Overview

<aside>

There are 5 main ways of transport in the Helsinki metropolitan area:

1. 🟠 Metro

The metro runs from the west (Kivenlahti) to the east (Mellunmäki and Vuosaari).

2. 🔵 Bus

The buses run around whole area. Most buses are blue, but some are orange as they are larger and they run on longer “trunk” routes.

3. 🟢 Tram

The trams run only in the center of Helsinki and are a very convenient way of travel there.

4. ⚪ Jokeri tram

Jokeri light rail tram is a new system (2023) of a high-speed tram that circles around Helsinki, going from Keilaniemi to Itäkeskus.

5. 🟣 Suburban rail (purple train)

These run around Helsinki suburbs, and the Vantaa airport. They are a fast way to get anywhere outside central regions.

BONUS! Here’s a map of the metro, suburban rail and the Jokeri tram!

</aside>

Tickets & Zones

<aside>

Use the HSL mobile app to buy tickets, check zones, and plan your route! 😀

Helsinki is divided into A, B, C, D and E zones. There are various tickets, such as AB, ABC and BCD, each corresponsing to the zones that you can visit with that ticket. For example, with an AB ticket you can travel only through A and B zones.

• AB is the cheapest ticket (€3.30) and is the most common ticket you’re going to need.
• Any ticket works for all 5 ways of transport + some ferries!
• Helsinki center is zone A. Otaniemi is located in zone B. Airport is in zone C.
• AB ticket lasts for 80 minutes and you can use it as many times as you want in that timeframe.

Season Ticket

Since the AB ticket price is quite high, it sometimes makes sense to get a season ticket. It lasts for 30 days and allows to travel unlimitedly through zones A and B. The cost of the season ticket for students is €44.30.

❗NOTE: you will be able to buy the student-priced season ticket only when you are registered in Helsinki and can strongly authenticate in the HSL app. So, book your DVV and bank account appointment as soon as possible 😃

</aside>

Pro Tip!

<aside>

• An HSL ticket (on the app) becomes active after you’ve purchased it and it appears on your home screen. In the case of inspection, you need to show the QR code. A ticket must me bought before entering the ticket zone. If you are still aboard a vehicle and your ticket runs out, you can finish the trip with the same ticket.
• DO NOT purchase the ticket and close your phone before the ticket appears on the home screen, many have suffered the inspection fee because of this.
• In blue busses you need to show your ticket to the driver, and have to board from the front door, in other means of transport (orange busses, metro, tram, train and ferries) this is not necessary.
• Wave for buses to stop; they don’t stop on their own!

</aside>