Finalnd: cabin recommendations for VR sleepers?

[jamesontheroad]

Hello. We are tentatively planning a circular trip around the Gulf of Bothnia next Easter - using the new Norrtåg service from Umeå to Haparanda, then exploring a bit of Kemi and Rovaniemi before heading south to Helsinki on one of the two VR night trains. Spending a few days there before we return via Vaasa and the boat to Umeå.

I don't think I can spring for a compartment with a shower (upstairs), but with two adults travelling together for about 13hrs, what are your tips for the best / most comfortable sleepers? Upstairs with a shower or downstairs without on the EDM double-decker car? Are the compartments at either end of the carriage, over the bogies, worth considering in spite of the additional noise and vibrations over the wheels?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Shinkansenfan]

I've found the double deck VR sleepers comfortable, and prefer the upstairs view. One feature which I would change (if I could) would be to relocate the fixed metal steps to the upper bunk away from the windows to near the aisle side; they block a portion of the window and can poke your eye.

Also consider taking the classic blue car, single level sleepers if offered. In my opinion, they offer more headroom since the VR loading gauge is large and the cabin interiors are taller than on the doubledeckers. I seem to recall they are priced a bit lower than the double deck sleepers.

I've slept over the bogies in the single level sleepers before and had no problem sleeping. In the upper level of the doubledeckers, you have the lower deck to help dampen noise.

Rovaniemi was where one of the scenes in the German train enthusiast, comedy movie "Zugvogel" was filmed.

In Kemi, be sure to check out the ice hotel! https://experience365.fi/snowhotel/

I thought it was worth a visit! They are open January through April 2021.

 

[jamesontheroad]

I've found the double deck VR sleepers comfortable, and prefer the upstairs view. One feature which I would change (if I could) would be to relocate the fixed metal steps to the upper bunk away from the windows to near the aisle side; they block a portion of the window and can poke your eye.

Also consider taking the classic blue car, single level sleepers if offered. In my opinion, they offer more headroom since the VR loading gauge is large and the cabin interiors are taller than on the doubledeckers. I seem to recall they are priced a bit lower than the double deck sleepers.

I've slept over the bogies in the single level sleepers before and had no problem sleeping. In the upper level of the doubledeckers, you have the lower deck to help dampen noise.

Rovaniemi was where one of the scenes in the German train enthusiast, comedy movie "Zugvogel" was filmed.

In Kemi, be sure to check out the ice hotel! https://experience365.fi/snowhotel/

I thought it was worth a visit! They are open January through April 2021.

Thanks! THe SnowHotel appears closed this season. The Ice Hotel in Sweden is open... but at around 6000kr a night I might have to give it a miss!

 

[Shinkansenfan]

Thanks! THe SnowHotel appears closed this season. The Ice Hotel in Sweden is open... but at around 6000kr a night I might have to give it a miss!

Bummer.

I visited the ice hotel in Kemi during a short layover between trains. The hotel staff were kind enough to let me enter a few minutes before official opening times so that I could take photos before other visitors arrived and so that I would have time to catch my train.

The Ice Hotel in Sweden could be worth a visit, but perhaps not this season. They do not appear to allow day visitors to tour certain rooms once a hotel guest has checked in. That's a shame, but understandable due to the pandemic.

The ice breaker cruise out of Kemi sounds interesting, but appears not to be running this season.

I'm glad the Umea to Haparanda service is returning. Please post photos!