Public transport in Finland is considered one of the best in the world. Both locals and tourists can easily get from one point of the country to another by bus or train. At the same time, it is important to know how to use transport services correctly and where tickets can be purchased.
Briefly about the main types of public transport
The transport infrastructure in the Finnish capital Helsinki is especially impressive. The city and its suburbs are literally shrouded in a network of electric trains and bus routes.
Every city in Finland has a bus station. The bus schedule is quite detailed, so the tourist will be able to use this transport without any problems. Bus routes connect almost all Finnish settlements.
The city, which is a large seaport on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, has a well-developed water transport network. Therefore, you can take a short boat trip, go to the famous Helsinki Zoo, to another Finnish city or even to another country by ferry.
In trains with soft seats and unobtrusive service, it is also convenient and comfortable to travel both short and long distances. Electronic displays in the carriages contain all the information necessary for passengers.
Many people choose the tram to travel around the city. If you want to take a tour of Helsinki on your own, you can buy a tram ticket that allows you to make several changes and go along one of the circular routes.
The metro operates on the territory of the capital.
However, the most popular Finnish transport is a bicycle. Almost every Finn has this vehicle.
Finnish subway
Metro is a convenient and fast city transport. It takes just 20 minutes to cross Helsinki from one end to the other. Trains run every 4-5 minutes. The names of the stops are announced in Finnish and Swedish. Stations and trains are equipped with everything necessary for the movement of passengers in wheelchairs and with children.
The metro in Helsinki opens at about 5:30 am and ends at 23:00 - 23:30 (depending on the direction).
A single travel card in Helsinki is valid for all types of public transport, including the metro. At the entrance to the station, you will not find the usual turnstiles, but the ticket will need to be attached to a special reader.
In the metro, controllers, together with security guards, often organize control raids. You will have to pay a rather large fine for travel without a ticket, so it is always more profitable to buy a ticket.
Note that today the metro is only in Helsinki. However, new lines are planned that will connect the Finnish capital with satellite cities, so the metro will be extended to the west.
Railway transport
Railways in Finland are the main transport that connects the whole country. The main station is Helsinki. However, mainly trains carry out domestic transportation. Only two international trains run on the Finnish railroad: to St. Petersburg and to Moscow, which is especially convenient for Russian tourists.
Electric trains serve suburban routes. High-speed trains run for long distances (Pendolino, InterCity). The trains heading north of Finland to Lapland have special wagons for personal vehicles.
Traveling by train is very convenient, since the train schedule is coordinated with the bus service, and bus stations are located near railway stations. The interactive map of Finland is of interest. On it you can see the movement of trains in real time.
If the squad is at least an hour late, you can receive compensation for the violation of the schedule. The amount of the payment depends on how late the train is. For example, if he was delayed for more than 121 minutes, then the passenger is fully refunded the money for the ticket.
Finland buses
Buses compete with trains. They are the only public transport available in the north of the country. Interestingly, the frequency of bus services is higher and the fare is lower than that of rail. You can travel by bus to any part of the country. It is convenient to travel on it and around the city.
There are two types of intercity vehicles in the country:
- regular (make numerous stops along the way);
- regular or express trains (designed to travel between major cities).
Several transport companies serve passengers, each of which offers its own bonuses and discounts for regular customers.
Municipal buses are entered through the front door. The vehicle does not stop at every stop. The fact that you need to get out, you need to warn the driver in advance by pressing the red button.
One of the advantages of a bus trip is the ability to choose a route yourself. There is no doubt about the reliability of the transport, since the flights are carried out strictly according to the schedule.
On weekdays, buses leave almost every hour, and on weekends and holidays they run according to a special schedule.
To find out the schedule or book a ticket, you need to go to the official website of the carrier. The ticket can be purchased from the driver.
Surface urban electric transport
Trams in Helsinki can go further than the metro. Tram lines reach the farthest corners of the city. Finnish electric vehicles are warm, fast and smooth. It is a pleasure to move on it.
On weekdays and Saturdays, trams run from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, and on Sunday from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm. Night trams run on lines 3B, 3T and 4 until 1:30.
Intervals during peak hours are 5-10 minutes, the rest of the time - 10-20 minutes. The timetables and routes of electric transport can be found at the stops.
For travel, you can buy a single ticket for all types of city transport or a special tram ticket. The tram ticket is sold in vending machines and is valid for 1 hour from the date of purchase. One can also be purchased from the tram driver. At the entrance, a ticket or card is applied to the reader.
For children from 7 to 16 years old, the ticket price is half the price of an adult ticket.
Another payment method is the Helsinki Card Tourist Card. It is worth buying it for travelers who decide to explore the city.
The Helsinki Card is not only a travel document, but also an entrance ticket to many museums. From May to September, you can take part in a sightseeing bus tour along it.
The rolling stock is in excellent condition, despite the fact that not only modern wagons, similar to spaceships, but also old trams, in which you need to pull a cable to stop, go to Helsinki. The new models are air-conditioned and have a low stance that allows people with disabilities to enter the car without hindrance.
In the warm season, an excursion tram runs around the capital. You can ride in an old car on weekends.
The tram departs from the Market Square from the Havis Amanda monument. The trip lasts only a quarter of an hour. The route passes through Aleksanterinkatu, Railway Station, Kaisaniemi, Kruununhaka and back to the Market Square.
The museum tram is very popular not only among tourists, but also among locals, especially on a hot day. There are no walls in the carriage, so it is well ventilated.
Arriving in Helsinki, travelers can download a special HSL application (https://www.hsl.fi) to their smartphones, which will allow not only tracking the location of public transport in real time, but also purchasing tickets online.Payment is made by Visa, Visa Electron or Mastercard. This way of buying tickets is a good opportunity to save money. For example, a one-time tram ticket costs 2.5 euros, and purchased via the app costs 2.2 euros.
Water transport in Finland
The country has a long coastline and a large number of rivers and lakes. For this reason, Finnish water transport plays an important role in both passenger and freight transport. By water you can get to almost anywhere in the country and to neighboring states. All operating vessels are modern and have a good level of service. The traffic schedule is strictly observed. Tourist transportation is mainly carried out by boats, yachts and even motor boats.
During the summer period, regular communication has been established between the settlements of Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Savonlinna, Varkaus and others. There is also a development of traffic on the Saimaa Canal between Lappeenranta and the Russian Vyborg.
Regular ferry services are carried out to the following countries:
- Sweden (Stockholm);
- Germany (Rostock and Travemunde);
- Poland (Gdynia);
- Estonia (Tallinn);
- Russia (St. Petersburg).
During the summer season, tickets for most boat trips must be booked in advance. Cruise vacations are developed in cities located on large lakes.
Travel documents
In Finland, there are single tickets, single travel cards. Note that a one-time travel document (costs 2.5 euros) is valid for only 1 hour after purchase. There are also uniform two-hour tickets. The validity of the travel card is from 1 to 7 days (from € 9 for an adult / € 4.5 for a child).
Stowaways face a fine of 80 euros.
Children under 7 years old travel for free, a ticket for children from 7 to 16 years old is 50% of the price for an adult.
The fare in Helsinki for all types of public transport is the same. For this reason, there are two types of ticket machines: for the sale of single tickets, where you can pay only in coins, and for the sale of single cards, where bank cards are also accepted.
Vending machines, where one-time travel documents are purchased, are located at metro and railway stations. The terminals where you can buy the pass are located in many places, including shopping malls and ports.
It is convenient to buy tickets for trains, intercity buses on the official websites of carriers. There you can see the schedule, additional services and other relevant information. The Finnish railway website is also available in Russian.
Finnish taxi
If necessary, you can always call a taxi. The car park consists only of modern models. Presentable cars have a beacon on the roof. If it is cleared, then the taxi is busy.
You can take a car at a specialized parking lot, order by phone or via the Internet. It is not customary to stop a taxi on the street, although this option is not excluded.
The fare depends on the time of day, day of the week, number of passengers, etc. A child under 12 travels free of charge, two children must be paid at the rate of one adult.
In Helsinki, for example, there is a separate pre-order fee of € 7.1. The passenger pays 5.9 euros for the call. Further, the tariff for mileage depends on the number of passengers: for 1-2 people they pay from 1.6 euros / km, for a large company - from 2.23 euros / km.
Such a fare is not significant for the Finns. Tourists do not use this type of transport very often.
You can pay either in cash or by credit card. The driver is obliged to issue a check indicating the length of the route and the cost. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers in Finland.
Popular vehicle - bicycle
A bicycle in a Finnish family is a must. Cycling is a good way to get to know Finland. It is commendable to ride a bike in this country, so cyclists are treated with respect on the roads by both car drivers and pedestrians.
A cyclist can move along a cycle path or a pedestrian-bicycle path. If there are none, you can drive along the right edge of the carriageway or along the shoulder. Children under 12 years of age are allowed to walk on the sidewalk.
In Helsinki, a two-wheeled vehicle can be rented at bike stations. If you register on a special website, you can take a bike at any station and pay for the rental via the Internet.
Without registration, it will be possible to take a vehicle only at Kaivopuisto, Unioninkatu, Rautatientori, Kiasma stations and Hakaniemi metro station, paying with a payment card. Cost - from 5 euros / day, 10 euros / week, 30 euros / season. You can return the bike to any station where you can find a place.
Conclusion
Finnish public transport is considered one of the best in the world. All types of public transport use single tickets, which can be purchased in special boxes, automatic ticket offices, from the driver and through a special application in a smartphone. The most profitable option is to buy a single travel pass for several days.
The Finnish Transport Agency, responsible for servicing the entire transport system of the country, ensures safe passenger transport. Rail and vehicle roads, railways and waterways are maintained in good condition. Transport runs on schedule. The salons have everything you need for a comfortable trip.
