Why does valuing your life have to do with it? It takes a fair bit of time, but there's a ferry to Helsinki from Germany that takes a day, a 5 hour train from Copenhagen to Stockholm, an overnight ferry Copenhagen to Oslo etc.

Have you ever driven from Amsterdam to Riga? I have. It's not something I care to repeat. Several near misses on such a distance is not something that I care for.

Train to Stockholm and then ferry to Riga

7AM Wed day trip arrives 2340, stay overnight, then get the 5PM Thursday evening ferry to Riga, arriving Friday morning.

> huge part of Europe that is right now only accessible via airtravel (if you value your life).

What do you mean by that? For who it would open, Baltics or Fins?

For everybody that does business in the region.

Helsinki<->Tallin<->Riga<->Vilnius<->Warsaw<->Poznan<->Berlin<->Hannover<->Amsterdam would be a very useful connection to have.

East of Poznan road travel gets more and more dangerous, especially with the winter weather thrown in. Being able to visit those parts of Europe year round without having to go by air would be something I would definitely make use of, especially on an overnight connection.

The route you're talking about is basically Rail Baltica (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_Baltica) and the Helsinki-Tallinn Tunnel. The first project is agreed upon in theory, and the latter one is also included on long-range plans, although there is some criticism of the project on grounds such as financial feasibility and other issues (like the tracks being the only 1435mm track in these countries, who normally use 1520mm (or 1524mm) gauge).

Wow, that looks like a great route. I had to check it on a Map to see what shape it would make. It has a nice curve to it :)

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Helsinki,+Finland/Tallinn,+E...

I'm travelling from The Netherlands to Berlin next week and although the train is comfortable. It's a bit annoying that it has so many stops in between. (taking the DB train, not the high speed one).

East of Poznan? I leave east of Poznan and the roads are good in winter, even when we have more snow than the recent winters.

Most drivers know how to behave in such conditions and drive more slowly (and have winter tires). And roads are mostly kept in good condition (if you allow 1-2 day after first heavy snow during winter).

Not sure how the conditions are in other countries during the winter.

Very easy safe route, leaving lunchtime on Tuesday from Amsterdam will get you the ferry from Travemünde Tuesday evening (depart 3AM wed morning), arriving 0900 Thursday morning in Helsinki