Finland restores cross-border rail link to Sweden, opening continental route
Finland resumed passenger trains to Sweden on Aug 10, linking Oulu with Haparanda and restoring a rail corridor to mainland Europe.
On Aug 10 a new passenger train began operating between Oulu in northern Finland and Haparanda in Sweden, marking the first cross-border rail service since 1988. Trains will run twice a day, and passengers reaching Haparanda can transfer to Swedish routes that extend west to the Norwegian coast, south through Stockholm and as far as Portugal. The line bridges Finland’s wider Russian-era gauge with the standard European gauge, necessitating a change of trains at the border.
Transport Minister Lulu Ranne described the project as important for security, future growth and economic ties, noting expanding bilateral cooperation. VR chief executive Elisa Markula said the service could attract travelers as land travel enjoys a resurgence across Europe. Early riders like Vaino Jalkanen welcomed the “historic” restart, envisioning trips from Paris to interior Finnish cities such as Rovaniemi.
Why it matters
The link reconnects Finland to the standard European rail network, easing travel and trade across the continent.
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