A new rail service reopening this summer will restore passenger train travel between Finland and Sweden for the first time in several decades, providing a direct cross-border connection that links Finland to Europe’s broader rail network. The project involves a £1.65 million (€1.9 million) investment by Finland to reinstate the Tornio–Haparanda route, connecting the twin border towns of Tornio in Finland and Haparanda in Sweden.

Passenger train services on this line were previously discontinued by both countries in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since then, travelers have been unable to cross the border by train, relying instead on cars or foot travel between the stations on either side. The reopening will enable continuous train travel across the border, marking a significant development in Nordic rail connectivity.

The restored link will make it possible to undertake long-distance journeys spanning much of Europe. Notably, travellers will be able to complete a 5,000-kilometer route from Kolari, Finland’s northernmost train station located in Lapland, all the way to the Algarve region in Portugal. This route is expected to represent one of the longest train journeys available within Europe.

In addition, the service will create a direct rail connection between Helsinki and Stockholm, allowing passengers to travel between the two capitals in approximately 24 hours. However, officials acknowledge that ferries and flights may continue to offer more economical and convenient options on this route.

Finland is financing the service entirely through state funds, with plans to maintain full support through to the 2030s. The resumption of operations in Haparanda will also mark Finland’s first instance of operating trains on foreign soil since it ceased services to St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2022 following the geopolitical tensions resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The restoration of the Tornio–Haparanda train link reflects broader efforts to enhance regional rail infrastructure and improve sustainable transportation options within Northern Europe.