T ravel from Helsinki Airport into central Helsinki just became significantly easier and faster, now that the Helsinki Airport train station has opened to passenger traffic as of Friday, July 10, 2015, according to this article from the official Internet web site of Helsingin Seudun Liikenne — also known as the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority in English — and the new train station is served by Ring Rail Line trains I and P.
The walk from the western Tietotie exit to terminal T1 is approximately 350 meters and is clearly marked; while the walk to terminal T2 is approximately 700 meters — or less than a half of a mile. There is also a free bus service to the terminals every five minutes, with a travel time of approximately five minutes.
Although the western Tietotie entrance to the Helsinki Airport train station has been completed, the other direct entrance from the train station to the airport terminal is scheduled to open later this year during autumn.
The Ring Rail Line is expected to become an important public transport link for the entire metropolitan area of Helsinki. Approximately 200,000 residents of Vantaa — as well as approximately 200,000 commuters from elsewhere — are estimated to be traveling on the Ring Rail Line every day. The new rail line connects the Vantaankoski line and the main line; and it also creates a new transversal rail link between East and West Vantaa. All trains are modern and low-floor, which provides easy access to passengers with luggage, prams or a wheelchair.
The operating hours of the Ring Rail Line are as follows:
- Every 10 minutes
- Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning through 7:00 in the evening
- Saturday from 9:00 in the morning through 4:00 in the afternoon
- Every 15 minutes
- Monday through Saturday from 7:00 in the evening through 10:00 in the evening
- Saturday from 7:00 in the morning through 9:00 in the morning
- Sunday from 10:00 in the morning through 10:00 in the evening
- Every 20 minutes
- Every day of the week from 10:00 in the evening through midnight
- Monday through Friday from 4:00 in the morning through 6:00 in the morning
- Saturday from 5:00 in the morning through 7:00 in the morning
- Sunday from 5:00 in the morning through 10:00 in the morning
Prior to the opening of the new train station at the airport, service on bus route 615 was the main mode of mass transportation between the airport and the city center. The bus service still exists; but the frequency of the service has been reduced in accordance to anticipated decreased demand to be caused by increased demand for the train service, which is significantly faster than the bus service. The fare remains the same price.
Click here for all fare information details.
I found out about this good news by accident when I was investigating the possibility of a trip to Helsinki later this year. I have never been to Finland, by the way; but if you plan on being in Helsinki, know that your transportation options have significantly improved.
At least it has been a long time since I have been told to go to HEL…
Ring Rail Line route map courtesy of the Helsinki Region Transport Authority. Click here for the source of the map.
