If you are planning a trip from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, the Allegro train, operated by a joint venture between Finland and Russia’s railways known as Karelian Trains, is one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to travel.
Achieving speeds up to 220km/h, each car in this train has its own locomotive, giving it a unique ability to move faster than standard trains and a combined power which allows it to speed up and slow down very safely.
Another unique feature of the Allegro trains is that when they reach a curve in the tracks they are able to tilt, allowing them to safely keep up a high speed along the route.
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It takes just 3 and a half hours to reach St. Petersburg from Helsinki, making it a comfortable alternative to flying, thanks to the lack of airport security regulations on each side and the city centre location of each train station.
The train makes five stops along the way on the Finnish side and is a direct route on the Russian side. Although more convenient than flying, passengers will not be permitted to disembark the train until they have cleared customs and passport control at either of the two stations.
Booking Your Ticket
Booking your ticket to St. Petersburg from Helsinki on board the Allegro train is a convenient process and can be done quickly online with your passport. You can check the Allegro train schedule and tickets online – https://www.russiantrains.com/en/train/allegro-high-speed-train. Departures are four times daily.
Once you have booked your ticket and have arrived at the station, you will be required to go through an automatic check-in procedure, similar to airport check-in. Remember to have your passport and visa documents, if applicable, ready when checking in at the train station and boarding the train.
Services and Amenities
Another reason why traveling from Helsinki to St Petersburg by bullet train is more convenient than flying is the amount of services and amenities that come as standard with a train ticket.
Wi-Fi is freely available on board for all users to connect laptops, smartphones and tablets and there’s a designated play area for children, a huge hit with parents who enjoy the option of having somewhere to keep little ones busy during the trip.
Food is served in the dining coach for the journey but this is not available throughout the customs surveillance zone which is situated between Vyborg and Vainikkala. The cabins are kept perfectly clean and extremely well-maintained so that visitors have the most comfortable trip.
Travel Classes
There are two classes available on board the Allegro train – economy and business class. Economy class seats are arranged two-by-two with folding tables and the seats are fully adjustable, and come with armrests, footrests and reading lights.
The car comes with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, electrical sockets, coat and luggage racks, overhead storage, and unlimited drinking water. There are seats designed specifically for those traveling with pets, and special needs passengers.
Business class is the most comfortable option and includes everything you’d find in economy plus more. Enjoy free newspapers, wider leather seats, unlimited tea and coffee and one hot meal for your journey. And, save time in this car as the border crossing customs procedure is dealt with along the way.
Rather than flying, book the Allegro train from Helsinki to St Petersburg and enjoy amazing scenery along the way? Fly past stunning landscapes during travel in this super safe, high-speed train in comfort and style.
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