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Helsinki cathedral |
UK to Finland without flying
It's easy to travel from London to Helsinki by train and ferry, a wonderful 2-day 3-night journey across Scandinavia with a lot to see on the way. It's a great alternative to an unnecessary flight. On this page you'll find a step-by-step guide to planning, booking & making a journey from the UK to Finland by train or ferry, with train & ferry timetables, approximate fares, and the best way to buy tickets.
Train times, fares & tickets
Which route should
you choose?
Route map for UK to
Scandinavia journeys
London to Helsinki
via Stockholm using a sleeper
London to Helsinki
via Stockholm with overnight stops
London to Helsinki via ferry from Travemünde
Train travel in Finland:
The Night
Train to Lapland
Trains & ferries from Helsinki to other European cities
Trains & ferries from other European cities to Helsinki
Useful country information
Which route should you choose?
There are several good options for reaching Finland in comfort without flying:
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Option 1, London to Helsinki using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper
This is the nicest way from the UK to Helsinki & Finland, taking 2 days, 3 nights, it's the route shown in red on the route map below. Those 2 days include an afternoon at leisure in Hamburg and the best part of a day exploring Stockholm - make sure you see the amazing Vasa museum! It includes a ride on a sleeper train from Hamburg to Stockholm and the highlight, a cruise across the Baltic from Stockholm to Helsinki, past the many beautiful islands. In the inbound direction it takes just 48 hours, still with a day to explore Stockholm. Times, fares & how to buy tickets are shown below.
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Option 2, London to Helsinki via Stockholm with overnight stops
This also follows the route shown in red on the route map below, but instead of sleepers & overnight ferries it uses daytime trains with an overnight hotel stop in Hamburg and Stockholm. That means it's not as time-effective as option 1, it takes 3 days & 2 nights and if you want any time in Hamburg or Stockholm you'll have to add a day. But if you prefer day trains and hotels to sleepers & ferry cabins, this is the option to take. Times, fares & how to buy tickets are shown below.
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Option 3, London to Helsinki by train to Hamburg then ferry from Travemünde to Finland
Take a morning Eurostar to Brussels & onward trains to Hamburg, spend the night there before taking a local train to Travemünde and the daily Finnlines ferry from Travemünde to Helsinki. This route is shown in dark blue on the route map below. Times, fares & how to buy tickets are shown below.
Option 1: London to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper
This is easily the nicest way from the UK to Helsinki & Finland, taking 2 days, 3 nights, including an afternoon at leisure in Hamburg and the best part of a day to explore Stockholm and its amazing Vasa museum. It includes a ride on a sleeper train from Hamburg to Stockholm and the highlight is a cruise across the Baltic from Stockholm to Helsinki, past the many beautiful islands. In the inbound direction this option takes just 48 hours, still with a day to explore Stockholm.
London ► Helsinki
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Day 1, travel from London to Brussels on any evening Eurostar you like.
The last Eurostar usually leaves London St Pancras at 19:34 arriving Brussels Midi at 22:38, but by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Brussels. Check times at www.eurostar.com.
In theory, a same-day connection with the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper is possible on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays but for reliability I strongly recommend an overnight stop in Brussels as shown here.
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Stay overnight in Brussels. I recommend the excellent Pullman Hotel Brussels Midi which is an integral part of Brussels Midi station itself, or the inexpensive Ibis Brussels Midi just across the road.
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Day 2, travel from Brussels to Hamburg, leaving Brussels Midi at 08:23 (08:25 weekends), change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:14.
You travel from Brussels to Cologne & Cologne to Hamburg by superb German ICE train, with restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Enjoy an afternoon in Hamburg.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:57 next morning.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Malmö and Stockholm. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Have dinner in Hamburg before you board, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.
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Day 3, spend the day exploring Stockholm and sail overnight from Stockholm to Helsinki by Silja Line ferry.
Silja Line offers a luxurious overnight ferry from Stockholm direct to Helsinki, www.tallinksilja.com, sailing at 16:45 every day arriving in Helsinki at 10:30 next morning (day 4 from London). Their ships are the superb Silja Serenade and Silja Symphony.
Viking Line also operates this route, sailing at 16:30. Their ships are the Gabriella and Cinderella.
It's a very scenic voyage, as the liner sails out of Stockholm past all the islands, see the video. You can have dinner in the restaurant and retire to your cabin, or party all night in the nightclub, it's up to you.
In Stockholm, the easiest way to reach Silja Line's Värtahamnen ferry terminal is to take the Tunnelbana (metro) from T-Centralen (Central Station) to Gärdet, just 3 stops on line T13 towards Ropsten. The Tunnelbana accepts contactless bank cards, you just touch in and out. From Gärdet station it's a easy well-signed 12-minute 1km walk to the Värtahamnen terminal, see walking map. You won't be the only person walking it!
Silja Line also operates a transfer bus from Stockholm Cityterminal (next to Stockholm Central) to the terminal, buy tickets from the ticket machines or from the driver, check times at the Silja Line website. Or you can take a taxi.
At the Värtahamnen terminal, check-in for the ferry is painless: Walk up to one of the self-service check-in machines, click the touch screen for English, scan the ferry ticket barcode on your phone or printout, click to confirm and out pops your ferry boarding pass which is also your cabin key. Go through the automatic gates using the boarding pass and walk onto the ferry.
In Helsinki, it's an easy 1.8 km 23-minute walk from Silja Line's Olympia ferry terminal to Helsinki station. Or if you walk out of the terminal and turn right, you'll see the tram terminus for trams 2 & 3. Buy a ticket from the machine using a contactless bank card, tram 2 will get you to a stop in the city centre a block away from Helsinki station, tram 3 takes a slightly longer route but goes to the tram stop right outside Helsinki station. Helsinki's iconic cathedral is a 1.3 km 16-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
See map of Stockholm showing ferry terminals. See map of Helsinki showing ferry terminals.
Tip: The direct Stockholm-Helsinki ferry is the nicest option, but the alternative ferry+train service from Stockholm to Helsinki via Turku is cheaper and allows a much later departure from Stockholm (so gives more of a day there) with a similar arrival time at Helsinki. See details here.
Helsinki ► London
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Day 1, travel from Helsinki to Stockholm overnight by luxurious Silja Line ferry.
Silja Line (www.tallinksilja.com) offers a luxurious overnight cruise ferry direct from Helsinki to Stockholm every day, sailing from Helsinki Olympia Terminal at 17:00 arriving in Stockholm Värtahamnen at about 09:45 next morning, after sailing past the many islands.
A range of comfortable cabins is available. Map of Helsinki showing Silja terminal.
Viking Line (www.sales.vikingline.com) also operates this route.
Spend day 2 exploring Stockholm.
Tip: The direct Helsinki-Stockholm ferry is the nicest option, but the alternative train+ferry service from Helsinki to Stockholm via Turku is cheaper and gets to Stockholm earlier for more of a day there - with a similar departure time from Helsinki. See details here.
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Day 2, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (08:56 Sundays).
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö, serving meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
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Day 3, travel from Hamburg to Brussels by train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:45 Mon-Fri & Sat, change Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 15:35.
On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:45, change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 17:35.
You travel on comfortable ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Tip: Allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg when connecting out of the sleeper, ideally 1-2 hours.
Tip: An earlier arrival is possible using Eurostar (formerly Thalys) between Cologne & Brussels, but I recommend using the trains shown above as this gets you (a) a cheaper price and (b) a through ticket with cast-iron passenger rights in the event of a delay and missed connection in Cologne.
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Day 3, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar, leaving Brussels Midi at 17:56 Mon-Fri & Saturdays arriving London St Pancras 18:57.
On Sundays, leave Brussels Midi at 18:51 arriving London St Pancras 19:47.
How much does it cost?
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London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).
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Brussels to Hamburg starts at €27.90 each way in 2nd class or €59.90 each way in 1st class.
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Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train starts at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed.
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Stockholm to Helsinki by direct overnight ferry starts from around €88 including a bed in a shared 4-berth with Viking Line or €111 with sole occupancy of a cabin with Silja Line. But there are whole range of cabin types and prices, just check both ferry company websites.
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All these fares are dynamic, varying like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets
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Step 1, book London to Brussels by Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.
Tip: If returning, book Eurostar as a round trip, because unlike most other European trains, a return ticket costs less than two one-ways.
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Step 2, book Brussels to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
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Step 3, book Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper tickets at the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se.
Booking opens several months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 4, book the Stockholm-Helsinki ferry at www.tallinksilja.com or the Direct Ferries website (which can book both Silja Line and Viking Line).
What's the journey like?
1. London to Brussels by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.
2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3, Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4
Germany's superb ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken at your seat. 50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava. As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station. More about ICE trains. Brussels Midi station guide. Cologne Hbf station guide. Hamburg Hbf station guide.
An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about ICE trains. Photo above courtesy of Christian Hunt.
4. Hamburg to Stockholm by SJ EuroNight sleeper train
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight train normally has one or sometimes two sleeping-cars, two or sometimes three couchette cars and two seats cars. Each sleeping-car has 14 narrow standard compartments with washbasin which can be sold as single or double, plus two deluxe compartments with shower & toilet which can be sold as single, double or triple. The couchettes come in 6-berth compartments. The seats cars have 6-seat compartments, but you should always book a couchette or sleeper if you can. The sleepers convert to private sitting rooms for evening or morning use, the couchettes convert to seats. Limited food & drink (including beer & wine) can be ordered from the train staff, you can see the menu at www.sj.se/en/travel-info/sj-euronight.html. A simple breakfast box with jam, butter, rolls, yoghurt and a tea or coffee is included in the sleepers and can be ordered the night before in the couchettes. Unlike most other European night trains, as this train is Swedish you are not permitted to consume your own alcohol. More photos & information about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
5. Stockholm to Helsinki by overnight ferry
A Silja Line ferry links Stockholm with Helsinki overnight every day, and a Viking Line ferry also sails overnight to a similar schedule. It's a much more relaxed affair than the Stockholm-Turku route. You can board an hour an a half before sailing rather than 15 minutes before, the ferry sails late afternoon so you have a whole evening on the ship, and there's time for a lie-in and leisurely breakfast with a late-morning arrival. The facilities on board are top-class, from the Grande Buffet to the Lobster restaurant. A full range of cabins is available, including suites.
Option 2, London to Helsinki with overnight stops
You travel from London to Hamburg by Eurostar & onward trains on day 1, stay overnight in Hamburg, then travel from Hamburg to Stockholm on day 2. Take a bottle of wine and a good book, and enjoy a 2-day train ride across Europe on modern & comfortable trains with not an airport security queue in sight. Stay overnight in Stockholm then take the daytime ferry+train service to Helsinki next day. Or spend the day exploring Stockholm and take the overnight cruise ferry to Helsinki with a comfortable en suite cabin reserved. What's the journey like?
London ► Helsinki
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Day 1, travel from London to Hamburg by train, see the London to Hamburg timetable. For example:
Leave London St Pancras at 09:01, change Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:14.
Leave London St Pancras at 11:04, change Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:14.
I'd take the 09:01 if possible, it gives more wiggle room if there's a delay as well as a longer evening in Hamburg.
You travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Brussels to Cologne by superb German ICE3 and Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg.
The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by EuroCity train & X2000 tilting train.
Leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 arriving Copenhagen 13:34. Leave Copenhagen at 14:19, arriving Stockholm Central 19:37.
You travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats, and refreshment trolley, then Copenhagen to Stockholm by 200 km/h X2000 with bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The X2000 crosses the impressive Öresund Fixed Link from Denmark to Sweden, a tunnel & double-deck road/rail bridge opened in 1999. More about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey More about X2000 trains. You can check times from Hamburg to Stockholm at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
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Stay overnight in Stockholm. The ProfilHotel Central & Scandic No.53 are near the station with good reviews. More hotels in Stockholm.
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Day 3, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki by ferry & train.
Viking Line (www.sales.vikingline.com) sails from Stockholm Stadsgården terminal at 07:45 every day, arriving in Turku at 19:50.
The luxurious Viking Grace or Viking Glory has a range of standard & deluxe cabins, restaurants, bars and lounges. A cabin is optional on the day crossing, but I recommend one as somewhere to nap, shower, relax in private. See map of Stockholm showing ferry terminals. How to reach Stockholm's Viking Line terminal.
In Turku, it's just 100m from the Viking Line terminal to Turku Port station, see map.
A connecting double-deck InterCity train leaves Turku Port (Turku Satama) station at 20:25 & arrives at Helsinki station at 22:56.
This is a boat train specifically timed to connect with the ferry from Stockholm. It has Eko (2nd) & Ekstra (1st) class, a bistro, playroom & various seating options, see more about this Intercity train.
Update: For 2 years from Autumn 2022, a bus will replace the train between Turku Port & Kupittaa (east Turku), but the bus is well-signed & well-organised. The bus leaves from the car park next to Turku Port station platforms. More about this Intercity train.
Alternatively, spend the day in Stockholm and take the direct ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki as in option 1.
Helsinki ► London
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Day 1, travel from Helsinki to Stockholm by train & ferry.
Leave Helsinki station at 05:28 Mondays-Fridays only by double-deck InterCity train, arriving Turku Port (Turku Satama) at 07:40.
This is a boat train specifically timed to connect with the ferry to Stockholm. It has Eko (2nd) & Ekstra (1st) class, a bistro, playroom & various seating options, see more about this Intercity train.
In Turku, it's just 100m from Turku Port station to the Viking Line terminal, see map.
Update: For 2 years from Autumn 2022, a bus will temporarily replace the train from Kupittaa (eastern Turku) to Turku Port, but it' well-signed & well-organised. The bus arrives at the car park next to Turku Port station platforms.
Viking Line (www.sales.vikingline.com) sails from Turku at 08:45 arriving Stockholm Stadsgården ferry terminal at 18:55.
The luxurious Viking Grace or Viking Glory has a range of standard & deluxe cabins, restaurants, bars and lounges. A cabin is optional on the day crossing, but I recommend one as somewhere to nap, shower, relax in private. See map of Stockholm showing ferry terminals.
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Stay overnight in Stockholm. Try the ProfilHotel Central or Scandic No.53, near the station with good reviews. More hotels in Stockholm.
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Day 2, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by X2000 tilting train & EuroCity train:
Leave Stockholm Central at 08:20, arriving Copenhagen 13:33. Leave Copenhagen at 15:26, arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:04.
You travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by 200 km/h X2000 with bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley. The X2000 crosses the impressive Öresund Fixed Link from Sweden to Denmark, a tunnel & double-deck road/rail bridge opened in 1999. More about X2000 tilting trains. More about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey. You can check times from Stockholm to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg.
The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to London by train. For example:
Leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras at 15:57.
Leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras at 17:47.
Leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras at 19:47.
See the Hamburg to London timetable here. Hamburg to Cologne is by ICE4, Cologne to Brussels is by ICE3, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Brussels to London is by Eurostar, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
How much does it cost?
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London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).
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Brussels to Hamburg starts at €27.90 each way in 2nd class or €56.90 each way in 1st class.
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Hamburg to Stockholm starts at €56.90 each way in 2nd class.
These train fares are dynamic like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices and avoid busy days such as Fridays or Sunday afternoons.
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Stockholm to Turku by Viking Line ferry costs as little as €15 each way without any cabin accommodation, but you can add various types of private cabin from €13 upwards. Silja Line is similarly priced.
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Turku to Helsinki by train costs starts at €7.90 in Eco (2nd) class or €18.80 in Ekstra (1st) class booked in advance.
How to buy tickets
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Step 1, book from London to Hamburg for Day 1 at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Both are easy to use, small booking fee. Booking for Eurostar & onward trains as far as Gothenburg opens up to 6 months ahead.
If you're returning, book this as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways.
After booking you can use the Eurostar Manage Booking system to select an exact seat on Eurostar.
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Step 2, book from Hamburg to Stockholm for Day 2 at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
If returning, you'll find it easier to book one way at a time, in this case it makes no difference to the price. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You can also book this with German Railways at int.bahn.de with no booking fee, or you may prefer to keep all your bookings together at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
You should see affordable through fares, if not, split the booking: Book Hamburg Hbf to Copenhagen at either www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or int.bahn.de, then book Kobenhavn H to Stockholm Central at www.sj.se or Omio.com.
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Step 3, book the ferry from Stockholm to Turku.
You can check sailing dates & prices for both Viking Line & Silja Line ferries on both the Stockholm-Turku & Stockholm-Helsinki routes at the Direct Ferries website. Remember to select '18+' for adults and change With vehicle to No vehicle. The price you initially see is for a basic passenger place on the ferry, you can add a cabin at the next stage. When you book online you will be emailed a confirmation which you present at check-in to exchange for your boarding pass.
Alternatively you can book direct with the relevant operator at www.sales.vikingline.com or www.tallinksilja.com. You can book individual beds in shared cabins if you book directly with the operator, which is much cheaper than sole occupancy, that's the one thing Direct ferries can't do.
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Step 4, book the train from Turku to Helsinki: If you book the daytime or overnight Stockholm-Turku ferry, you'll need an onward train ticket to Helsinki. You can do this online at www.vr.fi (click 'EN' for English). It's Turku Harbour (Satama) station that you should select.
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Advanced users: If you're clever, you can save a few euros by booking London-Brussels (and back, if returning) at www.eurostar.com, then booking a through ticket from Brussels to Stockholm from €79.90 with German Railways at int.bahn.de. To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11:00 hours. You'll need to adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the correct ICE departure from Brussels (for example, 12:25 or 14:25) on Day 1 and the 08:50 departure from Hamburg on Day 2, a little trial and error may be needed!
How to buy tickets by phone
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Step 1: Buy your train tickets from London to Stockholm. You can buy all these tickets through a number of UK agencies, but the best for this trip is probably Deutsche Bahn's UK phone line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings). Click here for a list of agencies and more info on how to book.
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Step 2: Book the Viking Line ferry at the Direct Ferries website or www.sales.vikingline.com or by phone though its UK agent, Emagine Ltd, on 01942 262662. Book the Silja Line ferry at the Direct Ferries website or www.tallinksilja.com or through their UK agents, DFDS Seaways, on 0871 522 9955.
Let Railbookers arrange it
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If you want a custom-made trip with train & ferry travel, hotels & transfers all arranged for you, contact Railbookers. Tell them what you want and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out. They get positive reviews and look after their customers very well.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
www.railbookers.co.uk.
US call free 1-888-829-4775,
see
website.
Canada call free 1-855-882-2910,
see website.
Australia call toll-free 1300 971 52
see website.
New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or
see
website.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Brussels by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More about Eurostar & check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.
2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3
Germany's superb ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken at your seat. 50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava. As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station. More about ICE3 trains. Brussels Midi station guide. Cologne Hbf station guide.
An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about ICE trains. Photo above courtesy of Christian Hunt.
3. Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4
ICE4s have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and are capable of 265 km/h (165 mph). Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf, Cologne-Hamburg trains cross the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine, then pass through the industrial Ruhr. More about ICE trains. Hamburg Hbf station guide.
You
should take a good guidebook.
For the independent traveller, I think this means either the Lonely Planet or the
Rough
Guide. I personally prefer the layout of the Lonely Planet, but
others prefer the Rough Guide. Both guidebooks provide the same
excellent level of practical information and historical background.
You won't regret buying one! My own book, an essential handbook
for train travel to Europe based on this website called "
