Are ferries running from Helsinki to St Petersburg?

St Peter line ferries do not operate anymore. No other ferries have taken its place. The only option for getting to St Petersburg from Finland now is by bus, and even that can't be guaranteed in the current situation. Check your foreign ministrys travel recommendations.



No, as of February 2026, there are no commercial ferry services running between Helsinki and St. Petersburg. The primary operator, St. Peter Line (which ran the MS Princess Anastasia), suspended its operations in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ship was subsequently transferred to the Mediterranean and has since been renamed and repurposed for other routes. Furthermore, the land border between Finland and Russia has faced intermittent and prolonged closures due to security and diplomatic tensions, effectively halting the once-popular "visa-free" 72-hour ferry excursions. While maritime search engines may still show the route in historical listings, there is currently no indication from the Finnish or Russian governments that these ferry links will be restored in the foreseeable future, making travel between the two cities via sea impossible for international tourists.

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Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Helsinki Kamppi bus station station and arriving at St Petersburg Bus Terminal. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h 55m.

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Russia's borders were closed due to Covid-19, now they remain closed because of the war in Ukraine. No trains cross-border trains are running at the moment.

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The best way to get from Helsinki to Russia is to train which takes 8h 3m and costs €50 - €130. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €40 - €120 and takes 19h 41m.

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Are trains to Russia still running? IMPORTANT UPDATE 2023: All international trains to/from Moscow & Russia remain suspended until further notice, originally due to covid-19 and now due to sanctions and the war in Ukraine. No trains at all now cross the Poland/Belarus or Finland/Russia border.

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Those who arrive in Saint Petersburg on a ferry operated by the St. Peter Line (from Helsinki, Tallinn, or Stockholm) or a Saimaa Travel ferry from Lappeenranta can spend the night in the city. However, they must still book an authorized guided tour and only have 72 hours visa-free.

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Traveling to Russia is easy. There are direct flights to Russia from many cities around the world. You also have the option of traveling by boat, train, bus, or even by car.

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Safety on Board and at the Stations
Russian trains are usually very safe but you should always use common sense to guard against petty theft. Unless you buy an entire compartment you have no control over who your companions will be. When at station stops, be vigilant when it comes to keeping track of time.

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Who does not need a visa to Russia?
  • Andorra (for visits of up to 90 days in any 360-day period). ...
  • Antigua and Barbuda (for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period).
  • Argentina (for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period (starting from the day of first entry)). ...
  • Armenia.
  • Azerbaijan.
  • Belarus.


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Do not travel to Belarus due to the volatile security environment caused by the Russian military presence along Belarus' border with Ukraine and military conflict. Russian forces are conducting military operations from Belarus, and this has heightened tensions in the region.

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