Welcome to Helsinki!

Helsinki is the capital of Finland and the largest urban area in the country. It is located in southern Finland on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is a totally unique combination of urbanity and peaceful nature that gives silence and space to feel and experience more.

Considered the most functional city in the world, Helsinki is a compact city where the excellent infrastructure makes it nearly impossible to feel frustrated when moving around the city.

How to get to Helsinki?

By Plane

Helsinki Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is located in Vantaa, around 19 kilometers from Helsinki city centre. It is among the best airports in the world, serving around 350 flights a day. The airport is comprised of 2 terminals and offers services from 32 airlines.

The best way to reach Helsinki city centre is by bus. Finnair City Bus and Airport Bus 615 (“Lentoasema – Rautatientori”) and bus 415/415N (“Lentoasema – Elielinaukio”) operate between the airport and city centre. 

Train is also available. Commuter trains I and P take approximately 30 minutes to and from city centre. In the airport, you can take the train by walking directly to the train station without having to go outside. To get the train you will need an ABC ticket. The tickets can be purchased in HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks throughout the city (Tickets cannot be purchased onboard commuter trains)

A journey by taxi from the airport to city centre takes about 30 minutes and costs around €45 - €50. 

By Train

There are excellent train connections to Helsinki from major towns in Finland. There is also a daily train service from St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia.
Helsinki-s Central Railways Station is located in Kluuvi, the commercial centre of the city and major focal point for public transport throughout Greater Helsinki. The station is located in the city centre, making it easy to get to or embark from. As the train station serves as a major hub for public transport, trams, buses and the Rautatientori metro station are all connect here.

Getting around

Helsinki is easy to explore on foot, as most of the sights are within walking distance. The city as a whole is sufficiently large to use a combination of walking and public transportation.

Helsinki has an excellent public transport system (HSL) of metro, bus, tram, train and ferry services.
Public transport covers Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Vantaa and the outlying Kerava, Kurkkonummi and Sipoo.
With a single ticket you can hop aboard all the transports available. You can even change from one mode of transport to another as long as your ticket is still valid. Single tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines and R-Kiosks.

The HSL public transport is divided into four zones identified by the letters A,B,C and D starting from the city center. Purchase a ticket for all the zones you plan to travel. If you plan to travel in zones A, B and C, you will need an AB, BC or ABC ticket as there are no one-zone tickets. 
Single adult tickets start at € 2.50 and a day ticket costs €8.00

You’ll find full timetable information for all modes of local public transport at www.hsl.fi/en

Cycling
Cycling is a fast and easy way of getting around Helsinki. Throughout the city are dedicated bike lines on all major routes. A popular route is the Baana pedestrian that runs through the centre of Helsinki. Overall, Helsinki maintains around 1200 kilometres of bike paths. 

Tram
Trams are the main mode of public transport in the inner city. Trams operate from about 5:30 – 23:20 Monday to Saturday and from 07:00 – 23:30 Sunday.
There are 11 lines available (Line 1 to Line 10X) that connects the different parts of the city

You can find more information at https://kaupunkiliikenne.fi/en/transport/by-tram/

Metro
Helsinki’s metro runs on two lines: Matinkylä–Vuosaari and Tapiola–Mellunmäki.It has 25 stations 
The travelling time between Matinkylä and Vuosaari is 39 minutes, and between Tapiola and Mellunmäki, 34 minutes

From Monday to Saturday there are departures from 5:30 – 23:30, and on Sundays from 06:30 to 23:30.

You can find more information at https://kaupunkiliikenne.fi/en/transport/by-metro/

Train
Commuter trains play an important role in the Helsinki Region public transport system.
Commuter trains are a convenient way to get to Pasila where Messukeskus Expo and Convention Centre are located.
Trains run from 05:00 until 01:30 the following morning on weekdays and from 06:00 until 04:00 in the following morning on weekends

You can find more information at https://www.hsl.fi/en

Places of interest

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Suomnlinn sea forstress is a Unesco World Heritage site located on the coast of Helsinki.
It was built as a sea fortress by the Swedes in 1700s in defence against the Russian.
Fast forward a century later Suomnlinn was taken over by the Russian to protect St. Petersbug.
During the Finnish Civil War, in May 1918, the fortress was handed back to Finland. In 1991, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Finland!

The fortress is easily accessed all year by public transport ferry from the Market Square (daily) or from Katajanokka (on weekends). The travelling time is approximately 15 minutes.

Temppeliaukio Church

Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church in the Toolo neighbourhood of Helsinki. It was designed by brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969. The underground interior of the church was carved out of and built directly into the solid rock. It is also known as the Church of the Rock and it is the most popular tourist attractions in the city, with half a million people visit it annually.

Helsinki Cathedral

The Cathedral rising on the northern side of the SAENATE Square is one of the most popular tourists sights. The church is part of the Empire-style centre of Helsinki designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel and the tower planner Johan Albrecht Ehrenström. Helsinki Cathedral is the principal church of both the Helsinki Diocese and the Helsinki Cathedral Parish. The Cathedral is in active use for worship and concerts every day of the week 

Uspenski Cathedral

Uspenski Cathedral, completed in 1868, is the largest orthodox church in Western Europe.
With its golden cupolas and redbrick façade, the church is one of the clearest symbols of the Russian impact on Finnish history. The cathedral’s size is emphasized by its location on the highest hill of the Katajanokka district.

Old Markert Hall 

The Old Market Hall opened in 1889 it is the oldest market in the city. It was renovated in 2014, but is still known for its great old-world atmosphere and fabulous food options. Old Market Hall is an operating city market that sells locally grown products and fresh-off-the-boat seafood. There are food stands and restaurants- about 25 merchants in all.

Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum