Finnish passenger rail lines are largely inland and operated by the national railway company VR. VR has a monopoly on passenger transport.
Long distance public transportation in Finland is modern, comfortable and affordable. Most trains have air conditioning, reclining seats and free power and Wi-Fi.
The main line north from Oulu passes over the Arctic Circle at a point called Kemijarvi. From there, a car-carrier train runs three days a week to Ruka.
Trains
Train travel in Finland is an enjoyable, convenient, and stress-free way to explore the country’s stunning natural scenery. The country’s expansive network of rail tracks connects bustling cities, including Helsinki, with charming villages and towns like Kajaani. The trains on the Finnish railway system, operated by VR, are well-maintained and offer plenty of amenities to make the trip comfortable and relaxing.
For a unique experience, try taking the IC1 train from Helsinki to Joensuu, which passes within a mile of the Russian border. The snaking IC1 offers breathtaking views of the North Karelia region and is a great way to explore this part of the country.
The town of Kajaani is home to several baseball clubs and hosts the annual Finnish Baseball Championship. Visitors can try out the sport for themselves and experience the culture of the city, which is known as the “Capital of Finnish Baseball.” The town is also a great place to engage in winter sports, including cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
Stations
The well-developed train system in Finland is a comfortable, environmentally friendly way to traverse the country. From hopping aboard a high-speed Pendolino ride between Helsinki and Rovaniemi to taking a slow, scenic local ride through the north country, there’s something for every traveler in the country.
Passenger trains are operated by VR, the state-owned transport company that also runs buses. It’s a reliable network that offers perks like on-board children’s cars with play zones, restaurant cars (on IC and InterCity trains), quiet booths for making phone calls, and extensive support for travelers with disabilities.
The network stretches on 9,216 km (5,727 mi) of broad track gauge and is mostly electrified. Travelers can expect to stop at many tiny stations as they pass by the dense forests, pristine lakes, and quaint villages that define Finland’s landscape. For long-distance trips, consider sleeping train options that give you a choice of cozy airplane-style seats or berths in upstairs and downstairs cabins (at a steeper price). The Oulu10 service point and city libraries offer free public Wi-Fi, while many homes and hotels also provide Internet connections for a fee.
Schedules
The well-developed Finnish railway network offers a variety of domestic and cross-border routes. Trains are comfortable, meet modern standards and offer a wide range of facilities.
Traveling by train is the best way to experience Finland. Vast expanses of unspoiled natural scenery are interrupted by exciting towns and cities, like Helsinki. And, if you’re lucky enough, you might even see the Northern Lights.
There are many different ways to get to Kajaani, including by car, bus and train. The easiest way to find up-to-date route-specific times is to use our trip search.
If you’re driving to Kajaani, remember that parking in the city center is limited and requires a parking disc. You can buy these discs from local service stations and department stores. The discs are valid for the following half-hour, and you must leave them in a visible location on your windscreen. In addition to free public parking, there are also paid time-restricted spaces in the city center.
Fares
The city is served by several bus routes, with connections to Helsinki and other domestic destinations. Taking a train is also an option, with daily services from Helsinki.
IC1 trains on the Helsinki-Joensuu route (Pohjanmaan lentokenttien tulisessa) run close to the Russian border, and at one point we pass within half a mile of the line. These inland trains are the icons of a romanticised North Karelia which inspired so much Finnish music, art and literature in the 19th century, but the reality is less appealing: the eastern forests are polluted by Russian pulp mills.
The Art Museum of Kajaani (Kainuan taidemuseo) is housed in a former police station and focuses on Finnish modern art, while the city’s museum displays information about the tar industry, the Kalevala (the national epic) and author Elias Lonnrot. For more culture, head to the town theatre, which puts on plays and concerts. Parking is free in the center, but time-restricted in some areas.
