Finland suggests visa-free train travel to Russia

Economic Affairs Minister Jyri Häkämies has come out in favour of visa-free travel between Finland and Russia, including on the high-speed Allegro rail service.

“The main goal has to be open travel between the EU and Russia,” said Häkämies, who is looking to relax border formalities between Finland and its eastern neighbour.

He made the comments at a discussion forum in Kotka, some 70 kilometers from the Russian border, on Tuesday.

Trips up to three days made on the Allegro train, travelling between Helsinki and St. Petersburg, could be made visa-free, according to the minister. A similar arrangement is already in place for 72-hour cruises between the cities.

“Visa-free travel would attract more Russian tourists—and money—to Finland,” he said.

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