Helsinki Airport is located 12 miles North of central Helskinki. It is well connected by train to the city centre. Read on for all the details.
Train
Price: €4.40
Duration: 30 minutes
Frequency: Every 5 minutes
The train is by far the best way to get into central Helsinki, running to Helsinki central station in around half an hour.
To take the train, walk straight ahead as you come out of arrivals, and you will see signs to the Railway Station, with a set of escalators down to platform level.
Once you reach the escalators to the train station, use them or the lifts to descend to platform level.
The platforms are very deep underground, and require the use of three long escalators or two lifts to get down. The escalators are so long there is a big screen to watch opera and ballet while you descend.
You can walk straight on to the platforms, there are no ticket barriers to pass through.
There are ticket machines on the platform to use, but they can be busy.
If you have a contactless credit card or Google Pay / Apple Pay, you don’t need to buy a ticket and can tap your card when you board instead. This is very easy – simply find the blue readers on board the train (by the doors), check the right zones are selected, and tap your card. If a ticket inspector asks to see your ticket, they can scan the card or device you paid with.
Helsinki airport is in zone C, and central Helsinki is zone A. Therefore you need a ticket ‘ABC’ (€4.40). Then select the number of tickets you would like, and present your card to the reader. One card can pay for multiple travellers.
A unique feature of Helsinki airport is that trains running in both directions go to central Helsinki. It doesn’t matter which platform or train you get on. This is because the airport is on a loop line. Both ways round the loop take around half an hour, so simply get on the first train that arrives.
The trains are comfortable, modern, and have plenty of space to keep luggage with you. Announcements and screens (in English) show the upcoming stops. When you arrive at your destination, simply walk off the train and exit the station – there are no barriers.
Taxi
If you don’t want to use public transport, or are travelling with lots of luggage, the other option is to get a taxi. The trip takes around half an hour and should cost 40-50 euros. Follow signs to the taxi rank where the taxis will be waiting. Make sure to confirm the fare with the driver before you get in – different taxi companies have different fares.
Alternatively you can summon an Uber or Bolt, but these need to be picked up from the parking hall ‘P2’. There are signs from arrivals to direct you to the ‘App Rides’ pickup area.