Public Transport in Helsinki 2024: Public Transit Made Easy!

This guide will help you navigate Helsinki’s public transportation. From navigating buses, trams, and the metro to understanding fares, ticketing, and insider tips, we’ve got you covered.

The tram is the most popular means of transport in Helsinki. So, how do you get a tram ticket, and how do they operate? And what other means of transportation are there?

Tickets can be purchased via the HSL app, ticket machines, or sales points.
You can’t buy a ticket from the driver on any of the buses or trams in Helsinki.

Holders of the Helsinki Card City or Helsinki Card Region can travel free within specified zones AB or ABC, depending on their card (the basic Helsinki Card, which is digital, does not include public transportation).

Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) is responsible for operating public transportation.

Read more about ticket types, zones, airport lines, tram use, the Suomenlinna ferry, and everything else.

Overview of Helsinki Public Transport System

The beauty of Helsinki is that you can get around without needing a car.

The metro system offers a quick underground option for commuters, and commuter trains efficiently link Helsinki with its suburban regions.

Buses travel the city’s diverse neighborhoods, while the iconic trams navigate the streets with charm.

Suomenlinna Island is easily accessible through ferry services. Commuter trains take you to neighboring cities.

The Helsinki region has four travel zones (A, B, C, and D). But since there is no ticket for just one zone, you need an AB ticket in the Helsinki area.

Check which zones you will travel to when going further (for example, for the airport, you need an ABC ticket).

Always carry a valid ticket, as frequent checks are conducted. The penalty for traveling without a valid ticket is 80 euros.

Fares and Ticketing

How to Buy a Ticket

Tickets cannot be purchased from the driver on trams.

1. Ticket machine

You can buy a ticket from a blue ticket machine. You can find them on metro and train stations and on some tram stops.

A ticket purchased from the machine is valid immediately, and the expiration time is printed on the ticket. It is valid 10 minutes longer than tickets purchased elsewhere.

2. Sales Point

Another option is to buy a ticket from the sales points (for example, R-Kioski shops with multiple locations).

You can buy single tickets in advance from the sales points. Validate the ticket by showing it to the card reader on your first trip. Show the ticket to the reader; no buttons need to be pressed.

Validate the ticket purchased from the sales point by showing it to the card reader on your first trip. Show the ticket to the reader; no buttons need to be pressed.

3. HSL App

The third option is to install HSL app. The app also helps you find the best route to your destination and get up-to-date information about service changes.

You can buy single, one-day, multi-journey, or season tickets. You can pay with your debit or credit card.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to making the most of the HSL app:

1. Download and Install

Begin by downloading the HSL app from your device’s app store.

You can download the HSL app from the App Store, Google Play, or Huawei App Gallery.

You can download the HSL app and register your information already at home. This way, you’ll see if it works or not.

When you fill in your contact details in the HSL app, you can leave the password field empty, thus skipping the HSL account registration part. You can then use the HSL app for single and 1–13-day tourist tickets without HSL account registration.

An HSL account is necessary for permanent residents purchasing season tickets.

2. Planning a Route

Plan your route by entering your starting point and desired destination into the route planner.

The app provides route options, complete with details on transfers, estimated travel times, modes of transportation, and the zones for which you need a ticket.

3. Ticket Purchases

Select your preferred ticket type based on your travel needs and purchase it directly through the app.

The digital ticket is stored on your app for easy access during your journey.

For tourists traveling in multiple zones, the HSL app allows you to effortlessly select the appropriate zones for your ticket, ensuring the right coverage for your entire journey.

You don’t need an internet connection when boarding the bus – a purchased and valid ticket can be shown from the app offline, too.

There are frequent ticket inspections by HSL patrols, so ensure you have enough battery power on your device.

4. Real-Time Schedules, Notifications and Alerts

The app updates regularly to provide accurate information on arrivals, departures, and potential disruptions to your chosen route.

You can enable notifications to receive updates on your chosen routes, ensuring you know of any changes or disruptions that may affect your travel plans.

5. Language Options

The HSL app supports multiple languages, making it accessible and user-friendly for international visitors. Set your preferred language in the app’s settings for a personalized experience.

Zones

Helsinki’s public transport operates on a zonal system, dividing the city and its surrounding areas into different zones. When purchasing tickets, check the zones you plan to visit, ensuring your ticket covers your entire journey.

For trips in Helsinki, you need an AB-zone ticket (single-zone tickets are unavailable).
You need an ABC-zone ticket for a journey between Helsinki Airport and the city center.

The AB-zone ticket also covers parts of Espoo and Vantaa. For example, you can travel to Tapiola, Espoo with an AB ticket.

The HSL app and ticket machines provide information on zones and ticket validity.

You can also check the zones via a map in the online journey planner.

Ticket Types

Single tickets

Single tickets are ideal for occasional journeys.

The ticket must be in the app before boarding a tram, bus, or train. On the metro, the ticket must be on your phone before you enter the payment area after passing the card readers.

AB-zone single ticket: 2,95 euros
ABC-zone single ticket: 4,10 euros

AB-zone ticket is valid for 80 minutes, and ABC-zone for 90 minutes.

Tickets allow transfers between modes of transport within that time. You can board a vehicle and complete your trip even if the ticket expires during the journey.

Day tickets

A day ticket allows unlimited travel within a specific zone. They are cost-effective and flexible. You can hop on and off public transport at your leisure, making them an ideal choice for sightseeing.

AB-zone

1-day: 9 euros
2-days: 13,50 euros
3-days: 18 euros

ABC-zone

1-day: 11 euros
2-days: 16,50 euros
3-days: 22 euros

You can use the HSL app to buy day tickets for 1 to 13 days. The tickets are valid from the moment of purchase.

Alternatively, you can set the validity start time of the ticket within 24 hours of the purchase. A one-day ticket is valid for 24 hours from the first use, a two-day ticket for 48 hours, a three-day ticket for 72 hours, etc.

You can buy day tickets from service points also (R-Kioski shops).

Public Transportation from Helsinki Airport to city center

You can go to the train station from inside the terminal at the airport.

Please note that you can’t buy a ticket on the train.

You need an ABC-zone ticket for a trip between Helsinki Airport and the city center (the airport is located in zone C).

You can buy a ticket (a single or day ticket) at the ticket machines at the train station.
Other places to buy a ticket are Alepa Grocery Store, WH Smith, R-kioski, and tourist information.
If you have installed the HSL app, you can use it to buy any ticket you need.

ABC single ticket costs 4,10 euros
ABC day ticket costs 11 euros

The airport train takes you to Helsinki city center in about 30 minutes.

There are two services: train I and train P, and you can use whichever comes first. Trains operate daily every 10 minutes or so.

The exact travel times are as follows:

I-train 27 min
P-train 32 min

ABC ticket is valid for 90 minutes, so you have plenty of time to change to another transport mode when the ticket is valid.

Trains don’t operate all night, but there is a night bus, 415N, to and from Helsinki Airport. Travel time is around 50 minutes with the night bus, but it only has a few departures a night.

Helsinki Card With Public Transportation

The Helsinki Card is a tourist card that includes admission to most museums and sights and some sightseeing tours. The basic digital card does not have public transportation; physical cards do.

Helsinki Card (digital): does not include public transport
Helsinki Card City (physical card): includes public transport in zone AB.
Helsinki Card Region (physical card): includes public transport in zone ABC.

For airport travel, the Helsinki Card Region is required (one day is 58 euros, two days are 72 euros, and three days are 86 euros).

The basic Helsinki Card (digital, 48/58/68 euros), or Helsinki Card City (54/66/78 euros), does not cover travel to or from Helsinki Airport.

You can buy a physical Helsinki Card at the airport (Excess Baggage Company at the arrivals hall).

Suomenlinna Ferry

HSL ferries from Market Square (Kauppatori) to Suomenlinna are part of the public transport system. So the same ticket you use for trams and buses is also valid for the sea trip to Suomenlinna.

Tickets are not sold on the ferry. The ticket must be purchased before boarding the ferry.
You can buy the ticket from the ticket machine on the harbor or the HSL app (AB-zone ticket 2,95 euros).
If you have a valid ticket, you can use the ticket on the ferry (remember that the AB ticket is valid for 80 minutes).

Depending on the season and the time of day, ferries run 1 to 4 times per hour from the morning until the night throughout the year. The journey takes about 15 minutes.

Note that the ferries can be pretty crowded during the summer if the weather is good.

The island has no entrance fee, and you can walk around freely. You only have to pay for the crossing to Suomenlinna and back.

Ferry tickets do not include any extras, like entrance fees to separate museums on the island.

You can view the HSL ferry schedules here.

Water bus services are not part of the HSL public transportation system.

HSL tickets are not valid on the waterbus.
You can buy the ticket to the water bus when boarding (the price range is 5 to 10 euros for a one-way ticket).

The water bus service to the fortress runs from May until September. A trip to the fortress with a water bus takes about 20 minutes.

The water bus departs from a different location than the HSL ferry. You can easily spot them on the Market Square (the pier is called Keisariluodon laituri).

In Suomenlinna, the water bus also departs from a different location than the HSL ferry (Artillery Bay pier, but it also stops at the King’s Gate). Some waterbus departures stop at Lonna Island on the way to Suomenlinna.

Using the water bus has its ADVANTAGES because it is not so crowded, and you can get closer to the fortress area on the island.

From Suomenlinna main pier, where the HSL ferry goes, it’s about a 600-meter walk to the water bus pier (where the fortress area begins).

Locals use the HSL ferry, of course, because it can be accessed with the same ticket as other means of transport.

Public Transport Etiquette in Helsinki

The tickets cannot be purchased on board. Please ensure that you have a valid ticket before boarding the vehicle.

Getting In:

If someone is waiting at the tram stop, the tram stops. No waving is required (this is something that even some locals don’t know).
It doesn’t hurt to wave for your tram, especially if several lines pass through the stop.
You can board through all doors (let departing passengers leave first).
Press the green button next to the door to open the door.
Remember to have a valid ticket before boarding, but you do not need to show the ticket to the driver.

Getting Out:

You see the name of the next stop on display.
Press the red stop button inside to request a tram to halt at the next station (if no passengers are waiting, the tram will pass by without stopping).
Press the stop button in good time, but only after the tram has left the previous stop.
On most trams, you can see if someone has pressed the stop button by the display saying Stop (Pysähtyy in Finnish), usually next to the screen with the name of the next stop.
When the tram has stopped, press the green button on the door to open it.
By pressing the blue stroller button, the doors stay open longer.

Light rail service stops at all stops.
There is no need to wave your hand or search for the stop button.
However, you can press the button to keep the doors open longer than usual.

For a bus to stop, you need to wave.
Use the front door for boarding, and show your ticket to the driver.
Press the stop button inside the bus to stop at the next bus stop.
On most buses, you can see if someone has pressed the stop button by the display saying Stop (Pysähtyy in Finnish).

The platform area starts at the ticket reader devices marked with yellow signs. From there on, you can only proceed with a valid ticket.
The metro always stops at every station.
The doors open automatically; you don’t need to press the open button.
Leave room for passengers getting out.
A small screen in the subway car shows the name of the upcoming stop.

The Helsinki subway system is simple. There are two lines, but you can get to most of the stations on both lines.

The difference is mostly at the ends of the lines, so if you’re traveling in the downtown area, just make sure you’re going in the right direction.

Line M1 runs between Vuosaari and Kivenlahti in Espoo. Line M2 between Mellunmäki and Tapiola in Espoo. But for most of the journey (between Itäkeskus and Tapiola), they follow exactly the same route.

Allow passengers to exit before boarding.
Priority seating is available for those with special needs.
Maintain a considerate noise level and offer your seat to those in need.

Helsinki Public Transport FAQ

What Modes of Transport Are Available in the Helsinki Public Transport System?

The Helsinki public transport system includes buses, trams, metros, commuter trains, and the Suomenlinna ferry.

How Much Does Helsinki Transit Cost?

Helsinki transit fares for adults:

A single ticket is 2,95 euros.
A 1-day ticket is 9 euros.

How Do You Buy a Ticket for Helsinki Transit?

The easiest way is to use the HSL app. You can also buy a ticket from a ticket machine or sales point (R-Kioski shops with multiple locations).

Tickets cannot be purchased on board in any way.

Can I Buy a Single Ticket for Multiple People on HSL app?

Yes, you can. After buying one ticket, go on buying more. You must buy them one at a time.

You can see the tickets in the Your Tickets section of the app. Please note that you must complete the journey together.

Do I Always Need to Show My Ticket?

There is no need to show a ticket when boarding trams, metro, Suomenlinna ferry, or commuter trains.

On regular buses, where you board from the front door, you must show your ticket to the driver.

Orange buses mean the so-called trunk lines. You can board these from the middle doors without showing the ticket to the driver.

Note that random ticket inspectors are used on all lines.

What Line Goes to Helsinki Airport From the City Center?

You can take the I or P trains to reach Helsinki Airport from the central station.

Trains depart every 10 minutes from Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on Sundays. During quieter periods, the trains may have intervals of up to 30 minutes.

Travel time with the I train is about 27 minutes (route: Helsinki–Tikkurila–Airport–Myyrmäki–Helsinki).

Travel time with the P train is about 32 minutes (route: Helsinki–Myyrmäki–Airport–Tikkurila–Helsinki).

When traveling from the city center to the airport, you must have an ABC zone ticket (a single ticket is 4,10 euros).

When Does the Metro Start Running, and When Does It Stop?

The metro runs from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm (Monday–Saturday).

On Sundays, it runs from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.

There are some exceptions; for example, between November 17 and December 16, the metro will run two hours longer than usual on Friday and Saturday nights (pre-Christmas party season).

Read more about public holidays and other special days in Finland.

During rush hours, the metro runs approximately every 2.5 minutes; otherwise, it runs every 3-5 minutes.

Can You Use Metro Tickets on the Bus?

Yes. You can transfer across the bus, metro, trams, local trains, and Suomenlinna ferry on a single fare for up to 80 minutes (AB zone).

How Does Public Transportation in Helsinki Stay Reliable and Comfortable During Winter?

In Helsinki, public transportation operates well during winter despite cold and snowy conditions.

Buses, trams, and trains are well-heated, so don’t worry. Even if it is cold outside, they are relatively warm inside.

Regular snow clearance on roads and tracks helps minimize disruptions.

In any case, heavy snowfall causes delays, but it has not happened that traffic in Helsinki stops completely because of snow.

Any Other Questions About the Helsinki Public Transport System?

Still have questions about the Helsinki public transport system? If so, please be in touch in the comments below.

We’ll be back with an answer!

Happy travels!

4 Comments

Judy Wilcox says:

January 29, 2024 at 2:20 am

Thanks for all the valuable information. I’ll be staying at 8 Unioninkatu 01300 June 6-June 10 and traveling to Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Which is the best public transportation to us leaving home at 2 and leaving stadium at 11:30 pm?

1. Maaret says:
  
  January 29, 2024 at 8:18 pm
  
  Thank you for reaching out!
  
  Tram line number 2 is your best choice for traveling from Unioninkatu to Helsinki Olympic Stadium, with a journey time of about 30 minutes.
  
  Trams run every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes in the evening.
  
  Remember, you can’t pay the driver directly; tickets must be purchased in advance.
  
  For your return journey, there’s a ticket machine at the Olympiastadion stop at the corner of Helsinginkatu and Mannerheimintie, useful if you don’t have a day ticket or the HSL app.
  
  For specific timings on your travel dates, please check the HSL route planner as summer schedules are not yet published.
  
  Route map of line 2
  
  HSL Route Planner
  
  Safe travels and happy to help if you have more questions! – Maaret
  
Linda Ferguson says:

May 12, 2024 at 9:59 pm

Thank you for the detailed info! We will be there in July, and I’m excited to use the trams to explore the city. Can you suggest any specific tram routes that offer the best views or pass by major attractions?

1. Lars says:
  
  May 16, 2024 at 11:03 pm
  
  For a scenic route that covers major attractions, Tram Line 2 is a great choice. It takes you through central Helsinki, and you have views of famous spots like the Market Square, Senate Square, Allas Sea Pool, and its route passes close to Rock Church.
  
  For a longer round trip, you can continue to the Aurora Hospital stop (Auroran sairaala) and switch to Line 3 or 7 to return via a different route back to the city center.
  
  If you’re into architecture, you might also enjoy Tram Line 4. It passes significant landmarks starting from Katajanokka, like Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki Cathedral, University of Helsinki main building, and also the Rock Church.
  
  For a leisurely ride, you can continue to the picturesque Munkkiniemi, the final stop on Line 4. Here, you can enjoy the sea view and take a walk and enjoy a nice café just beside the terminal stop.
  
  Here is the Route map.