Helsinki to Saint Petersburg by train
Saint Petersburg lies 300 km (186 mi) east of Helsinki, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 4 h 18 min at the speeds typical of Finland and Russia rail, over roughly 365 km (227 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
Open Saint Petersburg in Google Maps
| Helsinki | Saint Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Finland | Russia |
| Population | 658,864 | 5.4 million |
| Elevation | 26 m (85 ft) | 11 m (36 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Europe/Helsinki) | UTC+3 (Europe/Moscow) |
| Stations on record | Helsinki Central Railway Station, Pasila railway station, Malminkartano railway station | Saint Peterburg Glavnyi, Ligovo railway station, Volkovskaya |
What changes when you arrive in Saint Petersburg
Crossing from Finland into Russia: money changes from the Euro to the Ruble (RUB); the dialling code becomes +7; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q24233148.
Where to book trains from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Saint Petersburg
Live rooms and prices for Saint Petersburg are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Saint Petersburg
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Saint Petersburg from Helsinki?
300 km (186 mi) in a straight line, east of Helsinki; by road roughly 365 km (227 mi).
How long does it take to get from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg by train?
About 4 h 18 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Saint Petersburg?
The Ruble (RUB).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.