Helsinki Airport (HEL) is Finland's busiest international airport and the primary gateway into the country.
The airport is located about 17 kilometers north of Helsinki's city center, close to Vantaa, which gives it its name in Finnish: “Helsinki-Vantaan lentoasema”.
Helsinki Airport served a little over 16 million passengers in 2024 making it the fourth busiest airport in Scandinavia.
Major Airlines - Finnair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair
Helsinki Airport serves as the main hub for the national carrier Finnair, which offers over 4000 monthly flights to more than 90 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Its regional subsidiary, Norra, also uses Helsinki Airport as a hub for its flights across Europe.
The low-cost market is served by Norwegian Air Shuttle and Ryanair which together fly to over 20 popular European cities and many seasonal destinations.
Other major carriers operating at the airport include Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines, among others. The airport is particularly significant for flights between Europe and Asia, with many long-haul connections catering to transit passengers.
Click here to see all airlines that serve Helsinki Airport.
Terminal Layout of HEL
Ever since 2022, Helsinki Airport has had only a single terminal. It used to be the second terminal (Terminal 2) but improvements and renovations connected the two terminals and consolidated all operations inside a single building. All flights, including Schengen and non-Schengen, depart and arrive at this one terminal.
Gates 5–36 handle domestic and Schengen flights, while gates 37–55 cater to non-Schengen and long-haul routes.
The terminal is known for its efficacy and passenger comfort. It was the first in the world in 2014 to introduce a passenger tracking system in order to prevent congestion throughout the terminal.
Connecting Flights & Transit
Helsinki Airport is very efficient when it comes to connections, especially Finnair for its long-haul passengers transiting between Europe and Asia.
Two Transfer Service desks are located near gates 29 and 52. This is where you can get a boarding pass for your connecting flight if you don’t already have one. Transits can be as short as 35 minutes because of the single terminal building and efficient services at the airport.
If arriving from a non-Schengen country and proceeding to a Schengen country, Finland will be considered your first point of entry. You will have to go through passport control and fulfill all entry requirements from Immigration and Customs. In this case, allow more time between the two flights.
Bags will be checked through to your final destination if your two connecting flights were booked together. In all other cases, you will have to go through Security, re-check your bags, and then enter the airside zone again.
For longer transits, you may consider hopping over to Helsinki to see the sights. Explore the best things to do in Helsinki!
Wi-Fi at Helsinki Airport
A fast (100 Mb/s) and unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport.
Simply select “Helsinki Airport Free Wi-Fi” from the list of available networks. A startup page will automatically open in your browser - follow the instructions there to get connected.
Dining Options
Helsinki Airport houses many options for dining offering cuisines from around the world as well as local food. There is plenty of choice both before and after Security, though more in the airside zone.
The Food Court is a seating area shared between six different restaurants and cafés: Fafa’s, Bastard Burgers, Asian Kitchen, Pala Pizza & Bar, Tori Kitchen & Cafe, and Robert's Coffee. You can order at any of them and take a seat at one of the tables.
Popular restaurants and cafés inside Helsinki Airport include:
Ajisen Ramen (Gate 40, Non-Schengen) - Try some Japanese ramen, sushi, and other typical food.
Bastard Burgers (Gate 22-26, Schengen) – Gourmet burgers made with quality Finnish beef. All burgers are available with plant-based replacements. Part of the Food Court”.
Fafa’s (Gate 22-26, Schengen) - Middle Eastern-inspired food like pitas and falafels. Vegan options too. Part of the Food Court.
Bubbles Seafood & Wine (Gate 26, Schengen) - Seafood dishes and a curated wine selection. You must try the steamed mussels and bouillabaisse.
Nordic Kitchen (Gates 26, Schengen) - Scandinavian cuisine from small snacks to decent meals.
Asia Street Cooking (Gate 52, non-Schengen) - The flavors of Asia-Pacific in one place. And the place to get bubble tea at Helsinki Airport.
Fizza Pizza Machine (Gate 40, non-Schengen) - You may not think that a pizza from a machine will taste good, but give it a try and you may change your mind quickly enough.
For coffee, hit up Kaffet Helsinki (near Gate 27), Moomin Cafe (near Gate 40), or Refuel (near Gate 32).
Lounges at Helsinki Airport
Helsinki Airport has several lounges, which are open to premium passengers and frequent travelers, as well as anyone who pays the entrance fee.
In the Schengen Area, you will find three lounges:
Finnair Business Lounge: Open to Finnair Business Class passengers and Oneworld elite members. The lounge has complimentary food, drinks, workspaces, and charging stations. Located near Gate 21 and open from 5:00 until 23:30.
OP Lounge by Aspire: This lounge is near Gate 22. Entrance is included in the benefits of OP Gold and OP Platinum cards but access is open to anyone for a fee. The Lounge offers free food and drinks and comfortable places to relax or work. It’s open from 5:00 until 21:00.
Aspire Lounge: Located near Gate 13. Access is open to holders of Dragon Pass, Eurocard, Lounge Key, and Priority Pass as well as anyone who pays the entrance fee. Food and drinks are included in the price. The lounge is open from 4:30 until 21:00.
In the non-Schengen area, there are two more VIP lounges, namely:
Finnair Premium Lounge: A more exclusive lounge with upgraded dining, sauna access, and panoramic runway views. Hot breakfast is served from 5.30 to 10.30 AM. All Finnair Business Class customers and Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo, Platinum, and Gold members can enter the lounge free of charge. Same with Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire cardholders. For everyone else, the off-peak charge is 55 EUR per adult.
Plaza Premium Lounge – Open to all travelers for a fee, featuring comfortable seating, refreshments, and showers. This is the only place at the airport where you can sleep, thanks to the GoSleep pods offered for hourly stays or overnight (approx. 26 EUR per two-hour slot).
Transport to and from Helsinki Airport
Helsinki Airport is easy to reach from downtown Helsinki or most of the surrounding area. Driving would take you about 30 minutes whereas bus rides typically take around 45-50 minutes, depending on the line and the time of day.
Here are some of your transport options at Helsinki Airport:
Train: The station is located under the terminal. Local I and P trains connect the airport to Helsinki Central Railway Station in about 30 minutes Trains run every 10 minutes. You can purchase a ticket from one of the ticket vending machines at the station.
Bus: Bus route 600 operates frequently between the airport and the city center. Travel time is about 40 minutes. There are also other local buses and intercity buses bound for Turku, Tampere, and other cities in Finland.
Taxi: Taxis are available outside the terminal, with fixed rates to Helsinki city center (around €40-50). The four companies licensed to operate at Helsinki Airport are FixuTaxi, Taksi Helsinki, Menevä-taksi, and Lähitaksi.
Renting a car: Several car rental companies operate at HEL. You can find their service desks in the Arrivals hall or pre-book a vehicle on their websites. Pick up your vehicle from parking hall P3.
Parking at Helsinki Airport
Helsinki Airport offers more than enough parking options for any needs or lengths of stay. Generally, there are 7 car parks as follows:
P1 Premium: A heated garage directly connected to the Departures and Arrivals areas via an elevator. The hourly price is 6 EUR and the daily rate is 50 EUR.
P2 Business: Only 50 meters from the arrivals hall and connected by an elevator. Offers bigger spaces and electric vehicle charging stations. By the hour - 6 EUR; by the day - 35 EUR.
P3 Economy: An outdoor (though covered) parking lot just 300 meters from the terminal, connected via a covered walkway. One of the cheapest parking options at 6 EUR/hour and just 27 EUR/day.
P4 Budget: The cheapest possible parking lot and located only 400 meters from the terminal. The hourly rate is 6 EUR capped at 15 EUR per day.
P5 Standard: Located right in front of the terminal from where it’s just a short walk to the arrivals hall under a covered walkway. Hourly rate of 6 EUR, capped at 31 EUR per day.
Short-Term Parking: Suitable for quick stops for dropping off or picking up passengers. Located right in front of Arrivals. The first 20 minutes cost only 2 EUR and the hourly rate is 6 EUR.
Seasonal Parking: Only open during the high season to meet the increased demand for parking spaces. Located about 600 meters away from the terminal. This parking is an outdoor area without height limitations so it’s suitable for motorhomes and larger vehicles.
For simply dropping off a passenger at the airport, you can use the drop-off area located right in front of Departures. The maximum time you stay there for free is 8 minutes after which every 5 minutes are charged 5 EUR. The driver cannot leave the vehicle unattended in this zone.
Hotels at or near Helsinki Airport
Should you need to spend the night near the airport, you have a few options both inside or outside the terminal building.
Airside, you can book one of the GoSleep Pods at the Plaza Premium Lounge near Gate 40 (see the Lounges section above for more information).
Landside, a good option for overnight transits is the Comfort Hotel® Xpress Helsinki Airport Terminal for its warm, clean, and quiet rooms and proximity to the departures area.
Outside of the airport, there are several hotels to choose from, such as Hilton, Scandic, and Clarion.
Helsinki, Finland
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