Alstom High-Speed Train Overview
The Alstom train is a bullet train running on the St. Petersburg to Helsinki route. This high-speed train connects the capital of Finland with the northern Russian metropolis in a short travel time of 3 and a half hours. The Alstom express train is one of the most favored options among travelers as it offers modern amenities, numerous daily departures and the unquestionable advantage of passing the customs check procedure directly on the go which saves a lot of time.
Quick facts about the Alstom train
- Train length: 184 m 80 cm (606 ft 4 in)
- Car length: 27 m (89 ft)
- Width: 3 m (10 ft)
- Electric system(s): 25 kV 50 Hz AC
- Train manufacturer: Alstom
- Entered service: in 2010
- Operators: Russian Railways and VR Group
- Number in service: 4
How fast is Alstom?
The train carries the name of a musical term meaning a very quick tempo, this easily explains the fact that the maximum Alstom speed is 220 kilometers per hour (140 miles per hour).
What is the Alstom station in St. Petersburg?
The Alstom train station in St. Petersburg is the Finlyandsky Station located in the center of town. It can be quickly reached from any part of the city by metro: the red metro line's Ploschad Lenina station has a direct exit right in the Finlyandsky Station building. The train station is equipped with ATMs, cafes, shops, cash desks where you can purchase Alstom tickets and other train passes, as well as waiting areas, bathrooms, and luggage safes. Keep in mind that before boarding the train, there is a security check procedure, similar to that in the airports.
What is the Alstom station in Helsinki?
In the capital of Finland, the train departs from and arrives at the Helsinki Central Railway Station set in the heart of town. It's very easy to get there using public transport as numerous buses and trams stop there, plus the Rautatientorin metroasema subway station is situated nearby as well. The Helsinki Alstom train station itself is modern and offers ticket offices, vending machines and a waiting hall.
Travel classes onboard Alstom
There are several coach classes to choose from when buying Alstom tickets. The train has two travel classes, First and Second, sometimes referred to as Business and Economy. Seats in First Class cars are arranged two by one, they're more spacious, leather, and have reading lights, footrests, folding tables and power sockets. Second class cars are very similar but have textile seats arranged two by two.
Alstom seating plan
Alstom onboard services
For the convenience of travelers snacks and drinks are sold in the train's bistro car. There's a play area for children placed in the 7th carriage. Alstom trains offer plenty of space for luggage, and have bathrooms in every car. What is more, the train staff can speak three languages, including Finnish, English, and Russian. Also, Alstom WiFi is available free of charge. Perhaps the biggest time-saving perk is that border customs control and passport check is done by officers during the journey. Note: this Helsinki to St. Petersburg train is not visa-free, and a visa will be needed when you cross the border.
Alstom train stops and timetable
The train ride from start to finish takes an average 3.5 hours. The train Alstom departs from either Helsinki or St. Petersburg and makes short stops en route. The following destinations are Vyborg, Vainikkala, Kouvola, Lahti, Tikkurila. The longest stop time is seven minutes, the shortest is only 1 minute. The Alstom train schedule is very flexible, there are about 4 daily departures in each of the routes. Learn more about the routes: Alstom train Helsinki to St. Petersburg and, vice versa, St. Petersburg to Helsinki.
Alstom ticket prices
The price per ticket of an Alstom train depends on the chosen coach class as well as on the departure time and day of the week. As a rule, the prices start from approximately 85 USD. Of course, last-minute ticket purchases may turn out to be more costly than those bought in advance.
Find out more: How to Get From St. Petersburg to Helsinki
Travel Classes Onboard Alstom Train
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Business Class Seat
This class on board the high-speed Alstom train is the most comfortable one of the two available classes. There is usually one car of this class in a trainset, it is equipped with wider leather seats with folding tables and extra legroom with 1 by 2 arrangement, some of the seats are set 2 by 2 around tables. The seats are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, and lights for reading. There is free WiFi in the car, newspapers, electricity plugs, air-conditioning, coat and luggage racks, overhead shelves for smaller bags, as well as 1 bathroom per car. One hot meal is included in the ticket price, unlimited tea and coffee are available at the coffee station, you can also purchase extra drinks and food in the in the Restaurant Car or from food carts. What is more, the border crossing customs procedure is taken care of on the go, saving time.
The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
Mask is required -
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Business Class Seat
This class on board the high-speed Alstom train is the most comfortable one of the two available classes. There is usually one car of this class in a trainset, it is equipped with wider leather seats with folding tables and extra legroom with 1 by 2 arrangement, some of the seats are set 2 by 2 around tables. The seats are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, and lights for reading. There is free WiFi in the car, newspapers, electricity plugs, air-conditioning, coat and luggage racks, overhead shelves for smaller bags, as well as 1 bathroom per car. One hot meal is included in the ticket price, unlimited tea and coffee are available at the coffee station, you can also purchase extra drinks and food in the in the Restaurant Car or from food carts. What is more, the border crossing customs procedure is taken care of on the go, saving time.
The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
Mask is required -
-
Economy Class Seat
This class on board the high-speed Alstom train is the simpler one of the two available classes. As a rule, there are 5 cars of this type in a trainset, equipped with seats arranged 2 by 2 with folding tables; some of the seats are set 2 by 2 around tables. The seats are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, and lights for reading. There is free WiFi in the car, air-conditioning, several electricity plugs, coat and luggage racks, overhead shelves for smaller bags, as well as 1 bathroom per car. Seats for passengers with special needs as well as those who are traveling with kids or pets are also available, there's also a children's area. No meals are included in the ticket price, unlimited drinking water is available, nevertheless, it is possible to buy snacks and beverages from food carts or in the Restaurant Car. What is more, the border crossing customs procedure is taken care of on the go, saving time.
The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
Mask is required -
-
Economy Class Seat
This class on board the high-speed Alstom train is the simpler one of the two available classes. As a rule, there are 5 cars of this type in a trainset, equipped with seats arranged 2 by 2 with folding tables; some of the seats are set 2 by 2 around tables. The seats are adjustable, have armrests, footrests, and lights for reading. There is free WiFi in the car, air-conditioning, several electricity plugs, coat and luggage racks, overhead shelves for smaller bags, as well as 1 bathroom per car. Seats for passengers with special needs as well as those who are traveling with kids or pets are also available, there's also a children's area. No meals are included in the ticket price, unlimited drinking water is available, nevertheless, it is possible to buy snacks and beverages from food carts or in the Restaurant Car. What is more, the border crossing customs procedure is taken care of on the go, saving time.
The carrier declares that it conducts a thorough sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of all common areas on its trains, including surfaces, seats, handles, windows, tables, luggage compartments, bathrooms and operator cabins.
Mask is required -
