Public Transport in Helsinki

Helsinki Region Transport runs reliable bus, tram, metro, ferry and commuter train services in the whole metropolitan area. You can plan your trips in hsl.fi/en

• Information about ticket types and fares is in hsl.fi/en/tickets-and-fares.
• A single fare within the AB zone costs 3,10 € and includes 80 minutes free transfer. Day passes are available.
• Trams and metro are mostly used in the city centre.
• Please note that tickets are not sold in trams but must be bought before the trip, and also before entering metro station area.
• Ticket vending machines nearest to the conference venue are at the metro station "University of Helsinki".

City bikes cost 10 € / week. You need a "pass" to operate them, see hsl.fi/en/citybikes/helsinki

Uber is available in Helsinki and RECOMMENDED. It cheaper and easier than other taxis, see the caveats below.

Taxis have a yellow TAKSI sign on the roof, lit when unoccupied.

• Be a little careful in picking a taxi. Pricing is free and some times very high. They might hope catching a traveller not paying attention to the price, especially late at night. Price list should be visible to the outside of the car. Taximeter should be used.
• On a taxi station you are free to choose a car, i.e. you don't need to pick the first in line. We strongly recommend sticking to the following companies. Be aware of imitators like Helsinki Taxi, etc.
  • Taksi Helsinki (taksihelsinki.fi/en/frontpage)
  • Lähitaksi (lahitaksi.fi/en)
  • Menevä (meneva.fi/en)
• If you wish to order a taxi, we also recommend these companies.

Travelling in Finland

Railways. Railway company VR has a modern stock and frequent connections from Southern Finland all the way to Lapland. More information and ticket sales at vr.fi/en.

Coaches. All timetables, rates, and tickets are available at matkahuolto.fi/en

Flights. Finnair offers most of the connections. Consider Norwegian and airBaltic too for cheap flights.

Getting to Helsinki

Travelling Documents

Passport: Citizens of Nordic countries do not need a passport for entering Finland. EU-nationals, and citizens of Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland and Schengen Agreement countries can enter Finland with a valid passport or a valid identity card. All other nationalities require a valid passport.

Visa: There are 34 countries whose nationals do not need a visa to visit the EU for three months or less. These include Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. If your visa is from a country fully applying the Schengen rules, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well. Similarily, if you have a valid residence permit from one of those Schengen countries, it is equivalent to a visa. Please check for up-to-date information at the web pages of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, um.fi/entering-finland.

Health and Insurance: Proper insurance is strongly recommended for all travellers. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are entitled to free medical care in Finland, please carry your European Health Insurance Card. Other social security agreements may apply.

BY AIR

Helsinki Airport has extensive connections to all parts of Europe and to a number of destinations in Asia and North America. Stockholm and Copenhagen offer a larger number of international flights and provide smooth and frequent connections to Helsinki.

Airport Connections:

Helsinki Airport web pages have all the information needed.

• This is recommended and fast straight route: Commuter train from the airport to Helsinki center takes about 30 mins. Single ticket (zones ABC) costs 4,10 € and may be bought from machines at the railway station. You can plan your trip in hsl.fi/en.
• To some destinations further off centre, a bus ride may be more convenient.
• For Uber, see uber.com/global/en/airports/hel

• Taxi station is outside the Arrivals hall. There are four taxi lanes. We strongly recommend to pick the taxi from lines 1-3 as they are reserved for dedicated companies. Other taxis that operate from lane 4 may have exorbitant prices or be otherwise of mixed quality.

BY SEA / BY CAR

Helsinki has daily overnight ferry services to Stockholm, Sweden. The ferries are large, comfortable, and offer various bars and restaurants, tax-free shopping and entertainment.

There are frequent connections from Tallinn, Estonia. Fastest ships make the 90 km trip across the Gulf of Finland in 1.5 hours. All harbours are quite close to the city centre and have tramway connections.

See Tallink Silja Line, Viking Line