Train and Ferry from London to Helsinki
Photo © moleitau @ Flickr
Overview
Route: London to Helsinki via Brussels, Cologne, Hamburg and Rostock
Journey time: Just under 2 days
Return journey: Helsinki to London via Rostock, Hamburg, Cologne and Brussels
Detailed itinerary
Option 1: via Brussels, Cologne, Hamburg and Rostock |
||
|
Sample itinerary: Take the 0827 from St Pancras, which arrives in Brussels at 1133, where you can transfer to the 1225 service to Cologne. In Cologne, grab a bite to eat and maybe have a peek at the spectacular Cathedral (which is right next to the station) before taking the 1510 service to Hamburg. In Hamburg, you can transfer to the 1944 train to Rostock, which arrives at 2132. Spend the night in Rostock before catching the ferry at 0500 to Helsinki, where you'll arrive the next day at 0800 - in time for breakfast.
Price: Price to Rostock from £271 return. Ferries bookable at www.tallinksilja.com.
|
||
| Leg 1: | London St Pancras to Brussels Midi
First train 0620 (Mon-Fri), 0659 (Sat), 0857 (Sun). Last train 1934 (every day). |
Frequency of service: 8 trains a day.
Operator:
Eurostar Journey time: from 1 hr 58 mins
|
| Transfer | A quick same-station change of platform at Brussels Midi station to catch the onward connection. |
Change of platformTransfer time: Allow 20 mins
Book a hotel near Brussels Midi
|
| Leg 2: | Brussels Midi to Cologne Central Station (Köln Hbf) |
Frequency of service:
Operator:
Thalys or ICE Journey time: From 1 hr 47 mins
|
| Transfer | A quick same-station change of platform at Cologne Central Station to catch the onward connection. If you have time to spare, Cologne cathedral is next door. |
Change of platformTransfer time: Allow 20 mins
Book a hotel near Cologne Central Station
|
| Leg 3: | Cologne Central Station (Köln Hbf) to Hamburg HBF |
Frequency of service: 18 trains a day
Operator:
ICE Journey time: 4 hours 2 minutes
|
| Transfer | A quick same-station change of platform at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. |
Change of platformTransfer time: Allow 20 minutes.
Book a hotel near Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (Central Station)
|
| Leg 4: | Hamburg to Rostock First train departs Hamburg at 0524 weekdays, with an 0541 service Mondays, and an 0634 service every day of the week. Further services run at 0744 Monday-Saturday and throughout the week at 0836, 0944, 1028, 1117, 1228, 1344, 1428, 1516, 1634, 1743, 1835, 2034 and 2248. There is also a 1542 train on Fridays, a 1944 train Sunday - Friday and a 2146 train on Sundays. |
Frequency of service: Up to 18 trains a day.
Operator:
Deutsche Bahn Journey time: From 1 hour 47 minutes
|
| Transfer | You can either take a taxi from outside Rostock Hauptbahnhof to the port, or take suburban rail (S-bahn) line S-3 to Seehafen Nord station (around 20 minutes), which is located by the ferry terminal and is a few minutes walk from the Tallink offices. |
Long hopTransfer time: Allow 45 minutes
Book a hotel near Rostock Hauptbahnhof (Central Station)
Books a stopover hotel near Rostock Ferry Port
|
| Leg 5: | Rostock to Helsinki (ferry) Ferries depart Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 0500. |
Frequency of service: 4 ferries a week.
Operator:
Tallink Journey time: 23 - 24 hours
|
| Destination | Tervetuloa Helsinkiin |
Books a stopover hotel near Helsinki Tallink Silja Ferry Terminal
|
Your route to Helsinki
The lines on the map are for illustrative purposes only - they don't show the exact route taken by the train.
