Trains in Helsinki

Helsinki Central Station is the hub for VR long-distance trains and HSL commuter trains. Pendolino and InterCity trains run to Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Rovaniemi and many other cities. There are no direct trains to other countries.

Trains to Tampere, Turku and the main cities run through the day, from early morning to late evening. Night trains with sleeping cabins run to Lapland.

Tickets and prices

• Long-distance fares change by date and are cheapest when booked early. vr.fi shows the exact price for your day
• A long-distance ticket includes a reserved seat. Ekstra classes cost more
• Changing a ticket costs 5.20 EUR plus any price difference
• Commuter trains around Helsinki use HSL tickets, not VR tickets
• Night trains to Lapland need a reservation and have seats, couchettes and cabins
• Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on VR trains

Where to buy tickets

• vr.fi or the VR app (the ticket stays on your phone)
• Not sold on board long-distance trains. Buy before you board
• Commuter trains (HSL): HSL app or a contactless card reader
• Bikes need their own ticket on long-distance trains and are not allowed on commuter trains from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00

Good to know: Buy long-distance tickets before you board, on vr.fi or in the VR app. The airport train is an HSL commuter train, so use an HSL ABC ticket for it.

VR (official site)

Direct trains from Helsinki

• Helsinki Airport: about 30 min from Helsinki Central, HSL I and P trains
• Lahti: about 50 min from Helsinki Central, VR
• Tampere: about 1 h 30 min from Helsinki Central, VR Pendolino, InterCity
• Turku: about 1 h 50 min from Helsinki Central, VR InterCity, Pendolino
• Lappeenranta: about 2 h 10 min from Helsinki Central, VR
• Jyväskylä: about 3 h from Helsinki Central, VR Pendolino, InterCity
• Pori: about 3 h 45 min from Helsinki Central, VR InterCity
• Kuopio: about 3 h 50 min from Helsinki Central, VR
• Vaasa: about 3 h 55 min from Helsinki Central, VR InterCity, Pendolino
• Kitee: about 4 h from Helsinki Central, VR InterCity
• Joensuu: about 4 h 5 min from Helsinki Central, VR Pendolino, InterCity
• Kokkola: about 4 h 45 min from Helsinki Central, VR InterCity, Pendolino
• Oulu: about 5 h 15 min from Helsinki Central, VR Pendolino, InterCity
• Kajaani: about 6 h 15 min from Helsinki Central, VR
• Rovaniemi: about 7 h 55 min from Helsinki Central, VR InterCity
• Kemi: about 8 h 50 min from Helsinki Central, VR InterCity, night train
• Kolari: about 14 h 30 min from Helsinki Central, VR night train

Trams and metro in Helsinki

HSL runs Helsinki's trams, the Metro (M1 and M2), buses, commuter trains and the Suomenlinna ferry on one ticket system. Trams 2 and 3 pass near many top attractions.

Trams, buses and the Metro run from early morning until about midnight, with night buses after that. Metro trains come every 2.5 to 15 minutes. Check the HSL Journey Planner for exact times.

Tickets and prices

• Single ticket, zones AB: 3.30 EUR in the HSL app or at machines, 3.50 EUR with contactless. Valid 80 minutes
• Single ticket, zones ABC: 4.50 EUR in the app, 4.80 EUR with contactless. Valid 90 minutes. Needed for the airport
• Day ticket, zones AB: 10.60 EUR for 24 hours. Day tickets are sold for 1 to 13 days
• Since 2 November 2026, contactless single tickets stop at the day ticket price each day (10.60 EUR for AB)
• Children aged 7 to 17: 1.65 EUR for AB in the app or on an HSL card. Contactless is full price
• The Suomenlinna ferry is included in a normal HSL ticket
• From 1 January 2027 the AB single ticket in the app rises to 3.35 EUR

Where to buy tickets

• HSL app (cheapest for single tickets, and the ticket must be in the app before you board)
• Contactless card, phone or watch at the reader on vehicles and in stations. Up to 10 adult tickets at once, no PIN
• About 70 ticket machines remain at major transport hubs. A machine only sells tickets that include its own zone
• HSL sales and service points
• Metro: no gates, so buy your ticket before you go down to the platform
• No valid ticket: 100 EUR penalty fare plus the price of a single ticket

Good to know: Tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard (or phone) at the reader to buy a ticket. Pick your zones, tap, and your card is your ticket. Amex is not accepted.

HSL (official site)

Helsinki network

Helsinki has one Metro with two lines, M1 and M2. The central station stop is Rautatientori. There are no ticket gates, so buy your ticket before you go down to the platform.

• Line M1: Kivenlahti to Vuosaari. Stops: Tapiola (Espoo), Ruoholahti (Harbour), Kamppi (Bus station), Rautatientori (Central station), Hakaniemi (Market hall).
• Line M2: Tapiola to Mellunmäki. Stops: Ruoholahti (Harbour), Kamppi (Bus station), Rautatientori (Central station), Hakaniemi (Market hall).

Where lines meet: Rautatientori (Central station, all metro trains); Kamppi (Long-distance buses).

Buses in Helsinki

HSL buses cover the whole city and region, including areas without trams or the Metro. Airport buses 600 and 615 also run from Helsinki Airport.

Buses run from early morning to late evening, and night buses serve some routes after midnight. Check the HSL Journey Planner for your stop.

Tickets and prices

• Same fares as trams and the Metro: 3.30 EUR in the app or 3.50 EUR contactless for zones AB
• Buses to the airport need an ABC ticket: 4.50 EUR in the app, 4.80 EUR contactless
• Day tickets work on all buses
• U line buses do not accept contactless payment yet. Use the app

Where to buy tickets

• Contactless card reader on board (adult single tickets)
• HSL app (the ticket must be in the app before you board)
• Show your card to the reader or your ticket to the driver when you board
• When changing buses, do not press the zone buttons again

Good to know: Raise your hand at the stop to signal the driver, and show your card or phone to the reader when you board.

HSL: contactless payment (official site)

Airport links in Helsinki

Helsinki Airport (HEL) is in Vantaa, in zone C. The I and P trains run from the station under the terminal to Helsinki Central in about 27 to 32 minutes.

Trains run from early morning until late at night, about every 10 minutes at peak hours. Both the I and P trains loop through the airport and end at Helsinki Central. Bus 600 runs from outside the arrivals hall to the central station.

Tickets and prices

• Train: ABC single ticket, 4.50 EUR in the HSL app or 4.80 EUR contactless. Valid 90 minutes
• Bus 600 and bus 615 cost the same ABC ticket. Bus 615 takes about 45 minutes
• An AB ticket does not cover the airport
• Taxi to the centre: about 45 to 50 EUR and about 30 minutes
• A day ticket is available if you plan more trips

Where to buy tickets

• Tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, phone or watch at the reader
• HSL app
• Ticket machine at the airport station
• Buy before you travel. Take the lift or escalator from the arrivals hall to the station

Good to know: Buy an ABC ticket, not AB. Either train, I or P, takes you to Helsinki Central.

HSL: airport train (official site)

Airport to city centre: full guide

Tips for Helsinki

• AB is enough for the city centre, but you need ABC for the airport.
• An app ticket (3.30 EUR) is cheaper than a contactless tap (3.50 EUR) for the same AB trip.
• Contactless trips are capped at the day ticket price from 2 November 2026, so you never pay more than 10.60 EUR a day in zones AB.
• Trams, trains, the Metro and the Suomenlinna ferry have no gates. Keep your ticket or card ready for inspectors, who can charge 100 EUR.

Apps to download

• HSL: Tickets and Journey Planner for the Helsinki region
• VR Matkalla: Long-distance train tickets and timetables
• ReceiptHero: Receipts for contactless ticket payments
• Helsinki City Bikes: City bikes with day and week passes, April to October