Helsinki Vantaa Airport

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) is Finland's main international airport and the primary hub for Finnair, located approximately 17 km north of Helsinki city center. As a major connecting point between Europe and Asia via the polar route, the airport handles over 20 million passengers annually and is known for its efficient transfer process and Nordic design.

The airport has two terminals integrated within a single building, making navigation straightforward:

• Terminal 1: Primarily serves non-Schengen destinations (gates 50-52)
• Terminal 2: The main terminal handling most flights, both Schengen (gates 20-38) and non-Schengen (gates 31-38)

Both terminals are connected airside after security, with a central departures area linking all gates. The compact layout means most connections can be made on foot without shuttle trains or buses. Helsinki-Vantaa is consistently rated among Europe's best airports for connection efficiency, with Finnair marketing it as the "shortcut between Europe and Asia."

A distinctive feature is the airport's Nordic ambience, with Finnish design elements throughout, including Marimekko lounges and Iittala glassware in business class facilities. The airport also features Finnish sauna experiences and is known for its quiet, calm atmosphere compared to other major hubs.

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is located 17 km north of Helsinki city center. The Ring Rail Line provides direct train service, making it one of the easiest Nordic airports to access.

Travel time overview:

• Ring Rail Line to Helsinki Central: 30 minutes
• Taxi to Helsinki city center: 25-35 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Bus to Helsinki Railway Station: 35-45 minutes

The airport has a modern train station integrated into the terminal building, accessible via escalators from the arrivals hall.

Uber

Uber operates at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare/taxi pickup area outside arrivals (Terminal 2)
• Services available: Uber, UberXL
• Fares to city center: €35-50 depending on destination and demand
• Wait times: Usually 5-10 minutes

Taxi

Licensed taxis (Taksi Helsinki, Lähitaksi, Kovanen) queue outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 arrivals.

Destination	Fare	Time
Helsinki city center	€45-55	25-35 min
Helsinki Central Station	€45-50	25-30 min
Espoo	€50-70	30-40 min
Tampere	€250-300	2 hours

Tip: Finnish taxis are metered and regulated. All taxis accept credit cards. For fixed-rate fares, agree the price before starting or use the Taksi Helsinki app.

Ring Rail Line (I and P Trains)

The Ring Rail Line connects Helsinki-Vantaa Airport directly to Helsinki Central Station. The station is located below Terminal 2, accessible via escalators from the arrivals hall.

To Helsinki Central Station:

1. Follow signs to "Juna/Train" in Terminal 2
2. Take either the I train (clockwise via Tikkurila) or P train (counterclockwise via Huopalahti)
3. Journey time: 30 minutes (I train) or 27 minutes (P train)

Ticket Type	Price
Single adult (ABC zone)	€4.60
Day ticket (ABC zone)	€13.80
HSL app single ticket	€3.10 (discounted)

Frequency: Every 10 minutes (peak) / Every 15 minutes (off-peak) Operating hours: Approximately 05:00-00:00

Purchase tickets from HSL machines at the station, via the HSL app (recommended for best prices), or use contactless payment. Do not board without a valid ticket - inspections are common.

Finnair City Bus

The Finnair City Bus runs between the airport and Helsinki city center (Elielinaukio, adjacent to Central Station).

Detail	Information
Fare	€7.20 (online) / €7.90 (on bus)
Journey time	35-45 minutes
Frequency	Every 20-30 minutes
Stops	Airport Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Helsinki Railway Station

The bus is convenient if you have heavy luggage, as it stops directly at the terminal doors.

Regional Buses

HSL buses 615 and 617 connect the airport to various Helsinki suburbs and metro stations at lower cost (€4.60 with HSL ticket).

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport offers multiple parking options with significant online booking discounts.

Terminal Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
P1/P2	Terminal 1	From €25/day
P3/P4/P5	Terminal 2	From €25/day
P Kaukopysäköinti (Long-term)	Shuttle to terminals	From €10/day

Tips:

• Book online at helsinkiairport.fi for 10-30% discounts
• First 10 minutes free for drop-off
• Electric vehicle charging available in P3 and P5
• Covered walkways connect P1-P5 to terminals

Helsinki-Vantaa offers Finnish and international dining options with a strong emphasis on Nordic cuisine.

Terminal 2 (Schengen - Gates 20-29)

• Nordic Kitchen & Bar: Finnish and Nordic dishes, reindeer, salmon, Finnish craft beers
• Roberts Coffee: Finnish coffee chain, pastries and light meals
• Burger King and O'Learys: Quick service options
• Fazer Café: Famous Finnish bakery, traditional pastries including pulla (cardamom bread)

Terminal 2 (Non-Schengen - Gates 31-38)

• The Kitchen by Nordic Choice: Nordic buffet and à la carte
• Sushi & Co: Japanese cuisine
• Johan & Nyström: Premium Nordic coffee roaster
• Nordic Bar: Finnish craft beers, local specialties

Terminal 1

• Gate 50 Café: Basic refreshments and snacks

Budget tip: Prices at Helsinki-Vantaa are typical Nordic airport rates (expect €12-20 for a meal). R-kioski convenience stores offer sandwiches and snacks at lower prices.

Finnish specialties to try: Karelian pastries (karjalanpiirakka), salmon soup (lohikeitto), reindeer dishes, Fazer chocolate.

Free WiFi is available throughout Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	Helsinki Airport Free WiFi
Registration	Email required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Good for browsing and video calls

Faster WiFi connections are available in Finnair lounges.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though prices are typically higher than in the city.

Airport Locations

• R-kioski (Terminal 2): Prepaid SIM cards from DNA, Elisa, Telia
• Telia Store (Terminal 2 arrivals): Finnish carrier store
• DNA Kauppa (if available): Another major Finnish carrier

Pricing

Provider	Price	Data
DNA Prepaid	From €15	5-10 GB
Elisa Saunalahti	From €15	5-10 GB
Telia	From €15	Varies

Note: Finnish SIM cards include EU roaming. For better prices, visit DNA, Elisa, or Telia stores in Helsinki city center.

ATMs are located throughout both terminals in arrivals and departures areas. Major Finnish banks (Nordea, OP, Danske Bank) have machines available.

Currency

• Finland: Euro (€)
• Exchange rate: Finland uses the Euro, so no exchange needed for Eurozone travelers

Currency Exchange

Forex Bank counters are located in Terminal 2 arrivals and departures. Airport exchange rates include significant markups.

Better alternatives:

• Finland is highly cashless; credit/debit cards accepted almost everywhere (including small purchases)
• Withdraw euros from ATMs if cash is needed
• Wise or Revolut for non-Euro travelers

Tip: Many shops and restaurants accept contactless payment including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash is rarely necessary in Finland.

Helsinki-Vantaa offers duty-free shopping and Finnish design stores.

Duty-Free

• World Duty Free (Terminal 2): Spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates
• Tax-free savings: Up to 30-50% on alcohol and tobacco for non-EU travelers

Finnish Design & Souvenirs

• Marimekko: Iconic Finnish design brand, clothing and homeware
• Iittala: Finnish glassware and design objects
• Arabia: Finnish ceramics
• Fazer Store: Finnish chocolate and confectionery
• Finlayson: Finnish textiles and home goods
• Moomin Shop: Moomin character merchandise (beloved Finnish characters)

Tips

• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds (24% Finnish VAT) on purchases over €40
• Best Finnish design shopping is in Terminal 2 departures
• Pre-order at the airport website for collection

Helsinki-Vantaa has several lounge options, with Finnair operating the primary lounges as their home hub.

Finnair Lounges

Finnair Lounge (Schengen) - Gates 23-28 area:

• Access: Finnair Business, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire, Finnair Plus Platinum/Gold
• Hours: Opens 2 hours before first departure, closes after last Finnair departure
• Amenities: Finnish design, sauna, hot food, premium bar, Nordic menu, showers
• Quality: Excellent, recently renovated with full Finnish sauna

Finnair Lounge (Non-Schengen) - Gate 33 area:

• Access: Same as Schengen lounge
• Hours: Based on flight schedule
• Amenities: Similar to Schengen lounge, includes sauna
• Notes: Premium Lounge section available for First Class and HON Circle

Priority Pass Lounges

Plaza Premium Lounge (Non-Schengen):

• Location: Near Gate 33
• Hours: 05:00-23:00
• Amenities: Hot food, bar, showers, workstations
• Notes: Can be crowded during Asian flight waves

Aspire Lounge (Schengen):

• Location: Near Gate 26
• Hours: 05:30-22:00
• Amenities: Food buffet, drinks, WiFi

Pay-Per-Entry

Most lounges offer day passes for €35-50. Book online for discounts.

Tip: The Finnair Lounge sauna is a unique experience - bring swimwear or use provided towels.

Several hotels are located at or near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

At the Airport

Scandic Helsinki Airport

• Connected directly to Terminal 2 via indoor walkway
• 4-star, 260 rooms
• Restaurant, fitness center, meeting rooms
• From €120/night

GLO Hotel Airport

• Connected to Terminal 2
• Modern Nordic design
• From €100/night

Near the Airport

• Holiday Inn Helsinki-Vantaa Airport: 5-minute shuttle, from €90/night
• Bonus Inn Helsinki-Vantaa: Budget-friendly, shuttle service, from €70/night
• Break Sokos Hotel Flamingo: 5 minutes by car, spa facilities, from €100/night

Transit/Nap Options

• GoSleep pods: Available in Terminal 2 for short rest periods, from €12/hour
• Quiet areas: Designated rest zones with recliners in Terminal 2

Helsinki is a compact, design-forward capital on the Baltic Sea, known for its architecture, saunas, and the world's best coffee consumption per capita. The city center is just 30 minutes from the airport.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Helsinki Central Station	30 min	Ring Rail Line
Senate Square & Cathedral	35 min	Train + 5 min walk
Market Square (Kauppatori)	40 min	Train + tram or walk
Suomenlinna Fortress	1 hour	Train + ferry from Market Square
Design District	35 min	Train + walk or tram
Temppeliaukio (Rock Church)	40 min	Train + tram

Travel Tips

• Purchase an HSL day ticket for unlimited transit (trains, trams, buses, metro)
• Helsinki is highly walkable; most attractions are within 30 minutes on foot from the station
• Saunas are a Finnish institution - try Löyly (public sauna by the sea) or Allas Sea Pool
• Tipping is not expected in Finland but appreciated for exceptional service
• Shops typically close at 18:00-21:00 weekdays, earlier on weekends
• Most Finns speak excellent English

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Stay at airport, explore Finnair Lounge sauna, Finnish design shops
• 6-hour layover: Quick trip to Helsinki Central, see Senate Square and Cathedral
• 8+ hour layover: Add Market Square, Design Museum, lunch at Kauppahalli (Old Market Hall)
• Full day: Suomenlinna Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage), a full afternoon excursion

Day Trips from Helsinki

• Porvoo: 50 min by bus, charming medieval old town, colorful wooden houses
• Tallinn, Estonia: 2 hours by ferry, well-preserved medieval city
• Nuuksio National Park: 45 min by bus, Finnish forest and lake wilderness
• Turku: 2 hours by train, Finland's oldest city, castle and archipelago

Finnish Specialties

• Karjalanpiirakka: Karelian pastries with rice filling
• Lohikeitto: Creamy salmon soup
• Poronkäristys: Sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberries
• Kalakukko: Fish-filled bread from Eastern Finland
• Salmiakki: Salty licorice (acquired taste)
• Fazer Blue: Iconic Finnish milk chocolate
• Finnish coffee: Finns drink more coffee per capita than any other nation