Helsinki by plane · Helsinki by plane
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Helsinki by plane
Helsinki by plane
All international and domestic flights land at the compact, modern and airy Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (IATA: HEL, ICAO: EFHK), which is located in Vantaa, 20 kilometers to the north of the central Helsinki. Note that in recent years the airport has become crowded, so expect delays when going through security, particularly during the Scandinavian summer holiday period. There are two adjacent terminals, connected by a short walkway:
T1: SAS, Blue1 and other Star Alliance airlines, plus such airlines like Air France and KLM.
T2: Finnair, oneworld partners and most other airlines
Regular taxis to the center cost ?30-40. Shared Airport Taxi (tel. 0600 555 555 for bookings) mini-vans start from ?27 for two (mind that infants count as an adult.) A train line to the airport is under construction, but until it's completed in 2014 or so, public transport options are:
Regional bus 615 (?4, every 15 min), about 40 min to the Central Railway Station in the heart of Helsinki. The price includes onward transfers to tram, bus, metro, etc.
Finnair City Bus (?6.20, every 20 min), about 35 min to Central Railway Station via Scandic Continental Hotel. Credit cards accepted, slightly faster and uses luxury coaches, but no further connections included in the ticket price.
Regional buses 519/520 to Itäkeskus (?4, every 30 min), for convenient connections to the metro and eastern suburbs of Helsinki.
Vantaa bus 61 to Tikkurila (?2.40), connections to the center and eastern parts of Vantaa and access to the closest railway station for intercity and regional train connections. All north and east-bound trains stop here (Tikkurila Station).
Vantaa bus 51 to Hämeenkylä (?2.40, every 30 min), connections to western Vantaa: suburbs of Myyrmäki, Martinlaakso and Hämeenkylä.
Regional buses 514/535 to Espoo (?4), for connections to the areas of Leppävaara, Westend, Tapiola and Espoon Keskus in Espoo.
If you need a place to sleep between flights, there are several reasonable hotels in or very near the airport:
Hotel GLO Helsinki Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Terminal 2, ☎ +358 103 444 600 ( , fax: + 358 103 444 601), . The only hotel located in the airport building itself, on the service floor of Terminal 2 and with direct indoor access from Terminal 1.Day Rooms are also made available for use, depending on the booking situation, between 9:00 - 19:00 . �
Best Western Airport Hotel Pilotti, Veromäentie 1, ☎ +358 9 3294800 ( , fax: +358 9 329 481 00), . Best Western Airport Hotel Pilotti is located in Vantaa, within 5-minute drive from Helsinki-Vantaa airport and within walking distance to Jumbo shopping centre and new Flamingo Spa. There is a regular bus service between Helsinki-Vantaa airport and the hotel. �
Airport Hotel Bonus Inn, Elannontie 9 (Pakkala exit from Ring III Highway), ☎ +358-9-825511 ( , fax: +358-9-82551818), . Friendly family-owned hotel with basic but very clean and comfortable rooms. Restaurant, sauna (evening only), free shuttle service to airport (5-7 min). €120. �
Cumulus Airport Hotel, Robert Huberin tie 4, ☎ +358-9-41577100, . Mid-range Finnish chain hotel, 10 min away by free shuttle bus. Renovated in 2007. €120. �
Hilton Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, ☎ +358-9-73220, . Full-service hotel right next to the airport, opened in late 2007. Soundproof windows, bar, restaurant, sauna. €150. �
Scandic Gateway-Helsinki Airport, ☎ +358-9-8183600, . This rather unique transit hotel is located under the runway, so all rooms are small and windowless, but it's located airside (Schengen area) and directly accessible from the international terminal. Free wifi. Fairly expensive for what you get, but you're paying for the convenience. €150. �
For general aviation (small planes) the Helsinki-Malmi Airport (IATA: HEM, ICAO: EFHF) is available, with fuel and customs facilities available at the airport.
Finally, from some points in Europe, it may be cheaper overall to fly with Ryanair to Tampere (2 hours away by train) or even to Tallinn, Estonia, a short ferry ride away.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Helsinki
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Helsinki - updated Apr 2024
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Helsinki Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.