Helsinki

How to Get to Helsinki

Helsinki is Finland’s capital city and is easily accessible by plane or by ferry!

The main airport is Helsinki Airport, which is about 30 minutes away from downtown by car or train.

Below you can see which trains to take from Helsinki Airport to downtown Helsinki.

Helsinki Airport is served by I and P trains.
The trains run between the airport and Helsinki city center every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on Sundays.
I trains take about 27 minutes to get to the city center.
P trains take about 32 minutes to get to the city center.

The main train station is Helsingin Päärautatieasema, and is located right in the city center.

You can also reach Helsinki via ferry from Tallin, Estonia! The ferry ride from Estonia is only 3 – 3.5 hours long.

You can reach Helsinki via overnight ferry from Stockholm, Sweden as well! The overnight ferry from Stockholm is about 16 – 17 hrs long and comes with a cabin for a good night’s sleep.

Look up ferry tickets & timetables at Direct Ferries.

Another option is to travel in comfort from Stockholm to Helsinki on a 3-day mini cruise. Watch the world pass by your sea-view cabin, have 6 hours to explore the city, and indulge in all the luxuries of the ship. Get your tickets here!

What to Do in Helskinki

Helsinki is a port city and a bustling metropolis!

Explore the city streets of Helsinki! The city center is full of great shopping, restaurants, and cafes. One of my favorite things to do in Helsinki is to wander the streets and take in the architecture and atmosphere.

Take a walking tour of the city! Visit all the highlights of Helsinki including Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, University of Helsinki, City Museum, Market Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Espa, and more! This is the perfect way to see the city! Reserve your spot here.

Visit Market Square – Helsinki’s famous international market. Browse the booths for traditional market foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs! There are many free walking tours that leave from here.

Take an off the beaten track tour! Get a fresh perspective on Helsinki on this quirky small-group tour. Discover bizarre traditions, such as picnicking on graves, famous Finns, and curious things, such as a church built inside a giant granite rock, a statue that seagulls hate, and the 19th-century Bohemian hangout. Leave with an understanding of the city that you can’t get from guidebooks or everyday organized tours. This is a definite favorite and highly recommended tour! Reserve your spot here.

Take a boat ride along the shoreline of Helsinki and cruise through residential areas, summer terraces, beach cafés, as you see Helsinki from the water! This is an amazing excursion! Reserve your spot here.

Enjoy one of Helsinki’s Finnish Saunas! Stop by Löyly Helsinki or Original SkySauna and just relax for an afternoon!

Or take an amazing Sauna Boat Cruise! Soak in the sauna as you cruise through the historic Helsinki archipelago and its surrounding areas while enjoying cold drinks! This is an absolutely remarkable experience! It fills up quickly, so reserve your spot here.

Visit The Fortress of Suomenlinna. This eighteenth-century fort is spread across six islands. It was created by the Swedish to protect Finland from the Russians in 1748 when Finland was still part of Sweden.

Discover Helsinki’s extensive archipelago on this scenic evening cruise. Enjoy local delicacies while cruising through historical islands and by the UNESCO fortress Suomenlinna. Book your evening cruise here.

Enjoy shopping at Kämp Galleria, Kluuvi Shopping Centre, Forum, or Kauppakeskus City Center – four of Helsinki’s city center shopping malls. There are a variety of stores and restaurants in each of these indoor shopping gallerias.

Take a stroll down the main streets of Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie, and enjoy more shops along the way.

Visit Helsinki Cathedral in the center of town! The church was originally built in the 1800s as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicolas I.

Take a 10-minute boat trip from Helsinki to Pihlajasaari – an island famous for its picturesque sandy beaches and great spots for sunbathers & swimmers!

Spend the day exploring Seurasaari Open-Air Museum and its historic Finnish cottages, farmsteads, & manors. This is such a special experience – not to be missed!

Visit Tallin, Estonia for the day! Take a day cruise over to Tallin and enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful city before cruising back to Helsinki! This is one of the most highly recommended tours & a once in a lifetime experience! Get your tickets here!

Travel across the Baltic Sea on an overnight cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm in a private sea-view cabin. Savor a delicious breakfast buffet, relax in the sauna, and enjoy a cocktail in the bar! Book your mini cruise here!

Plan a trip to Lapland! Finland’s Northernmost region where you can watch the Northern Lights, ride dog sleds, or stay in an Igloo!

Where to Eat in Helsinki

Enjoy Finnish food at Ravintola Nokka or Ravintola Ragu, two of Helsinki’s best restaurants!

For great Asian cuisine, visit Restaurant Gaijin and enjoy Asian-fusion serving everything from sushi to pork buns.

Restaurant Kuu is a French-influenced fine dining establishment located in an old-timey setting with a covered terrace. This is a Helsinki favorite!

Vegetarian/Vegan? Restaurant Yes Yes Yes is highly recommended and serves high-concept veggie dishes as well as brunch!

Café Engel is a highly recommended coffee shop & breakfast spot!

These restaurants have been rated the best restaurants in Helsinki according to google reviews.

If you are looking for the top Michelin star rated restaurants in Helsinki, look no further than here.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

There are so many great hotel options in Helsinki! I suggest trying to stay in the city center if you are looking to walk everywhere.

If you are looking for luxury hotel recommendations, I recommend –

All are fabulous places to stay!

For more great hotel options, check out the recommendations further down the page. Prices and availability vary depending on the season.

Weather in Helsinki

The weather here varies depending on what time of year it is and the current weather patterns.

The warm season lasts from June to September, with an average daily temperature above 62°F. The hottest month of the year in Helsinki is July, with an average high of 70°F and low of 55°F.

The cold season lasts from November to March, with an average daily temperature below 36°F. The coldest month of the year in Helsinki is February, with an average low of 18°F and high of 28°F.

Teddy's Tips for Kids in Helsinki

Traveling with kids? Teddy Traveler has compiled a list of his favorite activities for you and your kids to do while here! Here are some of his favorites –

Kids will love the 10-minute boat trip from Helsinki to Pihlajasaari where they can climb on rocks & go swimming on the sandy beaches!

Spend the day at Seurasaari Open-Air Museum and explore the historic Finnish cottages, farmsteads, & manors!

Visit Children’s Town – an interactive children’s history museum located in one of the city’s oldest buildings!

Take a ride on the Sky Wheel Helsinki!

Spend the afternoon discovering the world beneath the ocean and the amazing sea creatures at Sea Life Helsinki! Skip the line & get your tickets here.

Take the kids on a mini cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm! This is such an amazing family trip! Get your tickets here.

Don’t forget to head over and check out Teddy Traveler’s books for kids too – www.TeddyTraveler.com. These children’s travel books are the perfect travel companion to help kids learn about a new country!

Tag a photo of your kids traveling with their favorite teddy bear and we will feature you on our social media page! Just use @teddytravelerbooks! Have fun traveling the world with Teddy Traveler!