Visiting Helsinki during 5h wait between flights

Is it realistic to do a quick visit to Helsinki, if I have 5h waiting time between flights? If so, what kind of transport should I take and what is the landmark mostly worth seeing?

Best Answer

From the airport to the city center you can go by:

taxi (quite expensive)
bus (takes 35 minutes)

In both cases, having to wait 5 hours you'll have plenty of time for a quick visit of the city center. From the train station (nice building) the senate square (with the Luteran cathedral and the university), the Esplanade and the market square are all within walking distance. You could even visit the Uspenski cathedral at the beginning of the Katajanokka peninsula.

Here is a short itinerary that covers the very center of the city.

Pictures about "Visiting Helsinki during 5h wait between flights"

Visiting Helsinki during 5h wait between flights - Women Travelers Visiting City with Backpacks

Visiting Helsinki during 5h wait between flights - Silhouette of People Sitting Inside the Airport

Visiting Helsinki during 5h wait between flights - Man in airport waiting for boarding on plane

Can I leave the airport during a layover in Helsinki?

If you are travelling within the Schengen area, you are allowed to exit the airport during a layover. Travelers from outside the Schengen area can also leave the airport if they don't need a visa to visit the Shengen area, or they already have a visa that allows a visit to Finland.

Can I have a layover in Finland?

Can I transit via Helsinki Airport? Transit is permitted to domestic flights according to Finnish immigration restrictions. Transit is permitted on international flights according to the immigration restrictions of the next transit airport or the country of destination.

Do I need a transit visa for Finland?

No, if you don't leave the airport's transit area. If you have a Schengen visa, you can leave the airport and visit the city.

Is 1 hour layover enough time in Helsinki?

Re: Is 1 hour enough time for layover in Helsinki? With your luggage checked through to your final destination, an hour is fine. It's a small airport for a capital city. Passport control is smooth and fast.

What to do between flights at Helsinki Airport

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Images: Kelly, Ketut Subiyanto, Kelly, JESHOOTS.com