Helsinki’s airport is 19km (12mi) north of the city, in Vantaa. There are flights to Helsinki from the USA, Europe and Asia. Finnair offers international as well as domestic services, with flights to 20 Finnish cities at least once a day. Departure tax is included in the airfare price. To and from the airport, you can travel by taxi; bus 615, which runs regularly from the airport to Railway Square in the city centre; or the shuttle buses Finnair runs from the airport to their office next to the train station.

Trains run from Finland to Sweden and Russia, but not to Norway. The train station is in the city centre and is linked by pedestrian tunnel with the metro system. Helsinki is the terminus for three main railway lines, with regular trains from Turku in the west, Tampere in the north and Lahti in the northeast. There is a separate ticket counter for international trains, including those to St Petersburg and Moscow. Buses run between Finland and Sweden, Norway and Russia. Purchase long-distance and express bus tickets at the main bus station (between Mannerheimintie and the Kamppi metro station) or on the bus itself. Local and regional buses also depart from this station.

Buses run between Finland and Sweden, Norway and Russia. Purchase long-distance and express bus tickets at the main bus station (between Mannerheimintie and the Kamppi metro station) or on the bus itself. Local and regional buses also depart from this station.

By car, there are land border crossings into Finland from northern Sweden, Norway and Russia. Swedish and Norwegian border posts are very relaxed, Russian ones are somewhat less so.

International ferries travel to Stockholm, Tallin, in Estonia, and Travemünde and Lübeck in Germany. There is also a catamaran and hydrofoil service to Tallin. Of the five ferry terminals in the city, four are just off the central kaupptori. Ferry tickets may be purchased at the terminal, from a ferry company’s office in the centre or in some cases from the city tourist office. Avoid disappointment by booking in advance during the high season (late June through mid-August).