[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fVB-hdqqLb4OO4AH9Gm7WfkLUTfur2V4PArnlD-2zgwM":3,"blog-entry-a-truly-exceptional-night-train-through-finland":5,"blog-group-hash-tg-18":54},{"text":4},null,{"slug":6,"id":7,"uuid":8,"title":9,"html":10,"comment_id":7,"feature_image":11,"featured":12,"visibility":13,"created_at":14,"updated_at":15,"published_at":16,"custom_excerpt":17,"codeinjection_head":4,"codeinjection_foot":4,"custom_template":4,"canonical_url":4,"tags":18,"authors":34,"primary_author":48,"primary_tag":4,"url":49,"excerpt":17,"reading_time":50,"access":51,"comments":12,"og_image":4,"og_title":4,"og_description":4,"twitter_image":4,"twitter_title":4,"twitter_description":4,"meta_title":4,"meta_description":4,"email_subject":4,"frontmatter":4,"feature_image_alt":52,"feature_image_caption":53},"a-truly-exceptional-night-train-through-finland","6880d4a2bc90e70001215f7f","d81cbcb2-f2e0-4b42-8462-a9373cea7f9e","A truly exceptional night train through Finland","\u003Cp>For three weeks, Jonathan and François traveled through Sweden, Norway, and Finland with \u003Cstrong>Interrail\u003C\u002Fstrong>: almost entirely by rail, sometimes by water, and rarely by bus. We also traveled on night trains—one of which particularly impressed us: the \u003Cstrong>night train from Helsinki to Kolari\u003C\u002Fstrong>. It is a train that confidently and reliably connects the south with the north of this vast country—a train with an important mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Note: Unfortunately, nightride.com does not yet offer Finnish night trains – but we are working on it! Until then, you can book your Interrail pass via nightride.com:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!--kg-card-begin: html-->\n\u003Cp class=\"d-flex justify-content-center\">\n  \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnightride.com\u002Fen\u002Finterrail\" class=\"button button--green\">Travel through Europe with an Interrail pass\u003C\u002Fa>\n\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!--kg-card-end: html-->\n\u003Ch2 id=\"start-in-helsinki\">Start in Helsinki\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Before taking the night train to northern Finland, we had a few days to explore the city of Helsinki. At first, Helsinki seemed a little rough and unpolished to us. But when we looked back at Helsinki from the island of \u003Cem>Suomenlinna \u003C\u002Fem>in the evening, the city on the wild archipelago coast showed itself from a completely different side.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6436.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"View from Suomenlinna Island to Helsinki city center.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6436.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6436.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6436.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6436.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">View from Suomenlinna Island to Helsinki city center.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Helsinki feels authentic, confident, and open. And never intrusive. It is the people who make the city so special. We got to know Finns who are reserved, but at the same time very warm, friendly, and helpful. And we became acquainted with the dry, sometimes slightly dark Finnish humor, which is really good for you. The extremely clean city has its rough edges, but also a kind of individuality and self-confidence that we began to like. That's why it's not easy to say goodbye.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6413.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"Helsinki is a city that can be explored by tram.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6413.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6413.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6413.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6413.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Helsinki is a city that can be explored by tram.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Ch2 id=\"the-adventure-begins\">The adventure begins\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>With these intense impressions, we stand on the platform of \u003Cem>Helsingin Päärautatieasema\u003C\u002Fem>, Helsinki's main train station, and board our night train heading north. It is shortly before 8 p.m. and we quickly find our compartment with its own toilet and shower. The door to the compartment is open, and the key card is in the lock. We haven't encountered any accompanying staff yet. Since everything is very self-explanatory, we haven't missed them so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6510.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"The night train from Helsinki to Kolari, ready to depart.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6510.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6510.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6510.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6510.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The night train from Helsinki to Kolari, ready to depart.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>We don't skimp on night train travel so that we can really enjoy the journey. The trip costs just €123.80 for two people. This is in a sleeper car with its own toilet and shower. An amazingly low price. The Interrail discount is so small that it's not even worth using an Interrail day.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_7336-1.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"The result: amazingly affordable for what Finnish Railways has to offer.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1061\" height=\"1740\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_7336-1.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_7336-1.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_7336-1.JPEG 1061w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The result: amazingly affordable for what Finnish Railways has to offer.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>We wondered beforehand why such low prices for a thousand kilometers in a spacious two-person compartment were even possible. The answer to this question lies in the obviousness, or rather the necessity, of this train. Night trains are a matter of course here in Finland, because they fulfill an important task in this huge country, reliably connecting people in the southern regions with those in the north. Regardless of weather and season. Night trains are therefore subsidized by the Finnish government. If you would like to learn more about this, we recommend our report on our visit to the VR state railway maintenance facility in Helsinki. The link can be found at the end of this blog post.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6462_compressed.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"Heavy metal from and in Helsinki: this is where the state railway's passenger trains are maintained.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6462_compressed.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6462_compressed.jpg 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6462_compressed.jpg 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6462_compressed.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Heavy metal from and in Helsinki: this is where the state railway's passenger trains are maintained.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>The night train service is popular: the train is well occupied and leaves Helsinki right on time at 8:29 p.m. The Finnish railways really do seem to be reliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We booked the trip via the VR (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vr.fi\u002Fen\">Valtionrautatiet – Finnish State Railways\u003C\u002Fa>) app, which was very quick and easy. In addition to older single-story sleeping cars with shared compartments, there are luxurious two-person compartments in large double-decker sleeping cars. And they are really impressive: due to the wider and higher carriages (in Finland, the railways run on a wider gauge than in the rest of Europe), there is plenty of space even in double-decker carriages. The additional space is used innovatively here in Finland. For example, there are lockers, telephone booths, and staffed luggage drop-off points on the train.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6522.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"Even in the side aisles of the carriages, there is plenty of space.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6522.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6522.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6522.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6522.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Even in the side aisles of the carriages, there is plenty of space.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>The beds are very comfortable and long enough even for taller people like us. Towels hang in the shower, and shower gel and soap are provided. The WiFi also works perfectly (where there is network coverage). Everything is extremely clean and works flawlessly—as is the case with almost everything here in Finland. And the cars from the 1990s still look modern.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 id=\"the-best-car-on-the-train\">The best car on the train\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>And there's something else on the bed: a brochure with the dining car menu, explicitly titled: The best car on the train. The brochure promises a wide range of snacks, drinks, and hot meals. Since we had already heard and read about the Finnish dining cars, we immediately make our way there. And here we are fascinated once again. The spacious and cozy car really invites you to enjoy dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6512.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"The restaurant is still completely empty, but that will soon change after the departure.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6512.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6512.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6512.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6512.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The restaurant is still completely empty, but that will soon change after the departure.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>We order a salad as a starter, followed by meatballs with mashed potatoes. The food is served directly at our table. It is presented on porcelain plates with real cutlery. The whole experience feels solid and is a far cry from plastic cutlery and paper plates. And the food tastes really good.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6516.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"Meatballs with mashed potatoes – a classic dish served in the dining car of the Kolari night train.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6516.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6516.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6516.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6516.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Meatballs with mashed potatoes – a classic dish served in the dining car of the Kolari night train.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Shortly after we have been served our meal, with the train still rattling through the suburbs of Helsinki, we come to an abrupt halt. Somewhat perplexed, we look out of the window and expect an announcement that there is a problem with the locomotive, a signal, or a switch. However, no announcement is made.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6509.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"The single-story restaurant car follows right behind our double-decker sleeping car.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6509.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6509.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6509.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6509.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The single-story restaurant car follows right behind our double-decker sleeping car.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Instead, the restaurant employee, who could be described as a chef, peeks out of his galley and calls out to the dining room that the car carriages are now being coupled up. It will continue immediately afterwards. Another special feature of these night trains is the car transport service offered by VR. The car is driven to a suburb of Helsinki, where the road vehicles are then driven onto special car transport wagons (also two-story, partially covered).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6531.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"The car transport wagons at the end of the train: an ingenious concept from Finnish state railway VR.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6531.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6531.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6531.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6531.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The car transport wagons at the end of the train: an ingenious concept from Finnish state railway VR.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>The drivers then board the night train, while their cars are transported on the car carriage at the rear. And this is where these carriages are coupled with the cars. We think this is an ingenious service. Especially in winter, we imagine the road conditions to be quite arctic, dark, and nasty. Instead of having to drive hundreds of kilometers on the road, there is this alternative offered by Finnish Railways. It is obviously very popular, as the train and restaurant fill up considerably after this stop. After dinner, we make room for other passengers and disappear into our berth.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 id=\"skandinavisk-frukost\">\u003Cstrong>Skandinavisk frukost\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>The next morning, we wake up after a deep sleep. The carriages roll along very smoothly and you can hardly feel that the train is moving. As always on night trains, the first glance out of the window in the morning is a very special moment: where is the train now? Are we running on time or were there delays during the night? So much can happen over a good 1,000 kilometers of track. But our train is running on time. We are just leaving Kemi, where the locomotive was changed. Instead of an electric locomotive, two diesel locomotives are now pulling us further north. The route from \u003Cem>Kemi to Kolari\u003C\u002Fem> is not electrified. Another special feature is that such a long and heavy night train is pulled by two diesel locomotives.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We look forward to breakfast and reach the restaurant car just as the train crosses the Arctic Circle. The landscape has changed in the meantime, becoming barren and gray, with remnants of snow lying in the forests. And it looks cold outside. Breakfast would also have been served in the compartment, but we prefer the best car on the train. Just like in a hotel, this is no problem. We give the staff our compartment number and they note in the system that we had breakfast in the restaurant car.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, breakfast is as barren as the landscape outside. There is warm porridge with a few blueberries on top, accompanied by coffee. This porridge is not exactly a culinary gem, but the Skandinavisk frukost efficiently satisfies our hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6524.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"The next morning in the dining car.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6524.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6524.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6524.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6524.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The next morning in the dining car.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>After breakfast, there is just enough time to brush our teeth and pack our bags – the train will soon arrive in Kolari. Shortly afterwards, we pull into the station, ten minutes early. We step out of the train into the freezing cold morning and head straight for the warm waiting room at the station. There isn't much to see of Kolari itself; the station seems to be in the middle of the forest and it smells of freshly cut wood. Next to the track with the platform is a timber loading facility where tree trunks are loaded onto freight trains from a miserably long pile of wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6539-3.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"Diesel instead of electricity: these two diesel locomotives pulled us all the way to Kolari.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6539-3.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6539-3.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6539-3.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6539-3.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Diesel instead of electricity: these two diesel locomotives pulled us all the way to Kolari.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Ch2 id=\"a-truly-exceptional-night-train\">A truly exceptional night train\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>We agree: this is a truly exceptional night train. Neither of us has ever seen anything like it. Everything works, it is punctual, clean, modern, and reliable. You can count on this train, and everything runs smoothly and confidently. You can really sense that this train is not just an additional service, but an important and integral part of Finland's transport infrastructure.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6533.JPEG\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"The two authors in front of the night train in Kolari.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6533.JPEG 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6533.JPEG 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6533.JPEG 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6533.JPEG 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The two authors in front of the night train in Kolari.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>After unloading the road vehicles from the car transporters, the drivers get back into their vehicles and drive away. And calm returns to this lonely station, so far north in beautiful Europe.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Chr>\u003Cp>If you would like to learn more about the entire journey, we recommend Jonathan and François' travel blog and website, which offer many tips and tricks for traveling by train in Scandinavia: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.schwedenreis.li\u002Freisen\u002F2025-stockholm-helsinki-kolari-lulea-narvik-lofoten-are\">Schwedenreis.li\u003C\u002Fa> (in German).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Jonathan and François visited the VR FleetCare plant in Helsinki, the maintenance division of Finnish State Railways. At the plant, Jonathan and François learned a lot about night trains in Finland. You can find this report here: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.schwedenreis.li\u002Freisen\u002F2025-stockholm-helsinki-kolari-lulea-narvik-lofoten-are\u002Fbericht-vr-fleetcare\">Report on the visit to VR FleetCare\u003C\u002Fa> (in German).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Would you also like to travel through Europe with Interrail? Then book your ticket right here via Night Ride:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!--kg-card-begin: html-->\n\u003Cp class=\"d-flex justify-content-center\">\n  \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnightride.com\u002Fen\u002Finterrail\" class=\"button button--green\">Travel through Europe with an Interrail pass\u003C\u002Fa>\n\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!--kg-card-end: html-->\n\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6614_compressed-1.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"Kolari is the northernmost point of the regularly serviced Finnish rail network.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6614_compressed-1.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6614_compressed-1.jpg 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1600\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6614_compressed-1.jpg 1600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6614_compressed-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Kolari is the northernmost point of the regularly serviced Finnish rail network.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-card kg-callout-card kg-callout-card-blue\">\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-callout-emoji\">💡\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-callout-text\">\u003Ci>\u003Cem class=\"italic\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Have you had an exciting night train or bus journey and want to \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003Ci>\u003Cb>\u003Cstrong class=\"italic\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">share your experience with other night travel enthusiasts\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003Ci>\u003Cem class=\"italic\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">? Then write to us at \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003Ca href=\"\">\u003Ci>\u003Cem class=\"italic\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">info@nightride.com\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ci>\u003Cem class=\"italic\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">—we look forward to hearing your story!\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Fdiv>","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F06\u002FIMG_6623_compressed.jpg",false,"public","2025-07-23T14:25:06.000+02:00","2025-11-04T19:58:41.000+01:00","2025-07-23T14:38:57.000+02:00","Anyone traveling on a night train in Finland will be amazed by the moderate prices, perfect service, and high punctuality. The Finland night trains, which are important for transportation, are well worth the trip!",[19,25,30],{"id":20,"name":21,"slug":22,"description":4,"feature_image":4,"visibility":23,"og_image":4,"og_title":4,"og_description":4,"twitter_image":4,"twitter_title":4,"twitter_description":4,"meta_title":4,"meta_description":4,"codeinjection_head":4,"codeinjection_foot":4,"canonical_url":4,"accent_color":4,"url":24},"66a1303fe03d1700011c1d8a","#en","hash-en","internal","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002F404\u002F",{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":4,"feature_image":4,"visibility":13,"og_image":4,"og_title":4,"og_description":4,"twitter_image":4,"twitter_title":4,"twitter_description":4,"meta_title":4,"meta_description":4,"codeinjection_head":4,"codeinjection_foot":4,"canonical_url":4,"accent_color":4,"url":29},"6745f3a66b2b740001d6b0de","Travel Report","travel-report","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Ftag\u002Ftravel-report\u002F",{"id":31,"name":32,"slug":33,"description":4,"feature_image":4,"visibility":23,"og_image":4,"og_title":4,"og_description":4,"twitter_image":4,"twitter_title":4,"twitter_description":4,"meta_title":4,"meta_description":4,"codeinjection_head":4,"codeinjection_foot":4,"canonical_url":4,"accent_color":4,"url":24},"6313bb32c809daa409016bdc","#tg-18","hash-tg-18",[35,42],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"profile_image":39,"cover_image":40,"bio":4,"website":4,"location":4,"facebook":4,"twitter":4,"meta_title":4,"meta_description":4,"threads":4,"bluesky":4,"mastodon":4,"tiktok":4,"youtube":4,"instagram":4,"linkedin":4,"url":41},"6772d1541ccf1e0001cb1f26","Francois Rast","francois","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F02\u002FFrancois_m-1.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F02\u002FR_336_Store_Mosse.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fauthor\u002Ffrancois\u002F",{"id":43,"name":44,"slug":45,"profile_image":46,"cover_image":4,"bio":4,"website":4,"location":4,"facebook":4,"twitter":4,"meta_title":4,"meta_description":4,"threads":4,"bluesky":4,"mastodon":4,"tiktok":4,"youtube":4,"instagram":4,"linkedin":4,"url":47},"67371ef66b2b740001d6b030","Jonathan Noack","jonathan","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2025\u002F04\u002FT05D6PHL2NB-U0800EL8QUV-89aeafc08dc8-512-1-.png","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fauthor\u002Fjonathan\u002F",{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"profile_image":39,"cover_image":40,"bio":4,"website":4,"location":4,"facebook":4,"twitter":4,"meta_title":4,"meta_description":4,"threads":4,"bluesky":4,"mastodon":4,"tiktok":4,"youtube":4,"instagram":4,"linkedin":4,"url":41},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.nightride.com\u002Fa-truly-exceptional-night-train-through-finland\u002F",8,true,"The northernmost point of the Finnish rail network: Kolari station with night train.","\u003Cspan style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The northernmost point of the Finnish rail network: Kolari station with night train.\u003C\u002Fspan>",{"posts":55,"meta":85},[56,68,80],{"slug":57,"tags":58},"un-train-de-nuit-d-exception-a-travers-la-finlande",[59,63,67],{"id":60,"name":61,"slug":62,"description":4,"feature_image":4,"visibility":13,"og_image":4,"og_title":4,"og_description":4,"twitter_image":4,"twitter_title":4,"twitter_description":4,"meta_title":4,"meta_description":4,"codeinjection_head":4,"codeinjection_foot":4,"canonical_url":4,"accent_color":4},"67af13bb1ccf1e0001cb25c8","Rapport de 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