Helsinki: Getting there & around

Orientation

Helsinki is built on a peninsula, and there are links by bridge and ferry with nearby islands. Surrounding towns include Espoo to the west and Vantaa, site of the international airport, to the north.

The city centre is built around the main harbor, Eteläsatama. The kauppatori (market square) - also known as the fish market - is on the waterfront between the ferry terminals. Farther inland, but still within walking distance, are the bus and train stations. Main streets include Mannerheimintie and the twin shopping avenues of Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplenadi.

The southern suburbs, Eira and Kaivopuisto, are the 'posh' quarters, with villas and embassies. Katajanokka is an island east of the centre that is connected to the mainland by several bridges. Kallio and Töölö are densely populated residential areas. Meilahti, northwest of the centre, gives you access to the museum island of Seurasaari.

Getting There

• bus

  Buses run between Finland and Sweden, Norway and Russia. Purchase long-distance and express bus tickets at the main bus station (below the new Kamppi shopping centre) or on the bus itself. Local and regional buses also depart from this station.

• car

  By car, there are land border crossings into Finland from northern Sweden, Norway and Russia. Swedish and Norwegian border posts are very relaxed, Russian ones are somewhat less so.

• ferry

  International ferries travel to Stockholm, Tallin, in Estonia, and Travemünde and Lübeck in Germany. There is also a catamaran and hydrofoil service to Tallin. Of the five ferry terminals in the city, four are just off the central kaupptori . Ferry tickets may be purchased at the terminal, from a ferry company's office in the centre or in some cases from the city tourist office. Avoid disappointment by booking in advance during the high season (late June through mid-August).

• train

  Trains run from Finland to Sweden or Russia, but not to Norway. The train station is in the city centre and is linked by pedestrian tunnel with the metro system. Helsinki is the terminus for three main railway lines, with regular trains from Turku in the west, Tampere in the north and Lahti in the northeast. There is a separate ticket counter for international trains, including those to St Petersburg and Moscow. Buses run between Finland and Sweden, Norway and Russia. Purchase long-distance and express bus tickets at the main bus station (between Mannerheimintie and the Kamppi metro station) or on the bus itself. Local and regional buses also depart from this station.

• plane

  Helsinki's airport is 19km (12mi) north of the city, in Vantaa. There are flights to Helsinki from the USA, Europe and Asia. Finnair offers international as well as domestic services, with flights to 20 Finnish cities at least once a day. Departure tax is included in the airfare price. To and from the airport, you can travel by taxi; bus 615, which runs regularly from the airport to Railway Square in the city centre; or the shuttle buses Finnair runs from the airport to their office next to the train station.

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Getting Around

• car

  Renting cars is not advised for getting around Helsinki itself - although the traffic may be manageable, parking is difficult.

• taxi

  Taxis can be hard to come by during morning and evening rush hours; otherwise they are an expensive but reliable resource.

• bicycle

  Cycling is a great way to get around the city. Helsinki has an extensive system of well-marked and good-quality bicycle paths. Free Citybikes can be used throughout the centre for a refundable deposit. For further destinations, bicycles can be rented from several locations.

• Disabled Travellers

  By law, most public and private institutions in Finland must provide ramps, lifts and special toilets for disabled persons. Trains and city buses are also accessible by wheelchair.

  Rullaten Ry is the Finnish disabled travellers organisation. It specialises in advice on 'friendly' hotels.

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