Guide to Hotels and Restaurants in Helsinki, Finland

Getting around in Helsinki

INTRODUCTION
People are always so amazed, how easy it is to get around in Helsinki when I explain it to them. I guarantee that you will feel so too.

First, we get over the hump and throw in the hardest facts. Helsinki is not the promised city for metro and it is under utilized in Helsinki. You have to use buses, trams, taxis and your feet, if you want to get around conveniently.

Everybody knows how to use taxis and most of us enjoy a small walk, so no problems here, but trams and buses are a whole different matter and here comes the hump (finally).


HARD PART
You need to have a route map for buses and trams if you want to find your way to correct destination (optionally you can choose your lucky bus/tram number and jump in) outside the city center. Best place to get your hands on these maps is the central railway station, HKL has its offices underground you get all the needed info over there.

So, here you can get the route maps (unfortunately I can’t be there to help you with reading, but I’m sure you manage) and tickets. You might want to consider buying a time-based ticket that enables you to take any public transport in Helsinki. Ask the HKL personnel about your choices, you just might find the perfect match. Single trip is quite expensive, so you will save money if you have to use public transportation even if that is for few times.

When you use buses, you have to present a ticket or pay the fee driver checks the situation as you get on the bus. Bit dishonest people can take trams quite carelessly, since ticket check-ups are very rare. Just hop in and drive around. If somebody asks you for a ticket, you can use some strange language and franticly wave with your hands. I have personally seen it work couple of times. Helsinki loves its tourists and usually let’s them go with a warning. Don’t tell them you heard this from me, please.


EASY PART
Ok that was the hard part. Now comes the easy part. You don’t have to walk around Helsinki with a map in your hands and sore neck from that constant head turning. You can quite simply plan ahead and check your routes from Internet. Here is the address:

http://aikataulut.ytv.fi/reittiopas/en/

Look what a lifesaver! You just enter the “from” and “to” addresses, choose relevant time of the day and click a button – there you have your best choices. Now you can just choose the option that pleases you the best. Could it be any simpler? As it happens, yes! You also have a map that shows you the route on map and presents detailed stop lists if you want. You can always print these lists out if you need them on the location.

If you run in trouble in the middle of Helsinki city jungle, you can use mobile version of the system, here is the address for that:

http://aikataulut.ytv.fi/reittiopas-pda/en/

So you see, this service is all you need (+ bus money). Little tip. You can use this service to check how to get to one of those restaurants that I have reviewed here. I seldom leave house without consulting this service first – and I live in Helsinki!

posted by Jarkko @ Monday, March 28, 2005