Getting Around

Helsinki is the city of compact and efficient public transportation.

Tram connections are easy and cover the inner city and trams are very clean. There is only one subway line from the city center to the eastern part of Helsinki.

For any public journey planning, this website tells you all you ever want to know of all the connections (tram, bus, subway [metro], local train) in the Helsinki region: http://www.reittiopas.fi/en/

Tram is your vechile in Helsinki City Center

Just type in your departure address (e.g. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Vantaa) and destination plus the desired time of departure, and you will see the fastest transit lines (including combinations) on a table; and those lines shown on a map. As an alternative to typing, you may click your location and destination in the map.

Taxis in Helsinki

Taxis can be obtained by telephone (see telephone directory under Taksi) or from taxi ranks. The central taxi reservation number in Helsinki is 0100 0700.

Your hotel reservation staff will be able to provide you with local booking numbers. Yellow Taxis is an independent taxi service operating from and to Helsinki airport, telephone 0600-555 555. This service operates on a share basis.

All taxis have an illuminated yellow sign clearly marked ‘Taksi/Taxi'. When the sign is lit the taxi is vacant, but taxis will often head for the nearest taxi rank before actually picking up passengers. Payment can be made using Finnish bank cards and major international credit cards as well as cash.

The usual basic fare is 4.50 euros. The fare rises gradually on a kilometer basis, as indicated by the meter, and depending on the number of passengers. Yellow Taxis from and to Helsinki airport operates on a share basis, and fares depend on the number of people in the car. The single fare for a one-way trip between the airport and the city centre is 17 euros.

At night from 20.00 to 06.00, on Saturdays from 16.00 and on Sundays the basic fare is 7.00 euros. The waiting charge is 33.20 euros an hour. Price examples: a five-kilometre daytime journey for 1-2 persons in Helsinki costs about 10.30 euros and a journey from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to the city centre for two passengers costs between 25 and 30 euros. Tipping is not necessary for Finnish taxi drivers. You can of course round the bill up to the nearest full amount if you feel you've been treated with good service and smooth ride.

Finnish taxis are comfortable, safe and modern cars. Fitted with the latest GPS navigation systems, even the most remote addresses are easily found. But due to the Finnish language, which may be rather difficult to pronounce, it is advisable to write down the address of your destination.