Introduction
When you are traveling to and from Helsinki Vantaa Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.
Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.
A Brief Overview of Helsinki Vantaa Airport
Helsinki Vantaa Airport is the largest airport in Finland and is also known to be one of the busiest airports in Scandinavia. You can easily get to the airport from Helsinki city center by driving north along with the Helsinki to Tuusala motorway via motorway 45 and then following the signs to the airport.
From the west and the east, you can travel on motorways E18 or 50 and then turn onto the northbound motorway 45, before following signs for the airport. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is the essential worldwide airport serving Finland and has two terminals, linked by using an inside pedestrian connection. Thanks to Finnair, it is one of the busiest airports in Europe and a hub for Baltic and intercontinental airlines.
Situated about 5 km from Tikkurila and about 15 km from Helsinki, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is easy to reach via bus. Even if it is small for an international airport, it is a pleasant and contemporary space, with plenty to offer to travelers.
IATA: HEL
Address:
Lentäjäntie 301531
Vantaa
Helsinki Airport
Helsinki
Finland
Contact:+358 20 708 000 / +358 200 14636
Website: https://www.finavia.fi/en/airports/helsinki-airport
Operation Hours: Helsinki Vantaa Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain food concessions and car rental services may not offer their services 24 hours. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may also vary with the flight schedule. Hence, it is advised that you check with the airport.
Airport Terminal
The Helsinki Vantaa Airport has two terminals, called Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. T1 mostly serves the Star Alliance (SAS, Lufthansa), and T2 is the major terminal for Finnair. The Non-Schengen flights arrive and depart from the left part of the T2, to which the access is constantly through the Schengen area.
This means that you will need to first check in and pass via the security check to the Schengen area, and then you will go through the passport check to the non-Schengen area. Arriving non-Schengen passengers will go through the passport check and then through baggage claim and customs out unless connecting to a Schengen flight.
Helsinki Vantaa Airport Parking Facility
Vehicle parking facilities are available at Helsinki Vantaa Airport. There are, however, different rates that are charged for the duration of parking vehicles. And the airport also has various parking options to offer.
Airlines Served by Helsinki Vantaa Airport
The major domestic and international airlines that are served daily by Helsinki Vantaa Airport include Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Serbia, airBaltic, Airlink, Alitalia, American Airlines, Arkia Israel Airlines, Austrian Airways, Belavia, Blue Air, Braathens Regional, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Corendon, Croatia Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, EasyJet, Finnair, Flydubai, Freebird Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, JAL Japan Airlines, Jet Time, Juneyao Airlines, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Norra, Norwegian, Nouvelair Tunis, Novair, Onur Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, SAS, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SunExpress, Swiss, Tailwind Airlines, TAP, Thai Airways, Tibet Airlines, Transavia, TUI Fly, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, and Vueling.
Facilities and Services Available at Helsinki Vantaa Airport
The Helsinki Vantaa Airport offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile.
Security Checkpoints
There are security checks at the airport’s terminals. All passengers are required to pass through the security checks.
Help Desk
When you are at the Helsinki Vantaa Airport and need help, there is an information desk to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. The information desk is located on the Arrivals level, in the corridor between Terminals 1 and 2. It is open 24 hours. Additionally, you will find two transfer services desks and two service guide desks at Airside that provide additional assistance to passengers.
Wi-Fi and Mobile Charging Stations
Free Wi-Fi is available at Baltimore Washington International Airport, in case you need to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet.
In addition to free Wi-Fi, mobile charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your phone’s battery. Mobile charging power outlets can be found at Gates 11, 18-21, 25, 27, 31, 31A, 32, 33, 37, and 38.
Baggage Handling and Storage
Locker facilities are available at the landside, on the ground floor of terminals T1 and T2. The fee charged to use this facility is €5 ($5.49 USD) for a small locker of size 56 cm x 56 cm x 28 cm or €6 ($6.59 USD) for a bigger locker of size 86 cm x 78 cm x 36 cm per 24-hour period. The maximum storage time allowed is 7 days. The locker facility is available 24 hours.
Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.
Lounge and Business Conference Rooms
Helsinki Vantaa Airport provides premium lounges that you can use by either paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or via lounge membership programs.
The Kainuu Lounge
A space that is open to all passengers who are looking for a quiet place to rest and loosen up between flights. It is located in Terminal 2, Airside, 2nd Floor, Schengen, Gate 31 and is open 24 hours.
The Maja Living Room
This lounge is both a yoga room and a rest area. In addition to balance beams and stretching bars, this room has many lounge chairs to loosen up before boarding your flight. It is located in Terminal 2, Airside, 2nd Floor, Non-Schengen, Gate 52 and is open 24 hours.
Finnair Lounge
The lounge is located in Terminal 2, Airside, 3rd Floor, Gate 22. Schengen Zone and is open from 5:30 am till 12:00 am. The lounge also provides showers. You can access the lounge by paying at the door. The access fee is €48 between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm and from 6:00 pm till 11:00 pm only.
SAS Lounge:
The lounge is located in Terminal 1, Airside, Gate 13. It opens one hour before the first SAS flight until 30 minutes before the last flight’s departure. The lounge can be accessed by Star Alliance and Eurobonus Gold individuals. Star Alliance passengers may also access the lounge by paying at the door. The fee is €30.
Relax Lounge:
You can go to the Relax and Feelgood Lounge where they offer a variety of massage services to help you relax. It is located in Airside, Gate 28, and is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends.
Almost@Home:
The lounge is located in Terminal 2, Airside, close to Gate 32. Showers are available. You can access the lounge through pay the Door and Lounge membership programs.
Aspire Lounge:
The lounge is located in Terminal 2, Airside, 2nd Floor, Gates 27 and 28. Showers are available. You can access the lounge through Pay at the Door, Prepaid lounge passes, and Lounge membership programs.
Plaza Premium Lounge:
The lounge is located in Terminal 2, Airside, Non-Schengen Area, Mezzanine Level, close to Gate 34. Showers are available. You can access the lounge through Pay at the Door and Lounge membership programs.
Shops and Duty-Free Stores
There are a couple of stores at Helsinki Airport that cater to your shopping needs. Duty-free stores are available in T1 (Gates 13-14) and T2 (Gates 23, 32, 36, 40, 52).
A wide range of retail shops selling everything, from books to local delicacies, can be found throughout the airport. If you need a magazine, a souvenir, or a quick snack, there is an R-kiosk newsstand and an Alepa Shop available landside that are open 24 hours.
Cafes, Bars, and Restaurants
Finding fast food options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at the Helsinki Vantaa Airport. Food concessions throughout the airport have been operated over varying schedules and timing. They are open 24 hours.
- Cafe Tori (located in T2, airside, Gates 26-27)
- Nordic Kitchen (located in T2, Airside, Gate 34)
- Richie’s Gourmet Hot Dogs (located in T1, Airside, Gate 19)
- Ulappa (located in T2, Departures Level with kitchen open from 10:00 am till 7:00 pm, while the restaurant is open 24 hours)
Also, there is a 24-hour grocery store, Alepa, which is located landside in T2 Arrivals Hall 2B. In addition, you will even get to have Vending machines service which is available throughout the airport.
Other Amenities
1. Defibrillators:
At Gate 25, Gate 33, and in the hall between T1 and T2.
2. Medical Services:
If you are feeling ill or have injured yourself, the Mehiläinen Airport Clinic can be found landside, outside of T2.
3. Pharmacy:
You can buy medicines and get your prescriptions filled at the airport’s pharmacy. It is located in T2, landside, Arrivals Hall 2A, and is open from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.
There are also two Apteekkiplus pharmacies that sell last-minute over-the-counter (OTC) medication and can be found in T2, 2nd Floor, Schengen, Gate 29. They are open from 6:30 am till 11:30 pm, and T2, 2nd Floor, Non-Schengen, Gates 37-39. They are open from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm and on Saturday till 9:00 pm.
4. Children’s Play Area:
Toys, games, changing tables, and seating are reachable inner the airport’s brightly colored children’s play areas. A runway can also be viewed from the playroom at Gate 20. It is located in Schengen Area at Gate 16 and is open 24 hours.
5. Postal Services:
Want to drop off your last-minute postcards ., then you can do so at the airport’s mailbox. These mailboxes are located in Terminal 1, Landside, Check-in Hall, Terminal 1, Airside, Near Gate 13, Terminal 2, Landside, on the Check-in Level, Terminal 2, Landside, Baggage Hall, and Terminal 2, Airside, near Gate 26.
6. ATM:
ATMs are available at the Helsinki Vantaa Airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATM if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs at Airside, 7 locations • Landside at Check-in, Arrivals, and T1, and T2 Corridors.
7. Currency Exchange:
ChangeGroup foreign exchange kiosks can be found in various locations of the airport. Landside: T2, Check-In area 201-232, T2, Check-In area 240-271, T2, Arrivals Hall 2A and T2, Arrivals Hall 2B. Airside, Gates 15, 26, 27, 29, and 34.
Hotels at and near Helsinki Vantaa Airport
Finding accommodations at the Helsinki Vantaa Airport or nearby should not be a problem for you as there are several hotels out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find comfortable places to stay during your visit to Baltimore.
A few hotels that are located not very far from the Helsinki Vantaa Airport are:
- Holiday Inn Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
- Bonus Inn Airport Hotel
- Break Sokos Hotel Flamingo
- Best Western Airport Hotel Pilotti
Transportation Options
Getting to and from the Helsinki Vantaa Airport is easy as availability of transportation sources from or to the airport with quite various options. With options ranging from public transportation to app-based ride services, you can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs.
Airport/Hotel Shuttle Services:
The airport’s free inter-terminal shuttle bus transports passengers between the parking areas and terminals every 15 minutes. Its operation hours are from 3:30 am to 1:30 am.
Bus Services:
Finnair City Bus is the most convenient way to get to Helsinki city and also the railway station. The local transportation bus routes 415, 561, 615, and 617 connect the airport to other parts of the city, Most notably, bus 615 provides normal service between the airport and Helsinki City Center railway station, and bus 617 connects Hakaniemi Market Square, and the airport, especially at peak hours, from Monday to Friday. You can also pay via credit card.
Train Services:
The Ring Rail Line provides a train connection between the airport, central Helsinki, and the rest of the country. Trains depart every 10 – 20 minutes, with daily hours of operation. Fares, routes, and additional information on the Ring Rail Line are provided on the Helsinki Region Transport website. There is a fare zone system that has been put in place, so make sure to purchase a ticket to the ABC zone.
Taxi Services:
Taxi stands are located outside of the Arrivals areas of both terminals 1 and 2. A trip to central Helsinki will take you about 30 minutes. In order to avoid the occasionally long line-ups and to get hold of a fixed rate, you can book a taxi online on the airport’s website.
Car Hire/Rental Services:
You can hire a car at Helsinki Vantaa Airport if you are in the mood to move around places in the city. There are a number of car hire/rental companies that provide this service, like Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt. The hours of operation fluctuate from one company to another. Car rental stands can be found at Terminals 1 and 2.
The Helsinki Vantaa Airport is not so large that buses or rail transport would be needed to get around. The two terminals are interconnected as one continuous building and you can stroll between them both airside and landside. The southwestern section of Terminal 2 is for non-Schengen (UK) flights and for you to enter or exit that part of the airport, you will have to go via border controls.
Conclusion
The airport is more crowded than it used to be, so prepare for delays when going via security, particularly during the holiday periods, like the school’s winter break in late February, Easter, and Christmas, and to some extent the summer holiday period from mid-June to mid-August.
If you are flying a budget airline with one flight a day or less (e.g. Icelandair), you are entreated to arrive at the advocated time (to be on the secure side, about two-and-half hours prior to departure), since the airport has only a few check-in agents.
