🚆 VR to Lapland: night train, cabins, equipment transport

If you want to escape to the snow in winter, go to sleep in Helsinki and wake up under the northern sky, then the night train is just the thing for you. I love this Finnish rhythm: a quiet boarding, a soft jolt of the coupling somewhere in the dark, tea from a plastic mug, and in the morning — a white platform, a light frost and the promise of a new day. No airport hustle and bustle, no long journey on ice — just the tracks and sleep.

Where does the Santa Claus Express go and why is it convenient?

The VR night train has double compartments and seating carriages, a restaurant car and power sockets, warm blankets and neat shelves. Trains depart from Helsinki (sometimes from Turku) in the evening and arrive in Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi or Kolari in the morning, where resorts and trails are just a stone's throw away. During the high season, several night trains depart from the capital to Lapland in the evening.

For "after the train" travel, there are convenient transfers to the resorts (bus/shuttle/car rental). If you are going "to the sky", bookmark Northern Lights in Finland — it has only verified cameras and forecasts.

Cabins and seats: how to choose the right one for you

The main choice is between "sitting" and "sleeping". For night-time and children, I almost always go for a cabin: it's a small room on rails where everything is at hand. In short:

Useful information: cabins on the upper deck are more likely to have a shower and toilet inside; linen and towels are included, and "basic" cabins have a washbasin and shared showers in the corridor. Each cabin has power sockets, warm blankets and space for small bags; long skis are placed vertically by the door/under the bottom shelf and secured with a strap.

Prices, winter sales and peak dates

VR night train sales are already open "far in advance": you can now buy tickets for night and motorail trains until October 2026. Basic price range: a "whole" cabin from ~€49, an option with a shower from ~€74 (prices are dynamic and depend on demand). During the snowiest weeks, up to five night trains depart from Helsinki in the evening: to Kolar and Rovaniemi.

When is it most expensive:
— 20–23 December (Christmas departures), 26–29 December (return waves), the night of 30–31/1–2 (New Year's Eve), "ski" weeks in February–March (school holidays in different regions). VR states directly that during the peak ski season there are more departures than usual — demand is real.

Skis, snowboards, prams: how to transport equipment

The logic is simple: two large items + hand luggage are free, oversized items are subject to the rules for night/car trains. Sledges, skis and snowboards are placed in covers; long items are placed vertically by the cabin door and secured with a strap/tie. Bicycles are subject to separate rules and availability (limited on night trains). If your luggage is very large, night trains have a separate luggage compartment (for an additional fee, by arrangement). Conductors will advise you on the best place to store your tubing or pram.

For families, the tried and tested "one bag per person" + a small backpack works well. Warm layers and reflectors should be kept within easy reach (in winter, the wind can be noticeable on the platform).

Carriage: travelling in your own car

The car carriage is a great Finnish option: load your car onto the ramp in the evening, sleep in your cabin, and in the morning you'll be in Lapland. Car spaces start at "low prices" and depend heavily on the date; the driver drives in and out on their own, which is no big deal. In Helsinki, loading takes place at Pasila station (not at the Main Station), and it is best to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the loading window — everything there is timed to the minute. Changes to car spaces must be made no later than 72 hours before departure.

Food and breakfast sets

The restaurant car and trolley are open at night, serving hot meals, soups, children's meals and drinks. You can pre-order breakfast to your cabin at night (Scandinavian, French, children's, gluten-free) — convenient if you want to wake up to coffee and porridge. Breakfast prices range from approximately €9 to €13. Guests often take a thermos, cocoa for children and nuts to their cabins to make the night more comfortable.

With children: how to make the night easier

From experience:
— book two connecting cabins for a family of 2+2 — you will have four full beds and space for your belongings;
— at night, put unnecessary items in a bag or container and place it in the corner so you don't trip over it in the dark;
— Young children usually sleep better on the lower bunk.
— In cabins with showers, there are towels, while in "basic" cabins, there is a washbasin and shared showers in the corridor.
— Cabin keys are inside, and doors are open upon boarding — don't be alarmed.

Map of routes and key stops

Exchanges, refunds, compensation: key points

— Tickets can be changed: the basic fee for a change is approximately €5.20 per ticket; if the new option is more expensive, you pay the difference (if the new option is cheaper, the difference is not refunded).
— Stress-free cancellation is available with the purchase of cancellation insurance (Peruutusturva) — in this case, the ticket price can be refunded; the insurance fee itself is non-refundable
— CarTrain reservations can be changed/cancelled no later than 72 hours before departure (earlier is better).
— If the train is significantly delayed: for delays of 60 minutes or more, 25% of the cost will be compensated; for delays of 120 minutes or more, 50% will be compensated (EU law).

Ready-made scenarios: skiing, northern lights, silence

Skiing "from the doorstep". Helsinki → night → Kolari → bus to Ylläs/Levi → skiing until sunset → evening sauna.
Family and Father Christmas. Helsinki → night → Rovaniemi → day in Santa's village, evening at the spa → night of snowy relaxation.
Just the sky. Helsinki → night → Kemijärvi → car rental → edge of the dark forest; with the help of the Northern Lights in Finland.

Warning stickers (common mistakes)

If you found this information useful, share it with your friends, save it for the season, and write your findings in the comments: which cabin you liked best, where you had breakfast, and how you organised your skis/snowboards. I will update the map and cards based on your advice to make it even easier for the next reader to plan a trip overnight and wake up in Lapland.