Budget flights to Helsinki, Riga and Tallinn:

HELSINKI:

On Germanwings from Köln-Bonn (Cologne) to Helsinki. More information at: www.germanwings.de

With Blue1 from Hamburg to Helsinki. More information at: www.blue1.com

An advantage of Germanwings and Blue1 is that they do not service those small-out of town airports. The airport Köln-Bonn for example can be reached directly via city public transport, and in Helsinki, there is a Bus directly from the airport for 3,40 Euro to the main train station downtown. Busses and trains to St. Petersburg leave from Helsinki on a daily basis.

This does not make it absolutely necessary to spend a night in Helsinki, but quite worthwhile considering. Further tips regarding this possibility can be found here:  www.toksovo.de/superpreis.htm

Ways to Connect from  Helsinki to St Petersburg:

Ferry:

www.tallink.fi/en/

From Helsinki to St. Petersburg via Tallinn, the MS Fantasia Ferry goes every second day, returning to Helsinki directly from St. Petersburg overnight. Tickets for a passage, including a bed in a cabin for 4 persons, start 25 at Euro. 

Bus:

www.savonlinja.fi/eng/index_ulkomaa.html

From the Bus terminal (downtown, close to  train station) in Helsinki busses depart daily for ca. 40 Euro to St. Petersburg.

Train:

Information  on trains and rates

Email to: international.tickets@ur.fi

Three times daily from the main station, there are trains for ca. 55 Euro each way to St. Petersburg. You get tickets at the international counter in the station. The trains are rarely booked completely. A very comfortable way to get to St. Petersburg.  

Leaving Helsinki	Arriving at St Petersburg (Ladoshski station)
7.42	14.23
15.42	22.40
17.42	1.35