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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Finland & the Baltic Capitals

Escorted 15-day rail journey through Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland from Vilnius to Tampere

Illustration of Finland & the Baltic Capitals

Ffestiniog Travel's 15-day escorted tour links four countries in a single journey, beginning in Vilnius, Lithuania and ending in Tampere, Finland. You travel by train from Vilnius to Riga, Riga to Tallinn, and later from Turku to Tampere and Tampere to Helsinki, with a riverboat cruise along Latvian waterways and a ferry crossing the Gulf of Finland to complete the route. A tour leader from London accompanies the entire party. Days balance structured excursions with substantial leisure time: you have free days in Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Turku, and Tampere to explore their UNESCO-listed Old Towns, medieval architecture, and food scenes at your own pace. Highlights include a private walking tour of Helsinki, a guided visit to Riga Railway Museum, and a return steam-train journey on the Jokioinen Museum Railway, Finland's only continuously operated narrow gauge railway. City passes in Tallinn and Helsinki provide free museum entry and unlimited public transport. Accommodation is in solid three- and four-star hotels on bed and breakfast terms. Flights from London in Economy Class, all rail travel in Standard Class, and local taxes are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure date listed: September 2027. Confirm availability before booking.
  • Final night (Day 13 to 14) in Helsinki is a 2-night stay but Day 14 itinerary does not specify an overnight, suggesting Day 14 may conclude the tour earlier than a typical evening departure.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vilnius

    Fly to Lithuania

    Fly from London to Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, for a 2-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vilnius

    Vilnius at Leisure

    Enjoy a free day exploring the city and the Old Town which features Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Riga

    On to Riga

    A morning train takes us to Latvia in just over 4 hours for a 3-night stay in the capital. The trains are modern and feature comfortable seats, free WiFi and air conditioning. Sit back and watch the Lithuanian and Latvian countryside unfold.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Riga

    Riga’s Old Town

    Time to explore the Old Town which is nestled on the Daugava River and is famous for its Medieval cobbled streets, colourful buildings, Gothic churches and landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads. We also have a guided tour of Riga Railway Museum.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Riga

    Riverboat to Jurmala

    Board a riverboat for a cruise to Jurmala on the coast this morning. This route combines the vibrant life of Riga’s port with a tranquil journey through some of Latvia’s most scenic waterways. Lunchtime arrival and free time to explore Jurmala before we return to Riga on an afternoon train.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Tallinn

    Continue to Tallinn

    A leisurely start before a day’s travel by rail to Estonia. The Estonian trains are also air conditioned, comfortable and offer free WiFi. We have a 3-night stay in the vibrant capital with a 48-hour Tallinn Card included for free entry to many attractions and unlimited use of public transport.

  7. Day 7overnight: Tallinn

    Tallinn at Leisure

    The UNESCO Old Town has a stunning Medieval heart with Toompea (Upper Town) and All-linn (Lower Town), featuring cobbled alleys, painted merchant houses, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. There is the option to visit Kiek in de Kök tower, Kadriorg Palace, and numerous museums and theatres. Tallinn is also known for its diverse food scene.

  8. Day 8overnight: Tallinn

    Tallinn at Leisure

    A second free day to further explore Tallinn’s Old Town and food scene, featuring Nordic cuisine, craft breweries, and street food.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Helsinki

    Ferry to Finland

    We take a morning ferry across the Gulf of Finland to the capital, Helsinki, for a 1-night stay close to the railway station. After free time for lunch, we will regroup for a private walking tour of the main city sights.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Turku

    On To Turku

    A morning train takes us west to Turku, which will be our base for the next 2 nights. A lunchtime arrival allows for an afternoon at leisure. Stroll along the riverbank of the Aura River from Turku Cathedral to Turku Castle to explore the heart and soul of the city. Forum Marinum, the maritime museum, is also well worth a visit.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Turku

    Jokioinen Museum Railway

    Enjoy a leisurely morning before we take an afternoon train out to Humppila. Here we find the Jokioinen Museum Railway, which is the only remaining continuously operated narrow gauge railway in Finland. After a return steam-hauled journey to Minkiö, we return to Turku by rail.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Tampere

    Rail to Tampere

    Depart on a northbound train to Tampere, arriving late morning for a 1-night stay. The city is located in a scenic spot between Näsijärvi Lake and Pyhäjärvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is famous for its long-spanning industrial history which is still visible today in the city’s architecture, as well as its numerous public saunas and the only Moomin museum in the world.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Helsinki

    Return to Helsinki

    A short rail journey takes us back to the capital for a 2-night stay. We have a 48-hour Helsinki Card for use during our stay, giving us free entry to many of the city’s museums and unlimited use of the public transport network.

  14. Day 14overnight: Helsinki

    Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

    Travel by ferry over to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 18th Century on a small archipelago, this fortress has a rich history and we have the opportunity to explore it all on foot.

  15. Day 15rail

    Homeward Bound

    We take the airport train to Helsinki Airport for a direct flight back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: A morning train travels from Vilnius to Riga in just over 4 hours across Lithuanian and Latvian countryside on modern, air-conditioned trains with free WiFi.
  • Day 5Day 5: A riverboat cruise departs Riga's port through scenic Latvian waterways to the coastal town of Jurmala, with return by afternoon train.
  • Day 11Day 11: A return steam-hauled journey on the Jokioinen Museum Railway, Finland's only continuously operated narrow gauge railway, runs between Humppila and Minkiö.
  • Day 14Day 14: A ferry crosses to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 18th century on an archipelago, explored entirely on foot.

Included

  • Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • All excursions as detailed
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the price?
Yes. All rail travel in Standard Class is included, as are the riverboat to Jurmala, the ferry to Helsinki, and the return steam train on the Jokioinen Museum Railway.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A tour leader from London accompanies the group throughout the entire 15 days.
What hotels are included?
Ffestiniog Travel books Conti Hotel in Vilnius, Eurostars Metropole in Riga, Nunne Boutique Hotel in Tallinn, Original Sokos Vaakuna in Helsinki, Scandic Hamburger Börs in Turku, and Scandic Tampere Station in Tampere.
When does this tour run?
One departure is listed for September 2027 at 2,585 GBP per person.
What is included beyond accommodation and rail?
Flights from London in Economy Class, bed and breakfast at all hotels, all excursions (riverboat, ferry, museum railway), guided tour of Riga Railway Museum, private walking tour of Helsinki, 48-hour city passes for Tallinn and Helsinki, and local taxes and fees.
How much free time is there?
Five full free days: Day 2 in Vilnius, Day 7 and Day 8 in Tallinn, and one afternoon in Turku and one afternoon in Helsinki for leisure exploration.

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