How to get there from Finland. How to travel to Finland from St. Petersburg on your own

Airplane arrives at the airport "Pulkovo". From the airport you need to take a bus to the station. metro "Moskovskaya"(on the diagram - blue line No. 2, station - third from the bottom). Next by metro - to Finlyandsky station (the metro station is called "Lenin Square", red line No. 1) to transfer to the train or to the station "Devyatkino"(red line No. 1) to board the bus. The transfer must be made at the station. metro "Technological Institute". To transfer, you need to go to the other side of the metro platform.

Train from Moscow arrives in Saint Petersburg on Moskovsky station, combined with the Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station. From Ploshchad Vosstaniya you need to take the metro to Finlyandsky Station (the metro station is called Ploshchad Lenina, red line No. 1 on the diagram) to transfer to the train. Two metro stops without transfers. There are two exits at this station. You need to get out of the metro Finlyandsky Station, and not on Botkinskaya Street.
From Finlyandsky Station by train get to the city Priozersk. Two trains are suitable for this: one goes to Priozersk, the other - up to Kuznechny. The second train makes a stop at Priozersk and follows further. It is important not to pass the desired station. Travel time is about 3 hours. Ticket price - 360 rubles. .

You can get to Priozersk by bus. To do this, you also need to take the metro to the station. metro station "Devyatkino" (terminal station of red line No. 1, in the diagram - top right). Go through the underground passage to the bus station "Northern"(there are signs at the crossing) and take the bus to Priozersk. Travel time is 2.5 - 3 hours, ticket price starts from 285 rubles. Baggage is paid separately. Buses run every 30 minutes, i.e. more often than trains. .

Finland, as a border state, is connected with Russia by a large number of border crossings. You can get from Russia to Finland in all ways: by plane, train, bus, sea and by water transport, by car and even on foot.

To Finland by plane

The following airlines operate direct flights to Finland:
- Finnair - two flights a day daily from St. Petersburg to Helsinki (55 minutes), from Yekaterinburg - four flights a week.
- Aeroflot and Finnair - two flights a day daily from Moscow (Sheremetyevo) to Helsinki (1 hour 40 minutes).
- "Siberia" (S7 Airlines) - daily flight from April 26 to October 25, 2014.
- "Severstal" - from Cherepovets to Helsinki three times a week.

To Finland by ferry and boat

The Princess Maria ferry runs from St. Petersburg to Helsinki from March 20 to December 29, 2014 three times a week. The ferry Princess Anastasia runs on the route St. Petersburg - Helsinki - Stockholm - Tallinn-St. Petersburg from March 21 to December 30, 2014. The operator is St.Peter Line (www.stpeterline.com).

Runs from May to September cruise ship from Lappeenranta to Vyborg along the Saimaa Canal. The cost of a ticket from Russia to Finland is 67 euros, reverse direction- 55 euros. The journey takes 6 hours 30 minutes. The operator is Saimaatravel (www.saimaatravel.fi).

Ferries from Silja (www.silja.fi) and Vikingline (www.vikingline.fi) sail to Finland from Stockholm (16 hours), Kapellskör (11 hours), Tallinn (1.5-4 hours). Cost of travel from Stockholm: without a seat 30-45 euros, you can pay extra for a seat in a cabin. Prices from Helsinki are about one and a half times higher. You can get from Helsinki to Turku by train (22-28 euros, 2 hours).

To Finland by bus

Most cheap way to get to Finland - by bus. More than 10 regular bus services depart from St. Petersburg daily.

From the bus station (Obvodny Canal embankment, 36) regular flights depart to Helsinki, from the Pulkovskaya and Moscow hotels to Lappeenranta, Jyväskylä. Also, many companies provide services for transporting passengers by minibus from home to various cities in Finland.

The cost of the trip varies from 800 to 1400 rubles, depending on the route of the trip and the carrier company. The most expensive ticket is to Turku and Tempere: about 2050 rubles.

There are many tourist buses departing from the Oktyabrskaya Hotel in St. Petersburg (opposite Moskovsky Station) to Helsinki (irregular schedule). The cost of a round trip is about 30 euros. However, in this case, it is important to keep in mind that the main goal of the majority of passengers on such buses is small-scale commerce (shop tour), which does not imply a tourist program of stay. As a rule, these buses leave in the evening, cross the border at night and arrive in Helsinki early in the morning. Next, passengers are given from three to five hours to visit shopping centers, and then there is a departure back to St. Petersburg. If you plan to spend more time in Finland, it makes sense to use such a bus in only one direction, which is still much cheaper than regular flights.

Bus services to Finland are also available from a number of other cities. Every day two buses travel from Petrozavodsk to Kuopio, one bus from Sortavala to Joensuu, one bus per day from Kostomuksha to Oulu, two from Murmansk to Ivalo.

To Finland by car

The territory of Finland and Russia is separated by a narrow strip of the border line, which can be crossed by all means of transport and even on foot. Today we have to figure out how to get to Finland, which route will be the fastest and most profitable for the average Russian tourist.

From Moscow

If the starting point of your trip is Moscow, we advise you to consider the most profitable flights, among which there are both low-cost and direct flights. In particular, the cheapest offer on this route will be from the Baltic carrier AirBaltic, whose plane can get you to Helsinki Airport for only 6,600 rubles. The travel time will be only 3 hours 20 minutes, and a transfer in Riga can only slightly spoil the impression of the flight, because it will take only 30 minutes. The company's plane departs daily from Sheremetyevo at 22:00. There are also daytime flights, but they will require more travel time.

If you don’t want to waste time on transfers and are willing to overpay a little for speed, we recommend considering the offer of the domestic carrier Aeroflot, whose planes make several day and night flights every day. The journey will take only 1 hour 50 minutes, and a one-way ticket will cost 11 thousand 270 rubles.

From regions

If you are starting from other regions of Russia, we advise you to take a closer look at the offers of Aeroflot, as well as the European airline Finnair (it makes two flights from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, and the travel time is only 55 minutes!). You can also get from Yekaterinburg to Helsinki by planes of both mentioned companies.

Train

From Moscow

Get there from Russian capital You can also get to Helsinki by train. On at the moment One high-speed train “Lev Tolstoy” runs between the cities. The train departs daily (except Saturdays) from the capital's station. Please note that the schedule will change from December 13th. If today the train starts at 23.10 Moscow time, then from December 13 the train will leave the platform at 19.53. A ticket for a first class carriage will cost almost 100 euros, while for more comfortable places in second class you will have to pay 45 euros more.

Read our life hack about how to travel around Europe cheaply by train.

From St. Petersburg

It’s quicker to get from St. Petersburg on the Allegro high-speed train, which began running more frequently starting October 25 this year. In particular, from northern capital You can leave Russia at 6.40, 11.25, 15.25 and 20.25 local time. And the journey will only take 3 hours!

Now let's talk about the cost of high-speed trains. As elsewhere, the cost of tickets will vary greatly depending on the class of carriage, as well as the additional set of services. Thus, passengers who are not fussy in terms of comfort will be able to have a blast in a second-class carriage for only 59 euros one way! For a first class ticket you will have to pay almost the same amount - the fare will be 102 euros!

Please note that the train also has special seats for passengers with animals. For the right to take your pet with you on the journey you will have to pay 74 euros one way.

You should also take into account some nuances. Firstly, booking a ticket in advance can sometimes save a lot of money. Therefore, we recommend keeping an eye on promotions and special offers companies. For example, in the low season, train fares are reduced by an average of 20%.

We looked at it in detail in our article.

By ferry and motor ship

You can also get to Helsinki by sea. In particular, from March to December, the Princess Maria ferry departs daily from St. Petersburg, and in the winter it is replaced by the Princess Anastasia ferry. You can find out the cost of a ferry ticket on the website of the operator St.Peter Line (www.stpeterline.com). In particular, for November-December of this year, the fare starts from 34 euros per person. But when you buy a ticket during the cruise season (tickets can be purchased today!), you can save up to 72%!

Bus

You can also get from St. Petersburg to Helsinki cheaply and quickly by bus. One of the best offers will be from the carrier Lux Express, whose buses can get you to Helsinki in just 7.5 hours! The fare will pleasantly surprise you, because prices start at 500 rubles. The buses are equipped with the latest technology: there is a toilet, electrical outlets and all passengers are offered hot and cold drinks.

An alternative bus departs from the St. Petersburg Oktyabrskaya Hotel (opposite Moskovsky Station). The journey will cost at least 800 rubles, although during promotional periods you can buy a ticket with a small discount.

Now you have information on how to get to Finland. In addition to the proposed methods, you can also get to this country by personal car, by crossing the border at one of several checkpoints.

This article opens up prospects for tourism to Finland for the Moscow traveler.

Welcome to Finland!

How to get to Finland from Moscow?

You can get from Moscow to Finland by car. True, the journey is not short - about 1000 kilometers just to the border, and this is, at best, about 15 hours on the road, as well as the time to cross the border. Add here the very significant expenses for fuel and a green card and you will also get a significant amount that a road traveler will have to spend. However, having a car will simplify travel to different regions of Finland. Therefore, going by car would be a good idea for those who want to see several cities in different parts of the country at once.

What to do in Finland?

Finland has several dozen cities and towns, each of which can offer a traveler an interesting way to spend time. But on your first trip you should focus on the key centers of the country.

Helsinki

The main city of Finland is a relatively young metropolis, architecturally similar to St. Petersburg, with several suburbs. A historical center that would fit the description “ old town", not in Helsinki. The city received capital status only at the beginning of the 19th century. It was then that the main architectural ensemble Helsinki - Senate Square. Perhaps the most famous landmark of the Finnish capital is located right here - the snow-white Cathedral. Although the temple belongs to the Lutheran Church, it was consecrated in honor of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I. Therefore, it is not surprising that the cathedral is sometimes called St. Nicholas. Already in the second half of the 19th century, a monument to Alexander II was erected in front of the temple, who was noted in Finnish history for the restoration of parliamentarism.

To the right hand of the Russian Tsar is the University of Helsinki, which is considered the oldest in the country. The main Orthodox shrine of the city is the Assumption Cathedral, located two steps east of Senate Square on the Katajanokka Peninsula. Unlike the temple of the same name in the Kremlin, this red brick building is only 150 years old. It is he who, with his gilded domes, welcomes guests of Helsinki who arrive in the city by ferry. Even if you are completely indifferent to religion, it’s worth coming here if only for the rich decoration, made in the Byzantine style.

The main alley of Helsinki is the linden park Esplanade, which stretches from the Market Square and Presidential Palace towards the main street of the city - Mannerheim Avenue. Locals call this green area in a few words Espa.

Mannerheim Avenue was regularly rebuilt, changed its appearance, and now it is a cluster of shops and shopping centers. However, cultural sites there was a place on the main street. For example, the Swedish Theater is one of the oldest in Helsinki, the Kiasma Museum, rich in masterpieces contemporary art, the Eduskunta parliament building and much more.

It is worth devoting a few hours to Sveaborg Fortress, a fortification system on the archipelago near Helsinki. It can be reached by a small ferry from the Market Square. Sveaborg is a whole nature reserve with several museums of varying degrees of interest.

Helsinki – best city in Finland in terms of shopping. In the capital of the country there are shops for every taste and almost every budget. The advantage of shopping in Finland is the opportunity to arrange Tax Free, which allows you to return 10-16% of the cost after crossing the border. In addition, the cost of the goods themselves is often lower than in Russia, and even more so in Moscow. This is due to a reduction in various costs, in particular transport. For clothes, you should go to department stores in the central part of the city - Sokos, Forum, Stockmann and Kamppi. Electronics and household appliances of all kinds are sold in Musta Porssi, Gigantti and Expert stores. When it comes to household goods, often more low prices than in Russia, the local Ikea can boast.

Turku

The first capital of Finland is much more ancient city with numerous attractions. Abo Castle is the largest and most monumental building in Turku, built back in the 13th century. It was constantly rebuilt and the castle acquired its modern appearance only during the reign of Gustav Vasa - in the 16th century. The fortification lost its military significance with the development of artillery. Narrow embrasures did not allow the installation of modern guns. Nevertheless, these walls have seen enough to make one sit inside interesting museum history of Turku.

One of the key dominants of the city is the Cathedral. It was founded on the left bank of the Aurijoki River back in the 13th century, but was gradually expanded and completed. Today, the temple, restored in 1827, appears before parishioners and tourists.

In that fire, not only the main cathedral was damaged, but almost the entire city. Only the Luostarinmäki area survived, where wooden houses are still preserved. Today there is a Craft Museum here. 18 blocks of the complex are dedicated to various ancient professions. The museum found space for a carpenter's house, a sailor's hut, a watchmaker's workshop and many others.

One of the most visited museums in Turku is Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova. It opened in the mid-1990s as a place to exhibit contemporary fine art. However, during restoration, the remains of a medieval settlement were found in the garden. As a result, the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum combines the memory of past centuries and examples of the work of famous contemporary artists.

Tampere

The second largest city in Finland is located 180 kilometers north of Helsinki. Tampere was heavily destroyed during the war, and therefore a significant part historical center has not survived to this day. However, to some extent, this is precisely what benefited him, since now thousands of tourists flock to Tampere every year to appreciate the beauty modern architecture. For example, to look at the Church of Kaleva - a Lutheran cathedral built in the 1960s. This monolithic structure least of all resembles a Christian shrine. The church is considered one of the best creations of the Finnish architect Reim Pietil, a supporter of functionalism and organic architecture.

For more than 15 years, the only espionage museum in Europe has existed in Tampere. Within its walls are located thousands of exhibits that were used by the best intelligence services in the world a couple of decades ago. Everything from listening devices and hidden video cameras to encryption machines and invisible pens. One of the main symbols of Tampere has long been considered Moomintroll. It is in Tampere that the Moomin Valley Museum is located. Tove Jansson not only wrote, but also illustrated her fairy tales. You can see them all, as well as get acquainted with the world of Tove Jansson, in Tampere.

The equally popular Tampere Museum is dedicated to dolls and costumes. The oldest exhibits date back to the Middle Ages - puppets and figurines from the 12th century. A separate exhibition at the Museum of Dolls and Costumes is dedicated to the technology of creating dolls: from straw and wood to mechanical ones. The museum also operates a puppet theater, although its performances are exclusively in Finnish.

Material on the topic

How to get to Finland (choice of transport)

The best way to travel to Finland is from St. Petersburg. The distance between St. Petersburg and Helsinki is 384 km, which allows the use of various types of transport: planes, trains, ferries, buses and even minibuses.

Rovaniemi and surroundings

The main city of Lapland ─ Rovaniemi is popular among Finns and foreign tourists in winter time year. This is where the famous Santa Claus Village is located. You can talk and take a photo with him in person, and the local post office will offer to order a letter from Santa to any address in the world. In addition, the shops sell souvenirs for every taste, and the local cafes will satisfy your hunger.

Lapland – best place in Finland for active winter recreation. The long winter and hilly terrain are a great help for this. For example, it’s worth checking out the Ylläs resort, the largest in the country. 63 slopes for skiers of different skill levels, 29 lifts, many kilometers of cross-country ski trails, as well as a lot of surrounding cottages and hotels for every taste, make Ylläs one of the most popular centers winter holiday in Lapland.

In northern Finland, reindeer have been bred for hundreds of years. Today Lapland is one of the world leaders in the number of farms of these animals. You can meet deer at any of the nurseries. For example, in Sierijärven, one of the oldest farms in the country. Tourists can enjoy not only banal excursions, but also walks in a reindeer sled. Dog sled safaris are also popular. For the sake of this entertainment, many go to Lapland, in some areas of which huskies are one of the means of transportation. One of the longest dog safaris starts from a farm in the Arctic town of Muonio and takes three days. Sometimes like this winter hiking contain many adventures.