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You are here: Home / Trips / Helsinki 2 / TRIP REPORT: Doing it for the Tier Points – A Morning walk around Central Helsinki

TRIP REPORT: Doing it for the Tier Points – A Morning walk around Central Helsinki

03/10/2022 by Kevincm

A Morning Walk around Central Helsinki
Doing it for the Tier Points

Doing it for the tier points cover image

  • 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

With the body rested, I made my way out of the Crowne Plaza and towards the tram stop to do a little more walking around the city. And maybe a little gift shopping too.

Catching a tram to the cathedral seemed like a good idea to start the day, so that’s what I did.

a green trolley on a track
To the Skoda Tram

a seat with a red and grey fabric
I Like a map.

Parliament House, Helsinki with columns and a lawn
The Finnish Parliament.

Riding the tram, I decided to start my walk near the Cathedral, with Alexandar II standing proud.

a group of people walking in front of a white building

 

a group of people standing on steps in front of a buildinga group of people in front of a large white building

And from there, I crossed over to the Esplandi and walked up and down it. Well, on a summer day like this, it seemed like a good idea.

a group of people walking on a patha group of people walking on a dirt path

a group of people sitting on benches and playing a musical instrument
Playing a pleasant tune.

a black box on a sidewalk next to a bench
Brand everything.

people sitting on benches in a park
Street rubbish.

people sitting on benches in a park

a wooden bench in front of a hedge

a woman standing on a bench next to scooters
More street furniture.

There was a little retail therapy to be done – and it was mainly foodstuffs. An important note for those who are browsing Helsinki on a Sunday- and that’s most shops don’t open until midday – so those with early flights should shop the day before (or spend an extra day in a rather walkable city).

For everyone else, some cafes open up early enough, as well as what is open on the Esplandi. And that’s the second place I ended up on, with it being a summer morning and people out and about.

I had a Moomin stop to make along the way – so a trip to a Fazer cafe was required. Well, I seem to know this place pretty well at this point off the game – as well as where to find it.

a building with glass doors and a sign

a group of people in a store

a shelf with boxes of chocolates and boxes of candy a display of food on shelves
Ah. Moomin Stuff.

For most of my payments, I used my Monzo Debit account, with my Curve card doing the heavy lift and charging back to my Visa credit card – it’s a way of avoiding annoying currency fees when travelling (and yes British Airways faithful – I do have a BA Amex Card. Yes, it’s a basic one and no, I won’t use it with the FX markup – except for one transaction a trip marginally).

I took my time winding my way back and forth, playing Pokemon Go and doing a few things that made me smile

a building with a sign on the front
Sha la la la la la.

a storefront of a clothing store
Gerry! Gerry!

a street with buildings and a trolley on it
Tram life.

a street with people walking on it
Do you Stock men in Stockman?

As well as stocking up “stuff that is harder to get in the UK from the supermarket”.

With everything in hand, time was ticking – whilst I would not be as early to the airport as I was last time, I wanted to make good use of the lounge too.

I, therefore, tracked back to Helsinki Central station and started the trip back to hot Britannia.

a building with a flag on top
Towards Central station.

a row of wooden doors with windows
Through the doors

a large electronic board with a sign in front of a building
Ah. The deapture list.

a glass building with a table and chairs
The longer you’re here…

 

a sign in a building
Spend a penny? More like spending a Euro…

With a train located and some interesting souvenirs, it was time to track back to Vantaa and Helsinki Airport.

Next: Back to Vantaa, Finnair Non-Schengen Lounge.


Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond. Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, featuring in-depth coverage, unique research, as well as the humour and madness I only know how to deliver.

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Filed Under: Helsinki 2, Trip, Trip Reports, Trips

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