Trains, Boats and Trams – Into Helsinki and slightly beyond
Doing it for the Tier Points
- And once again, welcome to the Tier Point Enrichment Centre
- What can you do with about three hours and a bit of sleep? (Coach, Heathrow Airport and Lounge)
- Finnair AY1332 London Heathrow to Helsinki (Business Class/A350)
- Planes, Trains, Boats and Trams – Into Helsinki and slightly beyond
- Crowne Plaza Helsinki
- A Morning walk around Helsinki
- Back to Vantaa, Finnair Non-Schengen Lounge
- Finnair AY1337 Helsinki to London Heathrow (Business Class/A350)
- Heathrow wows, Euston moans, and Rugby looks pretty
- 320 Tier Points, Done
Apologies that I am a bit behind on this trip report – things have been a little chaotic in Kevin Land. I’ll aim to publish a couple more segments this week – all things being equal.
Whilst there didn’t seem to be many people connecting for onward flights, the passenger flow of the aircraft was pretty slow.
It also helped that the gate had connected both jetbridges to the aircraft.
That’s a rare sight.
Thank you plane.
Connections
As we had come in on the far end of the 40s Pier, it was a fair walk from Gate 49 to the central area and down towards Passport Control, Non-Schengen and the exit.
And it was as simple as that – if a little bit of a hike because of where the aircraft had docked.
Moomin Coffee time
It’s always Christmas
Down the ramp to Schengen
I cleared the queue for Schengen quickly enough and was admitted into Finland, after some gentle probing by the immigration authorities.
With that done, I headed down the escalator and through the baggage collection area.
Luggage and exit
From plane to ground side, around 20 minutes in total.
After a quick look at the Moomin shop and the supermarket at the airport, I headed for the train station.
It’s a cult here.
Always helpful to have a 24 hour supermarket
What I should call the flat.
This time, I took the lift down, rather than the escalator. I also took the time to buy a 1-day (24-hour ticket for all the transit services in Helsinki.
To the station!
That’s an interesting point – the day tickets are not measured from start to finish of service – rather in 24 hours. Considering I was in the city for less than that – this turned the €11 ticket from a good deal to an absolute steal.
With me down on the platform, there was a two-minute wait and a train into the city had turned up.
Still a fan of this mapping solution
Lets FLIRT.
Maybe the transit gods finally smiled at me for this trip. Of course, the transit gods are good at giving as well as taking – as I would find out later on.
As expected a Stadler Flirt would take me into Central Helsinki. This train has a mixture of 3-2 and 2-2 seating, as well as seating over the middle part of the train too, resulting in humps in the carriage.
There were also power outlets at some seats too.
Mains outlet underneath.
The journey into Helsinki was a reasonably busy one, with the train loading well for its trip to the Central Station.
Geese and a Mole.
Upon arrival, the train terminated at Platform 1 – which is on the far right side of Helsinki station. I followed the exit, then took my own route out of the station – mainly as I was heading out and about.
Whilst I could have checked into the hotel and dropped my bag off, I knew that if I did, I would be asleep within minutes. That wasn’t going to happen. I, therefore, decided to walk down to Esplandi and Market Square and onto a boat to Suomenlinna.
Why? Fresh air. After being cooped up on an aircraft, a little fresh air would have been a good idea.
And I didn’t take the tram – I walked towards Market Square at my own speed.
Reaching the ferry terminal to Suomenlinna, it was obvious people were heading out for an afternoon walk or picnics, with the queues to board. Nonetheless, I lined up in the queue as a ferry came in, pondering if I would make it aboard or not.
Silja Line heading off
No ticket check was carried out, but I made it aboard. I found an outside spot facing away from the city and sat back, and enjoyed the ride over to the island, with the fresh sea air.
A cruiser and a Viking Line ferry
Viking is going to Viking
Slija Line roundiing a corner 
and tucking in behind
An island mansion
Closing in on Suomenlinna
All hands to docking stations.
Unlike last time when I walked my back off, this time I just had a stroll around Iso Mustasarri… not to get away from people, but to slow down after the day that I’ve had of travel and early starts.
Sometimes, we forget to do that when rushing around – to take the time to stop and reflect, or just stop and watch the world go by for a bit.
And even I forget to stop and marvel at the world now and again.
View this post on Instagram
Eventually, I saw a ferry heading toward the island – I took the opportunity to board it for the ride back to Market Square
I tried to find a seat on the open deck, but it was pretty crammed up front facing Helsinki. I however found some steps that were blocked by a closed door and settled there.
I mostly spent the journey back playing Pokemon Go (catching up on the community day that had long since finished) and just… well, slowing down.
Sometimes, it’s just nice to slow down completely.
Getting off the ferry was a little bit of a mad dash, as a car was waiting to depart, as well as everyone else behind me.
Once off, I walked through Market Square, noting that most of the stores had packed up for the evening. I grabbed the tram from the far end of the square and headed straight to the hotel.
So just a modal check today, coach, bus, plane, train, boat and tram. Who says getting to a hotel can’t be interesting?
Next: Crowne Plaza Helsinki
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