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.

Stations in timelapse

Train stations are usually pretty busy places. In his short film Tuomas Kaisti from hkistreet managed to take the hectic and stress out the daily traffic madness. Ironically he achieved that by speeding things up even more with a timelapse video. But see for yourself.

Have a nice start into the weekend!

Helsinki - Tallinn by train?

The topic has been discussed for years already. Now it came up again. And indeed there seems to be a chance that within the next 15 to 20 years a train tunnel will be built that will connect Helsinki and Tallinn and make travelling much easier and faster between the two capitals.

What do you think about those plans? Are you looking forward to it already or do you rather think the nine to 13 billion Euros should rather be spent on something else?

The train to Santa

Everyone knows that Santa Claus lives in Lapland in the northern part of Finland. But did you know that there is a train that gets you straight to Santa's home?

The so called Santa Claus Express starts in Helsinki and brings you all the way up north where you can meet Santa in person. This night train travels through Tampere and Oulu and after 15 hours brings you to Rovaniemi. Here you can pay a visit to Santa in his Santa village.

By the way the train operates not just during Christmas time but the whole year around and is also a good option if you want to visit Lapland during the summer time.

Are you up for the ride?

Trees and trains

The Main Station in Helsinki turned green again. VR, the Finnish railway company, has again brought some of Finlands beautiful summer green into the building of Rautatieasema. On several big beds trees, bushes and grass have been planted.

Travelers even have the possibility to sit in between the birch trees and take a small break from their journey. The installation will be there the whole summer and is of course accessable to everyone for free. 

Take a look yourself!

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.

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.

The history of Finnish railway

The Finnish railway company VR turned 150 this year. The whole year through this is celebrated with lots of special offers and events. If you are interested in the history of Finnish railway and also want to take a look at some of their old advertisement posters take some time to walk through the main station in Helsinki. A small exhibition and several pictures on the walls give you the opportunity to travel back in time and find out more about the last 150 years of VR.

Green Main Station

The color of the Finnish Railway Company VR has been changed from red to green lately. As part of their 150 year celebration they also made Helsinki Main Station greener. In association with Green Care, Tahvoset, Clear Channel and Skandaali they started the project Ihme Puutarha (wonder garden).

Gardening schools from all over Finland could compete for the best garden designs. The winners concepts where realized at the main station. The green exhibition wants to show that it is possible to make it green everywhere – even on asphalt and concrete. The idea goes hand in hand with VR’s new green attitude as being one of the most environmental companies in Finland.

You can see Ihme Puutarha in Helsinki till June 6^th.