Ticket vending machines to be retired by the end of November
The ticket vending machines at railway stations will be decommissioned by the end of November 2026 as they have reached the end of their technical lifespan. Tickets can still be purchased through several other channels.
Currently, only about 2% of our long-distance and commuter train tickets are bought from ticket machines, while 96% are purchased digitally. You can continue to buy train tickets via vr.fi, the VR Matkalla mobile app, R-kioski shops, our customer service, or directly from conductors on long-distance trains.
“The ticket machines currently in use have come to the end of their lifecycle. We’ve already had to remove machines as faults occur, since spare parts have become difficult to source. Investing in a new system would not be feasible, as 96% of tickets are already purchased digitally. We’re focusing our efforts on developing the sales channels our customers actually use,” says Marika Schugk, VR’s Director of Long-Distance Sales and Pricing.
“This change reflects the wider digitalisation of society — visible in transport, public and banking services, and many everyday activities. A ticket purchased through digital channels also provides the customer with real-time information on service updates, disruptions and replacement transport options, ensuring smoother and better-informed travel,” Schugk continues.
Ticket purchasing options
Train tickets can continue to be purchased via:
- the VR Matkalla app
- vr.fi
- all R-kioskis in Finland
- VR Customer Service by phone
- the VR Service Point at Helsinki Central Railway Station
- conductors on long-distance trains
You can buy tickets and enquire about timetables and prices from VR Customer Service at 0600 41 900 (€ 3.55 per answered call + standard network/mobile rate). The service is open Mon–Fri 5–22 and Sat–Sun 7–22, every day of the year.
Paper multi-journey commuter tickets to be phased out
The sale of 10-journey paper commuter multi-tickets will also end. Digital commuter multi-tickets will remain available on vr.fi and in the VR Matkalla app, where they are always accessible on the go.
Paper multi-tickets have been sold through ticket machines and R-kioski shops. Sales will end on 30 November 2026, but any tickets already purchased may still be used until their expiry date.
