Last night, I took the overnight train from Rovaniemi to Helsinki Airport. It was something I had always wanted to do.
Reservations were easy to make on the VR Markalla app. They operate the train. You have a choice of regular seats, compartments that share a shower and toilet in the hall, or compartments with ensuite toilet and shower. I chose the latter.
Upon enteriing you are greeted by the tiniest room I had ever seen. There are two bunk beds. There is also a small table and seat against the window that would be small for a Liliputian. The window has a pull down shade that does a decent job of blocking out the light.
On each bed is what I thought was a large marshmallow but turned out the be a pillow, a duvet with cover, and a bottom sheet with a thread count of about 10. You also get one thin bath towel, one even smaller and thinner hand towel, and a small bottle of water. (They tell you not to drink the tap water and to not even use it for brushing your teeth.)
The bathroom was interesting. Upon opening the door, and I suggest you do some arm strengthening exercises before attempting to do that, the bathroom was so small you literally can't turn around in it. When you first enter you see a tiny sink and mirror, a bar of soap the size of a petit four, a shower cap and a airplane type toilet.
To get to the shower, you have to literally unlatch the "wall" containing the sink and mirror, and move it to the side blocking off the toilet.
Upon re-entering the cabin I realized how thin the walls were. I could hear the entire conversation of the people in the next cabin.
Sleep is not easy to get. Between the noise and movement of the train including all the stops, I found myself jolted awake quite often. There is also a built in alarm clock on the wall next to the bed with no adjustment of the light from the clock.
After a few hours of tossing and turning, I decided to get up and take a shower.
Well, I thought I was going to take a shower. After moving the wall and securing it in its place, I tried turning on the shower but little happened. I couldn't get it to stay on for more than 10 seconds at a time and could only got cold water.
No food or drinks are included but there is a "restaurant" car.
The entire trip cost 189 Euros.
Would I do it again? No. But I'm glad I experienced it.