Overview
- The route, which began on Monday, Aug 10, is operated by Finland’s state rail operator VR and runs two return trips daily between Oulu and Haparanda.
- The journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes and promotional fares start from around €5.40 for some tickets.
- Trains terminate at Haparanda because Finland uses a broader Russian‑gauge track, so passengers must change to Swedish Norrtåg services to continue into Sweden.
- Finnish officials and VR leaders say the link will boost regional mobility, trade and security and they expect rising passenger demand for land travel.
- The service restores a cross‑border rail connection suspended in the late 1980s and extends Europe’s rail reach for very long itineraries while full through‑running will depend on ongoing gauge conversion work.