train to St. Petersburg
 

I plan to take the train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg in late May. The train will leave at 7:42AM. Should I buy a ticket before hand or at the station? Should I make a reservation beforehand? If 'yes' to both questions, how do I buy the ticket and make the reservation?

Hi,
I have no idea how you'd do either, but this train website which I consider to be an excellent resource does, so I usually post the link when I see someone in need.
http://www.seat61.com/Finland.htm#He...g%20by%20train
It gives a little advice on buying the Fin-Rus Train tickets. I hope it helps

It looks like you can purchase train tickets through http://www.waytorussia.net but they operate only as a middle man.

Maybe the other posters didnt know that Finland is not Mongolia. Finnish railways are having their own website www.vr.fi and it is very convenient. Didnt go by train to St. Petersburg so far, but only domestic routes.
To be on the safer side I would buy the ticket online if you are sure of your travel date.

"Finland is not Mongolia" but you cannot purchase tickets online from the VR site for travel from Helsinki to St. Petersburg.

From their site:
"The Online shop does not sell car spaces or sleeping berths in car-carrying night trains, or Plus services for Pendolino or InterCity trains, the meeting compartment in Pendolino trains, YTV Area tickets, tickets to and from Russia, TrainBus tickets, open return tickets or supplement tickets."

You must contact them via the
international tickets number at tel 0600-41905.