This was the start of my main cycling journey. I had been away from home for nearly two weeks, visiting friends and a trip to St Petersburg, so by this stage I was eager to start cycling. The journey began in Helsinki where I caught the overnight train. This was easily booked in Helsinki station and the direct train leaves three days a week, on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday evening arriving the following morning.

The station has big luggage lockers for while you are sightseeing (all my gear fitted in a €6 for 24 hours) but I locked my bike up a few streets away as the bike facilities/security around the station didn’t look too appealing.
The train also carries cars and motorcycles. I opted for just a seat rather than a couchette, which was fine with reclining back and footrest, and I didn’t need to share with anyone so the arm rest could be lifted for more room. Loading the bike was simple, and hefted up into the baggage van panniers and all. When I saw it was to be hung from a hook on the ceiling by its front wheel, I decided to removed the panniers, but left the tent on the rack on back of the bike (tent, airbed and tent underlay – only 3kg).

This seemed OK and saved carting a lot of stuff down to my seat which was in the same carriage. The cost was €92 plus €5 for the bike which is pretty good value for a 1000 km journey. There is a buffet car on the train for drinks and snacks. I took sandwiches for the evening but a coffee and breakfast was welcome.

The train arrived in Kolari at 10 am. There is not much of a station and the main purpose would seem to be freighting logs south. The small station building has a waiting room and good toilets. There doesn’t appear to be a town centre with the town spread along the main road and to the Swedish border. There is a good K-Market supermarket close to the station to stock up on provisions.