Passenger trains to link Finland with Sweden after four decades

Getting around Scandinavia is about to become a lot easier with the resumption of cross-border passenger trains between Finland and Sweden after a period of almost four decades. 

The return of regular cross-border rail services will mark a major milestone for regional connectivity across the Nordic region, Arctic Observer reported.

Finnish state railway operator VR has announced that passenger services between Oulu and Haparanda will begin on August 10, marking the first regular passenger rail connection between the two countries since 1988. 

The new route is expected to improve mobility, strengthen economic ties, and provide travellers with a sustainable alternative to air and road transport, local media reported.

The reopening reconnects Finland's railway network with Sweden's, allowing passengers to travel seamlessly from northern Finland into Sweden, with onward connections to Luleå, Boden, Stockholm, and the wider European rail network.

VR says the new cross-border service will operate every day, offering two departures in each direction daily: a total of 28 passenger services per week

VR has not yet announced official ticket prices for the new service.

Official pricing will be published once reservations open.

For Finnish travellers, the restored link also creates a practical all-rail route into Sweden and mainland Europe, reducing reliance on domestic flights for international travel.

Finnair ready to fly to Melbourne

It will soon be possible to fly from Melbourne to Helsinki with Finnair. 

The Finnish flag carrier has unveiled plans to expand its long-haul network and start flights to Melbourne late in 2026. 

The route will be operated daily via Bangkok with an Airbus A350 aircraft.

The Melbourne route marks a completely new destination for Finnair and connects Australia directly to Finnair’s extensive network via Helsinki.

“We are very excited to introduce service to a new continent," said Christine Rovelli, Chief Revenue Officer at Finnair. 

"By connecting Helsinki and Melbourne, two cities on opposite sides of the world, we can offer a truly unique bridge between the northern and southern hemispheres. 

“We expect that this new route will appeal to travellers from Europe heading to Australia, as well as Australians exploring northern Europe and beyond.”

The flight is scheduled to depart from Helsinki shortly after midnight, arriving in Bangkok in the afternoon, and continuing to Melbourne after a brief stop, reaching Melbourne the following morning. 

On the return, flights will leave from Melbourne in the afternoon, with a stop in Bangkok in the evening, and land in Helsinki early the next day, aligning with Finnair’s first morning departures across Europe. 

The Melbourne flights will be available for booking on Finnair.com as of today, and the first flight is expected to be on October 25, 2026, subject to government approval.

In addition to Melbourne, Finnair’s network for 2026 comprises a total of 93 European destinations, 11 Asian destinations, seven North American destinations, including Toronto, which opens in summer 2026, and two destinations in the Middle East.

Fancy a Christmas trip to visit Santa Claus?

Budget airline Ryanair is promoting winter trips to Lapland as part of its winter schedule for travellers wanting to visit the home of Santa Claus.

Ryanair has unveiled its winter 2025-26 Lapland-Rovaniemi schedule with return flights across three new routes: Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester.

Lapland is the largest and northernmost region of Finland and is known for its cold temperatures. 

It is promoted as "a winter wonderland" with tourism offerings including reindeer and huskie sleigh rides through snow-covered forests.

The Arctic Circle crosses Lapland, so polar phenomena such as the midnight sun can be viewed in the region. 

Rovaniemi has staked a claim as Santa's "official hometown" and developed the Santa Claus Village to encourage tourism.

“Christmas has come early for our UK customers with the launch of the Lapland schedule across three new routes, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester,” Ryanair’s director of communications Jade Kirwan said.

“It’s never too early to start Christmas planning.”

Rovaniemi is the main regional centre of Lapland, and the Rovaniemi Airport is the second busiest airport in Finland.

The clean air here is “unbelievable” says a GOTR regular who has visited multiple times. 

The winter Lapland-Rovaniemi flights are available to book now at ryanair.com.

Images: Visit Rovaniemi, Santa Claus Village

Tourist destination wants visitors to try a digital detox

Ever wished you could be somewhere that is really switched off? 

Finland has just introduced the world's first phone-free tourist island with visitors to Ulko-Tammio island being encouraged to stay offline this summer. 

Anyone travelling to the island, located in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, will be asked to keep their phones in their pockets this summer. 

The aim is to encourage holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices, take a break from social media and enjoy nature. 

Ulko-Tammio is promoting itself as "the world's first phone-free tourist island" - although it is not clear how, or if, the ban will be enforced. 

The Eastern Gulf of Finland is known for its rugged islands and charming coastal villages adjacent to the Baltic Sea.

“The island of Ulko-Tammio, which is located off the coast of Hamina, will be a phone-free area this summer," says Mats Selin from Visit Kotka-Hamina. 

"We want to urge holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices and to stop and genuinely enjoy the islands.”

For more info see https://visitkotkahamina.fi/en/archipelago