Top 11 – best night train tips
Below are some practical tips to make your journey on the night train as easy as possible.
- Duvets, pillows and sheets are provided in the sleeper cabin. Cabins with showers also have bath towels. Cabins without showers have sinks with running water. The cabin is like a small hotel room on rails – you can relax as soon as your journey begins. Please keep your tickets with you while moving on the train as the conductor will check them in the beginning of your journey.
- If you are a light sleeper, bring some earplugs with you. The train and other passengers will always cause some noises. Sleeper cabins have blackout curtains and many passengers have found the beds extremely comfortable, meaning that you should be able to have a good night’s sleep on your journey.
- It’s a good idea to wear comfortable clothes for travelling and bring woollen socks for extra comfort, for instance. Wearing comfortable travel clothing means that you can close the cabin door, hop on the bed and start relaxing right away. Sleeper cabins also feature large windows that allow you to admire the passing landscapes, making your journey even more enjoyable.
- You can order food to your cabin. There are restaurant car menus in sleeper cabins. You can place your order with the conductor, who will then bring your order to the cabin. Breakfast for the next morning must be ordered online on vr.fi at least 5 days prior to departure. Read more about restaurant services for the cabin
- You can watch series and movies in offline mode. The train has wireless internet, but it is possible that the connection sometimes will go in and out. If you want to make sure that you can watch your media content without disruptions, it is recommended to download the media content beforehand to be watched in offline mode.
- If you travel during high season, such as winter holiday season, you might get a sleeper cabin in the nostalgic and slightly older express train. The sleeper cabins of these trains include one socket but charging your device battery might be fairly slow. It is recommended to bring a spare battery with you to ensure that your battery lasts for the whole journey.
- Tap water in the train is not drinkable. We also do not recommend brushing your teeth with the water. There's a 0,35 l bottle per berth in the sleeper cabins. You can buy more water in the restaurant car. The pet cabins are equipped also with a water bottle, a water bowl and a towel for pets.
However, we do recommend that you bring your own water as well.
- The sleeper cabin key is in the door lock – just remember to take the key in with you for the night. If your cabin does not have a shower, the key for the shower in the corridor can be found in your cabin.
- There is space under the bed for a snowboard. If you travel with a lot of baggage, some of the baggage can be taken to the baggage car with the conductor’s assistance. The conductor will charge a small surcharge for this. Prams can be transported free of charge in the baggage car and if folded together, they also fit in the cabin. Read more about transporting baggage on the train
- A child travel bed usually fits well in the cabin. However, in cabins with showers, the shower door might not fully open with a travel bed in the cabin. You can ask the restaurant car staff to warm up your child’s food. The accessible toilet includes child care facilities where milk can be heated. The accessible bathroom also has a potty. Read more about travelling with children
- You can take your dog out during longer train stops. In the beginning of the journey, you can ask the conductor for information about longer stops on train stations. Read more about travelling with pets
Have a nice journey!
More to read
Active winter holiday in Lapland
Are you drawn to peace and quiet, fresh air and hiking in wintry Lapland? The allure of Lapland can also be experienced during shorter trips, and day hikes and ski tours can certainly be done without previous experience.
Explorers’ dream route
Finland is an endless treasure trove for explorers, capable of surprising even the most experienced adventurers. Together with Metsähallitus, the Finnish forest administration, we put together a list of the best natural attractions that are easily reached by train. So, pack your backpack and hop on the train!
Commuting is worthwhile – why commute by train?
Is commuting part of your everyday life? Whether your commute is long or short, starting the morning with a train trip can be a relaxing alternative to sitting in a car in a traffic jam. The train gives you some time to yourself, a peaceful start to the day and a carefree way to travel to your work. So hop on the train – it's a great choice for the environment and for your wallet!