s great to hear that you have found my blog helpful! Yup, the prices vary in trains and in buses. I’m not sure about the method of how they determine the price when it comes to buses. With the trains, it’s usually cheaper if you book very early. I could find both buses and trains with the price points from 8 – around 20 euros. So moneywise it’s the same. There are only a couple straight buses to Turku, the rest are with a transfer. The train is always with a transfer. If there’s a straight bus connection when you arrive, I’d probably pick that one but if not, then I’d go by train!
Hi Varpu! I’m taking my first journey to Finland at the end of January. And I am going solo. I have been reading a bunch of your tips. Are there buses or trains that I can take from Muonia (Lake Torassieppi area) to the Snow Village/ Ice hotel near Kittila? I’m struggling with logistics. Where do I get tickets? How much should I expect to pay for a round trip ticket?
Hei Bethany! What awesome destinations you have, fab! Unfortunately, I cannot find a great connection between those two places.
I’d do like this: take the bus from Torassieppi to Äkäslompolo and take a taxi from Äkäslompolo to Snow Village Kittilä (30 km). Or you can take a Ski Bus from Äkäslompolo to Ylläsjärvi and then take a taxi from Ylläsjärvi to Snow Village Kittilä (the distance is z. 11 km). You can find more information about the ski bus on http://www.visityllas.fi
The bus route from Torassieppi to Äkäslompolo runs only on specific weekdays. You can find it by using the bus site linked on this post. Use: Torassieppi th -> Äkäslompolo. The price is 30 euros/one way and it takes almost 3 hours.
Other options would be renting a car, asking your accommodation if they know some private drivers or hitchhiking.
Hi there, just wondering if there are any toilet facilities on buses from Rovaniemi to Phya as I will be travelling with 2 small children and I believe the journey is 1.45hrs long?
Hi Grainne! Just double checking that you are talking about that Pyhä I had another post about? This one: https://herfinland.com/lapland-walking-day-trip/ There are several Pyhä-starting names in Lapland, so just want to make sure we are talking about the same place. 😀
Because of those many places, one has to write “Pyhätunturi” (Pyhä fell) in the search box of the bus site to find the right connection. I understand that this is something no traveller would know and I will update this info on my post too.
As for the toilets: I called the bus company to be sure. They operate with big and small buses. Small buses don’t have toilet but just let the driver know that there’s a need for a bathroom and he/she will let you go to the bathroom on the stops before Pyhä or, if it’s a emergency, the side of the road. So you are okay to travel with kids!
It takes 1,5 hours by your own car from Rovaniemi to Pyhätunturi.
The bus connection takes 2 hours and 20 minutes from Rovaniemi bus station to Pyhätunturi.
If you hop in at Santa Claus Village it is 2 hours.
I’d say there’s a bit extra in these times for people going in and out and the weather.
In detail, the bus connection is excellent in that way that it goes from Rovaniemi bus station to the Rovaniemi airport, then the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, then Luosto area (hotel Aurora) and then, the final stop is in Hotel Pyhätunturi. Hotel Pyhätunturi is where all the walking and activity routes start in Pyhä!
Hi Varpu, thank you so much for the very prompt response. This is very helpful. We are flying into Rovaniemi Airport with a shared shuttle bus to Hotel Pyhätunturi. So hopefully this cuts our commute time down a little to the hotel. Thank you for confirming with the bus station. Fingers and toes crossed its a big bus 🙂 We are so looking forward to the trip.
You’re welcome, I’m so happy to help. Oh, I see, in that case, I believe it’s faster. You will have so much fun, enjoy!
Do try the fresh donuts at Cafe Loimu and if their lunch offering has reindeer anything, it’s affordable and delicious, at least based on my experiences. http://www.cafeloimu.fi – I’m sure the hotel staff can help to check their lunch menu. 🙂
“It is okay to eat and drink in all forms of public transportation in Finland.” Is it really? I’ve been living in Satakunta for the past 5 years and noticed that people barely ever eat in public here. I’m not talking about an occasional grillimakkara after a community cleaning, I’m talking a bun and coffee on the go, a quick burger while coming home from work etc..
Hi Alicja! What a good remark! It is indeed true that the take-away culture in Finland is much smaller & rarer than in many other countries. That being said, it is still okay to do it and you get no eye rolling. You can see people eating in trains and busses, especially long-distance ones and in the capital area.