Europe

VR's travel tips

This page gives you some essential tips for train travel in Europe. For more details on travelling in individual European countries go to the joint web site of European railways by clicking here.

View timetable panel

Major stations generally have big info panels at their entrances, displaying the train departure and arrival times and the corresponding platforms. The at-station information services also give timatable information. Furthermore on the platforms, the platform panels contain the same information.

Check the car

Particularly on international connections, long-distance trains are frequently uncoupled along the route to be connected to other trains; therefore please check the panel on the flank of your car. The panel indicates the departure station highest up, below the major intermediary stations and finally the destination station.

View train composition panel

The train composition panels on the platforms include all long-distance trains in timetable order.

Couchette and sleeping-car berth

For overnight travel, it is recommended to book a couchette or a sleeping-car berth. Couchettes are less expensive and their prices are fixed regardless of the travel distance. Generally couchette-car compartments have 4 to 6 couchettes. As a rule, a couchette or berth ticket must be purchased when travelling in these cars.

Supplements

A supplement must normally be paid when travelling aboard a special train or a high-speed train. The supplement includes seat booking. Please carry along some cash so as to pay an eventual supplement on the train.

Your destination station

All trains do not necessarily have a public announcement system. Check therefore the arrival time of the train in the timetable or ask the conductor. Should you need to change trains, it is recommended that you ask in advance the conductor to advise you of the departure track of the new train.

The station is a services hub

Many inernational stations have money exchange services, a barber's and hairdresser's, a variety of kiosks and shops, restaurants, and a hotel room booking service. Generally also city buses and the underground have stops by the railway station, and there are taxis at disposal.

Passport and visa

Please check the validity of your passport and ensure that it is valid preferably a bit after your journey. Check also whether or not you need a visa to enter some country. Take good care of your travel tickets.

Baggage Shipments

International registered baggage is not accepted for conveyance to or from Finland.

Help!

Should your money or passport be stolen, please contact the police immediately and draw up an offence report. Then you may turn to a Finnish representation in that country. The representation first contacts your family asking them to deposit money for you. Should you have lost your passport, a representation issues you a provisional certificate of citizenship.