Helsinki travel guide
Helsinki Tourism | Helsinki Guide
You're Going to Love Helsinki
With 558.457 inhabitants, Helsinki is the most populous city in Finland. It is the most popular tourist destination in the country. Helsinki deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
When to visit Helsinki
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Helsinki in July, when the average temperature is 16 °C, and the highest can go up to 21 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is February, when it can get as cold as -9 °C, with an average temperature of -6 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in August, when precipitation is around 70 mm. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Helsinki, with an average rainfall of 30 mm.
How to Get to Helsinki
Plane
When flying to Helsinki, you’ll arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), which is located 17 km from the city centre. The shortest flight to Helsinki from Australia departs from Perth and takes around 27h 15m.
Train
Located 4 km from the city centre, Helsinki Pasila is the busiest station in Helsinki. Another popular train station is Helsinki Central, located 1.0 km from the centre.
Bus
FlixBus operates bus routes to Helsinki. From Tallinn, the bus ride to Helsinki takes 418 km and will cost you around $50. From Riga, the ticket costs about $115 for a journey of 869 km.
Airlines serving Helsinki
Where to stay in Helsinki
From 5-star hotels such as the Hotel St. George Helsinki to great affordable options like the Hotel Anna, Helsinki offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $183 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $351 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hostel Diana Park and Hotel Finn. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Helsinki, with prices from $23 to $852 per night. Kamppi is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Helsinki are about 34% cheaper than a hotel room in the city.
Kluuvi - In Helsinki’s most popular neighbourhood to stay, recommended hotels include Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki, Hobo Helsinki and Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Helsinki.
Where to stay in popular areas of Helsinki
Most booked hotels in Helsinki
Hiring a car in Helsinki
Hiring a car in Helsinki costs $63 per day, on average, or $127 if you want to hire it for 2 days.
You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 26% more expensive than at Helsinki-Vantaa.
Expect to pay $3.24 per litre in Helsinki (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $38.78 and $51.71. The most frequently booked car type in Helsinki is Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Kia Picanto or similar) is, on average, 74% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.