A drink before the flight

The Helsinki Vantaa airport is constantly working on making traveling more relaxed and comfortable. And there is something new at Terminal 1 now.

The 60° Bar and Brewery has opened are being renovated completely and turned into a real cozy place to hang out for a drink or two before the plane leaves. Comfortable leather chairs, sofas and bar stools invite for a chat with your fellow travelers. The bar serves coffee, tea, soda and alcoholic beverages as well as snacks.

Check it out next time you come to the airport and have a nice trip!

Straight connection between airport and train station

Since late December the direct connection between the airport and its new train station is open. So far passengers had to take shuttle busses connecting the two terminals with the entrance to the station next to the car park. Now two new elevators have been taken into use that lead straight to the underground platforms. The elevators are located between terminal 1 and 2.

Shortly additional escalators will open as well, making the connection even more comfortable.

If you want to charge your HSL travel ticket before boarding the train, make sure to do that before going down to the platform though. Ticket machines downstairs so far only sell regular one-way tickets.

Charge your own batteries

You just missed your flight and now have to wait for hours in those uncomfortable airport seats? Well, that can't happen at Helsinki Vantaa Airport anymore. They have GoSleep now.

Those small sleeping pods provide enough space for one person to lay back, relax and shut out the world aorund you.

You can find the GoSleep pods at gate 18 and 38. The price for one hour is 9 €. For more information also check out their website.

SnowHow at Helsinki Vantaa

During winter snow frequently closes down many European airports. Sometimes air traffic gets completely stuck in some countries. Not so in Finland though.

Helsinki Vantaa is one of the best equiped airports in the world when it comes to fighting snow and ice. And believe it or not, the longest time Helsinki Vantaa Airport ever was closed due to heavy snow was for 30 minutes. That was in 2003.

So don't worry about the weather if you are planning to fly anywhere from Helsinki around the winter time. Helsinki Vantaa is prepared.

Finnish delicacies at the airport

Some Finnish delicacies are always a nice gift to bring when visiting people abroad. But then it easily gets too late to still make it to the city center. Luckily Helsinki Vantaa Airport is well equiped. And it even has a small Stockmann shop.

Here you find everything that works well as a nice souvenir from Finland. Get e.g. some Salmiakki, Fazer Chocolate or some reindeer salami. Check it out at Terminal 2.

Good coffee at the airport

The security check at the airport Helsinki Vantaa normally goes quite fast. That leaves lots of time for a hot drink and a small snack. And the probably best place for that is Johan & Nyström. The Swedish coffee chain that also sells its coffee through other vendors runs a really nice little café here at Terminal 1.

You can find delicious hot and cold sandwiches with e.g. egg and caviar, peanutbutter and tomatoes or cheese and melon here. And of course you can get their delicious coffee as cappuccino, espresso or just black.

Enjoy and have a good flight!

Swap your books

You just came back from a trip abroad and have finished the book you took with you. You can now take it back home and leave it in the shelf to probably never touch it again. Or you could just swap it for another one.

On terminal 2 of the Helsinki Vantaa Airport you can find a book swap point where you can exchange your book for another from the shelf. Or just sit down in the rocking chair and grab one to read there. The service is completely free.

You find the Book Swap one level above Gate 27. Check it out!

Book your parking spot online

A new parking system has been put in place at the airport. You can now reserve your parking spot in advance online. Especially during the busy travelling times this makes sense and saves you not only a lot of nerves but probably also some money. Because during those times the cheaper parking lots fill up easily and you will have to go with one of the more expensive ones.

You can make your reservation on the Finavia website and pay right away. One spot will be reserved for you and you can enter the parking lot even if it is announced to be full.

The budget airport taxi

Taxi rides from and to the airport can be pretty pricy. You can calculate with around 50 € easily if you leave somewhere from the center.

Of course you can take the Finnair bus or line615 instead. But if you want it to be a taxi there is also another option.

With Airport Taxi Yellow Line you can save quite some money on that trip. Depending on your location in Helsinki prices for the ride start from 27.50 €.

For taxi rides the price depends on the amount of passengers and where you want to go in Helsinki. Most of the city lies in zone 1 for which they have a fixed price of 29.50€. For more than two passengers or destinations in wider Espoo the prices are slightly higher.

For more information on rates and on how to book a taxi check out their website.

The airport train will come – in 2015

Helsinki-Vantaa is – according to many studies – one of the best airports in Europe. Unfortunately until now you only get there by bus or car. But since 2010 a new train connection from the center is under construction.

The tracks and the new modern station at the airport were supposed to be ready already next year. Now those plans had to be changed and it was announced that the train connection could be taken into use in July 2015.

You will have to have a little more patience. And in less than two years can use the fast and easy connection straight from the center.

Until then the bus 615, the Finnair bus and taxis get you to the airport.

The airport on your phone

Helsinki Vantaa Airport makes traveling very easy. It was even voted the best airport in Northern Europe in 2013 by Skytrax.

 

To make traveling via Helsinki Vantaa even more convenient Finavia made an app available that provides you with all important information on the airport.

No matter if you want to check departure and arrival times, want to park your car and would like to know how the prices differ around the airport, are searching for a specific shop, café or restaurant in the transit area or would like to know how long the queues at the security check are today this app will help you.

It is available for Windows Phone, Android and iPhone. And even if you don’t have an internet plan for your phone it’s worth getting the app since free Wi-Fi is available anywhere at the airport.

Hyvää matkaa!

Design Camp at the airport

While waiting for your flight at Helsinki Vantaa Airport Terminal 1 it’s always worth paying a visit to the Design Lounge next to Gate 13. There are changing exhibitions on Finnish design.

Should you happen to be there during the next days and weeks you can take a look at the Design Camp Finland. In this small exhibition you’ll find installations on the internationally most popular Finnish design products, quotes of famous Finnish designers and much more.

Take a look and have a good flight!

Charge your batteries

You need a short break and not just your own but also your smart phone’s battery needs to be charged? Then keep your eyes open for one of those nice chairs.

As part of the World Design Capital 2012 the Finnish companies UPM, Martela, Fortum, Karelia-Upofloor and Clear Channel started the project Suvanto. At Helsinki-Vantaa airport but also at Forum Shopping Center they put up those comfortable chairs that invite you for a break and a quiet moment in the middle of your hectic day. Next to every Suvanto chair you also find electric plug-ins where you can charge the batteries of your mobile electronic devices.

So escape the stress for a while and take a break!

Design and relaxation at terminal 1

Are you going to be at the airport sometime soon? In case you are plan a few minutes extra this time. Not just for the security check but also to visit a design project at the end of terminal 1. Under the slogan “sit down, seize the moment” design chairs are displayed that invite the visitor to sit down and relax. Even ear protection is available to make your stay as quiet as possible. Stay as long as you like.

All chairs are different and created by different designers. But one thing they all have in common. They are all really comfortable. 

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