Allegro Train
Allegro Train
4.5
About
Allegro is a high-speed train service between Helsinki, Finland, and St. Petersburg, Russia.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Vironniemi
How to get there
- Rautatientori • 1 min walk
- Helsingin yliopisto • 5 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,456 within 5 kms
Attractions
458 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
385 reviews
Excellent
240
Very good
131
Average
8
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Tibor K
1 contribution
Mar 2022
It was so comfortable, quick and useful alternative when our return flight has been cancelled due to political reasons.
We had the chance to take it in March when it was still running.
I really hope it will renew soon: the border control takes place in the train, so no hours-long wait at the border like in the case of buses.
A little disadvantage: only available to citizens of Finland and Russia.
We had the chance to take it in March when it was still running.
I really hope it will renew soon: the border control takes place in the train, so no hours-long wait at the border like in the case of buses.
A little disadvantage: only available to citizens of Finland and Russia.
Written 10 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JAMES L
Salisbury, UK315 contributions
May 2022
To get the chance to see more of the countryside of Finland we booked a trip there and back to Tampere on the recommendation of our lovely Finnair Air Stewardess wo lived there.
180ish kilometres each way took about 1 hour 30 minutes each way and we saw that the farmers were out ploughing their fields and about 6 to 8 weeks behind the UK.
Sadly we did not see any reindeer or moose except a stuffed reindeer in Stockman, the Harrods of the North.
180ish kilometres each way took about 1 hour 30 minutes each way and we saw that the farmers were out ploughing their fields and about 6 to 8 weeks behind the UK.
Sadly we did not see any reindeer or moose except a stuffed reindeer in Stockman, the Harrods of the North.
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tanja
Helsinki, Finland22 contributions
Apr 2020
My favourite type of transportation. Nearly always on time. The service is good. 3 h trip is a quick pleasure to cross the border with no problem. Wish it resumes its services sooner than later!
Written 1 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Erika
Vastra Frolunda, Sweden13 contributions
Oct 2020
Our friends took us to peterburg for the weekend via this train. So so easy. Cheap. Comfy. Only three hours. Probably the only chance I will have to visit Russia so why not
Written 30 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alex J
Melbourne, Australia2,208 contributions
Sep 2019
I had gone from St. Petersburg to Helsinki by the Allegro in October 2018, when I visited Finland, at the end of a trip to Russia. I loved it. Then, in September 2019, my wife and I went on a trip to Russia, and we spent a week in Helsinki, prior. We took the same train in the reverse direction, i.e. from Helsinki to St. Petersburg.
Now, whereas in 2018 I traveled first class, in 2019 my wife and I went in second class (I think the names given are "executive" class and "economy" class). It is less than one-third the price, and the seats are slightly narrower (2 by 2 in economy, whereas first class was 1 by 2). Also, in economy there was no lunch served, whereas there was lunch in first class. But, there is plenty of space for luggage in economy, and the seats are quite comfortable, so there is no need waste money paying three times the fare!!
As I said in my 2018 review, I simply cannot imagine why anyone would want to fly between these two cities !! The ride was super smooth, and the journey took about three and a half hours. Best thing, it is city centre to city centre. So if you factor in the time taken to travel airport to city at both ends, AND the requirement to go early to the departure airport for security and other formalities, I am sure train is much less time consuming!
Perhaps the best thing about going by train between the two cities, is that all official formalities (checking of passports, customs, etc...) are done on the train, while it is rolling along, by officials from Russia and Finland. You don't have to get off. You don't even have to get up from your seat! Now, that's service. Compare that with treatment at an airport, where you have wait in a queue, and stand all the time! As I said earlier, I will repeat: I cannot imagine why ANYONE would fly between these two cities! A wonderful service. With free wi-fi !!
Now, whereas in 2018 I traveled first class, in 2019 my wife and I went in second class (I think the names given are "executive" class and "economy" class). It is less than one-third the price, and the seats are slightly narrower (2 by 2 in economy, whereas first class was 1 by 2). Also, in economy there was no lunch served, whereas there was lunch in first class. But, there is plenty of space for luggage in economy, and the seats are quite comfortable, so there is no need waste money paying three times the fare!!
As I said in my 2018 review, I simply cannot imagine why anyone would want to fly between these two cities !! The ride was super smooth, and the journey took about three and a half hours. Best thing, it is city centre to city centre. So if you factor in the time taken to travel airport to city at both ends, AND the requirement to go early to the departure airport for security and other formalities, I am sure train is much less time consuming!
Perhaps the best thing about going by train between the two cities, is that all official formalities (checking of passports, customs, etc...) are done on the train, while it is rolling along, by officials from Russia and Finland. You don't have to get off. You don't even have to get up from your seat! Now, that's service. Compare that with treatment at an airport, where you have wait in a queue, and stand all the time! As I said earlier, I will repeat: I cannot imagine why ANYONE would fly between these two cities! A wonderful service. With free wi-fi !!
Written 12 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelsinkiFinnish
Helsinki133 contributions
Jan 2020
It takes only 3,5 hours from HEL to SPB. You can stop in Vyborg also, Vyborg is old Finnish town, Soviet Union took it after WWII. Vyborg is small town, SPB is great, especially in summer time.
Written 4 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AndreiSandru
Valkeakoski, Finland12 contributions
Feb 2020
Had a weekend long trip to St. Petersburg by Allegro train and it was a delight! 3 hours only and you can go partying, eating and exploring. The train is new and comfortable. I say almost perfect, because of the VISA requirement to travel to Russia (the newly implemented electronic VISA is not accepted for the train because of russian government decision).
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bazlen28
Melbourne215 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Very clean train with comfortable seats. We paid for a business class seat. Pleasant journey, announcements in english. Would definitely recommend and use again. The only negative feedback I have is that when you book tickets online and choose your seat you do not know which way the train is facing or going to travel, so you could be sitting backwards.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julia Ray
St. Petersburg, Russia3,080 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Clean, high quality service, good food in the buffet car, tax return is just great.
Money wise compared to long lines at the borders while travelling by car or bus.
Money wise compared to long lines at the borders while travelling by car or bus.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hew_sg
Sydney, Australia138 contributions
Dec 2019
The allegro train may not travel as fast as OBB (peak around 230 km/h), but first class service provides full meal and self service coffee/ water beverages. The checking of custom officer from both Finland and Russia is smooth and efficient.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I'm planning to take the Allegro train from Helsinki to St.Petesburg in next May. I will be arriving Helsinki in the morning and will take the last departure train at that day. I learned that it is possible to get an eurail pass discount for using the Allegro. I wonder how much is the average price for the ticket having the eurail discount. And about the reservation, the eurail website says reservation can be made by calling the Finnish Railways call center. Is there other ways to make a reservation like using the website and will it be possible to make a reservation at the Helsinki Train Station at the date of arrival in Helsinki in the morning early?
Lexibelle
Phoenix, AZ1,212 contributions
I really don't know. We were going from Helsinki to St Petersburg & bought our tickets on line on the website.
Анна Д
Moscow, Russia1 contribution
Здравствуйте. Подскажите, пожалуйста, за сколько открываются продажи билетов на этот поезд?
Посмотрела на дату за 90 дней, так нет ни одного билета.
Поделитесь опытом: когда по времени вам удавалось поймать билеты?
Заранее спасибо. Анна
Сорокин Евгений
Veliky Novgorod, Russia4,643 contributions
Здравствуйте! На поезд Allegro продажа открывается за 90 дней. Я сейчас посмотрел на 5 февраля 2020 года на сайте РЖД. Там есть билеты в продаже. Возможно, что еще не открыли продажу. На 7 февраля тоже билетов нет, а это уже за приделами 90 суток. Попробуйте посмотреть завтра.
Doris W
Portrush, UK93 contributions
I am hoping to visit St Petersburg from Helsinki via the Allegro. Do I require a visa to do this? If so what type of visa do I request and is it difficult to get. I would appreciate any thoughts. Thank you
roxane69
Brisbane, Australia45 contributions
Yes you do need a visa, not sure of UK systems, but I agree with everyone else. can be a bit daunting, and does take time. We visited May this year.
what about the immigration check
Stephen L
Cambridge, UK475 contributions
On the train as others have said. But make sure you have the correct documents. On the train I took to St P last June the Russians ejected 4 South American passengers.
Hello,
How much time before Allegro's departure we should come to the train station ?
Thanks
Stephen L
Cambridge, UK475 contributions
Hi. I would always want to arrive early rather than rush at the last minute. Based on our June experience,15-20 mins in Helsinki. There was a large queue in St P for baggage security so I would say 45 mins.
Solelete
Lo Barnechea, Chile31 contributions
En qué página compraron los tickets? Hay muchos sitios con precios muy diferentes
Renata C
Cascavel, PR
I intend to buy tickets between Helsinki and St. Petersburg on 08/03/2019. I joined the VR Site and there are no tickets available for this day. This is unusual. Is it a problem on the site?
tcfernandohaiti
Juiz de Fora, MG13 contributions
Hello RENATA, Sorry but I Don’t know the VR site. I bought my tickets with the Rússia trains and I didn’t problems. This website is so easy to buy tickets.
tiger62z
Plano, TX445 contributions
Hello, I plan to take Allegro train from St. Petersburg to Helsinki in early July. How early do I need to be at the station(I will buy ticket online)? Thanks!
Елена М
St. Petersburg, Russia24 contributions
Hi!
We arrived to the terminal ~40 min before leaving and waited for some time because the gates were closed
20 minutes before train departure is enough
enjoy your trip! ))
Alejandro B
Algeciras, Spain3 contributions
Buenas, mi pregunta es: se hace el tramite fronterizo en el tren y ¿cuantas horas o dias se está permitido estar en St.Petersburgo...72h/3 dias? o ¿hay que volverse en el mismo dia? Aparte de este trámite ¿hay que hacer algo más?
Gracias!
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Allegro Train | Helsinki | UPDATED February 2023 Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Allegro Train
- Hotels near Allegro Train:
- (0.15 km) Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
- (0.18 km) Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre, an IHG Hotel
- (0.20 km) Scandic Grand Central Helsinki
- (0.13 km) Seurahuone Helsinki
- (0.34 km) Bob W City Centre
- Restaurants near Allegro Train:
- (0.02 km) Aseman Wursti
- (0.03 km) Burger King
- (0.04 km) Burger King Helsinki, Rautatieasema
- (0.05 km) Cafe Eliel
- (0.20 km) Cafe Roasberg