Finland and Sweden to Be Connected by Passenger Rail for the First Time
From late June, a new cross-border rail connection is set to bring Finland and Sweden together by passenger train for the first time. The project forms part of a joint agreement between the two countries aimed at improving rail connectivity and making international travel across the region more straightforward.
Until now, travellers moving between the Finnish town of Tornio and the Swedish town of Haparanda have had to complete part of the journey by road, despite railway infrastructure already existing on both sides of the border.
The long standing gap is largely due to differences in railway gauge. Finland's rail network was built to the wider gauge used during its time under Russian rule in the 19th century, measuring 1,524mm, while Sweden uses the standard European gauge of 1,435mm.
To overcome this obstacle, authorities have restored Haparanda's historic railway station, which dates back to the early 20th century. The station will act as a transfer hub where passengers can easily switch between Finnish and Swedish train services, creating a seamless connection between the two networks.
The new route is expected to open up what could become the European Union's longest continuous rail journey, allowing passengers to travel from northern Finland all the way to Portugal's Algarve region using interconnected train services.
The link will also make rail travel across Scandinavia significantly easier. Residents of cities such as Rovaniemi and Oulu will gain improved access to Sweden by train, while travellers heading between Helsinki and Stockholm will have the option of a rail journey instead of relying on ferry services.
Beyond its practical benefits, the project represents an important shift in Finland's international rail connections. Passenger train services between Finland and Russia were suspended in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the new route strengthens Finland's rail links with the rest of Europe through its western neighbour.