travel from helsinki

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Helsinki (Things to Do)

Updated September 2023

With a second opportunity to visit Helsinki, I was more than excited to make the return to Finland’s capital. Helsinki has always been a place of inspiration for design, the proximity to the outdoors, and one of those cities that always surprises.

When I went over three years ago on the #MyHelsinkiResidences program with the My Helsinki tourism board, I went during the winter months and saw a side of Helsinki that I hadn’t expected. This time, I was here for summer and was ready to bask in those long days of light and discover more.

I returned to the same program and one I love to partake in. The goal is to live like a resident of Helsinki as there’s no set itinerary, no places I have to be. During that time, I stayed in an apartment in the heart of downtown, given a few travel recommendations, and the keys to discovering the city as I would like to.

The result? Spontaneous adventures traveling like a local and having an immersive experience.

Much of Helsinki had changed since I had been there last. New museums, restaurants, and coffee shops were sprinkled throughout, all places I was excited to explore. But at the same time, it hadn’t. There was still that friendly welcome I remembered from the last visit.

There’s a passion for sharing what makes Finland truly a unique and wonderful country to not only visit but live in. There’s a love for slowing down, being connected to the outdoors, and, of course, that incredible design scene.

It’s all of these things and more that make traveling to Helsinki an experience to remember. If you’re looking to explore more of Helsinki, be sure to check out my in-depth guides to the best restaurants and best things to do .

Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels and Things to Do in Helsinki:

• Hotel St. George , for the best modern luxury hotel
• Hotel Kämp ,  for the best design hotel
• Noli Studios Katajanokka , for the best designed apartment-hotel
• Hotel Mestari , for the best hotel for larger groups or families
• Hotel F6 , for the best boutique hotel

Things to Do

• Helsinki Architecture Walking Tour

Visit the Reindeer in Nuuksio National Park

Take a day trip to tallinn, estonia.

• Tour the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

The Ultimate Helsinki Travel Guide

What to know about visiting helsinki, finland, how do i get around helsinki.

The best part of visiting Helsinki is no car is needed. On arrival at Helsinki Airport, take the “L or P” train between Terminals 1 and 2 right to the city center in 30 minutes. Be sure to purchase a ticket before boarding. Once in town, the metro and bus system is extensive. I took Uber pretty frequently as it’s not terribly priced, else, the city of Helsinki is incredibly walkable.

What Language Do They Speak in Helsinki?

Finnish, Swedish, and English are spoken here. Finnish is the national language.

Is Helsinki Good for Tourists?

It’s one of the best Scandinavian cities to visit for travelers. It is easy to get around, has several low-cost flights between other countries, and has lots to do.

What Currency is Used in Helsinki?

On the Euro currency, cash and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. I always advise you to have some cash on you in case.

What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Helsinki?

For the more milder months, May through September will be the best. With the least amount of rainfall, you’ll have warmer days. Come winter, it can be very cold — some may prefer a winter adventure pending your itinerary.

Where to Stay in Helsinki, Finland

For this trip, I was put in a long-term apartment-hotel stay that is unfortunately no longer available to book. I know there are some wonderful hotels in the city, some of which I stopped by, and wanted to recommend. Read on to see some of the best hotels to book while visiting Helsinki.

Hotel St. George

Nestled in the heart of the city, Hotel St. George isn’t just another luxury stay. Overlooking the serene Old Church Park, this hotel is a blend of art, design, and holistic care. With 148 rooms, each thoughtfully curated, and five suites that whisper elegance, it’s a haven for those seeking moments of tranquility. Dive into a world of well-being, from a contemporary spa to a gym designed for the modern traveler. Book the best rates here .

Hotel Kämp , located in the center of Helsinki, has been a hallmark of luxury since its establishment in 1887. Situated on Pohjoisesplanadi, this esteemed hotel offers a blend of historical charm and modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a variety of services, from dining at the renowned Brasserie Kämp to relaxing treatments at the Kämp Spa. Additionally, the historic Kämp Bar provides a selection of beverages in a sophisticated setting. Book the best rates here .

Noli Studios Katajanokka

Noli Studios Katajanokka , located near downtown Helsinki, is housed in a historic red-brick building that once served as the headquarters for the grocery giant, Kesko. Offering stunning sea views and surrounded by a mix of modernist and Art Nouveau architecture, this hotel is within walking distance of Helsinki’s vibrant city center, the Allas Sea Pool, and the bustling restaurants of Kanavaranta. With 263 stylish studios, guests can enjoy amenities like a modern gym, sauna, restaurant, co-working spaces, and community areas. Book the best rates here .

Hotel Mestari

Hotel Mestari , located in central Helsinki’s iconic House of Master Builders, offers 237 elegantly designed rooms and suites. Renowned for its exceptional service, the hotel provides curated experience packages tailored for guests. The venue, historically a hub for dialogue, is equipped for both intimate and large-scale events. With its blend of beautiful design and luxury amenities, Mestari ensures a stay that’s both comfortable and memorable. Book the best rates here .

Hotel F6 , located in central Helsinki just off the well-known Esplanade, is a unique boutique hotel emphasizing genuine service and a home-like atmosphere. Housed within 76 elegantly designed rooms that blend style, comfort, and sustainability, guests are treated to Finnish home-style breakfasts made predominantly from organic local ingredients. The hotel’s bar, Runar, offers authentic flavors in a warm setting. For those keen on fitness, a gym equipped with top-tier equipment is available, and in collaboration with Wolt, guests can have meals from local restaurants delivered directly to their rooms. Bicycles are also available for guests wishing to explore the vibrant surroundings of Helsinki. Book the best rates here .

Where to Eat in Helsinki

Yes yes yes.

For a vegetarian option, look no further than Yes Yes Yes. I love how bright and cheerful the restaurant is. Their tandoori bread and dips are delicious and also be sure to try the halloumi fries!

Address: Iso Roobertinkatu 1, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

Restaurant Savotta

For a very traditional dinner with a view of Senate Square, book a reservation at Restaurant Savotta . Their menu has traditional platings like game meat logs to traditional stews. It’s a must-dine for a taste of Finland while in Helsinki.

Address: Aleksanterinkatu 22, 00170 Helsinki, Finland

The Cock is always a win in the city. Their well-rounded menu has a few different classics to favorites like the tartar.

Address: Fabianinkatu 17, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

The Bistro at Food Market Herkku

For a more unique dining experience, head to The Bistro at Food Market Herkku . Formerly known as the Stockman Grocery Store, the new edition of Herkku is a food market inspired by market halls found around the world. It may seem strange to dine in a grocery story, but the Bistro is a high-end experience centered around a bar at the back of the restaurant. The salmon tartar was delicious and fresh.

Address: Aleksanterinkatu 52, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Sushibar + Wine

If you’re looking for sushi, the lunch menu at Sushibar + Wine is great and well-priced, 10-piece nigiri sets starting at around 15 euros a plate. They now have 4 locations throughout the city.

Address: Kaivokatu 8, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Ekberg Cafe

Dating back to 1852 and Finland’s oldest bakery, Ekberg has traditional pastries and desserts. It’s hard to choose here!

Address: Bulevardi 9, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

St. George Bakery

Located in the Hotel St. George , St. George Bakery is another one of my favorite bakeries in town with fresh bread and baked goods.

Address: Yrjönkatu 13, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

Coffee Shops

There are great coffee shops throughout the city. A few of my favorites are Andante , Kaffecentralen (multiple locations), Cafe Regatta , and Kaffa Roastery .

Things to Do in Helsinki

Museum hop through the city.

If there is one thing Helsinki has in plenty, it’s museums. There is something for everyone here. If you’re looking for contemporary art, head to the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma . For a history on Finnish design, the Design Museum has rotating exhibits.

The National Museum of Finland is the perfect spot to get insight into Finnish history and culture.  The Helsinki Art Museum or HAM features unique exhibits that are thought-provoking. And for those looking for international art, head to the Ateneum Art Museum .

Take a Boat to Suomenlinna, Tour the Sea Fortress , then Hop Over to Lonna for a Sauna

Surrounded by many islands and the sea, Helsinki is a great spot to get out into nature. One island nearby that offers an opportunity to walk around and see a historic site is Suomenlinna. Take the JT line from Market Square and get a scenic view of the city as you head there.

On the island, there are walking trails throughout the historic Suomenlinna Sea Fortress which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want something that is more informational, I would book this guided tour that takes you throughout Suomenlinna .

What I would do afterward, is take the JT Line right over the island of Lonna and reserve in advance a two-hour sauna experience . The island is very small and has a restaurant in addition to the public sauna building. It’s a scenic spot to end the day and perfect for a traditional Finnish sauna experience.

Book a Guided Walking Tour

With so much to discover in Helsinki, one of the best ways to learn and experience the city is with a knowledgeable local. While I was able to do this with a local I knew myself, I did some digging for the best walking tours with a guide in the city.

The first one I found was this small group walking tour (137 reviews, 5 stars!). It’s limited to 8 people and the local guide takes you through important historical and cultural sights throughout the city. This other small group tour in Helsinki was rated similarly in case the other one sells out.

For those who are into architecture, you’ll fall in love with Helsinki. With Finnish architects like Alvar Aalto and alike, there is a lot to love. This Helsinki architecture walking tour will take you to some of the most important architectural sights in the city, giving you background on the buildings.

Take a Tour of Alvar Aalto’s Studio

One of the most unique things I did this time was taking a tour of Alvar Aalto’s studio . Well known for his work in architecture and his furniture at Artek, his studio is just a quick 10-minute drive from the city (Uber will take you there). Book a tour in advance and explore the studio and space that he worked out of.

Shop Local Designers

With a strong design scene, Helsinki is the ultimate shopper’s paradise. You may want to bring an extra suitcase as it’s that good. There are so many places to shop for design, so I’d head to the Design District’s website and select the category you’re looking for as it’s broken out accordingly.

Try a Finnish Sauna at Löyly

It’s a must-experience when in Finland. Löyly is just a quick Uber ride away from downtown and has an incredible location on the sea. You’ll need to reserve in advance a two-hour window at the sauna here.

I’d come for lunch or a bite before or after and then steam away in their two sauna rooms. To cool down, you can even jump in the sea if you’re brave enough.

Walk Around Senate Square

One of my favorite areas to walk around is the Senate Square . Head here to see the Helsinki Cathedral and the National Library of Finland . Continue on through the winding neighborhoods into the center.

One unique day trip you can do while visiting Helsinki is taking the Tallink Star over to Tallinn, Estonia . I’d book a ticket on the boat in advance and make the two-hour journey to Tallinn for the day. The 7:30 a.m. departure gets you there at 9:30, giving you a full day when you take the 7:30 p.m. return.

With one day in Tallinn, you can easily explore the top sights like Alexander Nevsky Cathedral , the Old Town, and the Tallinn Town Hall .

One meal not to miss while there is at the traditional restaurant, Olde Hansa for local, Estonian food. Afterward, I’d head to the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform for a view over the city and consider exploring the area of Kalamaja.

On one of my first Helsinki trips, I headed out to Nuuksio National Park to visit reindeer. It was dead of winter, and with snow falling, it felt like a storybook scene. It’s a bit of way out of the city, so it’s recommended to do this on a guided tour like this one.

Once there, you’ll have the opportunity to see and interact with the reindeer. This private tour is one of the top-selling and does sell out so book in advance.

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Ps — are you booking a trip soon use my booking checklist.

These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you . If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here .

1. Book Your Flights

Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.

2. Book Your Accommodations

Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.

4. Book Your Car

Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.

My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:

• World Nomads (best for all-around)
• Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)

Xx, Jessica

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I love the city of Helsinki, this is an amazing place to visit. Thanks for your beautiful travel guide. I want to come back here again and again.

Nice suggestions. Löyly is perhaps the most modern public sauna in Helsinki but there are many more authentic saunas in Helsinki too and they are cheaper. For example, try Kotiharjun Sauna or Sauna Hermanni.

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Entwined with the Baltic's bays, inlets and islands, Helsinki's boulevards and backstreets overflow with magnificent architecture, intriguing drinking and dining venues and groundbreaking design.

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Experience the real Helsinki. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna, the ‘fortress of Finland’, straddles a cluster of car-free islands connected by bridges. This Unesco World Heritage site was originally built…

Occupying a palatial 1887 neo-Renaissance building, Finland’s premier art gallery offers a crash course in the nation’s art. It houses Finnish paintings…

Design Museum

Punavuori & Ullanlinna

An unmissable stop for Finnish design aficionados, Helsinki's Design Museum has a permanent collection that looks at the roots of Finnish design in the…

Kansallismuseo

Built in National Romantic art nouveau style and opened in 1916, Finland’s premier historical museum looks a bit like a Gothic church with its heavy…

Seurasaaren Ulkomuseo

Situated 5.5km northwest of the city centre, this excellent island-set museum has a collection of 87 historic wooden buildings transferred here from…

One in a series of elegant, contemporary buildings in this part of town, curvaceous, metallic Kiasma, designed by Steven Holl and finished in 1998, is a…

Set beneath the iconic 1936 Lasipalatsi building, art museum Amos Rex opened in 2018. Sweeping staircases take you below ground to the exhibition halls…

Rambling over 4 hectares in the city centre alongside the north harbour, Töölönlahti, Helsinki's botanic gardens are filled with plants from Finland and…

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Tourism Helsinki – Travel Guide to Helsinki

A modern city featuring some of the most distinctive architecture in the world, both old and new, Helsinki is one of the cultural hot spots of Northern Europe. An idealholiday destination for both for lovers of the arts and those who relish its exciting and vibrant nightlife, Helsinki is also a child-friendly city perfect for family vacations, and being surrounded by forests, lakes and the sea, it is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Situated on the Baltic Sea, Finland’s capital, Helsinki , is a modern city of over half a million people, and is the second most northern capital in Europe. Surrounded by an archipelago of hundreds of tiny islands, and culturally influenced by both the East and West, Helsinki is unique, combining both modern and historic architectural styles with a love of open spaces that is at the very heart of Finnish identity.  See our recommendations and tourism guide to Helsinki!

The Island Fortress of Suomenlinna – The Gem in Helsinki’s Archipelago

The best cafés in helsinki – guide to coffee culture in the capital, guide to top experiences in helsinki, wonderful nature experiences and charming cultural sites in kirkkonummi.

Helsinki is world famous for its architecture; the city centre is renowned for its neoclassicalism, especially around Senate Square . Close by on a hilltop stands the Uspenski Cathedral , Europe’s largest Russian Orthodox church, and a stunning example of the Byzantine-Russian style. Scattered about the city are fine examples of Jugendstil, or Art Nouveau. Elsewhere, the Temppeliaukio Church and Finlandia Hall represent early Modernism.

As befits one of Europe’s foremost capital cities, Helsinki is vibrant, yet as laid-back as the Finns who call it home. Wide and spacious streets and avenues allow for a multitude of cafes and restaurants to serve outdoors, where you sit back and relax, and at night there is no shortage of bars, clubs and venues to choose from. Throughout the year, Helsinki offers an incredible variety of activities for people of all ages, whether they prefer challenging sports, or gentle investigations of the natural beauty all around them. Cruises around the archipelago, trekking in the nearby forests, and traditional Finnish saunas , are some of the more popular choices, but there’s plenty more besides.

Helsinki Boutique Hotels & Design Hotels

Helsinki brunch guide – finding the best brunch in helsinki, recommended, most popular attractions in helsinki, explore helsinki by category, helsinki tourist attractions, food & drink – restaurants in helsinki, hotels & accommodation in helsinki, activities & sports in helsinki, shopping in helsinki, getting around helsinki.

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Helsinki Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 9, 2023

But it’s definitely worth taking the time to see.

Historic, small, brimming with green space, and set on the Baltic Sea, Helsinki is a picturesque city filled with friendly people and few tourists. It’s especially great if you love art and music as they have a ton of museums and a vibrant music scene.

If you ask me, Helsinki is one of the most underrated capitals in Europe . I always love my time here!

This travel guide to Helsinki can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Helsinki

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Helsinki

1. Visit the National Museum of Finland

This museum has a large collection of Finnish artifacts from the Stone Age to the present, including jewelry, coins, tools, weapons, and more. Containing the most comprehensive collection of cultural history in Finland, the museum is ideal for learning about Finnish folk culture and the Finno-Ugric people. The collection didn’t actually have a building until an architectural contest was held to build the structure that houses the current museum (construction started in 1910). It was officially opened as the National Museum of Finland in 1916. Permanent collections can be viewed alongside a fascinating array of rotating pop-up exhibits. The museum also hosts workshops and tours. It’s a good place to get an overview of Finland’s history. Admission is 15 EUR and is free every Friday from 4pm–6pm.

2. Relax at Kaivopuisto Park

During the summer, residents and tourists alike flock to this park to hang out, play sports, picnic, and enjoy the view of the Baltic Sea Located on the southern point of the peninsula in a high-end neighborhood, it has well-maintained paths for walking, plenty of green space, and some old growth trees. It’s the oldest park in Helsinki and the Ursa Observatory sits atop the highest point of the park. Cafes and restaurants are scattered around the shoreline and islands. Concerts and other events are often held in the park during warmer months. During the winter, the largest hill in the park is a favorite spot for tobogganing. If the weather is nice, bring a book and lounge the day away!

3. See the Helsinki Cathedral

This cathedral was built in the 19th century as a tribute to Czar Nicholas I, the Grand Duke of Finland, and was known as St. Nicholas Church until Finland gained independence in 1917. Built in the Neoclassical style, it’s one of the most recognizable sights in the capital’s skyline and can be seen from almost every vantage point in Helsinki. If you’ve visited a lot of cathedrals, you likely won’t think this is one of the greatest in Europe but I think it’s one of the best in Scandinavia.

4. Explore the Museum of Contemporary Art (Kiasma)

Opened in 1990, Kiasma is housed in a unique modern building not far from the Post Museum (see below). The collection consists of over 8,500 works and pays tribute to Finnish art from the 1960s to the present day. Part of the Finnish National Gallery, Kiasma is Finnish for “chiasma,” a term describing the crossing of nerves or tendons, and was named by the American architect, Steven Holl, who designed the unique building. Concerts and events are often held within Kiasma and the building contains a theater, a library, a café restaurant, and a bookstore. Tickets are 18 EUR for adults and free for anyone under 18. Admission is free on the first Friday of every month.

5. Tour Suomenlinna Fortress

This island fort was constructed by the Swedes in 1748 as a defense against the Russians. When Russia took over Helsinki in 1808, they used it as a garrison. The designers and architects of the fortress incorporated the unique geographical features of the area and constructed many of the buildings using stones from the islands. Since 1748, different groups added on to the sea fortress and it has served to defend 3 separate nations. It now covers six islands, all of which belong to the city of Helsinki. After World War II, the fort was converted for the people of Finland to use. Today, it’s a park and residential area. There are a lot of interesting buildings, secluded beaches, and parks here. Guided tours cost 11 EUR.

Other Things to See and Do in Helsinki

1. tour the post museum.

This museum is dedicated to the history of Finland’s postal service. It sounds absolutely boring but I found it surprisingly interesting and educational. It highlights the history of the mail service in Finland, from ships and sleds in the 1600s to their modern-day delivery service. There are all kinds of artifacts, photographs, and short films about how they made mail delivery work in such a sparsely populated and harsh environment. Admission is 14 EUR.

2. Visit the Finnish Museum of Photography

The photography museum houses a sizeable collection of works by Finnish artists (there are over 2 million photos here). You’ll find photos from famous Finnish photographers like Elina Brotherus and Pentti Sammallahti. They also host rotating international exhibitions as well. Tickets are 12 EUR.

3. Shop at the Central Market

Located near the harbor, this market is where you can do lots of souvenir shopping, eat some local food, and buy fresh vegetables (and lots of fresh berries in the summer). It’s usually swarming with tourists, but I heard enough Finnish there to know it isn’t a complete tourist trap. There’s also a covered portion of the market where you can find pastries, fish, meat, and cheese. Eat at the Soup Kitchen if you’re hungry (they have an amazing seafood soup).

4. Visit the Sinebrychoff Art Museum

This museum houses a lot of old paintings and portraits from the 14th-19th centuries. It’s the only museum in the city that really focuses on old European art. The bottom floor of the museum has a lot of photos and more modern works, while the top floor has the older paintings that you see as you walk through the old Sinebrychoff residence. Portrait of a Lady by Alexander Roslin and Portrait of Mademoiselle Charlotte Eckerman by Adolf Ulrik Wertmüller are two noteworthy pieces in the collection. Admission is 16 EUR and entry is free on the first Wednesday of the month from 5-8pm. Admission to the house museum on the second floor is free.

5. Relax in Sinebrychoff Park

Right near the Sinebrychoff Museum is a nice little residential park worth hanging out in. Dating to the 18th century, the park was originally a private garden belonging to a Russian businessman before becoming a public park in the 1960s. Today, you’ll find lots of coffee shops nearby so you can grab a snack and relax. Bring a book, grab a coffee, and lounge away the day!

6. Visit the Bank of Finland Museum

This museum was one of the coolest museums I’ve seen in a long time. While it does a good job illuminating the history of money in Finland, what it really does well describes the history of finance and modern finance. You get to see Euro coins from all the European countries and discover what a gold nugget looks like, but you’ll also learn how to spot counterfeit money. It offers up detailed background information and great exhibits. It was quite a learning experience! Admission is free.

7. Admire the Uspenski Cathedral

Sitting on a hill overlooking the city, this massive red cathedral is hard to miss. Uspenski is an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral with large domes and gold crosses. Made of red brick, it stands out nicely against the rest of the city. Consecrated in 1868, it’s the largest Eastern Orthodox church in Western Europe. The interior is lavishly decorated with typical Eastern Orthodox iconography (though many of the statues and items have been stolen over the years). It’s a place of worship, so dress respectfully when you visit. Admission is free.

8. Explore the Helsinki City Museum

Like the National Museum of Finland, the Helsinki City Museum offers an in-depth look at the capital’s history. There are plenty of great exhibits and photos with detailed descriptions that bring the history of the city to life. There are also photos by famous Finnish photographers like Signe Brander as well as exhibitions featuring typical Finnish homes from the 1950s and 1970s so you can see what life used to be like here. Admission is free.

9. Relax in Esplanade Park

This park (called “Espa” by the locals) is a popular place to spend a lunch hour if the weather is nice. There are usually a number of street musicians around and there are also a few eateries nearby too. Opened in 1812, you’ll find several statues honoring Finnish poets and writers such as Johan Ludvig Runeberg, Zacharias Topelius, and Eino Leino. Come here to relax, picnic, read, or people-watch!

10. Visit the Harbor Islands

There are over 330 islands that make up the Helsinki city archipelago. Suomenlinna is the easiest to reach with regular municipal ferries (you can take a ferry directly from Market Square). Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari are two other islands worth visiting, as they used to be military bases closed off to the public (during the Viking era, Vallisaari was used as an outpost that would light a fire whenever a Viking raid was coming so people could prepare). The islands have since been reclaimed by nature and turned into parks dotted with abandoned fortifications. You can explore on your own or take a guided tour; there are a ton to choose from, most last 1-2 hours and cost around 25 EUR.

11. Have Fun at Linnanmäki

Just north of the city, this amusement park is a fun place to visit if you’re traveling with kids (or if you just want to act like a kid yourself!). Opened in 1950, the park is actually owned by a non-profit that donates money to child welfare programs. There are over 40 different attractions here, including 8 roller coasters (one of which is a traditional wooden roller coaster). A wristband is 45 EUR, which gives you access to all the rides. Entry to the park itself is free, so if you want to just visit and explore you can do that without spending money.

12. Experience a Finnish Sauna

Saunas originated in Finland ( sauna is a Finnish word meaning “Finnish bath”). There are some 2 million saunas in Finland — a country with just over 5 million people — so you won’t have a hard time finding one. Many hostels, hotels, and even apartments have their own sauna. Löyly Helsinki is the most popular public sauna in the Finnish capital. A two-hour session costs 19 EUR. Just be sure to keep sauna etiquette in mind: bring your swimwear, men and women are separated, towels are acceptable (but people are usually naked), and don’t be loud.

13. See the Temppeliaukio Church

Temppeliaukio Church, also called Church of the Rock, is a Lutheran Church built directly into solid rock and partially underground. The Suomalainen brothers won an architectural competition for their design and started construction in the 1960s. The walls are all exposed stone and the roof is a huge dome that lets in natural light. Over half a million people visit the church each year, and the venue is also used regularly for concerts and large events.

14. Wander the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

Located north of Helsinki on Seurasaari Island, the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum allows you to get up close to numerous traditional Finnish buildings from the early 18th-20th centuries. They aren’t replicas either; the buildings were collected from all over the country and brought here. There are houses, cottages, outbuildings, a windmill, and more. Opened in 1909, guided tours are available daily during the summer (it’s closed in the winter). Admission is 10 EUR.

15. Visit the Design Museum

Finnish design, like its Scandinavian counterparts, is incredibly popular, known for seamlessly integrating design elements into regular life. The Design Museum allows you to learn about the history of Finnish design and Finnish architecture over the last 150 years. It opened in 1873 and holds over 75,000 objects, 40,000 drawings, and 100,000 photographs. The museum also publishes books and exhibition catalogs about modern design. It’s 15 EUR to get in but it’s free on the last Tuesday of every month from 4-8pm.

16. Ride the Skywheel Helsinki

Located a few minutes away from Uspenski Cathedral, Skywheel Helsinki is a Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the city. Standing 40-meters (131 feet), it’s the best way to see the city from “above” since there aren’t really any skyscrapers here. Rides are 14 EUR and last around 12 minutes. It’s also possible to have a sauna experience while riding the Skywheel too (though it’s not cheap). Prices for the SkySauna start at 240 EUR per hour for up to 4 people, including two drinks per person.

17. Visit Amos Rex

This art museum opened in August 2018 and it’s already one of the most popular in Helsinki. It’s named after Amos Anderson, a Finnish patron of the arts. You’ll find a rotating series of temporary exhibitions from local and international artists here so check the website to see what events/exhibitions are coming up. I don’t love modern art myself, but I’m told this gallery has really cool exhibitions. Admission is 20 EUR.

18. Admire some classical art

Ateneum is one of three museums that forms the Finnish National Gallery (with the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma and the Sinebrychoff Art Museum). It has the biggest collection of classical art in Finland, with over 4,300 paintings and 750 sculptures. You’ll also find pieces by artists such as Van Gogh and Cézanne. If you love classical art, don’t miss this museum! Admission is 18 EUR.

Helsinki Travel Costs

If you’re traveling with a tent, wild camping is legal outside of the city on public land. Just make sure to be respectful and use common sense. There are also plenty of campgrounds nearby, usually charging 10-25 EUR per night for a basic two-person plot without electricity.

Budget hotel prices – Generally, you can expect to pay 75-115 EUR per night for a budget hotel with free Wi-Fi and basic amenities like TV and a coffee/tea maker. During the summer, prices are closer to 100-150 EUR per night.

Airbnb is a great budget option in the city, with private rooms starting at 40 EUR (though they average double that). If you’re looking for an entire home or apartment, expect to pay at least 70 EUR, though prices average over 120 EUR.

Average cost of food – Finnish cuisine leans heavily on fish, meat (specifically pork), and hearty vegetables like potatoes. Reindeer is commonly eaten as well as wild game like deer and moose. Smoked salmon and smoked or pickled herring are also popular dishes. Like their Scandinavian neighbors, Finns also enjoy dark bread and cheeses, usually as part of an open-faced sandwich (these are the go-to breakfast choice).

Overall, the food here is expensive in the city. Your average cheap casual restaurant charges around 13 EUR for a meal while fast food (think McDonald’s) is 9 EUR. For a three-course meal with table service, expect to pay at least 50-80 EUR.

Pizza costs around 10 EUR for a large pizza while Thai or Chinese food costs 10-15 EUR for a main dish. If you want to splash out, I suggest Ravintola Aino for good Finnish food (try the reindeer). Dishes cost between 50-62 EUR but are incredibly tasty!

Beer costs 7 EUR while a latte/cappuccino is 4 EUR. Bottled water is 1.70 EUR.

If you plan on cooking your own food, groceries cost between 50-65 EUR per week for basic staples like vegetables, bread, pasta, and some fish or meat.

Backpacking Helsinki Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 70 EUR per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and do free activities like visiting the free museums, hitting the beach, and relaxing in the parks. If you plan on drinking, add 10-15 EUR to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 140 EUR, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out for some meals, have a couple of drinks, take the occasional taxi, and do more paid activities like visiting the Post Museum or taking a guided tour of Suomenlinna Fortress.

On a “luxury” budget of 290 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, rent a car to explore, and do whatever activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Helsinki Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Helsinki is a super expensive destination to visit. It’s hard to visit here “on a budget” but, fortunately, there are ways to save money if you know where to look. Here are a few tips to help you keep your budget intact when you visit:

• Get a Helsinki Card – There’s a lot to see in the city and paying 10-15 EUR per attraction adds up. This tourism card grants you free admission to the main sights (as well as access to the hop-on/hop-off bus) for 50 EUR (for a 24-hour pass). You can also get a 48-hour pass for 63 EUR or a 72-hour pass for 74 EUR. It includes discounts on some restaurants as well. For an additional charge, you can add free public transit on your card too.
• Avoid taxis – Helsinki is easy to navigate with public transportation and on foot. Skip the taxis here — they add up fast!
• Stay with a local for free – Couchsurfing connects you with a local who can host you for free. You may have to sleep on a couch, but you’ll get to make a new friend and get tons of insider information about the city.
• Skip the drinking – A night out in Finland, especially in Helsinki, can put a deep hole in your pocket. To maintain your budget, avoid drinking alcohol.
• Go grocery shopping – Buying basic staples like bread, meat, and cheese for breakfast or for a quick lunch on the go can save you quite a bit of cash. By cooking your own meals you’ll save a ton of money, enabling you to eventually splurge on some great local dinners and traditional fare.
• Take the free city tours – Green Cap Tours offers daily free walking tours around Helsinki. You get to see the main sights while interacting with an expert guide who can answer all your questions. Just be sure to tip at the end!
• Check out free attractions – The Bank of Finland Museum and the Helsinki City Museum are always free. The National Museum of Finland is free on Fridays from 4:15pm-6pm. The Museum of Contemporary Art is free on the first Friday of every month. Don’t miss them when you get there without paying, you’ll save money!
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is super clean, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and lower your plastic usage. LifeStraw makes a bottle with a built-in filter so you can always ensure your water is clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Helsinki:

• Cheapsleep Hostel
• Hostel Diana Park
• The Yard Hostel

How to Get Around Helsinki

Helsinki also has one of the oldest tram networks in the world (it’s been around since 1891). The trams work on the same ticketing system as the metro and bus.

Bicycle – Helsinki is small so it’s easy to get around by bicycle. Bike rentals start at 15 EUR per day.

Taxi – Taxis start at a whopping 7 EUR and go up 1 EUR per kilometer. Avoid them if you can.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Helsinki (it’s the only city in the country Uber operates in).

Car rental – Cars can be rented for as little as 25 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. Drivers must be at least 20 and have an International Driving Permit (IDP). That said, unless you’re planning on leaving the city to explore, you won’t need to rent a vehicle here. The city is easy to get around on foot and by bus.

When to Go to Helsinki

Summer is the most popular time to visit — and the best time as well. Temperatures hover between 19-21°C (66-71°F) and green spaces (and beaches) are busy but not crowded. Prices are slightly higher, however, there are lots of events happening and the city is at its busiest. That said, “busy” in Helsinki is a far cry from “busy” in cities like Paris, London, or Barcelona so it won’t be crowded

Spring is a nice time to visit Helsinki, especially in May and June. The weather is warm and there are many events, such as the Vappu Festival on May 1st (which marks the end of winter) and the Finnish Carnival in early June. Moreover, not many tourists visit in spring so things are more relaxed.

Autumn offers changing leaves and chilly weather. Daily highs average 6-8°C (43-48°F). The days are still long enough to enjoy everything, though you may need a rain jacket or a sweater if it gets cool.

Winter is a nice time to visit if you’re into winter sports. Otherwise, it’s very cold and dark so I’d avoid visiting unless you’re going to get out of the city to ski and enjoy the snow.

How to Stay Safe in Helsinki

Helsinki is a safe city. In fact, Finland is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Pickpocketing can still occur so keep an eye on your belongings while at bus stations and on crowded public transportation. Incidents are rare, but being vigilant is always a good idea.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here as Finland is very progressive and has a lot of woman’s rights. That said, the standard safety precautions should apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). For specific advice, read one of the many solo female travel blogs about the city.

If you rent a car, don’t leave any valuables in it at night. Break-ins are incredibly rare but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Scams here are very rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Helsinki Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Helsinki Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Finland travel and continue planning your trip:

The 5 Best Hostels in Helsinki

The 21 Best Things to See and Do in Helsinki

How to Spend Three Days in Helsinki

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How to travel from helsinki to lapland.

 They are the 2 most visited regions in Finland and, as such, knowing how to travel between Helsinki and Lapland is an absolutely crucial piece of travel research for most visitors compiling their itinerary in this country.

Which is exactly why I’m bringing you the full lowdown here on how to travel between the north and south of Finland as, in my opinion, you can’t afford to miss either region!

From plane to train and even car, there’s several different ways to travel from Helsinki to Lapland, depending on the amount of time and size of budget you have.

Here I go through all the practical details of these 3 transport options, listing the pros and cons of each too, so you can make the best decision for your trip.

So let’s jump straight in with how you can travel from Helsinki to Lapland…

Related Posts

• The Ultimate 1 Week Finland Itinerary
• 15 Things to Know Before You Travel Finland
• How to Plan the Best Christmas Trip to Lapland

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So first up we come to the most popular way to travel between Helsinki and Lapland, at least for international travellers.

Domestic flights between the capital and Lapland’s regional airports (yes there’s more than one) are common and take around 1 hour, depending on exactly which part of Lapland you are flying into, meaning they are quickest way to travel between Helsinki and Lapland.

Most flights are operated by Finnair and the best deals can be found by checking a comparison website like Skyscanner, that allows you to compare flights over a number of dates and times.

Flights tend to be quite reasonably priced, but Finnair do charge extra for checked baggage, so do beware of these costs if you are coming laden with thermal gear – quite likely!

I paid around a 160€ return for my flight during the high season with checked baggage when I travelled to Lapland from Helsinki.

Helsinki Airport

In Helsinki, there is just one airport that services both international and domestic flights.

It’s called Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (IATA code: HEL) and is situated a short way from Helsinki’s city centre.

You can access either of HEL’s 2 terminals by using the city’s excellent public transport network or by catching an Uber.

Lapland Airports

In Lapland, you have a range of airports to choose from depending where in the region you have decided to base yourself.

The main town in Lapland, and the primary tourism hotspot, is Rovaniemi , which is home to the Santa Claus Village and an international airport (IATA code: RVN). There are many Lapland hotels and activities you can enjoy here as it’s the capital of Finnish Lapland.

Rovaniemi is the third busiest airport in Finland and is situated in the south of Lapland, just near the Arctic Circle. The airport is 10km away from the town centre.

There are at least 3 flights daily between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, otherwise you can also fly here directly from London and several other major European airports. As the major hub, Rovaniemi tends to have the cheapest flight prices from Helsinki.

In general, these international flights service families coming to see Santa and, as such Rovaniemi can feel a little commercial and crowded, especially during the high winter season.

Instead of staying here, my choice would be to head to the small Finnish town of Ranua instead, which is just an hour away. You can either grab a taxi, public bus or private transfer service to get here from Rovaniemi, or you can hire a car.

To learn more about Ranua, what you can do there and why it’s a great place to stay in Lapland, check out this post I wrote.

Otherwise, some of the other flagship resorts in Finnish Lapland you might want to head to are Inari and Saariselka, also Levi, as well as Pyhä, Salla and Kemi.

Inari and Saariselka are the furthest north are serviced by Ivalo airport. These spots tend to be preferred by skiers, snowboarders and those who want to see the Northern Lights and learn more about traditional Sami culture.

Levi is in the northwest of Finnish Lapland and is accessed via Kittilä International Airport. This is another popular spot for families looking for their festive fix, but is smaller and quieter than Rovaniemi. The Snow Village, made from real ice and snow, can be found here.

Pyhä and Salla can all be accessed from Rovaniemi airport too. Pyhä is famous for its national park and ski resorts, so is perfect for those who want to enjoy some great outdoor nature-based activities. Salla is also a place of remote natural beauty, surrounded by fells and forests, it also offers good cross-country skiing, as well as hiking trails and Northern Light safaris.

And finally, Kemi, is in the south of Lapland, near to the coast and can be accessed through the Kemi-Tornio airport. It’s famous for the ice-breaker cruises it offers and is the home of the largest snow castle in the world.

If you’re flying from Helsinki you have the choice to fly into any of the airports I’ve mentioned above, but if you’re coming from further afield by plane, then it’s just Rovaniemi and Kittilä that host international routes.

In conclusion then, when flying to Lapland, the first step is to decide where in the region you want to head and then research and book your flights accordingly.

After all, without knowing where you will be based, it’s impossible to know which Lapland airport it will be best to travel to from Helsinki.

Flying from Helsinki to Lapland

Pros: Quick, Cost-effective for solo travellers or those without much luggage, good choice of destinations

Cons: High carbon output, expensive in high season, may require onward transport after arrival in Lapland

Now we come to the second option for travelling between Helsinki and Lapland and that is via train.

A really magical experience that will whisk you across the Finnish landscape, trains aren’t the quickest experience, but they do help create a magical and romantic travel journey that you won’t forget in a hurry.

Train travel is also better for the environment and although it does take a while, it can be quite affordable depending on which service you go for.

And this is especially true if you are travelling as a family or with a vehicle, because the magic thing about getting the train from Helsinki to Lapland is that you can take your luggage-filled car onto the train with you!

This means no rental car fees when you get to Lapland, as you’ll have the freedom and flexibility of your own wheels to get you around.

That said, you can also travel just as a foot passenger too and then opt for either a seat, a berth or a private cabin, depending on your budget.

Day and Night Trains

Many trains travelling from Helsinki to Lapland also go direct and overnight, which means that even though this journey takes between 8-13 hours, the fact you go to sleep in the capital and wake up in the north is actually pretty efficient – trust the Scandis!

The night train is often called the Santa Claus Express and, for the reasons I outlined above, it’s likely most travellers will opt for this service, especially if they are travelling with kids.

This is the longest service at over 12 hours, and is priced slightly more (starting from around 70€ for 1 adult in a seat without a car), but will allow you to save on the costs of a night’s accommodation.

Otherwise, there are also 2 daytime services that ply the same route and take just over 8 hours.

With the amazing scenery, plus free wifi and power sockets, it’s easy to pass the time and tickets start from around €35 for 1 adult in a seat without a car.

All 3 trains to Lapland depart from either Helsinki Central Railway Station or, if you have a vehicle, from Pasila Station, and can be booked here .

Train Stations in Lapland

However, there is one notable downfall to catching the train and that is the more limited arrival points.

Trains from Helsinki to Lapland stop at 3 stations: Rovaniemi, Kolari and Kemijärvi.

You know about Rovaniemi, because we talked about it in the flying section above, however Kolari and Kemijärvi are new on the scene here!

Kolari is northeast of Rovaniemi, very close to the Swedish border, but also quite near to Kittilä and Levi, infact you can get buses to these spots from Kolari train station, or of course drive if you have your car onboard.

Kemijärvi on the other hand, is east of Rovaniemi and from here you can more easily access Salla and Pyhä.

If you want to get to northern Lapland however, you’ll struggle with the train, especially if you don’t have a vehicle onboard.

Taking a Vehicle on the Train

If you do have a vehicle however, the train can be a really great option as you can then enjoy getting off the beaten track in Lapland, which would be amazing!

Cars do bump up the cost of the train ride significantly and they also book out pretty far in advance, so if you do want to go for this option, I’d certainly book at least 2 months ahead of your trip.

You have to book your car in at the same time as your book any passengers on, as well as specific the height and length of your car. The smallest car will add about €100 to the ticket price and it goes up from there.

Foot passengers however will have more luck closer to the departure date and can often get train tickets even a few weeks in advance.

Ditto upright seats, which are obviously cheaper and more readily available than cabins.

Please also note that, as I mentioned above, those travelling with cars often have a different boarding station to foot passengers. Details are given when you book.

All in all however, the train adds an amazingly adventurous element to your Lapland trip and is much better for the environment than flying.

Train from Helsinki to Lapland

Pros: Scenic and romantic, cost-effective for families or those with a lot of luggage, use of your own car in Lapland, lower carbon footprint than flying

Cons: Long journey time, may require onward travel after arrival in Lapland, pricey for solo travellers with a car

And the last option when it comes to travelling from Helsinki to Lapland is to drive yourself there.

Obviously, as a traveller, this is likely to involve you renting a car in Helsinki and possibly having to return it back to the city as well, unless you can arrange (and pay) for a different drop-off point in Lapland.

I’d also only recommend going for this option if you are a confident driver – be it on the right-hand-side of the road or in the snow (depending which month you visit Finland) and if you have time, as driving the great distance north is likely to take time.

Infact, this journey is over 800km and takes at least 10 hours.

It is on one main road (along the E75), and the views will be gorgeous, but I really think this is a journey for 2 people, unless you love driving a lot!

Car hire can also be expensive and fuel in Finland is quite heavily taxed, so all this will add to the costs too.

In general, I’d only advise driving to Lapland from Helsinki if you’re touring elsewhere in Finland and have at least a couple of weeks here to make it worthwhile and cost-effective.

Driving from Helsinki to Lapland

Pros: Scenic, use of your a car when in Lapland, can make stops along the way and explore more of the country

Cons: Long journey time, expensive, not great idea for solo travellers, stressful?

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Mini Finland Travel Guide

When to Visit Finland?

In my opinion, the best time to visit Finland is definitely during the winter months between December and February, this is when you’ll see the most beautiful snow coverage and get this winter wonderland at its most scenic.

For the full festive experience, you should visit Finland during December when the snow has begun, otherwise, consider January or February for cheaper winter rates, albeit with lower temperatures.

How to Travel to Finland?

Direct flights with numerous airlines, including Finnair, arrive into Helsinki’s airport from London and many other major European cities.

From the best deals on all flights, I highly suggest checking out Skyscanner.

Where to Stay in Helsinki & Lapland?

Check out my list of the top 10 Helsinki Airbnbs if you want some self-catering accommodation, otherwise Hotel F6 or Hotel Helka are great choices.

Out in Lapland, have a look at these top-rated accommodation options in Rovaniemi – great if you want to be in the centre of the action.

5 Great Lapland Activities

Check out these top picks for more ideas…

• Rovaniemi: Icebreaker Cruise with Lunch and Ice Floating
• Snowmobile Safari to the Wilderness with Lunch
• Ranua Wildlife Park Guided Tour
• Apukka Husky Adventure from Rovaniemi
• Northern Lights Wilderness Tour with Camera

5 Key Packing Items for a Finland Winter Trip

• Good Camera
• Thermal Socks
• Hand & Feet Warmers

Learn more in this article I wrote all about what to pack for a winter trip to Finland .

Travel Insurance for Finland

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

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And there you have it, my full guide to travelling from Helsinki to Lapland in Finland.

Which method of transport are you going to opt for and why?

I’d love to know in the comments section below…

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

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A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Helsinki, Finland

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links to the products we earnestly love and recommend, meaning at no extra cost to you, we might make a teeny-weeny commission if you click on the link and decide to buy something. The money will be used to sustain this little cozy blog we call our virtual home.

We’ve crafted this travel guide to Helsinki with a mission to help all who plan on visiting Helsinki, Finland, and are looking for detailed yet crisp information. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and read on.

Before You Plan a Trip to Helsinki

• Know if you need a visa for Helsinki. The holders of uniform visa (C) for two or multiple entries, valid for all Schengen Area Member States don’t need to apply for a separate visa for Finland.  Read our complete guide to Schengen Visa.
• Make sure to have a  guidebook  before you set foot in Helsinki. That makes getting around the city easy.
• As Helsinki is designed for strolling, you need comfortable and super light walking shoes. I wear  Skechers  while hubby loves  Adidas  and mini-me has got  Adidas  too. Read our guides to the  best shoes for women  and the  best shoes for kids  for your European family vacation.

Visiting Helsinki Travel Guide

Helsinki, fondly known as the Daughter of the Baltic is full of life. Helsinki stuns its visitors with its simple yet beautiful charm. You can’t help but awe at the magnificent design and architecture as you walk the streets and squares of Helsinki. Finnish cuisine is as famous as Finnish design. From strolling its historic lanes to hopping its islands to chilling at its beaches to hiking in its forests to stretching a leg in its urban parks and gardens to cozying up in its world-class sauna – You gotta fall in love with the city, one step at a time.

Here’s a guide to get you started in this uber-cool city!

Where is Helsinki in Finland?

The largest city and the capital of Finland, Helsinki is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. The most northerly of the capitals of Europe, Helsinki is often referred to as the white city of the north as most of its buildings are crafted using light-colored granite.

Things to Know Before Visiting Helsinki

Best time to visit helsinki.

Spring (May and June) and Autumn (September and October) are the best times to visit Helsinki. Summer (July and August) is good but crowded.

The plus point of traveling in the summer months is the great weather and long, mild, and warm days. We visited in July and enjoyed the long summer days. I mean, summer days just don’t end here. You can explore all day long. Isn’t it amazing?

How to Get to Helsinki

The capital and the largest city of Finland, Helsinki sits in Europe’s northernmost corner squeezed between Sweden and Russia.

You can fly or sail or drive into Helsinki depending upon where you’re coming from.

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport  is served by all major international airlines to and from major cities around the world.

For a classic Finnish experience, fly with  Finnair . We loved flying with them.

We recommend  Skyscanner  for the best flight deals.

You can sail via the Baltic Sea from Sweden (Stockholm), Russia (St. Petersburg), (Tallinn) Estonia, and even Germany.

The major ferry companies include  Tallink Silja Line, Viking Line, Linda Line, Eckero Line, Finnliness,  and  St. Peter Line .

Finland has a good road network. It’s easy to rent a car and drive to Helsinki from other cities in Finland and from Russia.

You can also plan a road trip to Finland from other Nordic countries but that’ll include a ferry.

The major routes include  E18, E12, E75,  and  E63 .

We recommend  Discover Cars  for all your car rental needs in Europe.

Helsinki Central Railway Station  in  Kluuvi  has excellent train connections from all the major cities in Finland and from Moscow and St. Petersberg in Russia.

Helsinki’s  Central Bus Station  in  Kamppi  has a regular bus service to and from all the large cities in Finland.

Read More:  Train from Oslo to Bergen on a Scenic Bergen Railway

How to Get to the City Center from the Airport

I  and  P  trains from the airport take about 30 minutes to the city center.

Alternatively, you can board the Finnair City Bus  or  Airport Bus 615  from the airport to the city center. The night bus service ( 415N ) is also available.

Taking a taxi is the easiest and fastest option but then it costs much higher.

Related Read:  The Little Fairytale Finnish Town on Porvoo

How to Get Around Helsinki

Walking is the best way to explore the attractions in and around the city center. You can take a self-guided tour or a guided walking tour to explore the center.

Biking is the second-best way to get around the city.  Check out the cycling routes in Helsinki .

Helsinki has a vast public transport network of bus, metro, tram, train, and ferry services.

The city has a zoned public transport system.

Choose a ticket that best fits your needs. If you’re sticking to the city center, you should buy a ticket for the main zone (AB) or for the airport downtown (ABC) but if you’re planning a day trip from Helsinki, you’d need a different ticket. Click here to learn how to use a public transport system in Helsinki.

You can buy a ticket from HSL ticket machines, train stations, R-Kioski (convenience stores in Finland), or the HSL Mobile Ticket app.

I’d suggest you buy a Helsinki Travel Card that allows unlimited travel for the duration (24, 48, or 72 hours) on all modes of transportation – trams, buses, the metro, trains, and the Suomenlinna ferry.

Helsinki Card is another awesome option. It not only allows free, unlimited travel on all modes of public transportation but also gives free access to a ton of attractions and museums in Helsinki.

Trams are the best and most beautiful way to explore the center of Helsinki.

Public buses are also an efficient way to travel from one location to another in Helsinki but are not helpful in the center of the city. Trams make sense there.

Helsinki’s metro system is the world’s northernmost and has two lines – M1 (Matinkylä–Vuosaari) and M2 (Tapiola–Mellunmäki) that serve about 25 stations.

Helsinki Commuter VR Trains form an important part of Helsinki’s public transport system.

What to do in Helsinki

There are some beautiful places to visit in Helsinki. We have a complete post about the best things to do in Helsinki, Finland for you.

Walking (tip: take a guided walking tour) in the center of the city is mandatory, you see. You can also ride the sightseeing tram to get pally with the city. Island hopping and café hopping remain the quintessential things to do in Helsinki.

Take a dip in the Finnish sauna to get off the tiredness of the sightseeing before you dine in on delicious Finnish cuisine. And, how can you not check out the impressive Finnish design and architecture? You must plan a visit to the Design District of Helsinki.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

We stayed in a spacious 50s house with a wood-heated sauna in Lintuvaara, Espoo, and loved every bit of it. Our host Marko and his family were welcoming and helpful.

It’s away from the center but the bus stop is just a few meters away from the house. We boarded a bus that dropped us at  Sello Mall  and then a train from  Leppävaara  train station to the  Central Railway Station  to reach the center of the city.

If you want to stay near the city center,  check out these best hotels right in the heart of Helsinki.

For those who wanna luxe it up, we recommend  Hotel F6 ,  Hotel St. George Helsinki , and  Lapland Hotels Bulevardi .

Check out the Best Luxury Hotels in Helsinki.

If you prefer living like a local like us, there are a ton of lovely apartment options, like  this Apartment Hotel Aallonkoti in the heart of the city ,  this stylish studio in Ullanlinna ,  this artist apartment in Kallio , or  this cozy, super-cute apartment in Vironkatu .

You Might Like:  Driving from Bergen to Oslo

What and Where to Eat in Helsinki

• Restaurant Savotta : Traditional Finnish Cuisine
• Juuri : sapas
• Konditoria Hopia : Karelian pies or Karjalanpiirakka
• Robert’s Coffee Gelato Factory : Gelato
• Lappi Ravintola : Poronkäristys
• Cafe Regatta : Korvapuusti  and Finnish Coffee
• Mumin Kaffe : Berry tea

If you want to  visit Helsinki  sometime soon, make use of our  Helsinki guide . We sincerely hope our  travel guide to Helsinki  helps you plan a perfect  trip to Helsinki . If you have any queries, let us know in the comments section below. We’ll be happy to help.

Recommended Reading:

• Renting a Car in Europe
• Schengen Visa for Europe
• How to Plan a Trip to Europe
• Best Things to do in Helsinki, Finland
• Porvoo in Finland
• Trip to Finnish Lapland in Summer
• Where to Stay in Rovaniemi, Finland
• Nordics Itinerary

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Anjali Chawla

1 thought on “A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Helsinki, Finland”

Somehow the link to your Airbnb does not open Marko’s property, but coincidentally we may have booked the exact same place. We are planning our trip for August 2023, so just starting researching. Your “First timers guide to Helsinki, Finland” is my first “pin” on my Finland board. Excited to start planning our trip!

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Getting from Helsinki airport to the city centre

Getting into central Helsinki from the airport is fast and inexpensive, no matter how you travel. Train, bus and taxi all have different benefits, so we’ll help you decide which is best for you.

And even if you’re just passing through, there’s good news – a layover of just a few hours is enough time to get for a feel for one of Scandinavia’s most rewarding capital cities.

So, read on and we’ll show you how to get from Vantaa airport to Helsinki city centre.

By train By public bus By taxi By private transfer By rental car What to do on a layover

The fastest option: take the train

The train station is beneath the terminal, with a direct elevator from the arrivals hall – just follow the railway signs.

Trains leave from the airport every ten minutes during peak hours and run from early morning until late at night. The journey from Helsinki airport into the city centre takes around 30 minutes.

To get to Helsinki Central Railway Station, which is in the heart of the city centre, you can take the I or P train. It’s a loop train, so it makes no difference which line you choose. Just hop on whichever is at the terminal when you arrive.

You must buy your ticket before you get onto the train from the machine at the station, or you can use the HSL app , which is slightly cheaper.

If you want to use the app, it’s a good idea to download it before you arrive so you’re not relying on the spotty wifi in the airport.

Some of the station’s ticket machines only take cards, so if you want to pay cash, look out for the HSL machines in the airport terminals, or buy your ticket at the R-Kioski convenience store in the airport.

You’ll need to buy an ABC ticket, as the airport is in travel zone C.

How much is the train from Helsinki airport to the city centre?

A single ticket, which is valid for ninety minutes’ travel in zones AB&C, costs €4.10.

A day or multi-day pass only includes airport travel if you buy the ABC pass, so it’s unlikely to be cost-effective unless you’re travelling a lot outside the city.

Remember to validate your ticket before you get on the train!

The public bus

Public bus #600 leaves from outside the arrivals hall and will also take you to Helsinki Central Railway Station.

The journey takes about 45 minutes and costs the same as the train. You can buy tickets from the machines, the R-Kioski shop or via the HSL app. 

Since the train costs the same and is quicker, the public bus only really makes sense if one of the stops is more convenient to your destination. You can check the map and timetable here .

Is the Helsinki Card worth buying?

Read this guide to see how much you could save during your trip!

The Go Helsinki Card: Region covers public transport within zones AB&C, so includes the train or bus from the airport.

If you’re thinking of buying a Go Helsinki Card , you’ll need to work out whether it’s worth getting the Region card or just buying the City Card (only includes zones A&B) and paying the extra for the journey to and from the airport.

Check out our guide to see if buying the Helsinki Card makes sense for you .

Taking a taxi

If you have lots of luggage or want to be dropped right outside your accommodation, jump in a cab. The taxi rank is right outside the arrivals hall. 

There are three official airport cab companies, which use taxi lanes 1–3 and charge the official rate. Other taxis, Uber etc, use rank 4 and will charge pre-agreed fares.

Helsinki taxi drivers are some of the most relaxed and friendly in Europe. Most speak (serviceable) English, but be prepared with a written address just in case.

How much for a taxi between Helsinki airport and the city?

The fare costs around €45–50 and it takes about half an hour into the city centre.

How much is Uber from Helsinki airport to the city centre?

There are also Ubers in Helsinki, but they sometimes cost more than metered taxis and aren’t always available.

Uber’s advertised rate from the airport to the city centre starts at around €35.

By private transfer

If you fancy splashing out, you can always book your own private airport transfer . If there’s a group of you, it doesn’t work out too expensive. Expect to pay around £86 for a private transfer for up to seven people.

Renting a car

You won’t need to rent a car if you’re just staying in the centre of Helsinki. However, if you’re planning to travel further around Finland, it makes sense to rent a car from the airport.

All the main international car rental companies have offices at the airport including Hertz, Sixt, Avis and Enterprise.

Prices start from about £150 a week for a basic small car. For more on renting a car in Scandinavia and to get a quote, click here .

Have a leisurely layover

Because the city is so close to the airport, even a short layover can be a chance to see some of the city. Layover tours will pick you up at the airport, show you around the city, and bring you back in time for your next flight.

Three hours is enough to see to the main sights, while four hours is plenty of time to get a real feel for the spirit and soul of this beautiful, unique city. Make sure you insist on stopping for a cinnamon bun!

And if you’ve just got a few hours between planes but not long enough to get you into the city and back, why not relax in the premium airport lounge . 

For £33, you get showers, wi-fi, free food and drink, comfortable seating and views of the runway.

Where to overnight at Helsinki airport

If you have an early morning flight, you might want to stay overnight at the airport.

The comfortable GLO Hotel Airport is the only hotel in the actual terminal building, while the Hilton Helsinki Airport and the Scandic Helsinki Airport are both just a short walk from the terminal.

Helsinki airport FAQ

Helsinki airport has undergone a decade-long renovation programme, so if you haven’t been through it for a few years you’ll notice some changes.

Here’s our quick guide to all you need to know about Helsinki airport.

How far is Helsinki airport from the city centre?

Helsinki airport is about 20km directly north of Helsinki city centre. 

What district of Helsinki is the airport in?

Hesinki airport is in the neighbourhood of Vantaa, hence it’s also sometimes known as Vantaa airport.

How many terminals are there at Helsinki airport?

Until the summer of 2022, Helsinki airport had two terminals. Now it has just one large terminal where terminal 2 used to be, from where all passengers depart and arrive.

Work on the new terminal will continue through to Spring 2023, when a new baggage claim hall will open. The terminal is powered using wind and solar energy and is carbon neutral. 

How long does it take at Helsinki airport customs?

Like all airports, how long it takes to get through security, customs and passport control is very difficult to predict, and varies according to the time of day and where you are travelling to/from.

However, Helsinki airport has recently doubled the capacity of its security equipment and introduced new technology so that electronics such as laptops and small bottles of liquid no longer have to be removed from hand luggage. 

It is hoped that these measures will reduce the waiting times though, of course, you should always follow the advice of your airline on when to arrive at the airport.

What are some cool things to do in Helsinki airport?

If you’ve got a spare hour at the airport, you might want to check out some of the cool Scandinavian design shops.

Finnish lifestyle brands such as Balmuir, Marimekko, Littala and Luhta all have outlets as the airport selling cool Nordic clothes and designer homeware. 

There are also two branches of the Moomin shop selling all things Moomin, from books to mugs, posters and even Moomin tea.

See also: Getting around Helsinki Unusual places to stay in Helsinki 33 free and cheap things to do in Helsinki 6 fun boat trips to take from Helsinki

The best places to visit Santa in Sweden, Norway and Finland

You may also like.

The best time to visit Helsinki

One day in Helsinki: the ultimate guide

Getting around Helsinki

How to survive a layover at Helsinki Airport

What is Helsinki syndrome?

10 of the best boat tours and cruises from Helsinki

33 cheap and free things to do in Helsinki

The Helsinki Card: is it worth buying?

Five fun day trips from Helsinki

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More From Forbes

The very best places to visit in finland.

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Despite cold temperatures, Oulu is a popular Finland travel destination in the winter.

Why is Finland consistently ranked as the world's happiest country? Plan a trip to the Nordic nation and find out for yourself what makes Finns tick.

From the innovative design capital of Helsinki to peaceful Arctic wilderness, Finland is packed with diversity. The same is true for experiences, whether it’s staying in glass igloos waiting for the northern lights to appear or exploring historic towns.

Whether seeking adventure, connection with nature, or relaxation, Finland's varied regions promise new experiences and a taste of why Finns hold the title of the happiest people on earth .

Finland’s compact yet vibrant capital city is the obvious starting point for those seeking a city break in Finland . Visiting Helsinki offers a unique blend of Nordic design heritage and natural beauty.

Helsinki is a UNESCO Design City, acknowledging the city’s commitment to incorporating design into everyday life.

In addition to novel public spaces, the Finnish capital boasts design schools, innovative architecture, creative industries, and unique design shopping opportunities. Noteworthy sites include the wooden Oodi Library and the rock-hewn Temppeliaukio Church.

Helsinki’s Oodi Central Library is a wonderful example of Finland’s focus on design.

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Despite its urban setting, Helsinki's seaside location and nearby archipelago provide a maritime ambiance and outdoor activities, making it a standout destination in Finland.

Easy Day Trips From Helsinki

Short on time? Helsinki offers several day trip opportunities for those with limited time but who are still keen to explore Finland's rich landscapes and cultural heritage.

One of the oldest towns in Finland, Porvoo is known for its picturesque old town with cobblestone streets and colorful wooden houses. A visit to the Porvoo Cathedral, which dates back to the 15th century, is a must for history enthusiasts.

Aside from its visual charm, the town's many boutiques and galleries offer unique Finnish designs and handmade goods, making Porvoo a perfect blend of historic charm and contemporary culture.

Nuuksio National Park

Just a short drive or public transport ride from Finland's capital, Nuuksio provides a quick gateway into forested, lake-filled wilderness for those staying in or visiting Helsinki.

Hiking, bird watching, berry and mushroom picking, canoeing, and camping are just a few activities visitors can enjoy. The park offers a chance to encounter Finnish wildlife, including elk, deer, and a variety of bird species, in their natural habitat.

Hämeenlinna

For a deeper dive into Finnish history, a day trip to Hämeenlinna offers the chance to explore the imposing 13th-century Häme Castle. Surrounded by beautiful nature, the town is also a base to travel to the Iittala Glass Factory Museum, providing insights into Finland’s design industries and cultural heritage.

The oldest city in Finland offers insights into the medieval era with attractions including Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral, the oldest buildings in Finland still in regular use.

The Aura River, central to the city's layout, is flanked by dining establishments and significant historical landmarks, enhancing the city's scenic appeal. Turku is also known for its dynamic arts scene, with an abundance of galleries, museums, and cultural events.

Old Rauma, a vibrant historic area and UNESCO World Heritage site , boasts over 600 colorful buildings housing boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, along with Finland's narrowest street.

The old wooden city center of Rauma is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist attraction ... [+] in Finland.

This unique living museum is inhabited by about 800 people. Visitors can admire exquisite murals in the 15th-century Church of the Holy Cross.

A trip to Rauma also offers the chance to explore another UNESCO site. The nearby Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki is the largest complete Bronze Age burial site in the Nordic region.

Finland’s Lake Region

Finland's southeastern region, near the Russian border, is rich with lakes and islands. While the exact number of lakes is unknown due to the challenge of defining a lake, there are over 55,000 bodies of water wider than 650 feet. Regardless of definitions, that’s a lot of water.

The area is sprinkled with summer cottages, many owned by Finns for seasonal retreats, with some available for rent. Start planning your itinerary with the enjoyable lakeside views along Route 62 from Mikkeli to Ruokolahti.

This region is ideal for experiencing the quintessentially Finnish tradition of enjoying a sauna followed by a refreshing dip in an ice-cold lake.

Nestled between two lakes, Tampere has evolved from its industrial origins into a vibrant hub of education, culture, and technology, boasting major universities and research institutes.

The city attracts international visitors with events at Tampere Hall congress center, which also houses the Moomin Museum, celebrating Tove Jansson's timeless characters .

Vapriikki Museum Center, located along the riverside, offers insights into Tampere's industrial history and diverse exhibitions, from natural history to gaming.

Arctic Finland

The northern region of Finland is a year-round destination, offering endless daylight in summer for hiking and wildlife watching, and stunning northern lights alongside Arctic landscapes in fall, winter, and spring.

Arctic Finland is a prime spot for viewing the northern lights, despite the cold. For comfort, consider staying in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Even if the northern lights elude you, a winter visit remains a memorable one with activities like husky sled rides, exploring Sami culture, and sauna.

Known as the gateway to Arctic Finland, Oulu is a city known for its technology sector and vibrant cultural scene, featuring music festivals, museums, and art galleries.

Oulu's position by the Baltic Sea makes it ideal for bird watching. Winter in Oulu brings plummeting temperatures but great opportunities for ice skating and cross-country skiing.

Known as the ‘official hometown of Santa Claus’, Rovaniemi lies directly on the Arctic Circle. This city is a magical destination for families, offering visits to Santa Claus Village all year round.

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland, is a year-round tourist attraction.

Beyond this festive appeal, Rovaniemi serves as a hub for Arctic adventures, including snowmobile safaris, reindeer sleigh rides, and aurora hunting.

Cultural highlights include the Arktikum museum, which provides comprehensive insights into Arctic nature and the history of Finnish Lapland.

Ivalo and Inari

In the far north, Ivalo and Inari offer insights into indigenous Sami culture, with attractions like the Siida Museum and opportunities to explore the Arctic wilderness.

Inari is home to the Sami Parliament and serves as a cultural center for the Sami people, offering visitors an authentic look at the traditions and way of life of the Nordic region’s indigenous people.

Åland Islands

This Swedish-speaking archipelago at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia offers peaceful natural beauty, maritime attractions, and outdoor activities.

The Åland Islands are known as a summer vacation spot, popular with both Swedes and Finns for the sandy beaches, historic sites, scenic cycle paths, and quaint villages.

Mariehamn, the charming capital, serves as the heart of Åland's 30,000 residents, offering a glimpse into the islands' maritime heritage with attractions like the Åland Maritime Museum and the Pommern sailing ship.

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DESTINATIONS , EUROPE , FINLAND

Visiting helsinki on a cruise: a free self-guided walking tour.

The approach to the cruise port of Helsinki is spectacular. Occupying a peninsula that is studded with over 300 islands, the so-called Daughter of the Baltic is surrounded on three sides by water.

This natural seaport was founded by King Gustavus Vasa of Sweden (to which Finland belonged for many centuries) as a new trading post in southern Finland in 1550. The aim was to woo trade from the Estonian city of  Tallinn , thus challenging the Hanseatic League’s monopoly on Baltic trade.

Today, Helsinki is known for not only its stunning natural environment but also its architecture, sauna culture, design scene and its unique gastronomy. But if you are visiting Helsinki on a cruise and have only 24 hours or less to explore it, you will need to make some tough choices.

Make the most of your cruise stop in Helsinki by exploring its highlights on this free self-guided walking tour .

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

IN THIS ARTICLE

How I visited Helsinki on a cruise

Helsinki was the 4th port of call on my 2-week  cruise on the Baltic Sea :

• Cruise operator:  Celebrity Cruises
• Cruise ship:  Celebrity Silhouette
• Time in port : 7 am – 3.30 pm

The Silhouette berthed at Hernesaari cruise terminal .

As the city’s main attractions are concentrated in a small area, Helsinki is very walkable.

Language  – Finnish, Swedish. English is widely spoken.

Currency  – Euro. However, cards are widely accepted, even as payment for small purchases such as a cup of coffee. Therefore, I did not bother getting local currency and used my card instead.

Tipping  – As a service charge is added to your bill tipping is not expected in Finland. However, if you feel that the service was exceptional, you can leave a small tip.

Helsinki Self-Guided Walking Tour

Make the most of your cruise stop in Helsinki by following my free self-guided walking tour . As your time in port will be limited, I have deliberately pared this walk down to include only the best things to see in Helsinki in a day (or less!).

Let’s face it; you are on a relaxing cruise. You won’t want to be rushing from one attraction to another onshore.

This walking tour starts from the market square and is around two miles (3 km) in length. At a relaxed pace, it will take you  2 – 3 hours , more if you decide to linger, stop for a coffee or bite to eat or go off-piste.

To help you on your way, here’s your Helsinki walking tour map. For step-by-step directions, click here or on the image and it will bring up a live Google Map.

Kuappatori (market square)

Helsinki’s waterfront market square, framed by stately 19 th  Century buildings, is a good place to start. If you are making your way from Helsinki West Harbour Cruise Terminal on foot, it will be the first landmark that you will come across.

The first thing that hits you is the aroma of wild strawberries, on sale at many of the market’s stalls. But this is a great place to pick up reasonably priced, handmade wooden souvenirs and jewellery.

If you haven’t had enough of being on the water, you can also pick up a sightseeing boat tour from here. I had and I didn’t.

Uspenskin Katedraali (Russian Orthodox Cathedral)

East of the market square, you can’t miss the gold onion domes of Uspenskin Katedraali, Helsinki’s 19 th  Century Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Unfortunately, the ship docked on a Monday when the cathedral was shut. Therefore, I did not have a chance to take a peek at its reportedly lavish interior.

Tuomiokirkko (Lutheran Cathedral)

Your next stop is Helsinki’s Lutheran Cathedral. In contrast to the red-brick exterior of Uspenskin Katedraali, this is a stately, shimmering white neoclassical building.

Direct your gaze heavenwards to the zinc statues of the 12 apostles on its roof.

Helsinki’s train station

Whilst I am partial to a grandiose church or two, Helsinki’s train station was my favourite building.

Designed by the architect Eliel Saarinen, his Neoromantic temple to transport is recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful railway stations.

This glorious Art Nouveau building opened in 1919 and is clad in Finnish granite. It is known for its clock tower and its two pairs of statues, holding spherical lamps, that grace its main entrance.

This was the “What the heck?!” moment during my day in Helsinki.

Opened in 2018, Amos Rex is an underground contemporary art museum, topped by five conical domes rising from the surface of Lasipalatsi Square. Resembling a gleaming lunar landscape, it has rapidly become a Helsinki landmark and is selfie-central.

Temppeliaukio Church

Yes; another church. But you don’t see too many churches hewn out of solid rock.

With a gleaming copper dome covering its 25-m diameter roof and slatted windows allowing the light to play patterns across its floor, this is an extraordinary building. It will cost you 3 Euro to enter but is worth every cent.

Organised Day Tours of Helsinki

But perhaps you don’t fancy going it alone on a self-guided walking tour and are looking for other things to do during your cruise stop in Helsinki.

Taking a shore excursion is an obvious solution but can be extremely expensive. Often, a better option is to arrange an activity through a local tour operator.

GetYourGuide is my go-to platform for sourcing and booking activities when I travel. Not only do they have a broad choice but they also offer risk-free cancellation within 24 hours of your activity.

Here are a few Helsinki activities that could fit with your time in port.

Helsinki guided walking tour

Benefit from the insider knowledge of a local guide on this customisable walking tour of Helsinki.

>>> CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Panoramic coach tour of Helsinki

This is the perfect option if you have mobility issues or simply fancy a rest. This 1 hour 45 minute coach tour with audio commentary in 10 languages takes in the city’s major landmarks.

Helsinki tram tour

This is a fabulous eco-friendly way of seeing Helsinki. Accompanied by a guide, you will explore 7 different neighbourhoods, including some hidden gems, on one of the city’s trams.

Is it Worth Buying the Helsinki Card?

The Helsinki Card  is a discount card that gives you free admission to many of Helsinki’s tourist attractions as well as a free bus tour of the city. At the time, I felt that it was expensive and as I was spending just one day in Helsinki it would not have been of value to me.

However, depending on how long you are in port and where you plan to visit, you might arrive at a different conclusion. Think about where you might be able to visit and how much individual tickets and transport will cost compared with the cost of the Helsinki Card.

>>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO BUY YOUR CARD

How to get from Helsinki Cruise Port to the City Centre

Helsinki’s main cruise terminals are South Harbour, West Harbour and Hernesaari. South Harbour is within a 15 – 20 minute walk of the market square. Larger cruise ships tend to berth at  West Harbour or Hernesaari cruise terminals , which are 3 – 4 km from the centre of town. To reach Helsinki city centre from these ports you can walk, catch a public bus, use the cruise shuttle service or jump on a hop-on-hop-off bus.

Walking from Hernesaari cruise terminal to Helsinki city centre

I walked from the Hernesaari cruise terminal into the centre of town. At an easy pace, this took me around 45 minutes.

It was a lovely walk along the waterfront and was one of the highlights of my day in Helsinki.

Public bus between West Harbour & Hernesaari cruise terminals to Helsinki city centre

Bus #14  will bring you to the centre of town in 15 minutes. There’s information about getting around Helsinki by bus here .

To return to the cruise terminal, pick up the bus near Temppeliaukio Church, at the end of my walking tour, or at Kamppi metro station. Buses are frequent (every 10 – 15 minutes).

Cruise shuttle service

When I visited, a local tour operator provided a multi-stop shuttle service, departing every 20 minutes.

hop-on-hop-off bus

A red hop-on hop-off (HOHO) bus covering 22 stops runs every 20 minutes in peak season. An audio guide in nine languages is included.

>>> CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR HELSINKI HOHO BUS TICKET

Enjoy your Helsinki cruise stop

If you have found this itinerary helpful, take a look at my guides to the other ports of call on this cruise:

• One Day in Rostock & Warnemünde, Germany: A Perfect DIY Cruise Excursion
• One Day in Stockholm: Visiting Sweden on a Cruise
• Visiting St. Petersburg on a Cruise Ship: The Ultimate Guide
• One Day in Tallinn: A Cruise to Estonia
• One Day in Copenhagen: 6 Best Things to Do On a Cruise Stop

Packing a good guidebook to allow you to explore the ports of call on a Baltic Sea cruise independently is a wise move. I can recommend this  excellent  Lonely Planet  guide  which I used when I was visiting these ports.

Finally, if you are a cruise rookie, I also have advice on  arranging your first cruise  and  choosing cruise cabins , including  single cabins  for  solo cruisers .

Happy travels!

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, uk to finland without flying.

It's easy to travel from London to Helsinki by train and ferry, a wonderful 2-day 3-night journey across Scandinavia with a lot to see on the way.  It's a great alternative to an unnecessary flight.  On this page you'll find a step-by-step guide to planning, booking & making a journey from the UK to Finland by train or ferry, with train & ferry timetables, approximate fares, and the best way to buy tickets.

Train times, fares & tickets

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Which route should you choose .

There are several good options for reaching Finland in comfort without flying:

Option 1 , London to Helsinki using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper

Option 2 , London to Helsinki via Stockholm with overnight stops

This also follows the route shown in red on the route map below , but instead of sleepers & overnight ferries it uses daytime trains with an overnight hotel stop in Hamburg and Stockholm.  That means it's not as time-effective as option 1, it takes 3 days & 2 nights and if you want any time in Hamburg or Stockholm you'll have to add a day.  But if you prefer day trains and hotels to sleepers & ferry cabins, this is the option to take.  Times, fares & how to buy tickets are shown below .

Option 3 , London to Helsinki by train to Hamburg then ferry from Travemünde to Finland

Take a morning Eurostar to Brussels & onward trains to Hamburg, spend the night there before taking a local train to Travemünde and the daily Finnlines ferry from Travemünde to Helsinki.  This route is shown in dark blue on the route map below .  Times, fares & how to buy tickets are shown below .

Option 1 :  London to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper

This is easily the nicest way from the UK to Helsinki & Finland, taking 2 days, 3 nights, including an afternoon at leisure in Hamburg and the best part of a day to explore Stockholm and its amazing Vasa museum .  It includes a ride on a sleeper train from Hamburg to Stockholm and the highlight is a cruise across the Baltic from Stockholm to Helsinki, past the many beautiful islands.  In the inbound direction this option takes just 48 hours, still with a day to explore Stockholm.

London ► Helsinki

Day 2, travel from Brussels to Hamburg, leaving Brussels Midi at 08:23 (08:25 weekends), change at Cologne Hbf , arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:14.

Silja Line also operates a transfer bus from Stockholm Cityterminal (next to Stockholm Central ) to the terminal, buy tickets from the ticket machines or from the driver, check times at the Silja Line website.  Or you can take a taxi.

At the Värtahamnen terminal, check-in for the ferry is painless:  Walk up to one of the self-service check-in machines, click the touch screen for English, scan the ferry ticket barcode on your phone or printout, click to confirm and out pops your ferry boarding pass which is also your cabin key.  Go through the automatic gates using the boarding pass and walk onto the ferry.

In Helsinki, it's an easy 1.8 km 23-minute walk from Silja Line's Olympia ferry terminal to Helsinki station.  Or if you walk out of the terminal and turn right, you'll see the tram terminus for trams 2 & 3.  Buy a ticket from the machine using a contactless bank card, tram 2 will get you to a stop in the city centre a block away from Helsinki station, tram 3 takes a slightly longer route but goes to the tram stop right outside Helsinki station.  Helsinki's iconic cathedral is a 1.3 km 16-minute walk from the ferry terminal.

Helsinki ► London

Silja Line ( www.tallinksilja.com ) offers a luxurious overnight cruise ferry direct from Helsinki to Stockholm every day, sailing from Helsinki Olympia Terminal at 17:00 arriving in Stockholm Värtahamnen at about 09:45 next morning, after sailing past the many islands.

A range of comfortable cabins is available.  Map of Helsinki showing Silja terminal .

Day 2, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (08:56 Sundays).

Day 3, travel from Hamburg to Brussels by train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:45 Mon-Fri & Sat, change Cologne Hbf , arriving Brussels Midi 15:35.

On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:45, change at Cologne Hbf , arriving Brussels Midi at 17:35.

You travel on comfortable ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Tip:   Allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg when connecting out of the sleeper, ideally 1-2 hours. 

Tip:   An earlier arrival is possible using Eurostar (formerly Thalys) between Cologne & Brussels, but I recommend using the trains shown above as this gets you (a) a cheaper price and (b) a through ticket with cast-iron passenger rights in the event of a delay and missed connection in Cologne.

On Sundays, leave Brussels Midi at 18:51 arriving London St Pancras 19:47.

How much does it cost?

London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).

Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train starts at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per bed.

Stockholm to Helsinki by direct overnight ferry starts from around €88 including a bed in a shared 4-berth with Viking Line or €111 with sole occupancy of a cabin with Silja Line.  But there are whole range of cabin types and prices, just check both ferry company websites.

All these fares are dynamic, varying like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

Step 1, book London to Brussels by Eurostar at www.eurostar.com .

Tip:   If returning, book Eurostar as a round trip, because unlike most other European trains, a return ticket costs less than two one-ways.

Step 2, book Brussels to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de . 

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Step 3, book Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper tickets at the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se .

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar including check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .   Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels .

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3, Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4

Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE trains .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Cologne Hbf station guide .  Hamburg Hbf station guide .

Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight train normally has one or sometimes two sleeping-cars, two or sometimes three couchette cars and two seats cars.  Each sleeping-car has 14 narrow standard compartments with washbasin which can be sold as single or double, plus two deluxe compartments with shower & toilet which can be sold as single, double or triple.  The couchettes come in 6-berth compartments.  The seats cars have 6-seat compartments, but you should always book a couchette or sleeper if you can.  The sleepers convert to private sitting rooms for evening or morning use, the couchettes convert to seats.  Limited food & drink (including beer & wine) can be ordered from the train staff, you can see the menu at www.sj.se/en/travel-info/sj-euronight.html .  A simple breakfast box with jam, butter, rolls, yoghurt and a tea or coffee is included in the sleepers and can be ordered the night before in the couchettes.  Unlike most other European night trains, as this train is Swedish you are not permitted to consume your own alcohol.  More photos & information about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train .

5. Stockholm to Helsinki by overnight ferry

An Silja Line ferry links Stockholm with Helsinki overnight every day, and a Viking Line ferry sails overnight to a similar schedule every second day.  It's a much more relaxed affair than the Stockholm-Turku route.  You can board an hour an a half before sailing rather than 15 minutes before, the ferry sails late afternoon so you have a whole evening on the ship, and there's time for a lie-in and leisurely breakfast with a late-morning arrival.  The facilities on board are top-class, from the Grande Buffet to the Lobster restaurant.  A full range of cabins is available, including suites.

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Option 2, London to Helsinki with overnight stops

You travel from London to Hamburg by Eurostar & onward trains on day 1, stay overnight in Hamburg, then travel from Hamburg to Stockholm on day 2.  Take a bottle of wine and a good book, and enjoy a 2-day train ride across Europe on modern & comfortable trains with not an airport security queue in sight.  Stay overnight in Stockholm then take the daytime ferry+train service to Helsinki next day.  Or spend the day exploring Stockholm and take the overnight cruise ferry to Helsinki with a comfortable en suite cabin reserved.  What's the journey like?

Leave London St Pancras at 09:01, change Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf , arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:14.

Leave London St Pancras at 11:04, change Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf , arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:14.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 arriving Copenhagen 13:34.  Leave Copenhagen at 14:19, arriving Stockholm Central 19:37.

Viking Line ( www.sales.vikingline.com ) sails from Stockholm Stadsgården terminal at 07:45 every day, arriving in Turku at 19:50.

The luxurious Viking Grace or Viking Glory has a range of standard & deluxe cabins, restaurants, bars and lounges.  A cabin is optional on the day crossing, but I recommend one as somewhere to nap, shower, relax in private.  See map of Stockholm showing ferry terminals .  How to reach Stockholm's Viking Line terminal .

In Turku, it's just 100m from the Viking Line terminal to Turku Port station, see map .

A connecting double-deck InterCity train leaves Turku Port (Turku Satama) station at 20:25 & arrives at Helsinki station at 22:56.

This is a boat train specifically timed to connect with the ferry from Stockholm.  It has Eko (2nd) & Ekstra (1st) class, a bistro, playroom & various seating options, see more about this Intercity train .

Update:  For 2 years from Autumn 2022, a bus will replace the train between Turku Port & Kupittaa (east Turku), but the bus is well-signed & well-organised.  The bus leaves from the car park next to Turku Port station platforms.  More about this Intercity train .

Alternatively, spend the day in Stockholm and take the direct ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki as in option 1.

Helsinki ► London

This is a boat train specifically timed to connect with the ferry to Stockholm.  It has Eko (2nd) & Ekstra (1st) class, a bistro, playroom & various seating options, see more about this Intercity train .

Viking Line ( www.sales.vikingline.com ) sails from Turku at 08:45 arriving Stockholm Stadsgården ferry terminal at 18:55.

Leave Stockholm Central at 08:20, arriving Copenhagen 13:33.  Leave Copenhagen at 15:26, arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:04.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 15:57.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 17:47.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 19:47.

Hamburg to Stockholm starts at €56.90 each way in 2nd class.

These train fares are dynamic like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices and avoid busy days such as Fridays or Sunday afternoons.

Stockholm to Turku by Viking Line ferry costs as little as €15 each way without any cabin accommodation, but you can add various types of private cabin from €13 upwards.  Silja Line is similarly priced.

Turku to Helsinki by train costs starts at €7.90 in Eco (2nd) class or €18.80 in Ekstra (1st) class booked in advance.

You can check sailing dates & prices for both Viking Line & Silja Line ferries on both the Stockholm-Turku & Stockholm-Helsinki routes at the Direct Ferries website .  Remember to select '18+' for adults and change With vehicle to No vehicle .  The price you initially see is for a basic passenger place on the ferry, you can add a cabin at the next stage.  When you book online you will be emailed a confirmation which you present at check-in to exchange for your boarding pass.

How to buy tickets by phone

Step 1:  Buy your train tickets from London to Stockholm.  You can buy all these tickets through a number of UK agencies, but the best for this trip is probably Deutsche Bahn's UK phone line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings).  Click here for a list of agencies and more info on how to book.

Step 2:  Book the Viking Line ferry at the Direct Ferries website or www.sales.vikingline.com or by phone though its UK agent, Emagine Ltd, on 01942 262662.  Book the Silja Line ferry at the Direct Ferries website or www.tallinksilja.com or through their UK agents, DFDS Seaways, on 0871 522 9955.

Let Railbookers arrange it

If you want a custom-made trip with train & ferry travel, hotels & transfers all arranged for you, contact Railbookers.  Tell them what you want and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out.  They get positive reviews and look after their customers very well.

What's the journey like ?

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .   Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels .

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3

Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE3 trains .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Cologne Hbf station guide .

4. Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train

As from June 2023, Hamburg-Copenhagen trains are operated by former German Railways intercity cars like this, now shown in the timetable as EC for EuroCity .  This is only temporary, as brand-new trains being built for DSB will be delivered in 2024.  These ex-DB intercity cars have power sockets at all seats (although no WiFi).  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey .

On 17 June 2023, the first Copenhagen to Hamburg train to use the 'new' German intercity cars is boarding at Copenhagen.  Photo courtesy of Peter Kincey .

2nd class seats in are almost all open-plan like this.  There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo .  Larger photo .

Crossing the Little Belt ( Lillebælt in Danish) from Jutland (mainland Denmark) to Funen, the island on which Odense is located.

5. Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000

These Swedish 200km/h (125mph) tilting trains link Copenhagen & Stockholm in just a few hours, centre to centre.  They cross from Denmark to Sweden over the Oresund Link, a combined tunnel and bridge.  On the bridge section you seem to be flying just feet above the water. More about X2000 trains .

6. Stockholm to Turku by cruise ferry & train to Helsinki

There is both a day service and a night service between Stockholm & Helsinki using the Stockholm-Turku Viking Line ferries.

Option 3, London to Helsinki via Travemünde

This leisurely option runs every day and takes 3 nights outward to Helsinki, just 2 nights inward back to London.  In the outward direction it includes a day at leisure exploring Hamburg, too.  Take a morning Eurostar to Brussels and onward trains to Hamburg, and stay overnight.  After a day exploring Hamburg, transfer by local train to Travemünde on Germany's Baltic coast, then take the daily Finnlines ferry from Travemünde to Helsinki, a 2-night cruise.  This route is shown on the route map above in red between London & Hamburg and in dark blue between Hamburg & Helsinki.

At Lübeck Hbf, leave the station and follow the signs to the ZOB bus station 100m away.  Lübeck is a good place for dinner with plenty of bars & restaurants in the old town 5 minutes walk from the station.

Now take bus 30 from Lübeck ZOB bus station to Travemünde Skandinavienkai Terminal (this is the stop before Travemünde Skandinavienkai - Bahnhof Skandinavienkai ).  The bus ride takes 30 minutes, the last bus goes around 21:00.

You can check journey times from Hamburg to Travemünde Skandinavienkai Terminal at the German Railways website, just use this link to bahn.de as it has the bus times in its database as well as the trains, or you can find bus information at www.xn--sv-lbeck-95a.de .

Alternatively, take a frequent local train from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck Hbf, then a frequent local train to Travemünde Skandinavienkai Bahnhof, Lübeck from where the ferry terminal is an 8-minute taxi ride or a 34-minute 2.8 km walk.

Helsinki's Hansa Ferry Terminal in Vuosaari harbour is 16 km east of central Helsinki, see map of Helsinki showing Vuosaari . 

For example, the first departure leaves Hamburg Hbf at 06:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi to arrive London St Pancras at 16:57.

Hamburg to Travemünde by local train & bus costs around €19 each way.

Travemünde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry costs between €120 and €155 (£95-£120) each way in a reclining seat depending on the day and season.  However, I recommend a cabin.  The fare including a bed in a 3-bed shared inside cabin is between €200 and €287 each way.  The fare including a bed in a 2-bed outside cabin is between €279 and €413 each way.  Children under 6 go free, and there are reduced fares for children 6 to 12 and youth fares for children 13-17.  See the fares at www.finnlines.com or the Direct Ferries website .

It takes several websites so it's best to try a dry-run on all of them first to check prices and availability before booking for real.  Here's how it's done:

2. Brussels to Cologne & Cologne to Hamburg by ICE

Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE3 trains .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Cologne Hbf station guide .  Hamburg Hbf station guide

3. Transfer from Hamburg to Travemünde & sail to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry

The ship has comfortable cabins with private shower & toilet, satellite TV & WiFi (paid for), cafe-restaurant, shop, bar, sundeck, gym and a free sauna

Train travel in Finland

Click the images to buy at amazon.co.uk.

Or buy direct at the Lonely Planet website , shipping worldwide.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in Helsinki & Finland

For advice on hotels in Helsinki see the Helsinki station page .

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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From Helsinki to Rovaniemi by Train

Find out what it's like to travel from Helsinki to Rovaniemi by train, search for train tickets and discover Helsinki-Rovaniemi train schedule.

• Daily departures 3
• Earliest departure ​08:22
• Latest departure ​18:49
• Shortest travel time ​8 h 23 min

Helsinki - Rovaniemi Train Information

If you wish to explore Lapland, traveling on Helsinki-Rovaniemi train is one of the best options. You can choose from around 3 daily departures and decide whether you wish to spend the night of the train, or 8 hour of daylight to observe gorgeous countryside views while heading north?

All of the trains running on Helsinki - Rovaniemi railway tracks are fitted with modern facilities and offer excellent travel experience. You can bring your laptop too, and binge watch your favorite TV show, as the WiFi is available and power sockets are always near your seat. Otherwise, you can spend your time onboard, sleeping, day dreaming or journaling as there will be plenty of seating and legroom for relaxation during this Helsinki-Rovaniemi train ride .

Helsinki to Rovaniemi Train Price & Schedule

Traveling from helsinki to rovaniemi: train stations.

Helsinki Central Railway Station

Kaivokatu 1, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Rovaniemi Central Railway Station

96100 Rovaniemi, Rovaniemi, Finland

Related Routes

Turku to helsinki train, helsinki to rovaniemi train, tampere to helsinki train, imatra to helsinki train, helsinki to lappeenranta train, joensuu to helsinki train.

Uncovering the Roots of Modern Finnish Design—Beyond Helsinki

T he views from my car window are a Nordic cliché: long stretches of farmland that give way to thick forests of birch and pine. Rustic farmhouses painted a deep, punctuating red. A freshly thawed stream shimmering in the sunlight. I leave Finland 's southern coast, fringed by islands and inlets, behind as I cut northwest through its lake-dotted interior. It's a beautiful landscape—though not one that traditionally draws the design lovers who flock to this country.

My interest in Finnish design began, as it does for many, with Alvar Aalto, the father of Finnish modernism, and grew as I studied legends like Yrjö Kukkapuro and Tapio Wirkkala and discovered the quirky genius of Marimekko . There's plenty to learn from Helsinki 's arresting architecture and tucked-away boutiques, but the country's design identity has rural roots, and I set out on a pilgrimage to uncover them.

Modernist marvel

A first glance at Ahlström Noormarkku , 160 miles west of Helsinki, reveals little of its place in Finnish history. Once one of the nation's most impressive ironworks, it is now a sprawling family-owned estate with guesthouses for the visitors who come to hike and hunt—and pay homage to an icon. Deep within the estate sits Villa Mairea, Aalto's 20th-century modernist gem. Aalto also developed his first product prototypes in Noormarkku—a foray that eventually grew into Artek , the renowned design company. The charming guest rooms, including mine, are peppered with his classics, like the webbed Model 45 chair, with its rattan woven arms, and the Tea Trolley 901, a Japanese-inspired birch cart.

After an astonishingly good dinner at the estate's restaurant, Peter Ahlström, the company's CEO, drives me past orchards and streams, worker cottages and handsome industrial buildings. As the fifth generation of his family to lead Noormarkku, he is the custodian of its history. Even with its business interests having shifted elsewhere, the extended Ahlström family continues to gather here. “The Finns are tied to where they grew up, to land and their ownership of it,” Ahlström explains. At the tipping edge of daylight, we spot a herd of roe deer and a single white-tailed one.

In the morning, fueled by a breakfast of savory Karelian pies, smoked salmon, and rye bread, I walk to Villa Mairea, designed in the 1930s by Aalto and his wife, Aino, for Maire Gullichsen, an art patron and the granddaughter of the ironworks' founder. It appears around a bend in a forested path bathed in silence. Its façade in wood and stone is modest but still manages to make my heart skip a beat. The free-flowing interiors offer more stunners, from the site-specific furniture to Gullichsen's trove of Picassos and Légers. I am particularly taken by the forest-inspired staircase and rattan-wrapped pillars, which make the home feel virtually inseparable from the surrounding woodland.

Before leaving, I take a smoke sauna on the banks of the Noormarkunjoki River. Water laps rhythmically against the bulrush-lined shore. Birdsong fills the air. According to Ahlström, the family plans to make this the site of an ambitious design center and world-class arts pavilion. I have a hard time imagining a modern structure here, especially on a morning such as this, but it would be a fitting way to bring the family's design legacy into the future.

Sustainable sensibility

“There's a Finnish saying, punainen tupa ja perunamaa, meaning ‘a red house and a potato field,’” explains Kaari, the young driver taking me to the village of Fiskars, “indicating all you need to be content.” We're talking about those distinctive farmhouses that we whoosh past as we head 150 miles south. I'm making a quick stop at the Finnish Design Shop , the first showroom for the world's largest online Nordic design store, on the outskirts of Turku, the historic former capital.

A few years ago, says COO Reetta Noukka, the company picked this site abutting the Pomponrahka nature reserve to house its dream headquarters. In developing it, care was taken to preserve the natural forest undergrowth and excavated stones, allowing the warehouse, offices, showroom, and wild-food restaurant—helmed by award-winning forager-chef Sami Talberg—to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. The result is a unique prototype for a next-generation design hub. “Finnish design has always been inspired by nature,” Noukka says, “but sustainability will shape its future.”

Into the Woods

An hour later we pull into Fiskars. Almost immediately, I'm in love: with the forest cover, the rustic cottages, and the central artery of artist studios, bakeries, and shops. In the 1600s this was the birthplace of the Fiskars ironworks, which eventually became a world-renowned brand beloved for its garden tools and ubiquitous orange scissors. When the company outgrew its production facilities in the village, woodworkers, glassblowers, textile artists, and other artisans turned the disused foundries and mills into studios and homes.

In the '90s this Edenic landscape drew Karin Widnäs to Fiskars to build the KWUM Museum for international ceramists, as well as her home, a gray timber-framed modernist structure that blends into its sylvan setting. Here she produces award-winning ceramics that grace the tables of Finland's top restaurants. “The forest and the lake give me all the inspiration I need,” she tells me.

A stroll away, on the banks of the Borgbyträsket lake, sits the workshop of Nikari , a furniture studio that is known for its serene design language and has been operational since 1967. In the '90s, drawn to Fiskars’ abundance of native woods, the brand's founder, master cabinetmaker Kari Virtanen, set up shop in an old factory here. “With the former foundry that now produces hydroelectric power, the sawmill next door, and locals who sew the covers for some of our chairs, it’s completely circular,” says Johanna Vuorio, the company’s CEO.

“As a nation with a very strong connection with nature, it’s common for us to think about sustainability,” she continues, showing me pieces like the low-slung Centenniale table that are made from century-old oak or ash and designed to last centuries more. “To us, making something that lasts is a source of pride and joy," she says. Almost every Finnish family owns Wirkkala's glassware or Aalto's stackable stools, passed down from generation to generation.

I’m spending the night at Wärdshus , which, at 187 years, is the oldest running inn in Finland. The decor is old-fashioned and comforting, but the restaurant surprises me with its finesse. My companion over dinner is Petteri Masalin, Fiskars' chief design officer, who lives in the village with his family. Fiskars today owns a slew of legacy brands from Royal Copenhagen to Wedgwood, but is still best known for its scissors. I ask Masalin what it takes to stay relevant after all these years. “Delivering the perfect cut again and again,” he says. 

In 2019, the inaugural Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale brought new buzz to the town; visitors can now check in to a boutique hotel, The Torby , set in a former paper workshop. And the artisanry has grown more diverse: Deka Studio brings an Australian sensibility to Finnish woodworking; at Onoma , an artists' cooperative shop, I encounter everything from three-dimensional textile art to moss-covered ceramic sculpture.

Encouraged by summer's lingering light, I take a late walk. The birds are still animated, but the town has been enveloped in a gentle quiet. Tomorrow I'll return to Helsinki, where I'll check into the Design District's art-rich Hotel St. George and sniff out treasures at Artek 's pre-loved furniture outlet. But I'll look at every façade, café table, and museum textile a little differently. I might be far away from having a home filled with Aalto treasures, but I'm closer to understanding the forces that shape the Finnish design philosophy—and that near-reverential closeness to nature that defines it.

This article appeared in the September/October 2023 issue of  Condé Nast Traveler.  Subscribe to the magazine   here .

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Travel easily by train to summer events – we treat summer travellers to extra services.

The train is the easiest method to reach many events in the wonderful Finnish summer. We are adding train services and special-themed trains to the most popular events during the summer. We have also added seasonal stops in Härmä and Hillosensalmi to serve travellers who want to reach the amusement park or the national park. The timetables for long-distance trains until 15 September have now been published in the travel search on VR.fi and the VR Matkalla app.

Just like last year, you can travel to the midsummer festival on the popular midsummer train between Tampere and Rauma. This year, you can travel both ways on Thursday and Sunday.

The timetables for the Rauma midsummer trains are:

• Thu 20 June IC647 Tampere–Rauma at 10.59–12.45
• Thu 20 June IC648 Rauma–Tampere at 13.30–15.21
• Sun 23 June IC647 Tampere–Rauma at 09.05–11.03
• Sun 23 June IC648 Rauma–Tampere at 11.55–13.42

In addition to the Rauma midsummer train, other services returning this summer are the seasonal stops at Hillosensalmi near the Repovesi National Park and the Härmä station near Powerpark. Summer stops at these stations allow for a day trip to nature or leisure activities.

Music, sport and an unforgettable travel atmosphere

Every Tuesday in July, the IC3 “opera train” departs from Helsinki, welcoming passengers to enjoy musical performances. We are organising the opera train in collaboration with the Savonlinna Opera Festival

To set the right atmosphere, you can also enjoy the special programme on some of the additional train services during the festival.

Train tickets for these summer events are already available:

Friday 7 June and Sunday 9 June Metallica at Helsinki Olympic Stadium : Sat 8 June and Mon 10 June IC645 Helsinki–Kupittaa at 00.50–2.48 and IC677 Helsinki–Tampere at 00.30–02.23 and Z-train Helsinki–Lahti at 0.50–1.55

Fri 7 June – 10 June Kesärauha in Turku : Mon 10 June IC646 Kupittaa–Helsinki at 01.00–2.52

Fri 7–8 June Soundfest in Lahti : Sat 8 June Z-train Lahti–Helsinki 2.10–3.15 and Sun 9.6 Z-train Lahti–Helsinki 2.30–3.35

Fri 14–15 June XXL-Mössö in Lahti : Sat 15 June Z-train Lahti–Helsinki at 2.30–3.35, Sunday 16 June Z-train Lahti–Helsinki at 2.30–3.35

15 June – 16 June Jukolan viesti orienteering competition at Kauhava : extra train stops at Kauhava on Sat 15 June by train IC51 and Sun 16 June by trains IC22, IC24 and IC26.

Fri 28–29 June Provinssirock at Seinäjoki:

• Thu, Fri and Sat 27–29 June IC633 Helsinki–Seinäjoki at 11.12–14.54,
• Fri 28 June IC 634 Seinäjoki–Helsinki at 2.50–6.45,
• Sat 29 June. IC634 Seinäjoki–Helsinki at 3.15–6.37
• Sun 30 June IC634 Seinäjoki–Helsinki at 3.00–6.27

Additional train services will be available during May – June for these events:

• Fri 5–7 July Ruisrock in Turku (additional train from Turku to Tampere, additional bus services from Turku to Helsinki are being planned)
• Sat 6–7 July Bryan Adams in Tampere, Tuhdimmat tahdit in Tampere and the Wanaja festival in Hämeenlinna
• Thu 11–13 July Suomipop festival in Jyväskylä
• Fri 12–14 July Ilosaarirock in Joensuu
• Fri 12 July Bruce Springsteen at Helsinki Olympic Stadium
• Fri 19–20 July Pori Jazz
• Wed 24–27 July Kotkan meripäivät
• Sat 27–28 July and 30–31 July Coldplay at Helsinki Olympic Stadium
• Thu 1–4 August Secto Rally Finland at Jyväskylä
• Fri 16–17 August Blockfest at Tampere
• Fri 23–24 August PMMP at Helsinki Olympic Stadium

For many summer events, we are also adding coaches for regular train services. The timetables for long-distance trains until 15 September became available for saleon 25 April in the travel search on VR.fi and in the VR Matkalla app. Night trains are on sale until 26 October.

Unfortunately, not all additional trains for the summer events are run by an accessible train fleet, but we also run the same routes with accessible trains every day. The exception is the Tampere–Rauma connection, where the platform areas are not accessible. The travel search function on VR.fi and the VR Matkalla app shows whether there are wheelchair spaces on the train.

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