There is an excellent public transport system that operates within the city, allowing passengers to hop on and off the metro, trams and buses using a single ticket.
Getting downtown
Once your flight arrives at Helsinki Airport (HEL), it is located 10.5 miles (17 km) north of the city centre. As the main international airport for the city and the rest of the country, there are plenty of transport options available. Buses make regular journeys to the city centre. The airport also has a major taxi station outside the arrivals area and several car rental companies can be found in the terminals as well.
Helsinki airport overview
Located approximately 5km (3 miles) west of the centre of Vantaa, and 17km (10.6 miles) north of Helsinki’s city centre, Helsinki Vantaa International Airport (HEL) is Finland’s main international airport. It was first built for the Summer Olympics of 1952 and now serves an average of 12.5 million passengers per year.
Current renovations at Helsinki Airport, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011, include a complete overhaul of the waiting lounge, baggage and check-in areas. The addition of several shops, cafes and restaurants is also set to enhance the airport, while the relocation of existing retail and dining establishments will improve passenger flow and free up space for more chairs in the seating areas. The airport building itself is divided into two terminals, separated by a distance of 250 metres (820 feet), and internal pedestrian connections offer quick transfers between them.
Helsinki Vantaa International Airport is clean and staff are helpful and friendly. Security checks and customs are generally quick.