Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL), the easiest way into the city is the Ring Rail Line commuter train (lines I and P), which loops between the airport and Helsinki Central in about 30 minutes. Airport buses and taxis are also available. Buy train tickets with the HSL app or a contactless card.
- Train
- Ring Rail Line I/P ~30 min
- Also
- Airport buses, taxis
- Tickets
- HSL app or contactless card
- Lines I and P run to Helsinki Central
- Buy tickets via HSL app or contactless card
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Public transport in Finland is excellent. Helsinki has a metro, trams, buses and ferries run by HSL, all covered by one ticket. Services are clean and punctual. Buy tickets via the HSL app or a contactless card rather than paying cash on board.
- Helsinki
- Metro, tram, bus, ferry (HSL)
- Coverage
- One ticket for all modes
- Payment
- HSL app or contactless card
- Clean, punctual and well connected
- Buy tickets by HSL app or contactless card
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
Helsinki uses the HSL system for tickets. The easiest way is to buy tickets in the HSL app; there is also the reloadable HSL Travel Card. Tickets are zone- and time-based and cover the metro, trams, buses and ferries within the validity period, so you can transfer freely.
- System
- HSL (Helsinki)
- Pay by
- HSL app or Travel Card
- Ticket
- Zone/time-based, all modes
- The HSL app is the simplest way to buy tickets
- Transfer freely within the validity period
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Finland drives on the right and car rental is common and easy. In winter, studded or winter tyres are mandatory and roads can be snowy and icy, so drive slowly and keep extra distance. Watch for reindeer and elk on rural roads, especially at dusk.
- Drives on
- Right side
- Winter
- Winter tyres mandatory
- Wildlife
- Reindeer/elk on roads
- Snow and ice make winter driving demanding
- Headlights are used day and night
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
VR runs Finland's comfortable intercity trains, linking Helsinki with Tampere, Turku, Oulu and Rovaniemi. Overnight sleeper trains such as the Santa Claus Express reach Lapland, and you can take a car on board. For budget travel, long-distance buses like OnniBus connect major cities cheaply.
- Rail
- VR intercity trains
- Sleeper
- Santa Claus Express to Lapland
- Budget
- OnniBus long-distance buses
- Book VR tickets in advance for lower fares
- Sleeper trains can carry your car to the north
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Finnair and other carriers run domestic flights that are handy for reaching Lapland fast, with airports such as Rovaniemi and Ivalo well connected to Helsinki. Flying saves many hours over the long north–south journey, especially in winter.
- Carrier
- Finnair and others
- Lapland
- Rovaniemi, Ivalo
- Benefit
- Fast north–south travel
- Great for reaching Lapland quickly in winter
- Book early for the best fares
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Dress very warmly in winter and allow extra time, as daylight is short and services can slow in heavy snow. Expect the midnight sun in summer and polar night (kaamos) in the far north in winter. Finnish transport is punctual, so arrive on time and buy tickets before boarding.
- Winter
- Dress warm, short daylight
- Seasons
- Midnight sun / polar night
- Timing
- Services run punctually
- Buy tickets before boarding; cash is rarely accepted
- Plan for weather-related delays in winter