City bikes are coming back

Good news for all cycling enthusiasts - and even more those who don't have an own bike. Starting from May 2nd Helsinki will have a bike sharing system again.

You can then borrow yellow city bikes (called Alepa Fillari) at one of 50 stations around town. In the beginning around 500 bikes will be available. But until 2018 the number should be raised to 2000.

To borrow a bike you have to register to a season pass: 5 € per day/10 € per week/25€ for the whole season (until end of October). Once you purchased this pass you can borrow any bike at any time at any station and use it free of charge for the first 30 min. After that time extra charges apply. But let's be honest, who needs a bike in Helsinki for longer than 30 min?

To register to the service and find out more about prices, stations and other details, check out the City bike website.

Enjoy cycling and have a nice week!

Changing timetables during Vappu

Vappu is approaching. It is quite an exceptional time in Finland. And it also affects the public transport.

To check how busses, trams and metro opperate during the next two days you should have a look at HSL's website.

Get ready for Vappu!

Easter timetable

If you want to get from A to B today by public transport you might have to calculate in a little bit more time. During the Easter holidays the timetables are a little different. 

Today as well as on Sunday and Monday all metros, busses, trams and trains operate according to the Sunday timetable. On Saturday nothing changes though. You can find more detailed information on all the changes on HSL's website.

So be sure to check your connection before heading out.

Have a nice Easter weekend!

From Café Torpanranta to the Finnair Sky Wheel

Helsinki's public transfer is one of the best in the world. It's save and reliable. And it's also a great way to explore the city. One great route to see many different aeas of the city is tram number 4.

Starting from Café Torpanranta in Munkiniemi, one of the most beautiful places next to the sea, it takes you along the Aalto House, the Olympic Stadium all the way through the center to the Finnair Sky Wheel in the Southern Harbour.

Find out more about the sights along the route on HelsinkiThisWeek.

Connected underground

If you live in Helsinki you get used to having access to the internet basically everywhere. You can find an open wifi pretty much in every cafe, restaurant, shop or shoppingcenter.

But did you know that in Helsinki you also have free wifi access in the metro? All metros are equiped with wifi hotspots that are free to use for anyone. This way you can even easily use your laptop or tablet on your way to work or to the center.

Enjoy the ride and stay connected!

Catch your metro in time

The electronic sign at the metro station tell you that your metro will be there in just one minute. And you are probably wondering if it still makes sense to run for it. Well even if one minute sounds quite tight, you might have quite a good chance.

The reason is that the electronic signs at the entrance of Helsinki's metro stations don't show the same time as the ones downstairs. They still calculate in the time you need to get down the escalators. So don't hurry next time it looks as if you won't make it. If the metro is still announced at the entrance of the station you have a pretty good chance of still catching it.

Messed up public transport

Most of you probably already made your way to the office by now and realized how complicated that is today. The metro and tram drivers in Helsinki are on strike today. And that will last for the rest of this Tuesday. Eventhough HSL has been trying to replace some of the connection with busses the whole public transport is quite a mess today.

Since the strike now even spreads to commute trains and replacement busses, HSL recommends people to rather walk or use the the bike today if they can. So if you have somewhere to be today, plan enough time to get there. Reaching your destination in Helsinki could get quite tricky. For more information stay up to date on the HSL website and on YLE News.

Two weeks traveling for free

What would you say if you could get a travel card for the whole capital region for two weeks for free? Well, HSL is actually giving them away right now. You just have to be a permanent resident of Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Vantaa, Kerava or Sipoo and be at least 18 years old to apply for your own free travel card online.

It will be send to you by mail and can be used on bus, metro and tram in the whole HSL area. To get one of them just fill in the form on the HSL website till Sunday. It's as easy as that. The card is worth 79.50 €.

Bus on demand till the night hours

You might have seen them, read about them here or maybe used them yourself already. The KutsuPlus mini buses from HSL get you exactly where you need to go for very reasonable rates. Now the service got even better through extended operating hours.

KutsuPlus is the perfect alternative to taking a taxi. And now they even operate late. Till 23.00 you can use the KutsuPlus service all over Helsinki and the capital area. 

Find out more about the bus on demand service from the KutsuPlus website and subscribe now. It's a really great service.

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.

Changes in public transport

Some of you might have already wondered what happened to tram lines 3B and 3T. During HSL’s latest restructuring line 3B has been renamed to number 3 and 3T to number 2. Their routes remain the same (except for changes for line 3 around the Hakaniemi stop due to renovation till the end of September).

Also some other minor changes have been made concerning bus timetables and numbers in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. You find details on all recent changes from the HSL website.

So don’t get lost and travel savely!

Bus on demand

HSL introduced the new KutsuPlus service to make travelling in the Helsinki region even smoother. You don’t have to wait for the next scheduled bus but just order one online.

Especially for areas where busses don’t come that frequently this service is really useful. And you don’t have to change but will be brought to your desired arrival stop straight away.

When you order your KutsuPlus bus you pay right away online. The price is a bit more expensive than a normal bus ticket but much cheaper than going by taxi. E.g. a trip from Seurassari to Senaatintori will be around six Euros.

For more information on KutsuPlus also visit Good News from Finland.

Kampin Keskus – a one of a kind bus station

The Kampin Keskus bus station makes traveling with public transport as smooth as possible. Since the Kamppi Center was opened in 2006 using busses in the capital region has gotten much easier. As a passenger you don’t just have the possibility to wait for your bus inside, get a good overview over the departures during the next hours and have an easy connection to the metro. You can also use the waiting time for some shopping or to get a snack or a cup of coffee at one of the many shops, cafés and restaurants. And you are not even bothered by the busses which are waiting behind the big glass doors.

Before Kampin Keskus was opened all busses leaving to western Helsinki and Espoo left from Narinkka Square outside. These days not only connections within the capital area but also to places all over Finland leave from Kamppi. Underneath the Espoo bus terminal lays the long distance bus station.

Building Kampin Keskus took four years and was always considered an ambitious and difficult project but in the end it was worth the effort.

Hyvää matkaa!

Tickets and comments via NFC

Did you know that you can buy your ticket for Helsinki’s public transport easily on the go? For trams, the metro and selected bus lines you can get your ticket with your phone. If you have a smart phone that supports NFC the only thing you have to do is hold your phone against the NFC sticker saying “Kännykkälippu” you find at the stop or station, tap the button to confirm your purchase and you’re good to go.

You will also find a second NFC that gets you to Pysäkkiseinä.fi. Here you can leave comments and questions about your travelling experience.

You can of course also order a ticket with a cell phone without NFC support. Just send a text with “A 1” to the number 16355 (supported by all Finnish carriers) and you will receive your ticket via SMS. The ticket has to be purchased before entering the tram, bus or metro.

For more information see the HSL website or watch the explanation video.

Family and handicaped friendy public transport

Did you know that in Helsinki and the whole capital area using public transport with HSL is for free with a stroller? The same also applies for people in wheelchairs and the ones accompanying them.

In busses they can just use the middle entrance and don't have to pay at the driver.