Finland, Sweden reconnect by rail as new cross-border service begins

A new cross-border passenger rail service between Finland and Sweden begins operating on August 10, opening a direct train connection between the two countries for the first time in decades.

The service will run between Oulu in northern Finland and Haparanda in Sweden, with 28 services scheduled each week, Caliber.Az reports, citing Finnish media.

Trains will stop at Oulu, Kemi, Tornio-Itäinen, Tornio and Haparanda.

The new connection is expected to improve travel between northern Finnish and Swedish cities, including the university centres of Oulu and Luleå. Passengers will also be able to continue their journeys from Oulu towards Helsinki.

The service will operate twice daily in each direction, although schedules will vary on Sundays. The first weekday service from Oulu will leave at 05:08 and arrive in Haparanda at 05:45, while an evening train will depart Oulu at 19:50.

In the opposite direction, trains will leave Haparanda at 06:20 and 20:45 from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, departures are scheduled for 08:54 and 20:45.

The reopening of passenger services also marks the return of trains to central Tornio after several decades. The cross-border connection is expected to strengthen transport links between northern Finland, Sweden and, indirectly, Norway.

Further improvements are planned for December, when connections in Haparanda are expected to be coordinated more closely with Sweden's Norrtåg services to Luleå.

Tickets for the Oulu–Haparanda route have been available through VR's website and the VR Matkalla app since June 30.

By Aghakazim Guliyev