Finnish VR night trains are among the most pleasant night train products in Europe. They connect southern Finland with northern Finland and Lapland and are especially useful on long routes where a daytime journey would take many hours. Instead of spending most of the day on the train, you board in the evening, sleep on the way and arrive the next morning far in the north or south of Finland.
A typical feature of VR night trains is the double-deck sleeping car. Downstairs there are private sleeper compartments with a washbasin; upstairs you find the more comfortable compartments with a private shower and private WC. In addition, there are seating cars, restaurant cars, luggage areas, bicycle spaces on some trains, pet compartments, accessible sleeper compartments and car-carrier wagons.
The value for money of the sleeper compartments is particularly strong. VR lists sleeper compartments from EUR 49 and compartments with shower from EUR 74. These prices apply to the compartment, not per person. This makes Finnish night trains very attractive for solo travellers, couples and families.
Comfort & classes
On the VR night train, there are basically seats and sleeper compartments. The seat is the lowest-priced category, but only moderately comfortable for long overnight journeys. If you really want to sleep, you should book a sleeper compartment.
The lower sleeper compartments in the double-deck car have beds, bedding, a private washbasin and a private compartment door. Shower and WC are located in the car. This category is already very comfortable and fully sufficient for many travellers.
The upper sleeper compartments also offer a private shower and private WC directly inside the compartment. They are the most comfortable choice and especially pleasant on long routes to Lapland. The sleeper compartments have blackout, power sockets and, in newer cars, free Wi-Fi. VR itself points out, however, that the internet connection can vary along the way; if you want to watch films or series reliably, you should download content before the journey.
Tickets & notes
Booking is best done directly with VR. Especially in the winter season, around holiday periods and on popular Lapland routes, sleeper compartments should be booked early. The cheapest compartment prices are limited and can rise depending on demand, route and booking time.
Important: with VR, the sleeper is booked as a compartment. The price should not automatically be understood as per person. This is a major advantage when two people travel together. If you book a compartment alone and later want to add a companion, VR refers you to customer service.
Additional services such as pet, bicycle, wheelchair space, assistance or vehicle can be selected as extras during the booking process. According to VR, a car space can also sometimes still be added after the original ticket purchase.
Travel tips
For the night, it is best to pack a small separate bag: toothbrush, sleepwear, charging cable, earplugs, water bottle, medication and everything you need directly in the morning. Larger luggage can stay in the compartment or in the luggage area.
An important VR note: tap water on the train is not drinkable and, according to VR, should not be used for brushing your teeth either. In sleeper compartments, there is a small bottle of water per bed, but it still makes sense to bring additional water with you.
If you are a light sleeper, earplugs are useful. The beds are considered comfortable, and the compartments have blackout curtains. In older cars, there may be fewer power sockets; a power bank is therefore helpful. Practical for families: a travel cot often fits into the compartment, children’s food can be warmed in the restaurant car, and a safety net for a lower berth can be pre-ordered free of charge through customer service.
Food & drinks on board
VR night trains have a restaurant car. That is a big advantage, because you can still eat something in the evening, buy drinks or get a coffee in the morning. According to VR, the restaurant car on night trains closes at 2:00; alcohol service ends at 1:30. It opens again from 4:00. Opening hours may differ on individual trains.
Examples from the VR restaurant car: a large coffee costs EUR 3.20, or EUR 2.90 with the VR Matkalla app. Tomato pesto pasta costs EUR 11.90 regularly, or EUR 10.90 with the app. A larger portion of meatballs & mashed potatoes costs EUR 16.90 regularly, or EUR 15.90 with the app. An ice cream costs EUR 3.50 regularly, or EUR 2.90 with the app. Sparkling water costs EUR 3.50 regularly, or EUR 2.90 with the app. Wine in the small 18.7 cl format costs EUR 11.90 regularly, or EUR 10.90 with the app.
Very practical: selected restaurant car dishes can also be ordered to the sleeper compartment. VR states that this requires pre-ordering online when buying the ticket or adding it to the booking no later than 5 days before departure. You can also order from the menu available in the sleeper compartment; the conductor brings the order to the compartment.
WiFi on board
In the newer VR sleeping cars, there is free Wi-Fi and power sockets. Many seats also have modern equipment. Even so, you should not rely blindly on the internet connection being stable for the entire journey. VR explicitly points out that the connection can vary along the way. If you want to watch films or series or listen to music reliably, you should download content before the journey.
In older night train cars, the equipment is simpler. There may, for example, be only one power socket, and charging can be slower. For long overnight journeys, a power bank is therefore useful, especially if you use your smartphone as a ticket, alarm clock, camera or entertainment.
Bicycle transport
Bicycles can be taken on VR trains, but a bicycle space must be reserved. On night trains, some routes have a luggage car with up to 8 bicycle spaces. According to VR, bicycle transport costs EUR 4.10 to EUR 8.30 depending on the length of the journey.
Important: book the bicycle space directly with your ticket. If the booking system does not offer a bicycle space, you should not assume that taking a bicycle is still possible. The number of bicycle spaces is limited.
Pets
Pets are welcome on VR. On night trains, pets can travel in the pet area of a regular car or in a pet sleeper compartment. On night trains and car-carrier trains, pets travel with their owners in the pet compartment; they are not allowed to stay in the car on the car-carrier wagon.
According to VR, the pet fee on long-distance trains and night trains is EUR 4.10 to EUR 8.30 per dog or carrier, depending on the length of the journey. A maximum of two dogs or two carriers can be taken in a pet sleeper compartment. Assistance, guide and signal dogs travel free of charge.
Bring your own water for your animal. VR points out that tap water on the train is not drinkable. In pet sleeper compartments, VR provides a bottle of water and a towel for the animal. During longer stops, you can go outside with your dog; it is best to ask the train staff at the beginning of the journey.
Car transport
Finnish VR night trains are also very interesting as car-carrier trains. You can take your car or motorcycle on certain routes and travel yourself in a seating car or sleeper compartment. This is especially practical for trips to Lapland if you want to continue locally with your own vehicle.
VR lists car spaces from EUR 39 and motorcycle spaces from EUR 29. A combination of sleeper compartment and car space can be possible from EUR 88, consisting of EUR 49 for the compartment and EUR 39 for the car space. According to VR, actual prices depend among other things on vehicle size, season, travel date and booking time.
As a rule, drivers load and unload their vehicle themselves onto the car-carrier wagon. On some routes or in certain cases, VR can also load the vehicle. It is important to check the loading times and the correct car loading station carefully.
