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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Finnish Explorer

Rail and ferry journey from London through northern Europe to Finnish Lapland and Helsinki

Illustration of Finnish Explorer

Tailor Made Rail's Finnish Explorer is a 14-day self-guided rail and ferry journey from London to Helsinki, passing through Germany, Denmark, and Sweden before crossing into Finland. The route blends major European capitals with quieter Scandinavian towns and Finnish Lapland. You travel on Eurostar, continental high-speed trains, a Baltic Sea ferry, and a private-compartment sleeper train from Turku to Rovaniemi. The pace is relaxed, with two to three nights in most hotels, allowing time to explore each city: Osnabrück's Peace of Westphalia history, Copenhagen's food scene, Stockholm's archipelago, Turku's medieval river quarter, Rovaniemi's sub-Arctic landscape (home to reindeer farms and the Santa Village), and Helsinki's sea fortress and Market Square. Accommodation and breakfast are provided throughout. This trip suits independent travellers who want structured rail and hotel logistics without a tour manager, as well as first-time and repeat rail enthusiasts seeking a mix of European cities and northern wilderness.

What to know before you look closer

  • Return flight from Helsinki to the UK is not included; rail and ferry return can be arranged on request.
  • Single supplements apply but the amount is not stated; confirm the charge when booking.
  • The price shown is for standard class rail travel; supplements may apply during peak periods or at short notice.
  • Lapland activities such as reindeer farm visits and snowmobile safaris are optional and bookable separately on request.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Osnabrück (Best Western Hotel Hohenzollern or similar)

    London to Osnabrück

    Leave London today aboard a Eurostar service bound for Paris. On arrival in the French capital, it's an easy walk or metro journey to the Gare de l'Est for your onward journey by high-speed train to Cologne. From here, take a German service to Osnabrück for your overnight stop. Osnabrück has a significant place in German history as it was where the 1648 Peace of Westphalia was negotiated, bringing the 30 Years' War to an end. The town hall where the agreement was signed sits on the pretty market square at the centre of the Old Town.

  2. Day 2overnight: Copenhagen (Hotel Absalon or similar)

    Osnabrück to Copenhagen

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and return to the station for your onward journey north to Hamburg and then on to Copenhagen. You'll arrive in the early evening. Take the opportunity for an evening meal in one of Europe's gastronomic capitals, from hot dog stands to a choice of 15 restaurants with Michelin stars.

  3. Day 3overnight: Stockholm (Nordic Light Hotel or similar)

    Copenhagen to Stockholm

    After a leisurely start today, it's time to return to the station and catch another high-speed service across the Oresund Bridge and into Sweden. Your destination today is Stockholm, the regal capital of Sweden which sits on an archipelago of 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea.

  4. Day 4overnight: Turku (Scandic Julia or similar)

    Stockholm to Turku

    It's time to see more of that lovely archipelago this morning as you catch an early morning ferry from Stockholm's port bound for Finland. Enjoy lovely vistas as you sail past the Alund Islands and into Turku's own archipelago of over 20,000 islands. Arrive mid-evening into Turku for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Turku (Scandic Julia or similar)

    Turku

    Turku is Finland's oldest city and former capital, located on the southwest coast of the country, at the mouth of the Aura River. The River Aura is the heart of Turku, with the medieval cobblestone streets of the centre branching off its banks. There are old sailing ships moored here, and you can take cruises out into the archipelago or to nearby Naantali.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Overnight sleeper train to Rovaniemi

    Turku and night train to Rovaniemi

    Spend another day in Turku. Attractions include Turku Castle, the Forum Marinum maritime centre and its museum ship fleet, as well as the Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House. After dinner in the evening, it's time to make your way back to the station for an overnight sleeper service bound for Finnish Lapland.

  7. Day 7overnight: Rovaniemi (Santa's Hotel Santa Claus or similar)

    Lapland

    Arrive in Rovaniemi for a 3-night stay. Rovaniemi is capital of Lapland and the gateway to explore this stunning sub-Arctic region. It's also believed to be the home of Father Christmas, who you can meet in the Santa Village. Optional add-ons include a reindeer farm visit or a Lapland safari by snowmobile or husky.

  8. Day 8overnight: Rovaniemi (Santa's Hotel Santa Claus or similar)

    Lapland

    Arrive in Rovaniemi for a 3-night stay. Rovaniemi is capital of Lapland and the gateway to explore this stunning sub-Arctic region. It's also believed to be the home of Father Christmas, who you can meet in the Santa Village. Optional add-ons include a reindeer farm visit or a Lapland safari by snowmobile or husky.

  9. Day 9overnight: Rovaniemi (Santa's Hotel Santa Claus or similar)

    Lapland

    Arrive in Rovaniemi for a 3-night stay. Rovaniemi is capital of Lapland and the gateway to explore this stunning sub-Arctic region. It's also believed to be the home of Father Christmas, who you can meet in the Santa Village. Optional add-ons include a reindeer farm visit or a Lapland safari by snowmobile or husky.

  10. Day 10overnight: Oulu (Radisson Blu Oulu or similar)

    Rovaniemi to Oulu

    Spend another morning exploring Rovaniemi. The famous midnight sun is seen between early June and early July when the sun doesn't set at all; until mid-August the night sky remains luminous. In the afternoon, leave Rovaniemi for the journey back down to Helsinki, stopping off for the night in Oulu, one of the largest and most important cities in Northern Finland.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Helsinki (Solo Sokos Torni Hotel or similar)

    Oulu to Helsinki

    Leave Oulu and take the train for a 6 hour journey to Helsinki for a 3-night stay. With a history dating back to the mid-16th century, Helsinki has a stunning setting on the Gulf of Finland and has regularly been voted one of the world's most liveable cities.

  12. Day 12overnight: Helsinki (Solo Sokos Torni Hotel or similar)

    Helsinki

    Enjoy a full day to explore Helsinki. Recommended attractions include the 19th century landmark cathedral, Market Square with its colourful stalls, the National Museum of Finland, and the imposing Suomenlinna Sea Fortress out in Helsinki's archipelago. If you grow weary of sightseeing, head for the leafy Esplanade Park or the distinctive Chapel of Silence.

  13. Day 13overnight: Helsinki (Solo Sokos Torni Hotel or similar)

    Helsinki

    Enjoy a full day to explore Helsinki. Recommended attractions include the 19th century landmark cathedral, Market Square with its colourful stalls, the National Museum of Finland, and the imposing Suomenlinna Sea Fortress out in Helsinki's archipelago. If you grow weary of sightseeing, head for the leafy Esplanade Park or the distinctive Chapel of Silence.

  14. Day 14rail

    Depart Helsinki

    This morning, it's time to check out of your hotel and head to the airport for your return flight to the UK (not included). Alternatively, return travel by rail and ferry can be arranged.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London on Eurostar for Paris, then travel by high-speed rail through Cologne to Osnabrück, the site of the 1648 Peace of Westphalia.
  • Day 4Morning ferry from Stockholm's port sailing past the Åland Islands into Turku's archipelago of over 20,000 islands.
  • Day 6Board an overnight sleeper train in a private compartment bound for Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland.
  • Day 12Explore Helsinki's 19th-century cathedral, colourful Market Square, and Suomenlinna Sea Fortress in the archipelago.

Included

  • Standard class rail travel including seat reservations
  • 12 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Private compartment on the sleeper Turku to Rovaniemi
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Not included

  • Return flight to the UK

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Standard class rail travel with seat reservations across all legs is included, plus a private compartment on the Turku to Rovaniemi sleeper train.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is self-guided independent travel. Tailor Made Rail provides hotels, train tickets, and easy-to-follow documentation, but there is no tour manager accompanying you.
Which trains and routes are included?
Eurostar from London to Paris, high-speed trains through Germany to Osnabrück, services to Copenhagen and Stockholm, a ferry from Stockholm to Turku, and an overnight sleeper from Turku to Rovaniemi. The return from Rovaniemi to Helsinki is by train.
What hotels are included?
Tailor Made Rail books 12 nights in handpicked hotels: Best Western Hotel Hohenzollern (Osnabrück), Hotel Absalon (Copenhagen), Nordic Light Hotel (Stockholm), Scandic Julia (Turku), Santa's Hotel Santa Claus (Rovaniemi), Radisson Blu Oulu (Oulu), and Solo Sokos Hotel Torni (Helsinki). Breakfast is included.
When does the trip run?
The operator lists low-season pricing (November to March) from GBP 1,799 and high-season pricing (April to October) from GBP 1,999. No specific departure dates are published; confirm availability with Tailor Made Rail.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary includes city exploration in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Turku, and Helsinki. No specific distances or difficulty levels are stated; expect typical urban sightseeing.

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