Passenger trains reconnect Finland and Sweden

Passenger trains cross the border again

Regular passenger trains between Finland and Sweden returned on 10 August 2026. VR now runs from Oulu through Kemi and Tornio to Haparanda in Sweden, with 28 services each week: two departures in each direction every day.

Norrtåg describes the launch as the first regular passenger train across the border since 1988. The service restores the missing passenger rail connection, but it is important to understand what the journey includes: the Finnish train reaches Haparanda, not Luleå or Stockholm.

The Oulu–Haparanda timetable

From Oulu, IC 401 runs Monday to Saturday at 05:08 and reaches Haparanda at 05:45. On Sundays, IC 403 runs at 06:50 and arrives at 07:45. IC 407 runs every day from 19:50 to 20:30.

From Haparanda, IC 402 runs Monday to Saturday from 06:20 to 09:00. On Sundays, IC 404 runs from 08:54 to 11:32. IC 408 runs every day from 20:45 to 23:20. The Finnish services stop at Oulu, Kemi, Tornio East, Tornio and Haparanda.

All times are local. Finland is one hour ahead of Sweden, so the clock-time interval can look one hour longer or shorter depending on the direction of travel. Always read each departure and arrival in the local time shown.

Check the current timetable in VR's journey search before travelling, because engineering work and timetable periods can change an individual service.

Continuing into Sweden

To continue towards Luleå, passengers change at Haparanda to a Norrtåg service. The VR and Norrtåg journeys need separate tickets, and not every connection is aligned at every time of day yet. Check both operators for the date you plan to travel and allow a sensible transfer margin.

The change of train reflects the two railway systems. Finnish trains use the 1,524 mm network that now reaches Haparanda, while Swedish trains use the 1,435 mm network. A cross-border safety agreement between Traficom and the Swedish Transport Agency entered into force on 10 April 2026 and defines how operators and rolling stock can work on the border section.

Before crossing the border

Carry the travel documents required for your journey and check customs rules, especially when travelling with a pet or restricted goods. Restaurant service, including at-seat food ordering in the VR Matkalla app, is unavailable between Oulu and Haparanda, although the same long-distance train may continue south of Oulu.

For a journey from southern Finland, first find a realistic connection to Oulu in Junat's train schedules. Then check and buy the Oulu–Haparanda portion from VR and any onward Swedish portion from Norrtåg.

A useful connection, not a seamless through train

The new service makes an international rail journey possible again and gives Kemi and Tornio a direct passenger link to Haparanda. It also opens a practical overland route towards northern Sweden. For now, the clearest way to plan it is as connected journeys with a change at Haparanda, separate tickets and local times on each side of the border.

Sources and last checked

Service dates, stops and Finnish timetables come from VR's passenger information. The launch and Swedish connection guidance come from Norrtåg. Cross-border railway rules come from Traficom. Information was checked on 13 August 2026; confirm the live timetable and ticket conditions before travel.