By train

Welcome to Kemijärvi, the northernmost station on Finland’s eastern rail network!

Train travel is an eco-smart choice, with rail being the most energy-efficient and low-emission mode of transportation. The night train from Helsinki arrives in Kemijärvi at 08:50 and departs back in the evening at 19:15. Trains with car transport options run three times a week, allowing passengers to bring vehicles, even snowmobiles. For schedules and additional information, please visit VR.fi.

  • Night train 265: Helsinki 19:29 > Kemijärvi 08:50 (13h 21min)
  • Night train 274: Kemijärvi 19:15 > Helsinki 09:15 (14h 0min)

NEW! In addition to night trains, VR will now offer new daytime connections to Kemijärvi. These additional routes, beginning December 2024, support eco-friendly travel and improve access to the region. They operate during the 18 busiest travel weeks, covering school holidays, Easter, summer, and the autumn foliage season.

On peak weeks, a Friday train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi at 12:24 will extend to Kemijärvi, arriving at 21:43. Return trains from Kemijärvi depart on Saturday mornings at 07:40, reaching Helsinki at 17:35. All VR long-distance tickets are available through June 15, 2025.

Train IC 25 arrives at Kemijärvi station at 21:45 on the following dates:

  • In 2024
    • Fri 20.12.
    • Fri 27.12.
  • In 2025
    • Fri 3.1.
    • Fri 14.2.
    • Fri 21.2.
    • Fri 28.2.
    • Fri 7.3.
    • Fri 11.4.
    • Thu 17.4.
    • The remaining 2025 schedules will be confirmed and published in the spring.

Train IC 24 departs from Kemijärvi station at 07:40 on the following dates:

  • In 2024
    • Sat 21.12.
    • Sat 28.12.
  • In 2025
    • Sat 4.1.
    • Sat 15.2.
    • Sat 22.2.
    • Sat 1.3.
    • Sat 8.3.
    • Sat 12.4.
    • Fri 18.4.
    • The remaining 2025 schedules will be confirmed and published in the spring.


First and last mile connections

VR sells tickets for long-distance connecting buses when you buy a train ticket on VR.fi in cooperation with Matkahuolto. Customers can now apply directly for a route from their desired departure station to their destination, with part of the journey being made by train and part by bus. The journey planner shows the best train connection and offers the possibility to add a bus journey to the order. Tickets are purchased in one step, once the customer has added the desired bus journey. Connecting buses will give customers travelling without their own car access to a wider choice of destinations. In the Eastern Lapland region, you can buy a ticket for Pyhä, Suomu and Salla,


Train is the greenest choice to the north

The train is by far the most environmentally friendly way to travel. You can travel by train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and back, for example, 50 times, while a car would produce the same amount of emissions from just one return journey.