Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is Finland's main hub, home to Finnair, located about 19 km north of the capital's city center.
It is an important connection point for links between Europe and Asia, thanks to the polar route that makes Helsinki a competitive hub for many Asian destinations.
How to get to Helsinki Vantaa Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to HEL
Parking near Helsinki Vantaa Airport
Covered parking garages P1 and P2, connected directly to the terminal, cost approximately €5 per hour up to a maximum of approximately €45 per day; parking lots P3 and P5, more economical for long stays, offer free shuttle service.
How to get to Helsinki from HEL
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Helsinki Vantaa Airport
The most established car rental companies operate from the arrivals area.
For EU visitors, a national driver's license is sufficient, along with passport and credit card.
Hotels near Helsinki Vantaa Airport
Vantaa, around the airport
No chain hotel is connected to the terminals. The apartments in the Tammisto and Veromies-Aviapolis areas are 5-10 minutes by car from the terminals; Veromies-Aviapolis has its own station, Aviapolis, one stop on the Ring Rail Line from the airport.
Best for: Early-morning flights and one-night stopovers, when every minute of transfer time matters more than the appeal of the centre.
- Free parking almost everywhere, useful for anyone arriving or leaving by car at night
- Just minutes from the terminals without having to rely on train timetables
- An office and warehouse area with very few restaurants outside the hotels themselves
- Without a car you depend on taxis or local buses that run less often than the Ring Rail Line
Recommended hotels
- Only 9 mins from the airport 74,5 m2 apartment with free parking & beds for 7 A 74.5 sqm apartment with free parking and beds for 7, 9 minutes by car from the terminals according to the listing: useful for families or small groups with a very early flight. View availability
- Easy and short from the airport A studio in the Veromies-Aviapolis area, a few minutes by car from the terminals and one stop from the Aviapolis station on the Ring Rail Line. View availability
- Guest apartment with authentic Finnish wooden sauna, 10 min drive from the airport An apartment with an authentic Finnish wooden sauna, 10 minutes by car from the terminals: handy for a local ritual before a long flight. View availability
Pasila
Pasila is the hub where the Ring Rail Line reconnects with the main line: it's about 20 minutes by train from the airport, and from Pasila the centre of Helsinki is another 5 minutes away.
Best for: Anyone who wants to stay along the rail line, halfway between the airport and the centre, with a shopping centre beneath the hotel.
- A direct rail hub, useful even for anyone continuing their journey elsewhere in Finland
- The Mall of Tripla shopping centre is in the same building as the station and one of the hotels
- An office district with recent residential towers, with less historic charm than the centre
- Evening life is concentrated in the shopping centre, with little else in the surrounding streets
Recommended hotels
- Original Sokos Hotel Tripla Helsinki A hotel above Pasila railway station, with direct access to the Mall of Tripla shopping centre; all local and long-distance trains stop at Pasila. View availability
- Scandic Pasila About 600 metres from the Messukeskus congress centre, designed for anyone attending trade fairs and events, with Pasila station just steps away. View availability
Helsinki centre and the central station
The P or I train of the Ring Rail Line from the central station in 27-32 minutes, with departures every 10 minutes during the day.
Best for: Anyone who wants shops, museums and the harbour within walking distance and the direct train to the airport from the central station.
- The central station is linked to the metro and trams for the rest of the city
- Shops, restaurants and evening life within walking distance of most hotels
- Higher rates than in other parts of the city
- On weekends the streets around the station stay busy and noisy until late
Recommended hotels
- Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki Literally opposite the central station, about 100 metres from the platforms: handy for anyone arriving or leaving by train from the airport with luggage. View availability
- Scandic Grand Central Helsinki In the historic art nouveau building by Eliel Saarinen, about 90 metres from the central station. View availability
- Marski by Scandic On Mannerheimintie, about 300 metres from the central station, opposite the Stockmann department store and the Esplanadi. View availability
Kallio and Hakaniemi
15-20 minutes on foot from the central station, or two metro stops; for the airport you still need to go via the central station or Pasila.
Best for: Anyone looking for a more authentic, less touristy district, with Hakaniemi's historic market and Kallio's nightlife venues.
- Generally lower prices than the tight city centre
- Hakaniemi's covered market and the Kallio district full of bars and restaurants frequented by locals
- No Ring Rail Line station nearby: reaching the airport requires a change
- A noisier area in the evening on weekends, especially around Kallio
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminals are modern and efficient, reflecting Finnair's role as a hub between Europe and Asia. From check-in to gate, you typically walk 15-20 minutes.
Since Finland is part of the Schengen Area, flights to and from other Schengen countries do not involve passport control; for non-Schengen flights, it's advisable to arrive at least 2-3 hours in advance.
Map of Helsinki Vantaa Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How do you get to central Helsinki from the airport?
With the Ring Rail Line train, which connects the airport directly to the central station in about 30 minutes, with frequent services throughout the day.
Q. Why is Helsinki an important hub for flights to Asia?
Thanks to the polar route, which makes many Asian destinations reachable from Helsinki with competitive flight times compared to other European hubs.
Q. Do you need a visa for Finland?
No, for EU citizens (ID card or passport) and for numerous other nationalities, including the US, Canada and the UK, for tourist stays of up to 90 days, since Finland is part of the Schengen area.
Q. Is Helsinki airport connected to Finnish Lapland?
Yes, domestic flights are available to Lapland's airports (Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Kittilä and others), a destination for arctic tourism and the northern lights.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
