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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
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  #1  
Old 20 May 2019
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UK to the Baltics and then Scandinavia.

Hi all,
Sorry I'm not familiar with the search function on this forum but I am planning a trip from the UK, east through Poland, then the Baltics, over to Finland and back down via Sweden, Denmark etc. Probably 2-3 weeks.
Is there a thread on this please? Especially info on the best ferry options?
Thanks in advance, Ian
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Old 23 May 2019
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Lots of threads - just scroll through the forum.

Lots of ferries. Tallink Silja (Tallinn-Stockholm, Helsinki-Stockholm and Tallinn-Helsinki) will carry a motorcycle for free if you know the trick.

In Finland there's a train that will carry you and your bike up to the Arctic Circle overnight, instead of two days' riding.
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Old 23 May 2019
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Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
Lots of threads - just scroll through the forum.



..... Tallinn-Helsinki) will carry a motorcycle for free if you know the trick.
....


.
Oooh please tell..... ! ( Interested in Helsinki Tallinn next month sometime )

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Old 24 May 2019
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I thought it was pinned around here somewhere... basically, you have to book at www.tallinksilja.de (specifically .DE, this is a deal they have with Louis.de, the German chain of motorcycle gear shops), choose your tickets, and enter the discount code 95845.
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Old 26 May 2019
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Thanks, this is great info. I’ll definitely search out the train option and free ferry transport. I was just struggling searching the threads. Thanks again.
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Old 14 Jun 2019
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In Finland there's a train that will carry you and your bike up to the Arctic Circle overnight, instead of two days' riding.
What is the train?

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Old 14 Jun 2019
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https://www.vr.fi/cs/vr/en/frontpage#tabs-2

Note: you CAN buy car-train tickets online, but last time I did it, the loadmaster in Kolari told me that for motorcycle travelers, they really prefer if you call the booking hotline and book on the phone. A phone agent can leave a special note for loadmasters to prepare the special motorcycle equipment in the train carriage (wheel chocks, etc.).

There are different carriage and seat types on the train; the best carriage (2-bed sleeper with your own shower) is only a little bit more expensive than a regular sleeper bed, so I would go for that for sure.

The northernmost destinations of the car-train are Kolari (by the Swedish border) or Rovaniemi (center-east part of the road). Kolari is easily a day's ride from Honningsvag/Nordkapp. Rovaniemi is doable in a day too, but a bit exhausting.

They're roughly the same in terms of scenery; the western (Kolari) route is easier for most of the way and then more scenic/twisty once you get past Enontekiö and into Norway proper. The eastern/central (Rovaniemi) route probably has less traffic.

Look out for reindeer on both routes. They WILL be standing in the middle of the road just behind a blind crest.
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Old 14 Jun 2019
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https://www.vr.fi/cs/vr/en/frontpage#tabs-2
They WILL be standing in the middle of the road just behind a blind crest.
In a reindeer-colored fog bank, with reindeer-colored rocks for a backdrop.
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Old 20 Jun 2019
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I have booked the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki and will then ride up to Rovaniemi. It may take two or three days but I think I will see more than being on the train. Then either up to Nordkapp or down to Stockholm, I’ll see how things go.
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Old 21 Jun 2019
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I think I will see more than being on the train.
Let us know your impressions afterwards. Would be interesting to know if it's just me who thinks south-central Finland highways are boring.

Once you're up as far as Rovaniemi, might as well push all the way to Nordkapp and get a selfie at the globe.
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Old 23 Jun 2019
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Man.....2-3 weeks,thats a lot of driving in that time frame,do able no doubt.
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Old 12 Jul 2019
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Well I’ve made it to Tallinn in 10 days. I did the first 800+ miles to Warsaw in two days and then slowed down to enjoy the ride. The roads are much better than in the UK, with the added advantage of no pot holes and absolutely no roadside litter. Ferry to Helsinki tomorrow, a day there and then the ride North.
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Old 15 Jul 2019
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Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
Lots of threads - just scroll through the forum.



Lots of ferries. Tallink Silja (Tallinn-Stockholm, Helsinki-Stockholm and Tallinn-Helsinki) will carry a motorcycle for free if you know the trick.



In Finland there's a train that will carry you and your bike up to the Arctic Circle overnight, instead of two days' riding.
Ferries to Finland are quite cheap. Talinn to Helsinki was 25 Euro for bike and one person. Turkku to Stockholm was 34 Euro for an 11 hour trip.

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Old 16 Jul 2019
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They can be - if you buy far in advance, or if there is a campaign. Sometimes they will sell the passage at cost, near zero, and hope to make money from your shopping onboard; I've gone on a cruise to Stockholm for as little as 9 euros per person (sharing a 4-person cabin).

But looking at prices for e.g. tomorrow, for one adult and a motorcycle, it can be as cheap as 30 euros (6 AM sailing), or as expensive as 61 euros (16.30 and 22.30 sailings on the faster ferry).

https://laevapiletid.ee/#pricelist
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