Helsinki Airport has repeatedly been included in the top 10 of the best air stations in Europe. As the largest airport in Finland, it accounts for about 90% of the country's international air traffic. Comfortable conditions for passengers have been created in the station building, assistance is provided to persons with disabilities.
General information, navigation
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, located in the suburb of Vantaa, is the hub for Finnair's domestic and international flights. In total, Vantaa serves about 50 scheduled carriers, about 80 European destinations and 21 direct long-haul flights to Asia, the Middle East and North America. In addition, 35 charter destinations are operated from the air station.
On average, the airport serves about 350 flights daily. Vantaa currently has two terminals, 29 telescopic ramps and 80 remote aircraft stands.
The airport is capable of handling ultra-short passenger transit. The minimum connecting time is 35 minutes and is one of the shortest in Europe.
In March 2021, the influential British consulting company Skytrax recognized the Helsinki-Vantaa airport as the best in Northern Europe. The air terminal constantly receives high marks from passengers.
The airport building has two terminals, which are located at a distance of 250 meters from each other and at the same time are connected by a convenient covered walkway. The division into T1 and T2 is rather arbitrary. Parts of the buildings are not divided into the former domestic (T1) and former international (T2) terminals, but into the “Schengen” and “non-Schengen” zones. For transit passengers without a Schengen visa, there is a transit area at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport where they can wait for their flight.
The air station has very simple and convenient navigation. Many monitors, electronic boards and pointers will help to quickly navigate even those who are here for the first time. At every step there are signs with boarding gate numbers, so it is almost impossible to get lost.
To quickly navigate upon arrival at the airport, you can study its plan in advance.
Terminal 1, opened in 1952, was demolished long ago and a modern architectural structure was built in its place. The terminal has 11 boarding gates, four of which are equipped with bridges. It was immediately used only for domestic flights, but since 2009 international flights have also been served here. Long-haul flights from T1 are currently not operated.
The terminal is connected by rail to Helsinki Central Station. There are duty-free shops for passengers, there is free Wi-Fi, sockets, lockers, restaurants and cafes. It also houses the SAS Business Lounge.
Terminal 2 was opened in 1969 for international flights, but now also serves domestic flights. Its dimensions are much larger than the first. Intercontinental flights are operated from here.
In 2009, the Schengen area was expanded and a new shopping area and spa opened for passengers flying long distances. There are many retail outlets and catering points in the building. T2 also has connections to the central railway station in the Finnish capital.
An interactive map will help you get acquainted with the terminal diagram and the parking area, and get additional information in real life.
The terminal, together with carriers, launched the Silent Airport project to make it more comfortable for passengers to wait to board the plane: no announcements are made over the speakerphone, information about flights and late passengers must be monitored on an electronic scoreboard.
Where can I register
The specific registration procedure depends on the rules of the air carrier. Many companies, mainly low-cost airlines, have abandoned registration counters in order to save money. In this case, registration is possible only online on the official website of the carrier. The boarding pass will be sent to the post office, it will need to be printed out and presented at the airport.
The main thing is to remember to check in online, because many airlines charge a fine for not having a boarding pass or charge an additional airport check-in fee.
At the international airport "Helsinki-Vantaa" the process from check-in to exit to the plane is automated. There are 52 check-in kiosks on the territory of the terminals for self-check-in. The kiosks are easy to use if difficulties arise - the staff of the air station is always ready to help.
The flight schedule can be seen on an electronic or online scoreboard.
Travelers with hand luggage check in online on the carrier's website, and upon arrival at the airport, they immediately go to the security check zone.
Step-by-step instructions on how to register yourself
To register yourself, you need to follow a few simple steps:
We attach a passport or a printed travel document to the kiosk scanner and follow the instructions on the screen. The machine will print out your boarding pass, if you have baggage - baggage tags.
We attach tags to a suitcase or bag, head to the Scan & Fly baggage drop machine of the required carrier.
We put the luggage on the conveyor and scan the tags using a hand-held scanner. Now the suitcase or bag is ready to fly, the conveyor will take them to the luggage compartment.
We pass through security control to the boarding gate indicated on the boarding pass.
If you arrive at the airport and the plane is scheduled to depart the next day (morning or afternoon hours), you have the opportunity to check in and drop off your luggage the evening before departure from 18:00 to 21:30.
Wi-Fi area and phone charging points
Free high-speed Internet is available throughout the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Connection information will appear on the screen of the gadget automatically under the name HEL Free Wi-Fi-Open.
There are also dozens of points for passengers at the Helsinki Air Station where you can charge your gadgets for free. In addition, you can use one of the phone charging points free of charge. The passenger can put the electronic device in a special cell equipped with a charger for iPhone, Android and Windows, and go to the cafeteria or shopping.
Duty free zone and shops
The Helsinki-Vantaa airport houses boutiques of popular brands: Victoria's Secret, Furla, Michael Kors, Max Mara, Burberry, Bulgari and Hugo Boss. Duty Free & Shopping shops are available in both terminals: T1 - exit 13 (2nd floor), T2 - exit 23, 32 (2nd floor). Opening hours: Sunday-Friday - 5: 00-23: 30, Saturday - 5: 00-23: 00.
R-kioski is as popular a chain of stores in Finland as duty free. Such kiosks are located throughout the country, and they are also at the airport. Here you can:
- an inexpensive snack;
- charge your phone or buy a SIM card;
- withdraw cash from a bank card;
- buy a transport ticket or a concessional travel pass.
The above services are the most relevant for passengers, although their full list is much longer. This store sells items from a toothbrush to a fishing license. Location of R-kioski at Helsinki-Vantaa airport:
- T2, arrival hall 2A (1st floor). Opening hours: round the clock.
- Exit 50 AM (2nd floor). Opening hours: 5:00 - 23:30.
Where to eat
The terminals have a variety of food outlets, from gourmet restaurants serving national Finnish elk and venison dishes to popular Burger King fast foods and Starbucks coffee shops. Many of them only accept visitors until midnight, but there are also several round-the-clock points.
Airport guests can visit the following food points:
- Fly Inn restaurant;
- Tori cafe;
- Upper Crust cafeteria;
- wine bar Wine & View;
- Tapio cafe;
- Oak Barrel pub;
- Cesar's Little Italy cafeteria;
- restaurant Nordic Kitchen;
- Pier Zero restaurant;
- Helsinki Market;
- Bistrot Helsinki cafeteria;
- Burger King;
- Two Tigers restaurant;
- Arctic Bar;
- bar "60 ° Bar & Brewery";
- O'Learys Pub;
- cafeteria Freshly made;
- cafeteria Grab & Fly;
- Urban Food Market cafeteria;
- Fair Taste Cafe;
- Johan & Nyström cafe;
- Helsinki Sausage Co cafeteria;
- cafe MOI! Helsinki;
- Richie's Gourmet Hot dogs bistro;
- Ulappa cafe;
- Starbucks coffee shop;
- Fågeli cafeteria.
At any time, light snacks, sandwiches, dairy products, fruits, vegetables can be purchased at the Alpea mini market located in baggage claim 2B (1st floor).
Where to stay for the night
Relax between flights at GLO Hotel Airport. You can stay at the hotel at any time with or without advance booking. Rooms are available for one or more nights and for daytime use. In the latter case, you can book a room from 9:00 to 17:00 (for 4 or 8 hours).
For hotel guests there is a lounge bar and a gym. For the meeting, you can book a conference room and order meals for participants.
Room prices depend on the number of guests. The cost of a night for one person is about 196 euros. The hotel is located in the basement floor P T2, below hall 2B. You can find GLO Hotel Airport by following the directions.
100 meters from T2 is the Hilton Helsinki Airoport. In addition to comfortable rooms, there is a cozy restaurant with varied cuisine, a lobby bar, a gym, nine conference rooms. The price of a room for one night starts at 185 euros. Access to the hotel from the terminal is via stairs.
Scandic Helsinki Airoport is located just 200 meters from Terminal 2. Accessible via a covered path. It offers cozy modern rooms, a varied restaurant, bar, gym, sauna and free Wi-Fi. Each room has air conditioning, minibar, work desk, ironing facilities. The bathroom is stocked with a hairdryer and toiletries. The price (155 euros per night) includes a hearty breakfast.
Forenom Vantaa Aviapolis Hostel is a 15-minute walk from the airport. There is a convenient keyless access system here. All rooms are equipped with a coffee machine, refrigerator and electric kettle. A flat-screen TV is also included.
Guests have access to a shared bathroom and kitchen. Free Wi-Fi and parking are provided. The cost of a single room is about 70 euros per night.
GoSleep capsule hotel is located in the departure area of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, next to gate 12. To stay at the hotel, you need to have a boarding pass for a flight from Helsinki Air Station and a permit to enter the Schengen area. You can only relax in the GoSleep with hand luggage. Blankets and pillows are available after 21:00. You can book a "room" online or directly at the airport.
Each capsule has a chaise longue chair that can be easily transformed into a bed. There is space for small luggage under the seat. Also inside the capsule there is an outlet and a USB connector for charging the phone and computer. The sliding screen cover provides good air circulation and allows privacy. Guests can use the airport toilets. The cost of a capsule for one night is about 50 euros.
What services are provided
Various additional services and services are available to passengers at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. There are pharmacies on the territory of the terminals, there is a place for storing luggage. Passengers with disabilities can take advantage of the assistance of the airport staff when ordering the service in advance.
If a passenger has left his belongings in a cafe or a waiting room, he can contact the lost and found office. On the territory of the airport, you can refuel a car, as well as leave it in a guarded parking lot.
Between Arrivals Halls 1 and 2A (1st floor) there is an Information Support Service, where passengers can get answers to all questions regarding their stay at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
Luggage storage
The storage room consists of lockers of different capacities. The cost of the service is 5 euros / day for a small locker (45 x 76 x 38 cm) and 6 euros / day for a camera (66 x 76 x 48 cm). The maximum shelf life is 7 days. Payment is made in cash or by credit card. Opening hours: around the clock. The lockers are located on the T1 and T2 basements.
Pharmacy items
The selection at the airport pharmacies is tailored to the needs of travelers: hand sanitizers, patches, hand and face wipes, reading glasses, intimate hygiene products and much more. Prescription drugs can be purchased - paper or electronic.
Pharmacy in the “Schengen” zone, exit 27 is open:
- Sunday - Friday 5: 00-23: 00,
- Saturday - 5: 00-21: 00.
The pharmacy in Terminal 2 (Hall 2A) is open:
- Monday - Friday 6: 30-21: 00,
- Saturday - 9: 00-19: 00,
- Sunday - 10: 00-21: 00.
Forgotten things bureau
You can call the Found and Lost Office to submit a lost claim by calling +358 200 14 636. The call is chargeable: EUR 0.57 / min + call cost charged by the operator. Telephone line working hours: Monday - Friday 9: 00-17: 00, Saturday - 9: 00-15: 00.
Assistance for passengers with disabilities
The Helsinki-Vantaa Airport provides free services to passengers with disabilities:
- meeting at the airport;
- assistance in registration;
- escort on board the aircraft, etc.
You need to order services at least two hours before departure. Location: registration hall 201-232 (1st floor).
Parking and refueling
The car park and gas station are open around the clock. You can reserve a parking space in advance by specifying for how many days and on what dates the space is required. This service covers parking areas P1, P3, P4a and P4b.
The cost of parking per day ranges from 10 to 30 euros, depending on the distance from the airport, you will have to pay from 42 to 130 euros per week. The airport has long-term parking and short-term parking.
Contacts and how to get to the airport
ICAO: EFHK
IATA: HEL
English name: Vantaa
City: Helsinki
Address: Finavia. Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, PL 29, 01531 Vantaa, Finland
Inquiry service: +358 200 14 636, [email protected]
VIP Center: +358 961 51 3936, [email protected]
Official site.
Official site in Russian.
Airport "Helsinki-Vantaa" is located 16 km from the center of the Finnish capital. You can get to the air station by bus, taxi or car.
- The easiest and fastest way to get there directly is by bus 615. Public transport departs from the Central Railway Station, platform 3. The interval on weekdays is 8–45 minutes, on weekends - 12–50 minutes. The journey will take 30-40 minutes. The cost of an adult ticket is 5 euros, and a ticket for children is 2.5 euros.
- Bus 620 also departs from the Central Railway Station, pl. 3. Interval on weekdays - 20-60 minutes, on weekends - 10-90 minutes. The duration of the trip is 40-50 minutes. At night, an adult / child ticket costs 7 euros.
- Bus 61 departs from Tikkurila station, pl. 1. On weekdays and weekends, it runs at intervals of 10-30 minutes. The cost of a travel document is 3 / 1.5 euros, at night - 5 euros. The bus runs to the airport at night, at intervals of 30 minutes.
Taxi is a fast but expensive way to get to the air station. On average, the trip will cost 30-50 euros, depending on the place of departure and time of day.
Landing tax:
- 6: 00–20: 00 - 5.9 euros;
- at other times - 9 euros.
Tax per kilometer:
- 1-2 people - 1.5 euros;
- 3-4 people - 1.87 euros;
- 5-6 people - 2.02 euros;
- over 6 people - 2.18 euros.
With a preliminary order for half an hour - 7.1 euros.
It is easy to get to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport by car following the signs on the highways. The coordinates of the air station for the navigator: 60 ° 18 ′ 44.51 ”N and 24 ° 58 ′ 17.43” E.
From the center of Helsinki, take the Tuusula road (highway 45). From the West or East, take the Keha III Ring Road (E18 or Highway 50) following signs.
Let's summarize
Finland's main airport has already been recognized as one of the best in Europe by passengers on several occasions. The air station has two terminals, a transit zone, and various services are provided. There are many food outlets at the airport, and there are accommodations for the night. For the convenience of passengers, it is possible to check in on their own. The airport can be reached in an hour by municipal bus.
