← Finlandia Marathon·2 nights

Helsinki: Two Flat Days Before the Flight

Two nights in the capital with level waterfront walks and a ferry to a sea fortress, timed to end at the airport.

Duration2 nights
TransitVR train or coach, about 3.5 hours from Jyväskylä
DepartsJyväskylä railway station

After the Finlandia Marathon: Helsinki

The Route: Jyväskylä → Helsinki → Helsinki Airport Logistics: One long train south, then trams and your own feet. Helsinki's centre is compact and mostly level. Marathon Month: September Duration: 2 nights

Jyväskylä station ──(about 3.5 hrs, VR)──> Helsinki Central ──(2 nights in the centre)──> Helsinki Airport (HEL)

Most international runners fly into Helsinki anyway, so the capital is the natural end of the trip. The marathon finishes on a Saturday afternoon in Jyväskylä, and the journey to Helsinki takes about 3.5 hours by train or by bus, according to Visit Jyväskylä. Take the first train on Sunday after a night in Jyväskylä, or the evening train after the finish if your legs allow it.

September in Helsinki. Early autumn is mild and the days are shortening. Waterfront paths are easy walking. The Suomenlinna ferry is part of the city's public transport and runs all year, though other island boat services run reduced timetables at the end of the season.

Nights one and two: central Helsinki

Stay within a short walk of Helsinki Central station, which keeps luggage simple and puts the tram stops at the door. Room rates swing with the weekend, so compare cancellable options on a booking site and ask about breakfast times and late checkout.

The flat walk to start with is the shoreline around Market Square, where the ferries leave for the island fortress of Suomenlinna. The surface is paved and level, and the distance from the station is about a kilometre. The HSL public transport ferry runs all year from Market Square and takes about 15 minutes. The fortress itself has cobbles and grass paths with gentle gradients. Check the current ferry timetable and ticket prices with HSL before you go.

Senate Square and the cathedral are close to the market. The cathedral stands at the top of a wide flight of steps, which is the one real climb on this route. If your quads object, look at the building from the square and skip the stairs.

For food, Helsinki's market hall beside the harbour is the usual first stop. Check which stalls are open on the day, since hours vary, and book dinner ahead on the Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Getting to the airport

Helsinki Airport (HEL) is reached by train from Helsinki Central station, and the journey takes roughly half an hour. Buy your ticket for the right fare zone in advance through the HSL app. Allow a generous margin for an early flight, because the first trains of the morning are the ones to check.