Commuting is worthwhile – why commute by train?

What is commuting?

Commuting means travelling to the workplace from elsewhere. Commuting is everything from a daily trip between Kuopio and Jyväskylä to a remote worker travelling from their home in Vantaa to the office in Helsinki a couple of times a week. And the train makes the journey a pleasant one, no matter the distance!

Trains inspire creativity

The train is an office with a view. The changing sceneries and the soundscape of the tracks fuel creativity. The gentle rocking movement of the train helps you relax and get your ideas flowing. The train is a great remote office, especially for those in innovative and creative industries. Did you know that several of Pertti Jarla’s comic strips were created during train trips, and that J.K. Rowling also got the idea for Harry Potter on the train?

Services for greater travel comfort

On the train, you’ll find all the services close to you, and you won't need to make a pit stop every time you get hungry or need a toilet. Free internet connection and the chance to charge your phone or computer adds to the comfort of the journey. With additional services, you can make your journey your own. For example, the more spacious and quiet Ekstra class is particularly suitable for working or studying on the journey. Remember to try the cosy seats you can find upstairs of the restaurant car. Learn more about the services on board our trains.

An easy choice for you, an even better choice for the environment

Concern about the environment makes many of us rethink our everyday choices. Choosing the train is an easy and comfortable climate action. Take a look at our calculator and calculate how you can benefit the environment by choosing train travel.

Tax deductions and commuter benefit encourage commuting by train

Tax deductions are available for commutes on the basis of the least expensive mode of transport. Public transport is usually the least expensive form of travel, and options such as season and multi-tickets are often the cheapest ticket types. The deduction is always based on the least expensive mode of transport, even if you chose a different form of travel. Deductions for car expenses can only be granted under certain circumstances.

If you have worked for a calendar year, you can deduct travel expenses for 11 calendar months, as no deductions can be made for the holiday period. The excess is first deducted from the travel expenses, after which the maximum amount of deductions is EUR 7000 (in 2024).

Learn more about deductions of travel expenses on the Tax Administration’s website., Opens in a new tab

Or do you have a commuter benefit from your employer? Use it for train travel! Learn how to take advantage of the commuter benefit for train tickets here., Opens in a new tab

Use your travel time well

Your time is valuable. Why not make the most of the time you spend on your commute? On the train, you can decide whether you want to start your day by relaxing or get a head start on your work while still travelling. On the train, it’s easy to respond to emails in peace and quiet or start checking off items from the day’s to-do list. Read more about working on the train here., Opens in a new tab

Or would you prefer a lighter start to your workday? On the train, you can relax and immerse yourself in a good book or some knitting. If you want to use your travel time for recovery, you can read our recovery tips to maximise your relaxation during your trip.

If you’re not a morning person or don't eat breakfast at home, you can enjoy breakfast in the restaurant car, Opens in a new tab or order it directly to your seat. After a day’s work, you can stop by the restaurant car for something nice to eat.

Commuting by train makes everyday life smoother – did you know these facts?

• Commuting, that is, working outside one's home community, is quite common in Finland: up to one in three Finns travel to work outside their home town.
  
• There is a lot of commuting, especially to and from Helsinki and large urban areas. Up to 40% of people working in Helsinki commute to the city from outside of it, and one in five Helsinki residents work outside the city. There is also a lot of commuting in the Tampere, Turku and Kanta-Häme regions.
  
• A long commute can be stressful in the long run. This is why travelling to work by train can make everyday life much easier. The number of people commuting by train is constantly rising, and not without reason.
  

Will you switch to the train? Learn more here:

• Ticket options and services for businesses, Opens in a new tab
  
• Commuter benefit, Opens in a new tab
  
• Working on the train, Opens in a new tab
  
• Services on the train, Opens in a new tab