We are going from Helsinki to St Petersburg in June. Have read posts with conflicting reports. I'd appreciate the pros and cons of Finnsov bus tours versus Scantours train tours. Thanks

Forgot to add this to my question above - Is the border crossing (checking visas) easier (quicker) on bus or train. I've been told this can take a long time. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Definitely take the train! More comfortable and just somehow feels nicer. Also the border crossing is quicker with the train. With a car there are always lines, because the massive truck traffic between Russia and Finland crosses from the same place. And some Finns who live near the border just like to drop to the Russian side to by cheap gasoline, so they add up to the lines. <BR><BR>I have also read that the Russian custom officers have agreed to start the border check ups in a moving train. So that will make it even more smooth.

I travelled by air last Sept., but heard the buses can be kept at the border for hours sometimes. It seems the trains keep moving so that sounds better.

Beyond the method of transportation you should look at what each tour offers--an extra hour or two each way can't compare with a less than competent guide or a second-class hotel. I've never taken the tours from Finland so I can't offer anything about that, but find the bus/train to be comparable with each other in this region (at least for the tourist buses)--each has their pluses and minuses.

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