Helsinki

Citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Finland, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle Eastern, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

The best time to visit Helsinki truly depends on what kind of trip you’re after. Summer (June to August) is the busiest, with long daylight hours (including the light-filled nights around midsummer), open-air markets, ferry rides to Suomenlinna, and big events like Helsinki Festival (arts and culture) and Flow Festival (music and food). The city’s in full swing, and the weather’s usually mild—somewhere between 15 and 25°C. Winter, especially December, feels completely different: snow, frozen sea views, Christmas lights and markets, and a lot of time spent warming up in cafés. It’s cold and dark, but also kind of magical. Spring and early autumn are quieter, cooler, and good for museum-hopping or walking the city without the summer crowds. If you’re around in September, Helsinki Design Week is worth checking out.

Arriving in Helsinki by ferry is a smooth and scenic option. You can sail into Helsinki from Tallinn (Estonia), Stockholm (Sweden), the Åland Islands (Mariehamn, Finland) or even Travemünde (Germany) with companies like Tallink Silja, Viking Line, Eckerö Line and Finnlines running frequent crossings. The Tallinn run takes around 2 hours, Åland and Stockholm crossings range from 10 to 17 hours, and the Travemünde route is an overnight one at about 29 hours. Ships dock at Helsinki’s South and West Harbours, both a short tram ride from the city centre. Some ferries even call at Katajanokka, handy for walking straight off and into the downtown buzz.

Helsinki’s public transport is run by HSL (Helsinki Region Transport). It includes buses, trams, the metro, commuter trains, even city bikes and ferries—like the one to Suomenlinna—all under a single ticket system. For visitors, it’s a reliable and easy way to get around—connectivity is strong, trams are frequent, and the airport is just 30 minutes away by train. You can buy all tickets via the HSL app or machines, with options for single rides, day tickets or even 1–13‑day passes, while the HSL card works like a top‑up smartcard. A day ticket is usually your best bet as it covers unlimited travel, including the ferry to Suomenlinna. For information on timetables, fares, and route maps, visit HSL's official website.

In Helsinki—as in the rest of Finland—the standard voltage is 230 volts, the frequency is 50 Hz, and the plugs are Type C and Type F (the two round-pin types common across most of Europe).