City Information                                     Flyg till Europa lågpris -        Queensway Travel
Airport
Helsinki Vantaa airport is 18 km north of the city. Many of the terminal facilities at the airport are modern and new, and travellers to and from countries outside the European Schengen area, including the UK, are channelled through separate sections. The departures area in the newest, central terminal is for all passengers travelling on Finnair and its partners, whether travelling within or beyond the Schengen area. The Sampo bank by the arrival exit is open 24 hrs and has full facilities; cash points around the airport accept most credit cards and dispense local and foreign currency. To store luggage, go to Airport Services Ltd in the arrivals hall. The Gateway Congress Centre has nine meeting rooms for up to 250. For VIPs, there are 6 rooms for arriving/departing passengers that can handle press and business conferences or just relaxed hospitality; one of them - VIP President - has a shower, but is 2 km away. 

Airport to City Centre  
Helsinki is 30 mins from the airport by taxi or shuttle bus. Cabs can be picked up in front of the terminal and the journey into the centre costs about €20-25. The airport can also arrange taxi transfers to and from individual hotels for a fixed fee. These can be reserved in advance or taken from the organized taxi rank outside Arrivals. Another option is a shared Yellow Line taxi every 10 mins from the arrivals hall for a one-way fare of €18. Finnair run a bus service to the Hotel Continental and railway station, with up to six departures an hour. The first leaves at 0500 and the last at midnight, costing €4.90 one way. 

Orientation                                                                  - Affärsresor -   Queensway Travel
Helsinki is built on a bulbous peninsula and flares out around its main street, Mannerheimintie, which runs northwest to southeast from Svenska Teatern, passing Stockmann's department store, the Parliament, National, Contemporary Art and City museums, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House along its way. Esplanadi, known locally as Espa, also starts from Svenska Teatern, and is in fact two roads, Pohjoisesplanadi (northbound) and Eteläesplanadi (southbound), separated by a park, Esplanadipuisto. Both roads start at the harbour, with its vibrant market, Kauppatori, the Havis Amanda statue and ferry terminals for Sweden and Germany, and finish at Svenska Teattern. East of Kauppatori is Katajanokka Island, dominated by the Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral (1868) and converted mercantile buildings. Behind Kauppatori and the Town Hall is Senate Sq, where the Lutheran Cathedral (1849), government ministries and Helsinki University are located; Aleksanterinkatu, the main finance street, connects the square to Mannerheimintie at the Three Smiths' statue. Prepare for the possibility of very cold weather in the winter, with temperatures sometimes down to -25 centigrade in January and February. Buildings, including hotels and restaurants, are extremely well insulated, so it's nearly always warm indoors. Summers, however, can be very pleasant, even hot. 

Around the city 
Taxis are widely available or can be reserved via the Helsinki Taxi Centre. The basic fare is €4 (€6 after 1800). Most taxi drivers speak English, but write down your destination just in case. A cab is a must if travelling to Espoo and Vantaa or the outskirts, unless you know your way. Although you will often sees taxis with their yellow 'vacant' lights switched on, their policy is not to respond to hailing in the street. You either have to phone and give a specific pick-up address or find a rank. Late at night, you might strike lucky by waving a cab down, but don't count on it. 

What to see                                                   - Lågprisflyg    Queensway Travel
Senate Square: The oldest area of the city, designed by German Architect CL Engel in the 1820s-30s and thus reminiscent of old St Petersburg, where his work is also to be found. His neo-classical square contains university and government buildings, Sederholm House (1757) plus the Dome Cathedral. Sadly, Engel never saw his work completed. 
Temppeliaukio Church: A popular sight in Helsinki, completed in 1969 and carved out of rock, with a 22-metre copper dome roof. The interior is illuminated via glass strips inserted into the pink and grey granite, giving an ethereal atmosphere. Closed to tourists during services. 3 Lutherinkatu. 
National Museum: Traces Finnish history from prehistoric times right through to the present day. 
Suomenlinna - 'Finland's Fortress': The biggest sea fortress in Scandinavia was originally built in 1748. On UNESCO's World Heritage List, this island bastion has military and other museums and attractions like a 250-ton WWII submarine. The Walhalla restaurant in the battlements has hellish prices and heavenly food. Suomenlinnan Panimo is a gallery eaterie with its own micro-brewery. Reached by ferry from Kauppatori using the Helsinki Card. 
Olympic Stadium Tower: The place for a panoramic view of Helsinki: 75 m above the stadium built for the 1952 Olympics. The view of Helsinki's environs is much better than the quality of most of the events held here. 
Lasipalatsi: Designed by three Finnish architecture students (Kokko, Revell and Riihimäki) in 1936, this functional original has been converted into Finland's first digital multimedia cultural centre, with cinema, cafés, restaurant, TV studios, shops and myriad digital cybernetic extravaganzas. The upstairs restaurant of the same name combines Finnish and international cuisine in 1930s spartan decor. 
The Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art: A conspicuous building next to Mannerheim's statue, which obscurely claims to contain 'art to challenge your concept and a crossover point'. American architect Steven Holl has since won kudos and prizes for this edifice, though some Helsinkians have called for it to be torn down and others think the exhibits should be. Make your own mind up. 

Where to walk 
Founded in 1550 by the Swedish King Gustav Vasa (Finland was then a part of Sweden), Helsinki became capital of the newly independent Finland in 1812 and lacks the history of other European capitals. The wooden buildings from before 1809 have long since gone, and now there is an architectural quilt, with blocks and districts a mish-mash of neo-classical, art deco, national romantic (art nouveau) or plain functional. The latest craze is glass and steel aquarium obelisks such as Sanomatalo, next to Kiasma, the Scandic Simonkenttä or Nokia House in Espoo. Wide streets, low buildings, many parks and few people give the city a spacious feel, while huge ferries, sleek catamarans and hydrofoils bound for Baltic and European ports give the harbour a working appearance. In summer, Helsinki goes outdoors, onto or beside the sea. Then, Kauppatori (Market Sq) is the place to wander among stalls selling food, flowers and souvenirs, catch boats to islands, or stop for a snack and a drink at one of the many terraces and watch the world go by. A walk from Länsi Satama to Itä Satama along the shore via Kaivopuisto shows the best local attractions. The See Helsinki on Foot brochure maps out six 1- or 2-hr routes detailing sights on the way (available from Tourist Information, Pohjoisesplanadi 19, open 0900-1700, later in summer, less at weekends). Free bikes are available from certain ranks around the city for a Fmk10 deposit. 
The main shopping streets of Aleksanterinkatu, Fredrikinkatu, Espa, Mannerheimintie and Frederikinkatu offer souvenirs plus the odd bargain. Combine sightseeing and a beer on the red Koff tram (departs in front of Fennia House on Railway Sq). Summer only, costs Fmk30 including the fare for a 60-min trip and a beer. 

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