Finding your way

Helsinki Regional Transport (HRT or HSL in Finnish) has you covered during your stay in Helsinki. You can travel from and to the airport and in and around the greater region of Helsinki (including Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa) with HSL. Here is some useful information about the different campus and types of travelling.

• HSL - You can find the correct route by using the HSL journey planner (reittiopas). Type your from and to addresses as well as the time of departure or arrival into the journey planner and the service will search the best connections for your journey.
• Student fares. Please read the following article covering student fares in public transport. Please note exchange students with University of Helsinki study right have the same reduced fares. 
• There are these following ways to obtain an HSL ticket:
  1. mobile ticket with the HSL app
  2. ticket vending machine
• Read more about tickets and fares on the HSL website

You will most likely arrive by plane to Helsinki Airport. The airport is despite its name not located in Helsinki but in Vantaa, a neighbouring municipality, some 21 km up north. Depending on the time of day you have several options how to make it to the city centre. 

by train

You can catch either P or I train of the ring rail line from the station which is located conveniently right underneath the airport to reach the main railway station in Helsinki. More detailed and up-to date information is available on the HSL website.

by bus

Right outside Terminal 2 are the bus stops for the following connections:

• bus number 615 (operated by HRT), check with the journey planner for the timetable.
• the Finnair City Bus (operated by Finnair)
• other connections to other destinations within the metropolitan area

by taxi

Taxis are available outside the terminal. It's the most expensive way to travel to the city centre and will set you back around 40 euros. Make sure to have the price confirmed before starting the ride as prices are no longer regulated.

If you arrive by ferry you will most likely enter Helsinki through Katajanokka, Makasiini or either of the West Terminals - all harbours (managed by Port of Helsinki) are rather close to the city centre and thus you will find yourself in downtown in no time.  

by tram

All harbours mentioned above have at least one tram connection. The HSL route planner helps you find your way.

by taxi 

Taxis are available outside the terminals. Make sure to check the price before starting the ride as prices are no longer regulated.

Kumpula campus is rather close to the city centre and travelling back and forth is quite easy. Here you will find the best options for doing so.  

by tram

There is one direct tram line connecting the city centre with Kumpula: 6. Have a look at the timetable and stops at Reittiopas.

by bus

There are plenty of buses leaving Rautatientori (the large square next to the railway station) that pass Kumpula campus and some of them continue heading north so you can use the same bus for Viikki campus too. Most of these buses stop by Metsätalo (still city centre). 

Here is a list of just a few possible lines to get to Kumpula campus: 71, 75, 77, 78, 717, 731. For a comprehensive list and timetable check out Reittiopas, you can adjust the time to your needs.

Meilahti campus is within the city and thus getting there is easy. Here you will find the best options for doing so.  

by tram

There is one direct tram line connecting the city centre with Meilahti: 4. Have a look at the timetable and other options at Reittiopas.

by bus

There are a few buses connecting the city centre from various stops with Meilahti.

Here is a list of just a few possible lines to get to Meilahti campus: 14, 18, 39, 218, 280, 421. For a comprehensive list and timetable check out Reittiopas, Please enter your point of start and Meilahden sairaala as arrival point.

by bicycle

Once you have settled in and do not want to invest in a bicycle you have the option of using city bike (kaupunkipyörä). For 30e / season (May - Octobre) you can use the vast network of bikes and stations in Helsinki and large parts of Espoo. Read more about city bikes from HSL's City Bike website.

What's best you can combine the public transport with the city bike, Reittiopas will show you results with all available means of transport - bikes included!

Viikki campus is not in the city centre, but travelling there by bus takes only 15-20 minutes.  

by bus

There are plenty of buses leaving Rautatientori (the large square next to the railway station) for Viikki campus (they pass Kumpula campus). Most of these buses stop by Metsätalo (still city centre). 

Here is a list of just a few possible lines to get to Viikki campus: 77, 78, 717, 731, 739. For a comprehensive list and timetable check out Reittiopas, you can adjust the time to your needs.