9. May 2025
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VR Rail InterCity Restaurant Car Panorama Seats and Ekstra Class

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

VR Rail InterCity Ekstra Calm Class

VR Rail InterCity Ekstra Calm Class
4.7

Rating

 4.7/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Lovely seats and configuration
  • Calm traveling
  • Free drinks
  • Good price

Flyctory.com Cons

  • 160 km/h top speed

VR-Yhtymä Oyj Suomen Valtion Rautatiet – or “VR Cooperation Finnish State Railways” is the national railway company of Finland. While I rather frequently use their local and regional services in Greater Helsinki, I had my first domestic ride with them in January 2025. My favorite floorball club there, SB-Pro Nurmijärvi, had a match at Lappeenrantta (see match report). It was a perfect opportunity to check out one of their main rail product, the InterCity train. I checked out two of their service classes, the Ekstra Class first class service and the panoramic view seats in the restaurant car. Here is my review. The rating above is based on the inbound trip in Ekstra (Calm) Class.

 

 

 

VR Rail InterCity – Network & Fares

The InterCity network in Finland more or less spans throughout the entire country. The trains are marked as “IC” trains in the schedule. You should be aware that the alternative long-distance rail product is the tilting Pendolino train. They are marked with the letter “S” in rail schedules. This may be confusing, as quite some countries use “S” as an abbreviation for commuter rail. My trip was from Tikkurila, a station in Vantaa in Greater Helsinki, which is well-connected to Helsinki Airport (HEL).

Overall, traveling by rail in Finland is comparably cheap. Pricing is dynamic, thus you should book ahead online. The VR website is available in English and the booking process is easy. Especially if you book the second class Eko Class product, there are several upgrades like single seats or blocking the seat next to you. You always reserve a seat with your booking. For the outdbound trip from Tikkurila to Lappeenranta in the panoramic seat, I paid a total of 19.80 EUR. The inbound in Ekstra Class was 25.10 EUR. At the station, the displays also show the order of carriages way before departure, which is very handy. My trip was on 18th January 2025, traveling with IC 3 (outbound) and IC 10 (inbound). Travel time was slightly below two hours.

 

VR Rail InterCity – InterCity Configuration

The VR InterCity trains typically have a high speed of 160 km/h. In contrast to that, the flagship Pendolino can run with up to 220 km/h. However, there are just limited tracks which offer that speed. The trains can be configured differently, but my trains came with six cars, all of them being double deck cars. The Engine is separate, the other hand offers a cockpit for the driver. Most of the cars obviously offer the Eko Class in both, lower and upper level. Eko Class is provided in a 2-2 configuration, some of them in groups of four with a table. The restaurant car offers the panoramic deck on the upper deck, there are some some Ekstra Class seats, which can be used for meetings and similar. The Ekstra Calm Class was located on the upper deck of one car, having Eko Class seats on the lower level.

 

VR Rail InterCity – Restaurant Car Panorama Seat

The panoramic seats, officially named single seats in Ekstra Relaxed Class, are likely the most unique travel experience on board a VR InterCity train. While one side of the upper deck offers two seats, all equipped with a full size table, the other side has seats facing the window. The design is very smart. The seats cannot only be reclined, but also turned, so that you either directly face to the window or in diagonal position. The advantage of the diagonal position is that you have a bit more table space – even though there is a retractable table extension as well. Power outlets are provided between the windows (or next to the four seat tables). The car is licensed for alcohol consumption, so that you can go down to the restaurant and grab a beer to drink upstairs (or grab a bite). Due to the short duration of the trip, I did not try out this service. The seating was very nice and I really enjoyed the Finnish nature passing by my window.

At one end of the car, there is also a phone cabin, so that you do not disturb other passengers while having a call or a video chat. Next to it is a toilet, which is very handy as well. If you do not travel with too large luggage, the overhead storage and facilities are sufficient to store your belongings. Overall, Finland is a very safe country, so that I would not bother putting my suitcase in a luggage rack as well.

 

VR Rail InterCity – Ekstra Class

Already going back in the dark of a Finnish winter night, I took the Ekstra Class (or, more precise, the Ekstra Calm Class) for the return. It is another upper deck experience. This section of the VR InterCity comes with a 2-1 configuration, I went for a single seat. The seat was really comfortable, I went for a seat with a full table, which was great for working on the pictures of the match. The table also had a slight extension, which could be retracted. The other seats have a table in the seat back in front of them Again, there were power outlets at every seat, the seat design even suggests a certain level of privacy. The car is designed as a calm car, i.e. calls and louder chats are not appreciated. The small lamps next to the window very very neat as well. I really enjoyed that travel.

As in all Ekstra Class products, there is free water, coffee and tea. There was also bags to make hot chocolate provided during my trip, which I really loved. You simply help yourself at the cafe section at one end of the car. The other end features a toilet exclusively for people traveling in that class.

 

VR Rail InterCity – Service

The displays at the station work out very well. While Tikkurila has quite some services at the station, Lappeenranta is a bit of limited. However, the cafe in the station building was really nice and lovely. The train staff was very friendly and helpful as well. All InterCity trains in Finland offer free WiFi. The trains had minor delays, which did not impact my travel at all.

 

VR Rail InterCity – My View

This was my first domestic rail trip in Finland – and it will definitely not be my last. I really loved VR Rails service on both trip. The WiFi worked within my expectation – the Finnish countryside does have some lags and limited connection speed, obviously. It is a very comfortable – and affordable – way to travel through Finland. The only downside is the comparably low top speed InterCity trains can travel in the country.

 

Travel Postings about Finland

Here are all my travel postings related to Finland:

 

Rides on Rail (Top Pick!)

Here are all my rail-related reviews leading to a Top Pick! rating:

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