New Train service between Helsinki airport and city centre

[esseeeayeenn]

The bus service remains though less frequent. Was pretty reasonable when I last used...euro 5, OW I think.

The bus service to which the article refers is the public transport bus route 615, not the Finnair bus.
It is silent on any impact on the Finnair bus.
I just checked Finnair's website and it still only refers to bus transport options including its own bus service every 20 minutes.
It makes no mention of the new train service or of any impact it might have on the Finnair bus service.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks for the info. Will research some options.

 

[RooFlyer]

The bus service to which the article refers is the public transport bus route 615, not the Finnair bus.
It is silent on any impact on the Finnair bus.
<snip>.

Oops yes, too fast off the mark; sorry to all . Finnair bus:

Finnair’s airport bus from Helsinki railway station’s Elielinaukio to the airport will continue as before.

Follow that link for Finnair City Bus timetable and to buy tickets, if you like (in fact all transport options).

 

[kermatu]

Sorry to use this to ask for advice, but I presume taxis are pretty pricey even for short journeys in the city? Just took a look at the links in these posts for fixed-price fares and they make the train/bus option look good.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Yes; the driver/attendant will help put the bags under the bus.

In the city, the bus leaves from the bus interchange adjacent to the main railway station; last bay at the "tram end", furtherest away from the Holiday Inn, next the the building with a cafe/restaurant or two. Bay number 30 and if you catch the bus from the airport to the city, ask the driver to point out the departure bay (it's just across the road from the drop off point).

You can pay on board the bus for a mere 0.10 more than on-line; and very convenient.

JV

 

[kermatu]

Thanks JV.

I'm now contemplating staying at the airport Hilton. Arrival after approx. 30 hours travel (CBR-SYD-HKG-HEL -- with a few hours in Syd and HKG albeit in F lounges) -- I think I'll be happy to just walk to hotel and relax / sleep that evening, rather than be worried about trains or buses and then getting a cab to hotel. Suspect if I'm so tired I'd end up taking a cab all the way which would be a waste of money.

But then I'll use the train or bus the next couple of days to get to the city. 30 minutes doesn't sound too bad. And without a suitcase neither would be a problem for me.

Thanks again all for sharing of info and offering views.

Now to look into what to do over there... (Is a fortuitous stopover en route to Spain).

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks JV.

Now to look into what to do over there...

May i suggest a visit to Suomenlinna: Suomenlinna Official Website

And a cruise around the harbour:

Beautiful Canal Route | Helsinki Sightseeing | Stromma.fi

There are (at least) two companies that do the harbour cruise; we chose the smaller boat as it is able to go through the canal and if you also do the trip to Suomenlinna, you will see the bit of the harbour you miss from the other cruise.

There is also an Helsinki Card: E44 for 24hr; E54 for 48hr; E64 for 72hr. Can't comment on whether it's good value as we didn't use it: Home - Helsinki Card

JV

 

[kermatu]

Thanks JV. Have used City Cards before a few times, but usually multiple days where there's lots of different options (London, NY, Chicago) and transport savings are significant. This one doesn't seem such good value for 1 or 1.5 days. Cruise is a good idea, and the Card website at least gives some ideas for where to go!

Cheers.

 

[kamchatsky]

Now to look into what to do over there... (Is a fortuitous stopover en route to Spain).

If you can, do a day trip to Tallinn (Estonia) first thing in the morning. Visit the Tallinn old town. Then catch second last or last ferry back to Helsinki. It is absolutely worth it!

https://www.visitestonia.com/en/hol...-guides/tallinn-the-capital/medieval-old-town

You can book your cruise here. I caught Tallink and it was a very big boat and it was a great ride.

Book Baltic Sea cruises, city breaks and car packages - Tallink & Silja Line

 

[kermatu]

Hmm. Now regretting not having an extra day. Don't think I'll have time for Tallinn.

 

[Isochronous]

Tallinn has enough to do to warrant staying there 2-3 nights rather than just doing a day trip IMO.

Another option from Helsinki is doing the cruise to St Petersburg - the cruise companies can get you a visa for that which makes things much easier than usual.

 

[Cossie]

Hmm. Now regretting not having an extra day. Don't think I'll have time for Tallinn.

Save it for next time, it's well worth a couple of days at least.

 

[kermatu]

Giving Finnair business class a go for the first time. Got a deal $2500 to $3000 cheaper than other OW airlines / Qantas. If it's good I probably will return. Thanks again everyone for views - even if I did move the thread a bit off the original topic!

 

[kevinkhchan]

... Got a deal $2500 to $3000 cheaper than other OW airlines / Qantas. If it's good I probably will return. Thanks again everyone for views - even if I did move the thread a bit off the original topic!

That was the hook for us too. The goal was to get to HEL. The stopover in SIN and HKG with a side trip to AMS was a bonus. Getting to try the new A350 is another bonus (fingers crossed).

[Edit:] @kermatu would love to hear off your travel option from the airport.

 

[kermatu]

That was the hook for us too. The goal was to get to HEL. The stopover in SIN and HKG with a side trip to AMS was a bonus. Getting to try the new A350 is another bonus (fingers crossed).

[Edit:] @kermatu would love to hear off your travel option from the airport.

Will do. As it stands I'm likely to stay at the airport Hilton, but will use train and/or Finnair bus to get into the city. Will keep an eye out for how easy it is with luggage, where you end up in the city etc.

 

[thommo9]

Thanks JV.

I'm now contemplating staying at the airport Hilton. Arrival after approx. 30 hours travel (CBR-SYD-HKG-HEL -- with a few hours in Syd and HKG albeit in F lounges) -- I think I'll be happy to just walk to hotel and relax / sleep that evening, rather than be worried about trains or buses and then getting a cab to hotel. Suspect if I'm so tired I'd end up taking a cab all the way which would be a waste of money.

But then I'll use the train or bus the next couple of days to get to the city. 30 minutes doesn't sound too bad. And without a suitcase neither would be a problem for me.

Thanks again all for sharing of info and offering views.

Now to look into what to do over there... (Is a fortuitous stopover en route to Spain).

I can give a big thumbs up to the airport Hilton. Clean, quiet rooms. Great views of the airport. Fantastic breakfast in the lobby. Well priced as well IIRC.

My recommendation would be the Finnair bus, if you checkout the Hilton it's a short walk to the bus stop, pay your fare and then look out the window for 30 minutes. Very easy.

 

[kermatu]

I can give a big thumbs up to the airport Hilton. Clean, quiet rooms. Great views of the airport. Fantastic breakfast in the lobby. Well priced as well IIRC.

My recommendation would be the Finnair bus, if you checkout the Hilton it's a short walk to the bus stop, pay your fare and then look out the window for 30 minutes. Very easy.

Indeed - have just booked with 30% discount. While a Diamond upgrade might have happened anyway, paid a bit more to be guaranteed a room with a sauna - couldn't resist giving this a try!

 

[thommo9]

Indeed - have just booked with 30% discount. While a Diamond upgrade might have happened anyway, paid a bit more to be guaranteed a room with a sauna - couldn't resist giving this a try!

Only in Finland, a hotel room with a sauna. Enjoy the heat! I had a room with a sauna in Kuopio, nightly saunas were a must.

 

[kermatu]

OK, was in Helsinki a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately was pretty unwell after the journey (CBR-SYD-HKG-HEL, with multi hour layovers in Syd and HKG). So I didn't really do too much in the city and only .travelled in once on the new train.

Stayed at the Hilton airport. Very convenient, even for a slow walker like me it was only 5 minutes with a suitcase, and outside but undercover. Hotel was fine but nothing special. Good lounge with long drinks period in the evening. Breakfast good as stated earlier.

The train station is not far shy of 1km walk from T2 arrivals area. At the moment it is outdoors. Not sure once the terminal connections are complete if it will be such a long walk without assistance of travellators etc. There are none in the airport itself so I would be worried.

i walked from Hilton to T2 and took the free shuttle bus to the station. This was convenient and without suitcase was easy (I did see people struggling with cases on the bus, there's no luggage hold or assistance naturally for a 3 minute shuttle). Once at station and on board the train was great. Very quick and not a bad way to see city and suburbs, particularly if you do the 'loop' across return journey.

The train is also free with a Helsinki Card (must select the regional card option, which includes public transport in outer areas such as Vantaa - only 1 euro more than regular Helsinki card so worth it. Because I wasn't well I didn't use but it was what I researched before and confirmed at the tourist desk in the airport when I arrived.

I didn't use the Finnair bus but I suspect it is more convenient just at the moment if you have a bit of luggage. Train is good though if no luggage and if using the Region card.

Cheers.

 

[JohnM]

There is a shuttle bus running from the train station to T1 & T2 while they still work on the terminal stations. Excellent train. I'm just now in RIX waitig to go to HEL and will use the train to get into/out of the city like I did a week or so ago.