Travel Information
How to Come to Helsinki
Transportation by Air
Helsinki- Vantaa international airport covers over 130 international flights every day and is also known for its high service quality. It facilitates around 30 carriers including Finnair, SAS, Blue 1, British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa. Many years in a row, Helsinki-Vantaa airport has been rated among the best by its users. From the airport it takes only 25 minutes to Helsinki city centre.
Airport Transportation
Finnair provides regular bus transportation between the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the City Terminal near the Railway Station at a cost of approximately 7 €. Also Helsinki City Transport bus line number 615 drives from the airport to Helsinki city centre, the fare is approximately 4€. Taxis between the Airport and the Helsinki city centre cost approximately 30-40 € (30 minutes). Group taxis are also available at the airport (Yellow Line and Airport Taxi, cost depends on number of travellers and is approximately 20-25 € per person).
Transportation by Boat
Helsinki is easily reached by high-class ferries from Stockholm, Sweden (overnight by Silja Line and Viking Line) and from Tallinn, Estonia (several lines, duration 1,5 to 3,5 hours).
For further information please visit
- Tallink Silja www.tallinksilja.com/en
- Viking Line www.vikingline.fi/index.asp?lang=en
- Eckerö Line www.eckeroline.fi/en/default.aspx
Transportation by Train or Coach
Helsinki can be reached directly by train or coach from most locations inside Finland. In addition, there are daily train connections between Helsinki and St.Petersburg. The duration of the train ride is about 3,5 hours. For timetables and further information, please, visit www.vr.fi/eng or www.matkahuolto.fi/en/
Visa and Passports
EU citizens only need their national identification papers. Carrying passport is, however, recommended for EU citizens especially if you plan to travel to Tallinn, Estonia. Citizens from most other countries will need a valid travel passport. They are encouraged to contact their local Finnish embassy or consulate to enquire about the necessity of a visa application. In case visa is required, according to instructions from Finnish Foreign Ministry, conference participant will not need invitation letter, the official confirmation is a valid document for applying for visa in all Finnish Embassies. Therefore no invitation letters will be sent out, but once the payments are dealt, the confirmation will be sent.
If you plan to travel to St.Petersburg, you will need both passport and visa to Russia. A visa for travel to Russia must be applied from your home country e.g. through your travel agency or local consulate.