Orchestra musicians all over the world know that larghissimo, grave, lento, largo, or even larghetto mean a tempo slower than 50 beats per minute. The "quick and bright" 105 to 132 beats per minute are better known as "Alstom." However, Alstom is also a modern high-speed train that presents the most cost and time-effective way to travel between the two Northern Capitals of Helsinki and St. Petersburg.
Operated by a joint venture between the state railways of Finland and Russia called “Karelian Trains,” the high-speed Alstom trains from Helsinki to St Petersburg use an advanced version of the Alstom “electric multiple unit” used on Finnish railway lines, designed the Sm6. Each car in this type of train has its own locomotion, the combined power of which allows it to move unusually fast, speeding up and slowing down much more safely.
Go inside the high-speed train and learn how each type of class differs.
Alstom Train - The Most Convenient Way to Travel from Helsinki to St. Petersburg
The Alstom train achieves a top speed of 220 kilometers per hour (135 miles per hour). Their unique feature is that they tilt when they round a curve, which allows these high-speed trains to operate on already existing tracks, avoiding the cost of constructing newer and straighter routes. It takes 3.5 hours to travel between the cities and there are 4 daily departures. On the Finnish side, the Alstom High-Speed Train makes five stops before reaching the Finnish passport control and customs station at Vainikkala, while on the Russian side, the route is a direct express between St. Petersburg’s Finland Station and Vyborg. Once passengers arrive at either of these two stations, they are not allowed to leave the Alstom train on their own until they have cleared customs on the far side of the border crossing. Wi-fi is available onboard for any laptop user with a need to stay connected online, and there is even a children’s area for little ones to play. Food is served in a dining coach for the duration of the ride, except in the customs surveillance zone between Vyborg, Russia, and Vainikkala, Finland. The Alstom train cabins are kept impeccably clean, with all accommodations well-maintained. Once you book train tickets for Alstom and arrive at the station, you will have to go through an automatic check-in procedure, much like you would see at an airport. Booking online can be done with the greatest convenience, and boarding simply requires a passport - the number is recorded at the time the passenger places the reservation.
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 -
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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 -
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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 -
