Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Single tickets are good for an hour of travel (€2.70 from driver, €2.20 at
automated ticket machines at a few larger bus and tram stops). A day ticket
(€7/24 hours of unlimited travel) pays for itself if you take four or more rides;
longer versions are also available (€3.50 per extra 24 hours, 7-day maxim-
um). Day tickets can be bought at the ubiquitous yellow-and-blue R-Kiosks
(convenience stores), as well as at TIs, the train station, Metro stations, auto-
mated ticket machines at a handful of stops, and on some ferries, but not from
drivers. The Helsinki Card also covers public transportation. All of these tick-
ets and cards are only valid within the city of Helsinki, not the suburbs; for
example, you pay extra for the public bus to the airport.
For a fun, cheap tour, take public tram #2/#3—it makes the rounds of most
of the town's major sights in an hour. Use my self-guided “Tram #2/#3 Tour”
(described later and rated ▲▲) to follow along with what you see, and also
pick up the helpful tram #2/#3 explanatory brochure—free at TIs and often
on board.
▲▲▲Orientation Bus Tours
—These 1.75-hour bus tours, run by Helsinki
Expert, give an ideal city overview with a look at all of the important build-
