a map of a heart
Ring Rail Line map courtesy of the Helsinki Region Transport Authority.

Helsinki Airport Train Station Now Open

ravel from Helsinki Airport into central Helsinki just became significantly easier and faster, now that the Helsinki Airport train station has opened to passenger traffic as of Friday, July 10, 2015, according to this article from the official Internet web site of Helsingin Seudun Liikenne — also known as the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority in English — and the new train station is served by Ring Rail Line trains I and P.

The walk from the western Tietotie exit to terminal T1 is approximately 350 meters and is clearly marked; while the walk to terminal T2 is approximately 700 meters — or less than a half of a mile. There is also a free bus service to the terminals every five minutes, with a travel time of approximately five minutes.

Although the western Tietotie entrance to the Helsinki Airport train station has been completed, the other direct entrance from the train station to the airport terminal is scheduled to open later this year during autumn.

The Ring Rail Line is expected to become an important public transport link for the entire metropolitan area of Helsinki. Approximately 200,000 residents of Vantaa — as well as approximately 200,000 commuters from elsewhere — are estimated to be traveling on the Ring Rail Line every day. The new rail line connects the Vantaankoski line and the main line; and it also creates a new transversal rail link between East and West Vantaa. All trains are modern and low-floor, which provides easy access to passengers with luggage, prams or a wheelchair.

The operating hours of the Ring Rail Line are as follows:

  • Every 10 minutes
    • Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning through 7:00 in the evening
    • Saturday from 9:00 in the morning through 4:00 in the afternoon
  • Every 15 minutes
    • Monday through Saturday from 7:00 in the evening through 10:00 in the evening
    • Saturday from 7:00 in the morning through 9:00 in the morning
    • Sunday from 10:00 in the morning through 10:00 in the evening
  • Every 20 minutes
    • Every day of the week from 10:00 in the evening through midnight
    • Monday through Friday from 4:00 in the morning through 6:00 in the morning
    • Saturday from 5:00 in the morning through 7:00 in the morning
    • Sunday from 5:00 in the morning through 10:00 in the morning

 

Prior to the opening of the new train station at the airport, service on bus route 615 was the main mode of mass transportation between the airport and the city center. The bus service still exists; but the frequency of the service has been reduced in accordance to anticipated decreased demand to be caused by increased demand for the train service, which is significantly faster than the bus service. The fare remains the same price.

Click here for all fare information details.

I found out about this good news by accident when I was investigating the possibility of a trip to Helsinki later this year. I have never been to Finland, by the way; but if you plan on being in Helsinki, know that your transportation options have significantly improved.

At least it has been a long time since I have been told to go to HEL

Ring Rail Line route map courtesy of the Helsinki Region Transport Authority. Click here for the source of the map.

  1. Helsinki is awesome, but beware you may think Helsinki is a dead town of you go at the wrong time–most people leave town in the summer to enjoy nature in the more remote parts.

    1. That is good to know, Nathan. Thank you.

      That is typically the case in a number of European countries — such as France in August, for example…

      …although I would be tempted to join those people to enjoy nature in the more remote parts of Finland, I must admit…

  2. This is interesting. I just take the Finnair bus from the airport terminal right into the center of town. Super easy.

    1. As I have never visited Helsinki, a couple of questions came to my mind:

      • How much is the Finnair bus; and
      • Do you have to be a passenger of Finnair to use the bus?
    1. I am glad to be of help, ThePointsJunkie.

      Enjoy your trip; and please post a link here to your trip report once you write it.

  3. I just used the Finnair bus on Saturday. €6.30 one way/ 11.50 return if you buy your ticket on boarding, €6.20/11.40 if you buy it online. Fast and easy, free wifi on the bus. And no, you don’t need to have flown on Finnair to use the bus.

    1. If I am not mistaken, it seems as though that the Finnair bus is not much more expensive than the train fare, Aeronuts — and is a viable option worth considering.

      Thank you for the helpful information.

  4. Brian,

    I flew AA and anyone can take the Finnair Bus, not just Finnair customers. It is 4 Euros with Helsinki Card and 6,30 Euros without it. I was staying at the Hilton right at the airport and dropped off my bags and got on the bus right outside the hotel at T2. I found it very convenient.

    1. Thank you for the additional information, smittytabb.

      That Hilton hotel is one of the ones at which I was looking to stay if I traveled to Helsinki.

      1. Unless it is a quick trip I usually prefer more the center of town, however I liked your recent article about saving money by staying out near the airport in some circumstances. Given the ease of using transportation from the airport at this airport, and the fact that the Hilton is literally a few steps from the airport, I would stay there again. I really liked the Hilton BTW. It has a great club lounge with substantial enough offerings in the evening that it could be dinner and free flowing wine. It also has a great view where you can watch the planes at the airport which is super fun too. Breakfast was also very nice. I have Hilton Gold status and got use of the lounge that way on my stay.

    1. It is a purple heart, though, Captain Kirk.

      Last time I checked, thankfully no one was injured or killed as a result of the posting of this article…

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