Helsinki (HEL) Stopover Tips

[Daver6]

Any comments on the non-Shengen PP lounges at HEL? Will have a few hours to burn in the morning and after a shower and breakfast. The options I can see are Almost@Home, Aspire Lounge and Plaza Premium. Feedback on these would be appreciated.

 

[Flashback]

Any comments on the non-Shengen PP lounges at HEL? Will have a few hours to burn in the morning and after a shower and breakfast. The options I can see are Almost@Home, Aspire Lounge and Plaza Premium. Feedback on these would be appreciated.

Almost@Home was simple, but alright and very quiet. Haven't tried the others but PP is usually decent and even Aspire, although they can be quite busy usually.

 

[V Singh]

Did overnight transit in HEL earlier this year. Stayed @ a ApartHotel closeby. Found metro train service convenient and efficient.

 

[tdimdad]

Updating this thread with some changes to the Helsinki airport (HEL) transport options since 2019.

• Finnair City Bus has stopped operating. It used to be their shuttle bus between the airport and Helsinki Central Railway Station, running every 20-30 mins. This service has now permanently stopped.
• The local commuter trains operate from the Helsinki Central to the airport, lines I and P. You can check the timetables at hsl.fi/en ('Helsingin seudun liikenne', direct translation "Helsinki region traffic"). See the attached screen capture for an example. The airport is listed as 'Lentoasema'. A single ticket costs 4,10€ and you get them from vending machines at the stations or using the HSL app (which I find the most convenient option in Helsinki). The walk between the airport station and T2 check-in area or from baggage collection takes 7-10 mins.
• Finnair has replaced flights to Tampere and Turku with connecting buses. Both cities you can reach easily also by express buses and trains. Bus connections you'll find here and for the trains go here. The bus fares are reasonably stable but the intercity trains have dynamic pricing with some very affordable tickets for early birds.

Please notice that the timetables and prices are published seasonally (winter vs summer timetables) and are often available only 40-60 days in advance. During the biggest public holidays (Christmas, midsummer, etc), especially the intercity connections can be rare so please plan ahead.

 

[kpc]

Bookmarked for my Sept Hel trip

 

[Skyring]

Updating this thread with some changes to the Helsinki airport (HEL) transport options since 2019.

• Finnair City Bus has stopped operating. It used to be their shuttle bus between the airport and Helsinki Central Railway Station, running every 20-30 mins. This service has now permanently stopped.
• The local commuter trains operate from the Helsinki Central to the airport, lines I and P. You can check the timetables at hsl.fi/en ('Helsingin seudun liikenne', direct translation "Helsinki region traffic"). See the attached screen capture for an example. The airport is listed as 'Lentoasema'. A single ticket costs 4,10€ and you get them from vending machines at the stations or using the HSL app (which I find the most convenient option in Helsinki). The walk between the airport station and T2 check-in area or from baggage collection takes 7-10 mins.

Thanks! I've downloaded the app because I'll be using it for my upcoming stopover. I've picked a hotel near the main railway station because I didn't like anything within walking distance of the airport and I've got 23 hours to play with.

 

[duttonbay]

Finnair used to offer multi-day stopovers on flights via Helsinki, either on the outbound or return trip. Does anybody know whether this is still the case? I can't find anything on their website. It would be disappointing to fly via Helsinki twice, and not be able to spend a few days there (up to 5 allowed, IIRC).

 

[OATEK]

Finnair used to offer multi-day stopovers on flights via Helsinki, either on the outbound or return trip. Does anybody know whether this is still the case? I can't find anything on their website. It would be disappointing to fly via Helsinki twice, and not be able to spend a few days there (up to 5 allowed, IIRC).

They don't seem to offer on the website since covid, but when I queried them they said it could be done if you ring. @madrooster would probably be able to advise.

 

[duttonbay]

They don't seem to offer on the website since covid, but when I queried them they said it could be done if you ring. @madrooster would probably be able to advise.

Yes, I had a lengthy chat session with a Finnair agent yesterday, the answer being they can be booked by phone, chat, or via a travel agent. I intended to post this as a follow-up but got distracted by visitors arriving within minutes of ending my chat session. The only question I forgot to ask was whether there is a cost, or whether it is a free stopover.