Long-Distance Single Ticket
From this article you will find all the information about long-distance tickets and how they work. We see prices, where you can buy a ticket and discounts that some passengers, such as children, can get. This type of ticket differs from local train tickets because there are different levels, from a classic seat to premium seats and more privacy. If you want, you can even get your own cabin.
So let’s move on to the important things that will surely help you get a ticket to any long-distance train.
Key Differences from Local Tickets:
- Variable pricing (depends on time and date)
- Different service levels available
- Seat reservation included
- Options from classic seats to premium and private cabins
- Advance purchase recommended for best prices
Prices
The price of a long-distance single ticket varies depending on the time of purchase and travel. As a general rule, you can get a cheap ticket by buying the trip well in advance. To find out the prices, it is best to use the link under the button. And indicate the start and end stop of your route. This way you get an idea of the price for that route.
💡 Best Price Tip: Buy well in advance for the cheapest tickets!
We recommend that you buy your ticket online either through VR’s website or with VR’s mobile app. It’s easier to make changes or resolve any issues. You also know the ticket price. Nevertheless, long-distance stations usually have a machine from which you can buy tickets, and main railway stations have staff and an information point, from which you can buy tickets at the counter. So there are these different possibilities if you want to get your ticket. Remember that when you buy your ticket from a machine or counter, the price is not the same as online, but can sometimes be more expensive.
Changes and Cancellations
When you travel on long-distance and have acquired a single ticket, it is good to know that you can make changes to your ticket before the train’s scheduled departure time. A change fee of €5 is charged per ticket. If you bought your ticket through the VR Matkalla app or logged in to vr.fi, making changes has been made easy. You can adjust the timing of your trip yourself in these services or add a ticket purchased without logging in to your VR account through the app. However, keep in mind that when you activate the ticket as self-service, it is considered used and can no longer be changed or canceled afterwards.
Change Fee: €5 per ticket
Example: Round-trip ticket with both trips changed = €10 total
Important: Changes must be made before scheduled departure time
Changing the timing of your trip is only possible for the sales period, which ends on March 17, 2024. Regarding night trains, with the exception of orders including a car, tickets are on sale until April 14, 2024. If you need personal service or advice regarding changes, VR’s customer support is ready to help. You can contact them by phone at 0100 3232 or visit service points located at Helsinki and Tampere railway stations.
Finally, when making changes, it is important to take into account price differences. If you decide to switch to a more expensive train service, the price difference will be charged at the time of the change, but if you choose a cheaper ticket, unfortunately the difference will not be refunded.
💰 Price Difference Policy: Pay difference for more expensive train, but no refund for cheaper ticket
Your trip may include a transfer to a local train in the capital region depending on the route. Local train connections included in the ticket are valid for 80 minutes. Want to travel comfortably spacious? Now you can reserve a 2, 4 or 6 person cabin for your own use or an empty seat next to you.
Discounts on Train Tickets
Different groups, such as children, students, pensioners, conscripts and those in civil service get discounts on train tickets. If traveling in a larger group (over 18 people), we recommend asking about group discounts.
⚠️ Important Reminder: Always bring your discount certificate on the train. The ticket inspector will check it.
👶 Children
- Under 18 years get 40% discount on long-distance trains
- In VR local traffic, ages 7-17 get 50% discount and under 7 years travel FREE
- In certain special situations (Interrail, sleeping car), children travel free or at a discount
🎓 Students
- Get 30% discount on long-distance tickets and 50% on local traffic tickets with VR-approved student card
👴 Pensioners
- Pensioners and those over 65 get 20% discount on long-distance and 50% on local traffic
🪖 Conscripts
- Conscripts travel FREE under certain conditions
- At other times they get discounts on long-distance and local traffic
🛡️ Civil Service
- They can travel FREE in certain situations
- At other times they get discounts on long-distance and local traffic
🎁 FREE Travel
- Under 4 years on long-distance and under 7 years on local traffic
- In certain situations, escorts, disabled persons and conscripts can also travel free
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Prices and Discounts
The price of a single ticket is determined based on the time of travel and purchase. With an early purchase, you can often get your ticket cheaper. Discounts on a single ticket are available to students, children aged 4-17, pensioners as well as conscripts and those in civil service.
Children under 3 years travel free without their own seat. More information about discounts can be read on the discounts page. In addition, when you buy your single ticket from the VR Matkalla app, it is possible to attach a local traffic single ticket to it at certain stations.
Changes and Cancellations
A long-distance single ticket is valid only for the train journey marked on the ticket. If you bought your ticket while logged in, you can easily change the timing of your trip at vr.fi or in the VR Matkalla app. You can add a ticket purchased without logging in to the VR Matkalla app using the ticket’s order and reference number.
You can also make changes to your ticket at the station ticket sales or by calling our customer support at 0100 3232. Contact our customer support if you want to add a pet or bicycle to your booking. All changes to the ticket must be made before the train’s scheduled departure time. Please note that the travel route or direction marked on the ticket cannot be changed.
Changing the ticket costs €5. If you have, for example, a round-trip ticket and change both trips, the total cost is €10. Changes made at station ticket sales are charged an additional €1 service fee. If you switch to a more expensive train service, the price difference will be charged. The difference for a cheaper ticket will not be refunded.
Additional services, such as a seat in Extra class or a bicycle space, transfer subject to availability, but are not credited separately. Canceling the ticket before the train’s departure is possible, but only if you bought cancellation protection. Note that if you bought through the VR Matkalla app and attached an HSL single ticket to your trip, the cancellation protection only applies to VR’s train ticket.
If you bought your ticket from somewhere other than VR, contact that retailer directly regarding changes and cancellations.
Purchase Locations and Delivery Methods
You can buy a long-distance single ticket in many different ways:
- Online: via vr.fi or through the VR Matkalla app
- At stations: Ticket sales points are located, for example, in Helsinki and Tampere
- At machines: From ticket machines, but be aware that you can buy a long-distance single ticket from a machine at the earliest 30 days before your trip starts
- By phone: From our customer service at 0600 41 900. Please note that the call costs €2 plus normal phone charges
- At kiosks: From R-kiosks, but then a €1 surcharge per ticket is charged. In addition, you can buy a ticket from R-kiosk at the earliest 30 days before your trip
- Other sales points: From Matkahuolto agency points, travel agencies and our other retailers
- On the train: Directly from the conductor using card payment. Note, however, that a surcharge is charged for tickets you buy on the train. This surcharge is €3 for trips under 76 km and €7 for longer trips
You will receive the ticket either in electronic form to your email or as a physical print ticket. If you buy your ticket while logged in, you can easily find purchased tickets in the “my tickets” sections.
Ready for Your Long-Distance Journey?
Purchase your long-distance single ticket today with flexible service levels from classic seats to private cabins. Buy early for the best prices!