The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is one of the largest transport hubs in the country. Urban public transport is represented by buses, trams and metro. It should be noted that public transport in Finland is recognized as one of the best in the world: buses and trams run on schedule, passenger service is at a high level, and the electric train schedule is adapted to the bus schedule so that passengers do not have to experience discomfort while waiting for transfers. Unfortunately, the metro in Finland is still only in the capital. It connects the eastern and western parts of Helsinki and allows you to cross the city in just 23 minutes.
Briefly about the history of the Finnish metro
The main feature of the capital of Finland is that from any point you can get to another without using a car or taxi. The public transport system in Helsinki is so well developed that, according to the Finnish media, many of its residents do not even think about purchasing a personal vehicle, since it is much more convenient and faster for them to travel in the city. At the same time, one of the most popular ways of getting around the city is the subway.
The idea of building a metro came up in September 1955. For its implementation, the Finnish government created a special construction committee. The first project was presented in March 1963. In accordance with it, the length of the metro was supposed to be 86.5 km and had 108 stations. However, it was decided to build only one line connecting Kamppi and Puotila stations.
Construction work began in May 1969, and by the beginning of 1971, the Roihupelto - Herttoniemi test run had already been completed. The construction of the metro was fully completed by 1977, but due to corruption schemes, it started working only 5 years later.
| Dates | Expansion of the subway |
|---|---|
| 1971 year | Test route - “Herttoniemi - depot“ Roihupelto ” |
| 01.06.1982 | The route "Rautatientori - Itäkeskus" without the stations "Kaisaniemi", "Sernyainen" and "Kalasatama" |
| 02.08.1982 | Metro opening ceremony |
| 01.03.1983 | Route "Kamppi - Rautatientori" |
| 01.09.1984 | Opening of the Sernainen station |
| 21.10.1986 | Ityakeskus - Kontula route |
| 01.09.1989 | Route "Kontula - Mellunmaki" |
| 16.08.1993 | Route "Ruoholahti - Kamppi" |
| 01.03.1995 | Opening of Kaisaniemi Station |
| 31.08.1998 | Ityakeskus - Vuosaari route |
| 01.01.2007 | Opening of the Kalasatama station. |
Convenience, functionality and safety of the Helsinki metro
Each metro station is equipped with escalators, some stations have elevators. They walk diagonally and are more intended for people with disabilities. However, regular passengers can also use the elevator.
There are no turnstiles at the Finnish metro stations, so even during rush hours there is no crowding. A group of workers is on duty at the stations to control the passenger flow. They also check the availability of tickets and issue fines for those who decide to travel for free. Checks at stations are rare, but you shouldn't risk it - in case of being caught, you will have to pay 80 euros for a ticketless ride.
The level of safety in the metro is at a high level. Before the operation of new cars and lines, mandatory testing of the system as a whole is carried out to ensure the compatibility and safety of various structures and elements. At the same time, special attention is paid to the organization of the safe movement of trains and passenger traffic.
Test work takes at least several months. At first, the Helsinki Emergency Situations Department takes over the work of the security system, after which the city building supervision services give their consent to the readiness of the stations and tunnels for operation.
| pros | Minuses |
|---|---|
| The production of the formulations takes place in Finland. The metro network is small, so you can get from one end of the city to the other in 20 minutes. Metro stations and carriages have all the conveniences for people with disabilities and for children in strollers. | The stations are announced by the announcer in 2 state languages - Finnish and Swedish. |
It should be noted that cases of theft on the subway are extremely rare.
How to use the Finnish Metro
Metro stations in the center of Helsinki are ground-based, but there are sections on the way that the train travels underground. If you want to use this mode of transport, you need to go down the escalator to the platform, keeping to the right side, as hurrying passengers always descend on the left (as in Russia).
Each platform has a subway map, as well as screens and displays showing the terminal station (the northern line (west) is Ruoholahti station, the northern line (east) is Mellunmaki station and the southern line is Vuosaari station).
First, passengers must leave the train carriage, and only after that boarding takes place. If the doors did not open automatically, there is an “Open” or “Avoin” button to the right and left of the doors. Click on it and the door will open.
The announcer announces the name of the station when the train approaches a new stop.
Keep in mind that you will not hear any announcements in Russian or English. However, all cars are equipped with electronic displays, which display information about the next station.
The metro, like any other form of transport in Helsinki, operates on a regular schedule. Metro opening hours:
- from 05.30 to 23.30 from Monday to Thursday;
- from 05.30 to 01.30 on Friday and Saturday;
- from 06.30 to 23.30 on Sunday.
Metro fare and rules
The Helsinki metro is part of the city's Helsinki Region Transport, therefore, separate metro tickets are not available. There is a single ticket that is valid for the metro, trams, and buses and is intended only for travel within the city.
Outside Helsinki, you must use a regional ticket. The nearest suburbs are Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen, while Kirkkonummi, Sipoo and Kerava are considered more distant.
Children under 6 years old are entitled to free travel, and children from 7 to 16 years old are entitled to a reduced fare (50% of the adult fare).
| Ticket | Spreading | Coverage area | Adult ticket price | Ticket price for children (7-16 years old) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-time ticket, or Kertalippu, or Single ticket | On the metro, tram, bus, train (within an hour from the date of purchase) | Town | € 2.20 (automatic) 2.80 euros (from the driver) | € 1.10 (automatic) 1.40 euros (from the driver) |
| Near region | € 4.50 (automatic) | € 2.30 (automatic) | ||
| Far region | € 7.00 (automatic) | € 3.50 (automatic) | ||
| One-time ticket for 2 hours, or Kahden tunnin lippu, or 2-hour ticket | In the metro, tram, bus, electric train with the possibility of transfer (within 2 hours) | Town | 3.80 euro (automatic) | € 1.90 (automatic) |
| Near region | EUR 6.40 (automatic) | € 3.20 (automatic) | ||
| Far region | 8.40 (automatic) | € 4.20 (automatic) |
The conditions of the fare and the expiry time of its validity are indicated on a single ticket, that is, the time before which the passenger must have time to enter the transport. Attach a one-time ticket to the reader - no validator is required.
A daily ticket will cost more. Moreover, the longer the period of its validity, the more money will be saved.
| Ticket | Spreading | Coverage area | Adult ticket price | Ticket price for children (7-16 years old) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day ticket | In the metro, tram, bus, electric train with the possibility of transfer | Town | EUR 8.40 | 4.20 euros |
| Near region | € 12.00 | EUR 6.00 | ||
| Far region | € 18.00 | € 9.00 | ||
| 2 days | Town | € 12.00 | EUR 6.00 | |
| Near region | € 18.00 | € 9.00 | ||
| Far region | 27 euros | 13.50 euros | ||
| 7 days | Town | € 32.00 | € 16.00 | |
| Near region | € 48.00 | EUR 24.00 | ||
| Far region | 72,00 euros | € 36.00 |
Daily tickets can also be bought for 3, 4, 5 and 6 days.Single-use plastic is used to make daily passes, and when entering public transport, they should be applied to the validator.
For those who regularly use public transport, there are Matkakortti plastic cards. You can buy them at HSL ticket machines and top up with a certain amount there. The advantage of this pass is that it gives a good discount on travel.
| Direction | Regular cost | Fare when buying a pass |
|---|---|---|
| Town | Adult - 2.20 euros Child - 1.10 euros | Adult - 1.90 € Child - 0.95 euros |
| Near region | Adult - 4.50 € Child - 2.30 euros | Adult - 3.47 euros Child - 1.74 euros |
| Far region | Adult - € 7.00 Child - 3.50 euros | Adult - 5.60 euros Child - 2.80 euros |
A blank plastic card that can be refilled will cost 5 euros. It is possible to purchase a card immediately for a month with an unlimited number of trips. The card can be bought at ticket machines, R-kioski outlets, Stockman shopping center, HSL offices, and tourist information offices.
There is another card, the Helsinki card, for tourists. In Helsinki, you can buy it at the airport, at the Central Railway Station or on the official website online. There are 2 types of cards: city and regional.
| Map | Town | Region (city + suburb) |
|---|---|---|
| Helsinki card | 24 hours Adult - € 35.00 Child - € 16.00 48 hours Adult - € 45.00 Child - € 19.00 72 hours Adult - € 55.00 Child - € 22.00 | 24 hours Adult - € 44.00 48 hours Adult - € 54.00 72 hours Adult - € 64.00 |
The owner of such a card receives the following privileges:
- Free admission to major attractions and museums. This also applies to the Finnair Sky Wheel (for a regular visit, a ticket for an adult visitor will cost 12 euros, and for a child - 9 euros).
- Unlimited use of public transport.
- Free trip to the territory of the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.
- Audio tour for adults in Helsinki.
- Tourist guide.
You can find out about other privileges by following the link.
How to buy a ticket
Single tickets, daily tickets, tourist cards (in addition to the Helsinki card) can be purchased from HSL machines. Buying a ticket is a very simple procedure. For example, you need a single adult ticket to travel within Helsinki.
- First, choose a language - English, Finnish or Swedish. Next, click on the option on the display - "Single ticket".
- Select the adult ticket on the display and the city - Helsinki and press the button on the right.
- The next step is to choose a payment method. There are two options: pay in cash or pay with a bank card.
- After making the payment, you will receive a ticket.
Another option for purchasing a ticket is to buy it at R-kioski. The city map does not contain designations of such points, however, it should be borne in mind that such kiosks are always located near the metro station. If you need a ticket to travel within Helsinki, at the ticket office you need to say: “Metro ticket Helsinki”.
You can get a ticket using SMS. The message with the “A1” code must be sent to number 16355. The mobile ticket will come as a response to the message sent. Shipping costs € 2.90.
With this ticket you can take the metro, tram and ferry to Suomenlinna. This ticket does not apply to travel on the bus.
The messaging service is only available from Finnish operators such as Saunalahti, Tele Finland, Elisa, Kolumbus and DNA.
It is also possible to purchase a ticket at a convenient time by sending SMS with the text “A1 hhmm”. In place of “hhmm” you need to indicate the time from which the ticket validity period would start. The time format must be 24-hour.
And the last option is to download the application on the website and buy tickets through it. The ticket price is 2.90 euros.
Helsinki metro map
The metro in Helsinki consists of only one line, which has two branches, on which there are 17 stations. The total length of the tracks is 22 km. The passes between stations are short, so the travel time from station to station is 2 minutes.
Attractions located near the main Helsinki metro stations
Those who want to see the main attractions of Helsinki as quickly as possible should use the metro.
| Stations | sights |
|---|---|
| Station Helsingin yliopisto ("University of Helsinki") | This is the closest metro to one of the Finnish squares - Senatskaya. Here is the Cathedral, in which the most spectacular event takes place annually on December 13 - the celebration of Lucia Day. During the celebration, Lucia is chosen from among 10 applicants and crowned with a crown. There is a monument to the Russian emperor - Alexander II right in front of the cathedral. Facing the square, you can see the State Council on the left and the university building on the right. |
| Rautatientori Station, or Station Square | On Vokzalnaya Square there is a building of gray granite with a red roof - this is the National Theater. Next to it is a monument to the Finnish playwright Alexis Kivi. Behind the National Theater is Kaisaniemi Park, and on the opposite side is the Ateneum Art Museum. Opposite the station building there is an unusual building - Maccaratalo (“sausage house”). This square can be a starting point for shopping - right along the underground passage leading from the station, there are shopping centers Sokos, Kamppi and Forum. |
| Kamppi Station | There is a shopping center of the same name at Kamppi station. Not far from the station is the Sinebrychoff Art Museum and the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also a bus station nearby. |
| Itakeskus Station | Mall Ithacheskus is one of the largest shopping centers in Northern Europe. There are up to 300 retail outlets on its four floors. There are restaurants, branches of financial institutions, real estate offices, medical centers and ticket offices. On weekdays, the mall is open from 10.00 to 21.00, on Saturday - from 9.00 to 18.00, on Sunday - from 12.00 to 18.00. |
| Vuosaari Station | The Columbus Shopping Center is slightly smaller than Ithachescus Mall. The shopping center houses supermarkets, clothing and electrical equipment stores, restaurants, pharmacies and beauty salons. A big plus of this shopping center is that it is open on weekdays from 7.00 to 22.00 and Russian brands are represented in it. The main disadvantage is the small selection of brands. |
Prospects for the development of the metro in Helsinki
The Helsinki metro is gradually developing and expanding. Not so long ago, the construction of the Kalasatama station was completed, but the movement along it is still going on in test mode.
In parallel, work is underway to build a station that will connect the city center with new residential areas on the outskirts. 11 years ago, city officials decided to expand the branch to the western port, and in 2021, construction began on the first section, which is 14 km long.
There are also plans to extend the line to the airport and further west. Of the short-term plans, it is worth noting the replacement of conventional trains with automatic trains.
Finally
The Helsinki Metro is a great option for getting around the city. The Finnish metro will impress everyone who visits it: the walls are painted with strange figures, there are no lobbies and stations (as they are used to in Russia), and ticket machines are located among the kiosks with newspapers.
It is most profitable for tourists to buy daily tickets for several days at once or the Helsinki Card. The presence of the card gives its holder certain privileges: free visits to museums, unlimited use of transport, etc.
