A lot has changed this year regarding public transport in Helsinki. I have also started to visit Helsinki much more, so I had a chance to gather some information for you, guys :) I hope it eases up your life a bit.
Btw, for more information about Public transport in Helsinki, check out my previous articles :)
What you must know:
- You can buy valid ticket (1) at the ticket machine (expiration date starts at the time of the purchase), (2) if you own a special HSL travel card (fin. matkakortti), you can use a special terminals placed at the entrance of the platform of the metro and boat, or in the bus and tram, (3) you can also use a special mobile application, or (4) purchase it via SMS.
- It is not possible to buy ticket from a tram driver.
- You can buy ticket at the bus driver of the public transport HKI. It is not possible to pay by a credit or debit card. You have to pay cash.
- At the metro it is not possible to buy ticket in the train. You have to have a valid ticket, while entering the platform.
- You cannot buy ticket at the boat to Suomenlinna. You have to have a valid ticket while entering the boat.
- If you travel with a child 0 to 6 years old sitting in a stroller, you do not have to have a ticket and you travel for free (one adult person per one stroller with a kid). Babysling or a babyware do not count. The child must sit in a stroller.
- Children 0 to 6 years old travel for free.
- Purchasing a ticket with a HSL travel card or via HSL mobile app is significantly cheaper. Buying a ticket at the bus driver is the most expensive option. Check out prices of tickets at the HSL web page.
Different procedures:
There are many sales points for regular public transport tickets, such as kiosks, stores or service points. Check them out (along side with the positions of parking and ticket machines) at the HSL webpage.
TICKET MACHINES
They are usually placed at the metro stations, or bigger bus stations. You can very rarely find them at the bus stops on tram stops out of the city centre.
There were two types of ticket machines. Those where you pay with your credit card (more common ones) and those with the cash pay option. They usually stood next to each other, but not always. The new machines are offering both of the options.
There are three language options (Finnish, Swedish and English) and use is very intuitive. Just follow the instructions on the display and you will be fine.
Expiration date of the ticket purchased at the ticket machine starts with the time of a purchase.
Ticket machines are also used for loading your money into a HSL travel card.
TICKET MACHINES
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| new ticket machines |
There were two types of ticket machines. Those where you pay with your credit card (more common ones) and those with the cash pay option. They usually stood next to each other, but not always. The new machines are offering both of the options.
There are three language options (Finnish, Swedish and English) and use is very intuitive. Just follow the instructions on the display and you will be fine.
Expiration date of the ticket purchased at the ticket machine starts with the time of a purchase.
Ticket machines are also used for loading your money into a HSL travel card.
HSL TRAVEL CARDSIt is an electronic card, created for a concrete person (Personal Travel Card) or a group of people (Multi-User Travel Card) that allows the owner(s) to purchase a public transport tickets at the ticket machines and in all the possible means of a public transport.
Personal Travel Card can be owned by residents of Finland only, Multi-user Travel Card can be issued for visitors and tourists as well.
For more information on the travel cards, how to get them, who can get them and about the prices of the purchases, check out webpage HSL.
Check out also step by step advice on how to use new public transport terminals. It is in Finnish (or Swedish) but the pictures included are very helpful. You will find it on www.helsinginseutu.fi.
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| a screenshot from my phone |
I have used this one recently. It is very intuitive, works in English and it takes just about half a minute to get a ticket.
There are two possible payments - you can either add your credit card information into the app or the sum will be automatically added to your phone bill.
More information and how to download it, you can find at the HSL webpage.
SMS
Before I have discovered the mobile app HSL, I have been using these, too.
For a basic first zone ticket for an adult you have to send SMS "A1" onto the phone number 16355.
The sum of 2,90 euro will be added to your phone bill.
More information on the SMS ticket find at the HSL webpage.
Before I have discovered the mobile app HSL, I have been using these, too.
For a basic first zone ticket for an adult you have to send SMS "A1" onto the phone number 16355.
The sum of 2,90 euro will be added to your phone bill.
More information on the SMS ticket find at the HSL webpage.
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