Finland Travel Guide
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Guide
Finland's border with Russia is closed, and it has been for almost three years. All eight crossing points, Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra, Niirala, Vartius, Kuusamo, Salla, and Raja-Jooseppi, have been closed to passenger traffic since 15 December 2023. On 4 June 2026 the government decided they would stay closed until further notice, and that applications for international protection would continue to be centralized. The stated reason is the risk that instrumentalized migration, of the kind seen before the closure, would resume if the crossings reopened.
The old connections have not come back. The Allegro high-speed train between Helsinki and St Petersburg and the cross-border buses stopped in 2022 and 2023 and have not resumed, so there is no scheduled passenger rail or bus service across the Finnish border in 2026. On 1 July 2026, Russia also closed seven railway border crossings with Finland, Estonia, and Latvia.
Border crossings
- Eight crossings with Russia, all closed
There is no way to cross the Finnish-Russian land border as a traveler. If your route runs to Russia, it has to go through another country or by air.
- Helsinki to Tallinn, the ferry border
The short sea route to Estonia is a Schengen-to-Schengen crossing, but one guide says a valid passport is required for day trips, since Estonia is outside the Nordic Passport Union. Carry one.
Transit routes
- No train to St Petersburg
The Allegro service stopped years ago and has not resumed, so old guides that describe a three hour train are describing something that no longer runs.
- Ferries across the Gulf of Finland
The Helsinki to Tallinn ferries are the main sea link across the Gulf of Finland, and they are the route toward the Baltic states.
Entry point notes
- Schengen rules, EES at the first entry
Finland is a Schengen country, so visa exempt visitors get 90 days in any 180 day period, and non-EU travelers are registered biometrically where they first enter.
- Read the date on anything about the Russian border
The current decision is in force until further notice, which is different from a fixed end date, and it has been renewed and updated several times.