About Helsinki International Airport (Vantaa)
Helsinki International Airport is the main airport of Finland, located in Vantaa, 20 kilometres north of the Helsinki city centre. The airport is operated by Finavia.
The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are connected by a walkway. The airport has a total of 38 gates, 18 of which are equipped with jet bridges. The airport handled 17 million passengers in 2016, making it the 8th busiest airport in Europe.
The airport is a focus city for Finnair and Blue1. It is also a hub for Estonian Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle. The following airlines operate scheduled services to and from Helsinki Airport: Aer Lingus, AirBaltic, airberlin, Alitalia, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, easyJet, Emirates, Finnair, Icelandair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air Shuttle, SAS Scandinavian Airlines System and Swiss International Air Lines.
Helsinki Airport is connected to the Helsinki city centre by an express train service called the “Airport Express”. The service operates between the airport and the Helsinki Central Railway Station every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours. The journey time is 20 minutes. Alternatively, there is a bus service operated by Matkahuolto called the “Airport Bus”. The bus service operates between the airport and various locations in Helsinki every 30 minutes during peak hours and every hour during off-peak hours.
The five busiest international routes from Helsinki International Airport are:
1. Frankfurt, Germany
2. London, United Kingdom
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
4. Paris, France
5. Istanbul, Turkey
Transport from Helsinki Airport
The most popular way to get into Helsinki from the airport is by taxi. Taxis are available right outside of the arrivals hall, and the trip to Helsinki usually costs around €45. If you’re travelling in a group, it can be cheaper to take a taxi than public transport.
If you’d like to take public transport into Helsinki, there are a few options available. The cheapest way is to take the bus – tickets cost €4 and the journey takes about 35 minutes. There are several bus routes that go from the airport into Helsinki, so make sure you pick the right one for your destination.
The quickest way to get into Helsinki is by train – the journey takes about 20 minutes and tickets cost €5. However, the trains only run every 30 minutes, so make sure you plan your journey accordingly.
When is the best time to visit Helsinki?
The best time to visit Helsinki is in the summertime. The weather is warm and pleasant, and there are plenty of events and activities to enjoy. If you’re looking for a more relaxed, tourist-free experience, try visiting in Autumn or Winter when the city is less crowded.
The weather in Helsinki is temperate and relatively mild for most of the year. The average high temperature in July, the hottest month, is 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), while January, the coldest month, has an average low of -4 degrees Celsius (25 degrees Fahrenheit). Helsinki sees a fair amount of precipitation, with around 650 millimeters (25 inches) of rain or snow falling per year.
Ultimately it depends on what you’re looking for, if you want to enjoy the city’s summer festivals and activities, July and August are the best months. If you’re interested in seeing the Christmas markets and enjoying a white Christmas, December is your best bet.
Where are some popular places to visit in Helsinki?
If you’re looking for a city break that offers something a little different, Helsinki should be top of your list. As the capital of Finland, this vibrant metropolis is home to a fascinating blend of Scandinavian and Russian cultures, as well as some excellent tourist attractions. Here are our top three:
Suomenlinna Fortress
This Unesco World Heritage Site is located on a series of islands just offshore from Helsinki and provides stunning views of the cityscape. The fortress was originally built in 1748 to protect Helsinki from Russian attack, and today houses museums, cafes and restaurants.
Temppeliaukion Church
This unique church is carved out of solid rock and has become one of Helsinki’s most popular tourist destinations. The acoustics inside the church are said to be some of the best in the world, so be sure to check out a concert or two while you’re in town.
Helsinki Zoo
If you’re travelling with kids, a visit to Helsinki Zoo is a must. Set in an attractive parkland setting, the zoo features over 2,000 animals from around the world. There’s also a petting zoo where kids can get up close and personal with farm animals.