I caught the overnight Santa Claus Express from Helsinki to Lapland. St. Nick didn't show up, but the $73 train was full of surprises.

Eibhlis Gale-Coleman

• I took an overnight train from Helsinki to Lapland that's called the Santa Claus Express.
• I paid $73 for my seat and the one next to me, so I was able to stretch out on the ride.
• Santa didn't appear on the 12-hour ride, but I found the journey exciting and festive anyway.

This month, I embarked on the overnight rail experience of a lifetime: Finland's Santa Claus Express.

The 12-hour...