- Must visit
Ateneum
Finland’s leading art museum displays classic and modern Finnish works in a grand former railway station building near the city centre.
Helsinki, affectionately known as the 'Daughter of the Baltic', receives flights from across Europe as well as from Russia and Japan. With departures from British airports including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Edinburgh and Manchester, planning a few days in Helsinki is straightforward. Daily direct flights to the modern Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport from the UK take between two and a half and three hours depending on the departure airport.
Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL) is located just under 11 miles north of Helsinki city centre. Built for the 1952 Summer Olympics, the airport has been voted the best in Europe several times. Travelling from the airport to the city by train takes 30 minutes with departures every ten minutes during the day. There is also a 24-hour bus service. The airport has two terminals with facilities that include car parking, car hire desks, banking services, shops and cafes. There are also sleeping pods and children's play areas.
Direct flights to Helsinki from London are operated by Finnair, British Airways and Norwegian, while Finnair also has direct services from Edinburgh and Manchester. Connecting flights are operated by airlines such as SAS, Baltic and KLM. Direct flights take between two hours 40 minutes and three hours while connecting routes have a combined flight time of approximately three and a half hours.
Flying from London (or the UK in general) to Helsinki is the only efficient way of travelling between the two cities. There are many direct flights which take less than three hours, while aircraft are modern and comfortable with a range of on-board services which include toilets, trolley catering and duty-free sales.
Helsinki is a compact capital city full of eye-catching architecture and interior design, culture and gastronomy. On its doorstep is a natural environment of beaches, islands, parks and forests which offers activities right through the year from swimming in the summer to winter skiing. City highlights include Suomenlinna, the ‘Fortress of Finland', which can be found on a car-free island, and the Helsinki Design Museum which traces Finnish design from its roots. No visit to Finland is complete without experiencing a sauna. The complex at Löyly is next to the Baltic Sea, perfect for cooling off when the sauna gets too hot!
Airports that offer direct flights to Helsinki include Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport and Dublin Airport. Airlines offering services include Finn Air, easyJet, SAS, BML, British Airways, Blue 1 and Air Lingus. Flight durations from London to Helsinki is approximately three hours.
The nearest airport to Helsinki city centre is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at 21 km away. Lennart Meri Tallin is the next closest, located 93 km from the city centre. These airports can be accessed through public transport by either bus or taxi. Shuttle services are also available via some airline providers and Lax Airport Shuttle. Car hire is available within the terminal.
As the capital of Finland Helsinki is one of the largest cities in the country. It is famous for its museums, the Olympic Stadium, the Sibelius monument, the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress, and other popular sights. The city is also characterised by many beautiful architectural buildings. Helsinki is surrounded by beautiful bays and peninsulas, as well as housing numerous beautiful parks in the city centre. Esplandl Park is one of the most popular, and hosts free concerts in summer.
Discover the best of Helsinki — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Helsinki trip today.
Finland’s leading art museum displays classic and modern Finnish works in a grand former railway station building near the city centre.
A contemporary art museum known for changing exhibitions, bold architecture and a central location beside Parliament and Töölönlahti.
This design museum presents Finnish and international design through permanent and temporary exhibitions in an elegant historic building.
A lively harbour square known for market stalls, ferries, sea views and easy access to central landmarks and island excursions.
A fashionable design district with boutiques, galleries, architecture and walkable streets that show a creative side of Helsinki beyond the main sights.
A broad waterfront park and promenade popular for strolling, picnics and sea views, with open lawns framed by elegant embassy buildings.
Karelian pasty with a rye crust and rice porridge filling, usually topped with egg butter. A classic Finnish snack linked to Karelia and everyday café culture.
Creamy salmon soup with potatoes, carrots and dill. It is a comforting Finnish home-style dish, especially popular in colder months.
Slow-cooked oven casserole of swede, potato or carrot, often served at Christmas. Traditional recipes usually include milk or cream and sometimes breadcrumbs.
Elegant dining room focused on Finnish ingredients and refined Nordic cooking, with tasting menus and a polished but relaxed atmosphere.
Traditional Finnish restaurant near Senate Square serving reindeer, salmon and seasonal Nordic dishes in a warm old-world interior.
Historic market hall seafood restaurant known for salmon soup, herring and other Finnish fish dishes in a lively harbour setting.
Helsinki is pricier than many European cities, with higher hotel, dining and public transport costs, especially in central tourist areas.
Tipping is not expected. Service is included in restaurants; rounding up is optional. Taxis may be rounded up, and cafés usually do not require tips.
Official public transport app
Helsinki Airport railway station -> Helsinki Central Railway Station
Check where to Helsinki flights depart and arrive, plus the main airport details for this route.
Helsinki Vantaa Airport is 4 km from Helsinki city centre. Public transport options include:
Helsinki Vantaa Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, Lounge and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located in both terminals, offering multiple currencies.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Helsinki Vantaa Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Helsinki Vantaa Airport: Elevators, ramps, toilets.
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