City
- Location
- How to
get there? - City map
- Useful
Information - City Of
Helsinki
Location
Helsinki can easily be reached from anywhere in the world.
source: Copyright © Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau.
How to get there?
By plane
Around 120 international flights a day arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, which is situated 19 kilometres from the centre of Helsinki and can be reached by car in approximately 25 minutes. You can also take taxi, the Finnair airport bus or Bus 615 to the Central Railway Station.
By train
There are excellent train connections from Helsinki to all major towns in Finland as well as to Lapland. There is also a daily train service to St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Central Railway Station is a landmark unto itself in Helsinki.
By bus
The Central Bus Station is situated in the centre of town on Simonkatu with hourly services to Finland's main cities and towns.
Matkahuolto (Bus timetables) »
By ferry
There are daily ferry services to Helsinki from Estonia, Sweden and Germany.
Useful Information
AIRPORT
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is situated 19 km from the centre of Helsinki. It takes about half an hour to get from the airport to the city centre and to the hotels.
Finnair’s Airport Bus leaves the airport every 20 minutes. There is a bus stop just behind the Crowne Plaza Hotel Helsinki and the Scandic Continental. A one-way ticket is €5.90 (in April 2009). Buses meet all flights.
Taxi stands are located outside the arrivals hall of the terminal. Taxi fare to the centre is approximately €35.00.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is known for the high quality and reliability of its modern services. Some 13 million passengers pass through the airport each year.
Airport Buses
Finnair Airport Bus
CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS
Finnish currency is the EURO € (€1 = 1.33 USD, as of April 2009).
Major credit cards (American Express, Diners, Eurocard, Mastercard, Visa) are accepted at shops, restaurants, and hotels.
LANGUAGE
Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, the latter spoken as a mother tongue by about 6% of the population. English is spoken in all public places and by most of the Finns.
SMOKING
Smoking is banned in all public buildings: hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.
It is important to use the designated smoking areas only.
TIME ZONE
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) + 2 hours
TOURIST INFORMATION
Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau
Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 19
Mailing address: P.O. Box 28, FIN-00099 CITY OF HELSINKI
Tel: + 358 (0)9 3101 3300
Fax:+ 358 (0)9 3101 3301
email:
www.visithelsinki.fi
VISA
Finland is one of the 25 Schengen countries.
Foreign nationals who need an entry visa are requested to apply to the Finnish mission representing Finland in their home country. In countries where Finland does not have a mission, another Schengen country can represent Finland in visa matters.
General enquiries about travel documents accepted by Finland and visa issues can be e-mailed to the passport and visa unit in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (email:
)
WEATHER
The average maximum temperature in June in Helsinki is 18.7˚ C (65.7 F). Average rainfall in June is 49 mm.
Helsinki, Daughter of the Baltic
Helsinki (see video), the vibrant capital of Finland, offers an atmosphere unlike that of any other modern city. Thrust boldly out into the Baltic Sea, the city commands a view of a stunning archipelago. Helsinki’s centre boasts some of the most beautiful Jugendstil buildings in the Nordic countries. And thanks to its position as an East–West meeting point, imperial design has left its mark on Senate Square and Uspensky Cathedral.
Part of Helsinki’s allure comes from its Nordic environment. A city of white nights in the summer, during the winter darkness descends on the town, which comes alive with a festival of lights, glowing candles, and sparkling galas.
Amid the vestiges of its colourful past, Helsinki today swings to the rhythm of the 21st century: from innovative design and leading high technology to hip clubs and urban subcultures, this international metropolis of half a million inhabitants has an abundance of lifestyles with arts and entertainment to match.
Helsinki City Tourist & Convetion Bureau www.visithelsinki.fi
Helsinki This Week www.helsinkithisweek.com