Yöjunat

Yöjunat, or night trains, are railway services designed to carry passengers overnight. They enable travelers to cover long distances while sleeping, typically offering sleeping cars with compartments, couchettes, or reclining seats that convert into beds. Trains usually depart in the evening and arrive at their destination in the morning, prioritizing comfort, privacy, and the efficient use of time. In addition to beds, they may provide washrooms, showers in higher classes, and dining or café cars on longer journeys.

Rolling stock on night trains varies by country and operator. Common options include sleeping cars with private or semi-private compartments, couchettes that offer lower-cost bunks, and day coaches for off-peak portions of the journey. Reservations are often required for sleeping accommodations, and some services offer different classes or compartment configurations. Because passengers sleep during part of the trip, schedule reliability and the ability to connect to onward travel are especially important considerations.

In Finland, yöjunat is the Finnish term for night trains. The Finnish rail operator VR Group has historically operated overnight routes connecting Helsinki with northern destinations such as Oulu and Rovaniemi, and further toward Lapland. Services typically use sleeping cars and couchettes, with some trains offering café cars. Availability and frequency can vary due to demand, funding, and competition from other transport modes, with periods of restructuring or suspension reflecting broader trends in rail passenger service. Overall, yöjunat aim to provide an efficient option for long-distance travel by combining overnight accommodation with daytime arrival at destinations.