The short answer: you cannot cross the Finland-Russia land border in 2026. Finland closed all eight of its eastern crossings to passenger traffic in December 2023, and the government has repeatedly extended the closure — most recently in June 2026 — with no reopening date. This guide explains the situation and the realistic ways to reach Russia instead.
Is the Finland-Russia border open in 2026?
No. All eight crossing points — Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra, Niirala, Vartius, Kuusamo, Salla and Raja-Jooseppi — are closed to passenger traffic and have been since December 2023. The closure remains in force until further notice, with no reopening date announced. You cannot enter Russia from Finland by car, bus, train or on foot. The closure does not affect air travel or freight; it only blocks individual travellers at the land border.
Why is the border closed?
Finland closed the crossings citing "instrumentalised migration" — the channelling of asylum seekers toward its border — and judges the risk of it resuming to be high if the crossings reopened. Because this is a security decision reviewed periodically, the status can change, so always check the Finnish Border Guard before planning any route that depends on it.
How to reach Russia instead
- Fly. The most reliable option. With no direct flights from most of Europe, travellers usually connect through hubs such as Istanbul, Dubai, Yerevan or Belgrade to Moscow or St Petersburg.
- Other land borders. Some crossings from the Baltic states remain open but are restricted and change frequently; the Kaliningrad exclave can be reached from Lithuania — see our Kaliningrad border guide. Verify the current status before relying on any of them.
Whichever route you take, you still need the right visa — most tourists use the unified e-visa, explained in our Russia e-visa guide.
Can I take a train or bus from Finland to Russia?
No. The Allegro high-speed train between Helsinki and St Petersburg and all cross-border buses stopped in 2022-2023 and have not resumed. There is no scheduled passenger rail or bus service across the Finnish border in 2026.
Will the Finland-Russia border reopen soon?
There is no announced reopening date. The Finnish government reviews the closure periodically and has repeatedly extended it; as of mid-2026 it remains closed until further notice. Check the Finnish Border Guard for the latest decision before you travel.
