Although there is a railway line connecting Finland and Sweden, running from Tornio via Haparanda, Kalix and Morjärv to Boden, there are currently no passenger trains between the two countries. Instead, you have to rely on buses for the roughly 150km long trip that lasts about 2h 45 minutes. The route consists of two legs: First, you travel from Kemi via Tornio to Haparanda. Services are quite frequent and operated by two different companies: NET-Matkat and Veljekset Salmela. In Haparanda you have to change to the buses of Länstrafiken Norrbotten, which run up to ten times per day to Luleå and onwards along the coast to Umeå.

Note: as of 2016, you have to change buses at the new "Haparanda/Tornio" bus station at the border. The photos still show the old bus station.

The Helsinki – Rovaniemi night train has arrived at Kemi.
The Helsinki – Rovaniemi night train has arrived at Kemi.
Just a few minutes later the bus to Haparanda arrives at the station.
Just a few minutes later the bus to Haparanda arrives at the station.
The bus crosses Tornionjoki.
The bus crosses Tornionjoki.

In Kemi, the buses stop directly at the station. The bus station in Haparanda is quite small so even if there are some really short changes you won't get in trouble. In case you have to wait a bit longer there is a huge shopping mall and IKEA nearby. In Luleå, the buses stop at the bus station that is only about 200 metres from the railway station. You can see the railway line from the bus station so it is no big deal to find it - just walk across the small park and you are there. As everywhere in Scandinavia you can also ask anyone for help in case you need assistance.
Haparanda bus station.
Haparanda bus station.
Double decker bus with cargo compartment to Luleå and Umeå.
Double decker bus with cargo compartment to Luleå and Umeå.
On the road between Haparanda and Luleå.
On the road between Haparanda and Luleå.

Bus ticket fares and free Interrail travel from Kemi to Luleå

Between Kemi and Luleå InterRail and Eurail passes are valid on all bus connections, just show your tickets to the driver and you will get a ticket for free. Also valid are other kinds of train tickets, you can purchase tickets from any Finnish station to Tornio and to any Swedish station from there. Regular bus fares are 6,50€ for Kemi - Haparanda and 19€ (171 SEK) for Haparanda - Luleå.

Buy your bus ticket for Kemi to Luleå online

To buy your bus ticket online for the route Kemi to Luleå or reverse, use the following two booking websites.

Matkahuolto for: Kemi to Haparanda
Länstrafiken Norrbotten for: Haparanda to Luleå

Select the following bus station names.

Kemi: Kemi railway station
Haparanda: Haparanda Tornio Resecentrum LTN / Haparanda-Tornio [NB. Finnish time]
Luleå: Luleå Busstation

Bus schedules for Kemi to Luleå

Bus schedules are available via the two given booking links. They are always up to date. Keep in mind, there is one hour difference in time between Finland and Sweden.

Schedules Luleå-Haparanda
Schedules Haparanda-Kemi

Tickets for trains in Kemi and Luleå

Train travel from and to Kemi.
Train travel from and to Luleå

Route information

More information about the route from Kemi to Luleå can be found here.

Kemi-Luleå
Luleå-Kemi

Luleå bus station.
Luleå bus station.
Pete at work. The path in the background connects train and bus station.
Pete at work. The path in the background connects train and bus station.
Norrtåg train to Kiruna at Luleå station.
Norrtåg train to Kiruna at Luleå station.

Update: May 2018

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