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The latest news on VR's train traffic

Changes to commuter train services, Ainola station will be temporarily closed on 19 Jun

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will make changes to track arrangements and switches in Tikkurila and start the construction of the new Ainola station as well as an additional track connection between Kerava Kytömaa and Järvenpää Ainola stations. Due to the work, there will be reduced services for K, I and P trains, cancellations for D and R trains, changes to departure tracks and travel times, and replacement bus services between Ainola and Järvenpää.

Ukrainians' eligibility to travel for free on our trains continues until the end of April

The free travel right granted for Ukrainian nationals will be waived at the end of this month. From the start of May, Ukrainians will need a ticket to travel on trains. Ukrainian passport holders have had a right to travel for free in our long-distance and commuter (D, G, M, O, R, T, Z) trains since March 2022 by presenting a valid passport at ticket inspection.

Railway industry strike has ended – train traffic will run again on 24 March 2023

An agreement has been reached in the collective bargaining for the railway sector, and train traffic will run again in the early hours of Friday 24 March 2023. The first commuter traffic service will start at 4:04 am and the first long-distance traffic service at 3:40 am. VR's long-distance and commuter traffic will return to normal within about 24 hours. In the negotiations between RAU and Palta, it was agreed that train drivers will return to work for the shifts starting on Friday.

Rail industry strike will stop train traffic on Monday

The strike of Railway Union Finland RAU will halt train traffic from Monday 20 March until further notice. VR will cancel all long-distance and commuter trains during the strike and refund the train tickets purchased for trips that would take place during the strike. Freight trains will also be cancelled, with a few exceptions.

Rail industry strike may stop train traffic on Monday

The strike of Railway Union Finland RAU will halt train traffic from Monday 20 March until further notice. If the strike takes place, VR will cancel all long-distance and commuter trains during the strike and refund the train tickets purchased for trips that would take place during the strike. Freight traffic trains will also be cancelled, with a few exceptions.

VR prepares for possible strike in the railway sector starting 20 Mar

The overtime and shift change ban for train drivers may cause changes or cancellations in the train trips of VR's customers as of 1 March. The strike warning targeting the railway sector would, if implemented, stop train traffic from 20 March onwards. The strike has not yet been confirmed and passengers do not need to change their train tickets at this stage.

New commuter trains coming in spring 2026

VR procures 20 new commuter trains with premium travel comfort and energy efficiency. The first new commuter trains will begin operating in spring 2026.

Winter time begins – changes in timetables

Finland transitions to winter time on Sunday 30 October with clocks moving at 04:00 a.m. from summer time to standard time, 03:00 a.m. The turning of the clocks will affect a some train services in the night between Saturday and Sunday.

Track work, carried out by the FTIA causes exceptions to the Midsummer train traffic

During Midsummer, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will carry out railroad work in several localities. The traffic interruptions caused by the work have been scheduled so that they will cause a minimum amount of harm to the passengers. You can find information on all exceptional schedules from the trip search at vr.fi and in the VR Matkalla app.

Allegro train service will be discontinued on Monday

On Sunday, March 27, only the morning Allegro service will run from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, and the afternoon train at 3.57 pm is cancelled. On Sunday, both scheduled departures will run from St. Petersburg to Helsinki.

Allegro-juna

VR Group expands its operations to Sweden – invests in climate-friendly commuter traffic

VR Group is acquiring the Swedish bus and rail company Arriva Sverige. Arriva Sverige operates in urban transport in Stockholm, and in regional transport in southern and southeastern Sweden. Through the transaction, VR Group aims to grow and strengthen its position and competitiveness as an urban transport operator and boost the electrification of the Swedish bus transport market.

We move from compulsory face mask use to a mask recommendation on 7 Mar

As the society opens up and restrictions are being lifted, we've decided to move from compulsory face mask use to a mask recommendation on all VR's long-distance and commuter (D-, G-, M-, O-, R-, T- and Z-trains) trains from today Mar 7 2022 onwards. We still advise all passengers to wear a face mask during their journey.

VR Group's actions due to the Russian attack on Ukraine

The CEO of VR Group has sent a letter to the President of Russian Railways informing of the end of communication between the companies, excluding the necessary communication required for cross-border traffic. VR Group has also decided on measures to express support to Ukraine and the Ukrainians in response to Russian attack. As from now passengers with a Ukrainian passport can travel free of charge on VR Group trains in Finland.

Wearing a face mask

We are reinstating the face mask requirement on all VR's long-distance and commuter trains.

Kasvomaskin käyttö

Train traffic between Finland and Russia will start on 12 December 2021

Train traffic between Finland and Russia will start again after the break which started in spring 2020. Russia signed the decree on the opening of passenger train traffic on 3 December 2021. The Vainikkala border crossing point opened for passenger train traffic by decision of the border control on 18 October 2021. For other modes of transport, such as air and bus transport, the border has been open for a longer period of time. Allegro train tickets became available on Friday 3 December 2021. Travelling is only possible with health certificates.

Winter time begins – changes in timetables

Finland transitions to winter time on Sunday 31 October with clocks moving at 04:00 a.m. from summer time to standard time, 03:00 a.m. The turning of the clocks will affect a some train services in the night between Saturday and Sunday.

We move from compulsory face mask use to a mask recommendation on 25 Oct

As the society opens up and restrictions are being lifted, we've decided to move from compulsory face mask use to a mask recommendation on all VR's long-distance and commuter (D-, G-, M-, R-, T- and Z-trains) trains from today Oct 25 2021 onwards. We still advise all passengers to wear a face mask during their journey.

Train tickets for late autumn for sale on Sep 16

On Thursday 16 September we will publish tickets both for the domestic long distance day trains and VR's commuter trains for the period Oct 31 – Dec 11 2021. Tickets for night trains are available until 14 August 2022.

Train tickets for autumn for sale on June 23

On Wednesday 23 June we will publish tickets both for the domestic long distance day trains and VR's commuter trains for the period Aug 16 - Oct 30 2021. Tickets for the night trains are available until 11 December 2021.

Changes in commuter traffic due to track work during the summer

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has an exceptionally high number of railway network maintenance work ongoing this summer. Track work will affect K-, I-, P-, D-, Z- and R-trains by changes in timetables, trains being replaced by buses and reduced services. You can find up to date information from the trip search and the replacement buses page.

Train tickets for June for sale on 29 April

On Thursday 29 April we will publish tickets both for the domestic long distance day trains and VR's commuter trains for the period June 7 - June 19 2021. Tickets for the night trains are available until 11 December 2021.

Summer time begins – changes in timetables

Finland transitions to summer time on Sunday 28 March with clocks moving at 03:00 a.m. from standard time to summer time, 04:00 a.m. The turning of the clocks will affect a couple of train services in the night between Saturday and Sunday.

Renovation work on the railway section between Riihimäki and Tampere in February

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will begin renovation work on the railway section between Riihimäki and Tampere. This will have a significant impact on train traffic. Renovation work will be carried out on weekdays on 8–28 February 2021, which will cause interruptions in traffic. On Saturdays and Sundays, trains will operate as normal.

VR’s commuter train conductors will be entitled to impose a penalty fare

Starting from the beginning of February, commuter train conductors will be entitled to impose a penalty fare on passengers travelling without a valid and appropriate ticket. This change applies to the VR commuter traffic trains - trains D, G, M, R, T, Z. The penalty fare is EUR 80.

Login change is in progress

Logging in to our services will change by the end of March. After the change, you can no longer log in with your Veturi customer number. Instead, use email address for logging in to our services.

From 11 January 2021, we will be cutting back on our services due to low demand

The new COVID-19 restrictions have reduced train travel. As a result, we are cutting back on our services due to low demand, starting from 11 January 2021. Once demand picks up, we will resume all suspended services promptly, even on one weekday’s notice. The cancellations do not apply to night train services, railbus services or the regional transport of Southern Finland.

Train tickets for winter and spring for sale on 17 Dec

On Thursday 17 Dec we will publish tickets both for the domestic long distance day trains and VR´s commuter trains for the period 11 Jan - 27 March 2021. Tickets for the night trains are available until 30 October 2021.

Winter time begins – changes in timetables

Finland transitions to winter time on Sunday 25 October with clocks moving at 04:00 a.m. from summer time to standard time, 03:00 a.m. The turning of the clocks will affect a couple of train services in the night between Saturday and Sunday.

Railroad work during Midsummer

Plenty of railroad work will be carried out again during Midsummer in order to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on the tracks.

Eastern Finland

Trains will be replaced with buses between Lappeenranta–Joensuu and between Parikkala–Savonlinna from approx. 7 p.m. on Midsummer Eve, Friday 19 June, until 11 a.m. on Sunday 21 June.

Tampere–Jyväskylä

All train services will be replaced with buses from 12 noon on Midsummer Eve, Friday 19 June, and 12 midnight on Sunday 21 June.

Tampere–Pori

All train services will be replaced with buses on Midsummer Day 20 June.

Turku–Toijala

Some train services between Turku–Tampere will be replaced with buses on Midsummer Day 20 June and Sunday 21 June.

Helsinki–Turku Coastal Railway

On Midsummer Day 20 June, the long-distance trains between Kirkkonummi–Helsinki will be replaced with buses.

Station name changes

From now on, Pännäinen railway station will be known as Pietarsaari-Pedersöre.