After two and a half weeks around Oulu, I wanted to see some of the rest of Finland. So, Friday after work and after our lab meeting was over I hopped on the overnight train to **Helsinki**.
People told me I could fly there for only slightly more money, but they were missing the point. I would have to get myself to the Oulu airport which is miles outside of town. Then I would have to wait around for a while in the airport. The flight would take slightly longer than an hour, and then I would have to get myself from the Helsinki airport into downtown Helsinki. By then it would be late at night, and all the things I wanted to see are only open in the daytime.
All aboard for Helsinki!
Instead, I took the train overnight. Trains go directly from one city center to the next, and there’s no need to wait around at the station. For just 12 euros more than the price of a regular ticket, they gave me a comfortable bunk in a sleeping car! I went to bed on the train at about 10:00 PM and woke up at 6:00 AM the next morning, fully refreshed, as the train was rolling into Helsinki. I was ready to make the most of my time there, and I did.
I've got the essentials stowed in this net bag
Overnight train to Helsinki
I am reminded of these lines by the poet T.S. Eliot about sleeping on a train:
Oh it's very pleasant when you have found your little den With your name written up on the door. And the berth is very neat with a newly folded sheet And there's not a speck of dust on the floor. There is every sort of light - you can make it dark or bright; There's a button that you turn to make a breeze. There's a funny little basin you're supposed to wash your face in And a crank to shut the window if you sneeze. Then the guard looks in politely and will ask you very brightly 'Do you like your morning tea weak or strong?' But Skimble's just behind him and was ready to remind him, For Skimble won't let anything go wrong. And when you creep into your cosy berth And pull up the counterpane, You are bound to admit that it's very nice To know that you won't be bothered by mice - You can leave all that to the Railway Cat, The Cat of the Railway Train!*
*Cats and morning tea delivered to your cabin are not, alas, featured on Finnish trains. Everything else is pretty much as described. Trains are the way to go!
Helsinki train station