The most extensive track work commissioned by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency in 2026
In 2026, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will commission extensive track work projects around Finland. We have compiled the largest projects affecting long-distance traffic next year in this news item. In addition to these projects, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will also commission other more minor track renovation work.
Tampere railway station area project
The goal of the Tampere railway station area project is to improve the functionality of the railway station area. The project aims to make switching from one means of transport to another easier, faster and more accessible. Once the project is completed, moving around the area will also be safer and more pleasant. You can read more about the project on the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s website, Opens in a new tab.
Effects on train traffic
Due to the railway station area's renovation, we will replace day trains with buses between Tampere and Parkano on 2–3 May and 9–10 May. The work will also affect train traffic between Tampere and Pori and we will replace the trains on the route with buses on 2–3 May and 9–11 May.
The renovation of the railway station area in Tampere will also cause changes to train traffic during the weekend 6–7 June and during Midsummer from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 June. More detailed effects will be confirmed later.
Espoo Rail Line
The Espoo Rail Line project aims to improve the punctuality of traffic and reduce disruption proneness. The project will also increase the track capacity between Helsinki and Turku. You can learn more about the project on the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency's website., Opens in a new tab
Effects on train traffic in spring, summer and autumn
Spring:
We will replace trains with buses between Helsinki and Kirkkonummi on Sunday 3, Thursday 14, Sunday 17 and Sunday 24 May. Trains will run normally between Kirkkonummi and Turku.
Summer:
Traffic interruption between Helsinki and Karjaa from 22 June to 26 July 2026. We will replace trains between Helsinki and Karjaa with buses from Monday 22 June to Sunday 26 July 2026. Trains between Karjaa and Turku will run at longer intervals. Direct bus connections between Helsinki and Turku will also be added to the trip search.
Autumn:
The effects of the Espoo urban railway on train traffic in the autumn will be clarified during the spring.
The dates may change as the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency specifies the schedules for the track work.
Oulu–Laurila renovation project
This railway section requires renovation, and the aim of the renovation is to extend the life cycle of the railway section. The project will also improve level crossing safety by, for example, removing level crossings.
Effects on train traffic
We will replace some trains with buses on the°Oulu–Rovaniemi route between 2–3 May, 9–10 May and 6–7 June.
The track work will also affect night trains and we will be cancelling some of the night trains in May and June. In addition to cancellations, we will be replacing some night train services with services running according to an exceptional schedule.
We will not operate night trains on Sat 2 May, Sat 9 May and Sat 6 June.
The track work will also cause changes to the Helsinki–Kemijärvi–Helsinki night trains:
From Monday 4 May to Wednesday 6 May and Monday 11 May to Wednesday 13 May we will operate the Kemijärvi-Helsinki night train service 264 instead of 274.
From Monday 4 May to Wednesday 6 May and Monday 11 May to Wednesday 13 May we will operate the Helsinki-Kemijärvi night train 265 instead of the 267.
The timetable changes and cancelled night train services may still change as the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency specifies the schedule of the track work.
Several projects commissioned in Eastern Finland
The double track superstructure between Kouvola and Luumäki will be replaced over a distance of approximately 40 kilometres, and the drainage of the track will be improved, among other things.
There will be bridge repair work done between Lappeenranta and Joutseno, and the railway line safety equipment between Imatra and Parikkala will be replaced.
Effects on train traffic
We will replace some trains with buses between Kouvola and Joensuu during the weekends between 9 May to 27 September.
The dates may change as the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency specifies the schedules for the track work.
Have you already bought a ticket?
Don't worry! You don't need to do anything at this point. If you have already bought a train ticket and there are changes to your train service due to track work, we will contact you personally by email.
We will aim to book a new journey for you, which you can accept in the self-service at vr.fi or in the VR Matkalla app. If we have not been able to book a new journey or the new journey does not suit you, you can change your journey to another departure free of charge at vr.fi or request a refund.
How will track work affect the journey?
We understand that travelling by bus instead of train during track work may raise questions about, for example, where the replacement bus will depart from. Therefore, we have compiled frequently asked questions and answers on our track work page, Opens in a new tab , which will also be updated with more detailed information on track work and the departure locations of replacement buses.
If you can't find the answer to your question, we will be happy to help you. You can contact us via the chat on the vr.fi website or in the VR Matkalla app, or by phone at 0100 3232 (price EUR 0.06/min + mobile call charge/local network rate), waiting on hold is subject to a charge.
