hkchemsir

Hello All,

I have a problem of how to validate the Eurail Pass when travel by train from St.Petersburg to Helsinki.

I will Visit St Petersburg and then go to the Helsinki by Train.

I know that Eurail Pass can be used after the train cross the border (inside Finland). I will buy a ticket from St. Petersburg to Vainikala first and then to use the Eurail Pass to continue my trip to Helsinki.

However, I don't know how to validate my Eurail Pass when I stay in St. Petersburg. Can I ask the train's staff to validate my Eurail during my trip to Helsinki?

Hope to hear your experience.

Thanks so much.

Gavin

PalenQ

Yes a caveat for activating your pass in your situation is that the Finnish conductor will activate it on the train when the train gets to Finland - normally you must activate your pass at a ticket window before it is valid but the rules that come with your pass state that if coming from outside the validity range of your pass on a train into the validity range then the conductor is supposed to do it. IME conductors may not have the validity stamp and just tell you to activate when you get off the train.

For lots of great info on European trains I always spotlight these IMO fantastic sources - www.budgeteuropetravel.com (any questions about passes call Byron here - I have bought many passes from him for years and he will expertly answer any questions - and www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

Again check the conditions of use that come with the pass as this should be clearly stated in them.

Are you taking the boat from Helsinki to Stockholm - a spectacular ride and a Eurailpass gets free passage and even I believe a free sleeping berth.

PalenQ

What kind of Eurailpass will you have? Do you need to start using it just for the relatively small part of Finland that train from Russia will be going thru? If not save a day and use it for a longer trip?

PalenQ

If traveling mainly in Scandinavia the ScanRailpass has more benefits than a Eurailpass does - mainly in covering in full or part many ferries and is also much cheaper than a Global Eurailpass.

hkchemsir

Hello PalenQ,

Thanks for your reply.

I try to book the ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm , but it shows that I need to pay (only less 20 euro for 4 people of this trip) ? I don't know why?

Can you give me more details?

Thanks in advance.

Gavin

PalenQ

No I know no more details - have not ridden that ferry lately - perhaps it is a charge for sleeping berths or some kind of port tax? 20 euros total for 4 folks could be some kind of tax?

Cheers