← Paavo Nurmi Marathon·2 nights

Helsinki: Two Nights Two Hours Down the Line

An hourly train to Finland's capital, with Suomenlinna, Senate Square and a direct train to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

Duration2 nights
TransitVR train, about 2 hours from Turku
DepartsTurku railway station

After the Paavo Nurmi Marathon: Helsinki

The Route: Turku → Helsinki → Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Logistics: The VR train takes about 2 hours and runs hourly. Two nights in the capital, then the airport train, about 30 minutes. Marathon Month: August Duration: 2 nights

Turku ──(about 2 hrs VR train)──> Helsinki Central
                                        │
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) ◄──(about 30 mins airport train)──┘

Helsinki is the longest of these trips and the one with the most to do. Rome2rio gives about 2 hours 6 minutes for the VR train, with an hourly service, and about 2 hours 15 minutes by OnniBus. The bus is cheaper and the train is a little faster. Both stop in the centre of the capital, so book a hotel near the station.

August in Helsinki: summer is the best season, with long daylight and warm evenings, according to Wikivoyage. It also warns that many restaurants close for a month or more in July and August, so call ahead. The Helsinki Festival runs in the second half of the month, and its peak is the Night of the Arts.

Nights One and Two: Helsinki

Suomenlinna is the obvious half day. It is a fortress on an island and a UNESCO site, and entry to the island is free. The ferry from the Market Square costs about €5 for a 12-hour tourist return and runs roughly every half hour, according to Wikivoyage. Summer weekends can bring queues. The paths are uneven in places, so wear shoes with grip.

Senate Square is the historic centre, surrounded by neo-classical buildings, with the Lutheran Cathedral nearby. It is flat and an easy walk from the railway station. Take a seat on the cathedral steps and watch the square.

For rest days, museums are better than long walks. The Design Museum and the Ateneum are the two well-known options, but this guide does not confirm their opening days, so check them before you go.

Getting to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

The airport train runs from Helsinki Central every 10 to 30 minutes and takes about 30 minutes, according to Wikivoyage. A ticket costs about €5.50 and is valid for transfers for 80 minutes. Check the fare before travelling, because the price may have changed. Tickets are no longer sold on trains, so buy at a machine or in the HSL app.