Travel and Transportation
Here you can find information about how to get to Finland, and how to move around Helsinki once you get there.
Arriving to Helsinki
By Plane
Finland's major airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located in the City of Vantaa, 19 kilometers from the centre of Helsinki. It can be reached by car in approximately 25 minutes. You can also take a taxi (around 30 €), the Finnair city bus (5,90 €) or Bus 615 (region fare, 4,00 €) to the Central Railway Station in the centre of Helsinki.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Tampere-Pirkkala Airport is located near the City of Tampere, 177 kilometers from Helsinki. This airport is used by Ryanair and also by Finnair/Finncomm, SAS, Blue 1, airBaltic and Wingo (domestic flights only). Travelling to Helsinki by train or car takes approx. 2 hours. A single train ticket from Tampere to Helsinki is around 22-34 € depending on the type of train (a group ticket for 3-8 persons is cheaper)
Tampere-Pirkkala Airport
By Ferry
There are daily ferry services to Helsinki from Estonia, Sweden and Germany. There are also ferries to the city of Turku, 165 kilometres from Helsinki. Travelling to Helsinki from Turku by train or car takes approx. 2 hours. A single train ticket from Turku to Helsinki is around 28-33 € depending on the type of train (a group ticket for 3-8 persons is cheaper).
Port of Helsinki
Port of Turku
By train or bus
Helsinki’s Central Railway Station is situated in the centre of the city. There are very good train connections from Helsinki to all major towns and there are also daily train services to and from St. Petersburg and Moscow.
VR Railways
Helsinki’s Central Bus Station is situated in the centre of the city. There are hourly services to Finland's main cities and towns. The bus company Matkahuolto also markets and sells international bus tickets and travel packages to countries such as Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic countries.
Long Distance Bus Service
Transportation in Helsinki
The public transport system in the Greater Helsinki Area is excellent: there are buses, trams and metro and also local trains. The centre of Helsinki is moderately sized and walking, bicycling, rollerskating etc. is possible. Greater Helsinki Area, also known as The Helsinki metropolitan area, includes the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. Each of these cities set their own ticket fares for journeys within the city and there is a set price for a zone ticket for traveling across city borders. Tickets are cheaper when bought in advance from a ticket machine or when using a travel card. During night time, 2am-4.30am, a higher night rate is charged and period tickets are not valid at that time. Please note that traveling without a valid ticket can cause a penalty fee of 80 euros. Here are some examples of ticket prices and recommendable travel card options for tourists:
Single tickets bought from the driver, adult/child (7-16 years):
Single ticket: Helsinki/Espoo/Vantaa 2,50/1,20 €, regional 4,00/2,00 €.
Night fare (2am–4.30am): Helsinki/Espoo/Vantaa 4,00, region 5,00 €.
Tourist travel cards:
3 days Helsinki: 13,60 € (Region: 24,00 €)
5 days Helsinki: 20,40 € (Region: 36,00 €)
Tourist ticket info
Helsinki Card (includes free transport within Helsinki, free admission to many museums and discounts on a number of shops and venues):
1 day/24 hours 33 €
2 days/48 hours 45 €
3 days/72 hours 55 €
Helsinki Card
Detailed traveling information:
City of Helsinki
The Metropolitan area
Journey Planner (door-to-door advice on public transport connections within the Helsinki metropolitan area). If your destination is the con site, just type Cable Factory or Kaapelitehdas to the “to” field.