Cheap flights to Helsinki
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Quick summary
Country
Finland
Continent
Europe
Airport
HEL
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+2
Deals already spotted to Helsinki
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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What you only find here
A capital on the water, between islands, saunas and northern light
The White City of the North
Helsinki owes its nickname to its neoclassical architecture. About 70% of its area is water, and the city has 315 islands. With nearly 700,000 residents (Wikipedia) it is a compact capital that is easy to cover on foot. It was World Design Capital in 2012 and a UNESCO City of Design in 2014.
The sauna
The Yrjönkatu swimming hall, opened in 1928, is the oldest and best known in the city according to guides. Saunas such as Kotiharju or the waterfront Löyly continue a tradition that is part of everyday Finnish life. Wikivoyage counts about 60 public saunas.
The light
Contrasts are strong: 5 h 48 of daylight at the winter solstice against 18 h 57 at the summer solstice. In June, the white nights give almost continuous light.
History
From Gustav Vasa to an independent capital
A Swedish foundation, a Finnish capital
Helsinki was founded on 12 June 1550 by King Gustav Vasa of Sweden as a trading rival to Tallinn, then moved in 1640 to its present site. The sea fortress of Suomenlinna was built between 1748 and 1798. Under Russian rule the city became capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland in place of Turku; it remained capital of independent Finland in 1917, hosted the Summer Olympics in 1952 and opened its metro in 1982.
Senate Square, at the heart of the neoclassical quarter, keeps the stamp of that period, with the cathedral above it.
Landmarks
Cathedrals, the Rock Church and Suomenlinna
The cathedrals
The neoclassical Lutheran Cathedral, built between 1830 and 1852, dominates Senate Square. The red-brick Uspenski Cathedral is presented as the largest Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe.
The Rock Church
Carved into the bedrock and opened in 1969, Temppeliaukio Church draws about 500,000 visitors a year.
Suomenlinna
A sea fortress spread over eight islands and listed by UNESCO in 1991, it is reached by ferry in about 15 minutes with an HSL city transport ticket; entry to the fortress is free according to Wikivoyage. Boats run every 20 to 30 minutes in summer.
Design and library
The Oodi library, free to enter, mixes wood and glass. The design district stretches around Uudenmaankatu, and the island of Seurasaari has an open-air museum.
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Museums
Finnish art, contemporary art and city history
| Museum | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Ateneum | The main museum of Finnish art, in a neoclassical building near the central station. |
| Kiasma | Contemporary art museum in the city centre. |
| National Museum of Finland | The history of the country from prehistory to today; free on Tuesday evenings according to Wikivoyage DE (to be checked). |
| Helsinki City Museum | History of the capital; free on Thursdays according to Wikivoyage DE (to be checked). |
| Design Museum | In the design district, devoted to Finnish design and applied arts. |
| Seurasaari | An open-air museum on an island, with traditional buildings moved from across Finland. |
Prices, opening hours and free days change from year to year: check each museum's website. A city card can pay off if you visit several museums.
Food and drink
Old Market Hall, salmon and cinnamon buns
The Old Market Hall, open since 1889, is the place to try salmon soup (lohikeitto); Wikivoyage also mentions salmon sandwiches and soups at reasonable prices there. On the market square by the water, stalls serve Finnish dishes until early afternoon, with peas in summer.
Specialities
Local cuisine makes room for Baltic herring, sliced reindeer, Karelian pies (karjalanpiirakka) and cinnamon buns (korvapuusti), which you can enjoy at Café Regatta, for example. Coffee is everywhere.
Neighbourhoods
Kallio, alternative, Punavuori and Kamppi, oriented to design, and Eira, with remarkable Art Nouveau architecture, are easy on foot or by tram.
Getting there
Helsinki-Vantaa, half an hour by train from the centre
Helsinki-Vantaa
The Finnish capital's airport, in Vantaa, about 15 to 20 km north of the centre depending on the source. The train reaches the central station in about thirty minutes, with departures every 10 to 30 minutes during the day.
An HSL ticket for zones A, B and C (airport included) costs around 5 euros according to Wikivoyage.
Other options
Bus 615 also reaches the centre in about 40 minutes, and taxis are much more expensive. Ferries from Tallinn, Stockholm and Rostock arrive right in the port.
Getting around
Trams, metro, ferries and bikes in the city
The centre is compact and can be visited on foot. Beyond it, the HSL network combines trams, the metro (opened in 1982), trains and ferries with the same zone-based ticket; most visitors only need zones A and B for the centre and Suomenlinna. Tickets are paid by card or app, not cash on board according to Wikivoyage.
Bikes and walking
City bikes cost about 5 euros a day, with the first hour free according to Wikivoyage. Many cycle paths follow the waterfront.
Day trip
Tallinn by ferry
The Estonian capital is about 80 km away, a crossing of 1 h 30 to 3 h 30 depending on the ship, with several departures a day. Wikivoyage quotes a one-way fare of about 16 to 30 euros, sometimes less for a same-day return. Services also run to Stockholm (about 18 hours) and Rostock.
When to go
When to visit Helsinki?
Spring
May opens the best period, from May to September, with days lengthening quickly; April can still have sub-zero nights.
Summer
Around 19 to 22 °C on average from June to August (18 °C on average in July according to Wikipedia), white nights in June and sometimes afternoons at 26 °C.
Autumn
September remains pleasant, with autumn colours, then days shorten markedly; serious cold is rare before November.
Winter
Cold, with averages around -3 °C in January (Wikipedia) and lows that can drop below -20 °C. Only about 6 hours of daylight in December, but a Christmas atmosphere that appeals.
Precipitation stays moderate, about 650 mm a year (Wikipedia), with winter snow that often turns to slush in the city.
Budget
An expensive city, but manageable
Helsinki remains an expensive city: guides agree on that. According to Wikivoyage DE (figures to be checked), a lunch special is often between 7 and 10 euros, dinner frequently exceeds 20 euros and a beer in a central bar starts around 8 euros. The currency is the euro.
How to limit spending
Favour lunch specials, market halls and HSL transport in zone AB. Suomenlinna, the Oodi library and many parks cost nothing or very little.
Trip length
What to do in Helsinki depending on your trip length
The essentials
Senate Square, cathedrals, Old Market Hall and a sauna.
Islands and design
Add Suomenlinna, the Rock Church and the design district.
With a day trip
Add museums and a day in Tallinn by ferry.
In pictures
Helsinki in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Helsinki
How far is Helsinki-Vantaa from the centre?
About 15 to 20 km north, depending on the source. The train reaches the central station in about thirty minutes; bus 615 takes about 40 minutes.
What is the best time to visit Helsinki?
May to September, with white nights in June. December is also popular for the Christmas atmosphere, but days are very short (about 6 hours of daylight).
How many days do I need in Helsinki?
Two to four days are enough: the centre and cathedrals, Suomenlinna, design and a sauna, plus a trip to Tallinn if you have time.
Is Helsinki an expensive city?
Yes, guides agree that Helsinki is expensive. The currency is the euro, and lunch specials are a good way to limit your budget.
How do I get around Helsinki?
On foot in the centre, then by tram, metro or ferry with a zone-based HSL ticket; Suomenlinna is about 15 minutes by ferry. City bikes are also available.
What should I eat in Helsinki?
Salmon soup at the Old Market Hall, herring, Karelian pies and cinnamon buns, with coffee.
How much does a flight to Helsinki usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
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