Out of Vantaa Airport and into Helsinki… and a little beyond
Taking the long way (and back) to Singapore
Too many people. Time to make a change about that… and head off into the heart of Central Helsinki and beyond.
In this adventure
- I needed a break
- 02:40 on the coach? Nothing changes, with Heathrow Terminal 5 and British Airways South Lounge
- BA776 London Heathrow to Stockholm Arlanda (Club Europe)
- An afternoon in Stockholm featuring ABBA The Museum
- Off to Stockholm Bromma, AY840 Stockholm Bromma to Helsinki Vantaa with NoRRA (Economy Class)
- A Rapid Helsinki Transit and The Finnair Lounge
- AY099 Helsinki Vantaa to Hong Kong International with Finnair (Business Class)
- Transiting Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Lounge
- CX715 (AY5855) Hong Kong International to Singapore Changi Terminal 4 with Cathay Pacific (Business Class)
- Into Singapore, IBIS Budget Crystal
- The Mercure Hotel, Bugis
- Boating around the Singapore River
- Exploring Hawker Markets and random fooding around Singapore
- The Best Camera is the One You Have With You – Exploring The Gardens by the Bay
- Up to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark…
- …and the fallout of a stolen and returned iPhone
- Back to Changi Airport the Pokemon Centre at the Jewel and Terminal 4
- 3K513 (AY6379) Singapore Changi to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (Jetstar Asia Economy Class)
- One night in Bangkok and the Avagard Capsule Hotel, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
- An early morning at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and The Miracle Lounge, D Pier
- AY142 Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Helsinki Vantaa with Finnair in Business Class
- Out of Vantaa Airport and into Helsinki… and a little beyond
- Holiday Inn, Helsinki Airport
- Early morning at Helsinki Vantaa Airport and The Finnair Schengen Lounge
- AY841 Helsinki Vantaa to Stockholm Bromma with NoRRA (Economy Class)
- The slow return to Arlanda Airport (with a military band)
- D84459 Stockholm Arlanda to London Gatwick with Norweigan Air Shuttle
- How to get home… coach or train?
- Sometimes, Simple Isn’t Needed… Or Wanted
Exiting the aircraft I found myself heading a slightly different route than usual. Rather than exiting into the mixed terminal area, we were directed upstairs and funnelled through the arrivals process.
Off we go
Something a little different that has returned to Vantaa.
It makes some of the hikes from Heathrow some of the shortest things in the world. As I was heading into Helsinki, I was aiming for Immigration and the exit.
That was my biggest mistake, as I walked into a 1-hour immigration queue, with only a few lanes open for non-Schengen members. Eventually, all seven immigration lanes were open after 30 minutes.
I finally made it through the other side after an hour’s wait. A little disappointing for a major European gateway.
Also at this point, people were just starting to generally annoy me. Especially after being cooped up in that immigration queue for an hour.
With only my backpack and a plastic bag in my hand, I headed down to the train station at Helsinki Airport, using the time to buy an all-day rail pass. Of course, since my iPhone hard reset, all the login credentials had long since vanished.
Sigh.
A top Kevin Tip: This supermarket at Helsinki airport is open 24 hours.
To the trains!
Eventually, I had a ticket as I arrived downstairs onto the platform. With a train waiting heading on the I/P loop line, I grabbed the first one heading in the direction of Helsinki and sat down.
Helsinki Public Transport uses a variant of the Stadler FLIRT (known as the Sm5). It’s a reasonably designed train, with a lot of accessibility touches for those with bikes, buggies and wheelchairs – with mostly level boarding.
I sat on one of the elevated parts and sat back as the train pulled out of the airport station, taking the westward route to Helsinki Central Station.
Now, remember I said I bought a ticket? A lot of Europe runs on “Proof of Payment” ticketing – the idea being that it’s honour-based, as opposed to using turnstiles, and is enforced with inspections.
Well, HSL were in full enforcement mode that late afternoon, sweeping through the train a few times for ticket checks.
I’ve made it an important point to buy a ticket before I get onboard a train or a public transit service. If you get caught, you get stung. Hard.
And “I’m a tourist line” doesn’t work. Do yourself and everyone a favour – buy a ticket. A 24-hour ticket is only €11 – and there are plenty of ways to maximise how you use it.
Getting off at Helsinki Central Station, I heard out of the station, and pretty much went onto autopilot… well, after hitting Flying Tiger for a couple of iPhone cables.
With those cables in hand, I headed onward to a tram stop. I suppose I could have walked, but stuff it – I have an all-day pass – I’m going to use it.
Getting off a stop past the Cathedral, I headed down to the harbourside and waited for a ferry over to Sea Fortress Suomenlinna.
Why?
After that queue, I wanted some peace and quiet for a bit – be it for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour or whatever…. Until I was ready to deal with people again.
After the past few days, I was done with people in general.
The beauty of the HSL-operated ferry to Suomenlinna is that it is included in your ABC Day ticket, with crossings otherwise €3.20 a crossing.
Even at this late point of summer, services run every 20 minutes between Kauppatori and Suomenlinna. With the sun out and cool breezes, I sat on deck and watched Helsinki drift away for the 15-minute journey.
Pulling out of Helsinki
Sail away, sail away, sail away.
Approaching the fortress island.
Welcome to Sea Fortress Suomenlinna.
Arriving at Suomenlinna, I headed off the ferry and headed up towards the lighthouse/church…. Where I promptly parked myself on a bench and shut the world out around me.
This is a good point to stop.
Apparently, The Bird is the Word.
After 11 hours of aviation noise, 2 hours of constant people as well as the constant bustle of Asia, it was nice to just… stop.
And sometimes, the most precious luxury we don’t have isn’t money, it’s just time and how we use it.
Taking that physical hour out for mental health to do what some might consider as nothing can be the most restorative thing you can do for yourself.
With my mental battery recharged to a point where I could handle being around people again, I headed slowly back to the ferry (whilst stopping off at the shop on the island for snacks for later that evening).
Disembarking passengers
Waiting to board
I hopped on the ferry to get some departing shots of Suomenlinna, before moving to the front of the ferry to get those arrival shoes into Helsinki.
I’ll be back some summer to explore.
I switched from the aft to forward of the ferry, as it continued its journey back to Central Helsinki.
A view from a ramp
Viking Kine docks on the right
Closing in on Helsinki and Kauppatori.
Nearing the dock.
Arriving back at Kauppatori, I made my way back up to the Cathedral, which was having some refurbishment work done,
It still is an impressive landmark for the city.
From here, I had a few tasks I needed to achieve. Which thankfully could be done walking down Aleksanterinkatu.
I’m not objecting to this photo either.
Namely, I needed to hit the Fazer Cafe and Chocolate shop, but also I needed a new T-shirt.
I passed a Normal shop.
Insert Finnsh brand here.
With two days of heavy wear, my current polo shirt had… seen better days. Therefore I was prioritising a new shirt. Thankfully, I knew there was a Tokmanni near the station.
And yes, there was an oversized white T-shirt. Perfect.
Whilst I normally prefer a black or dark-coloured one, it was the right size and price.
That kinda matters. I try to avoid paying over €10 for a top these days.
There were a few more things I needed to do, but the light was fading, and my next flight was starting to be less than 12 hours away. I therefore made it back to the Central Station.
Life can be one…
Checking the times, there were trains back to the airport. It was time to hike up the ever-long platforms at Helsinki Central Station.
Where another train was ready to take me to the airport.
It’s a 30-minute ride to back the airport – a perfect time to pause.
Give me some signs.
Exiting the train, I cheated and took the lifts back to the arrivals level.
For those who need buses, turn right out of arrivals after you pass the supermarket. That’s where the bus stands are.
It was time to head back to Vantaa Airport and the Holiday Inn near Helsinki Airport.
Pantograph buses.
With a bus every 30 minutes, I arrived with a 15-minute wait. Perfect to cool down in the late summer.
The Holiday Inn, along with two Scandic hotels offer a free shuttle bus between the airport and hotels – it’s something less to worry about when travelling (and one less need for an Uber).
With the bus heading away to Aviopolis, the Holiday Inn is the first stop.
Next:
An overnight pit-stop at the Holiday Inn, Helsinki Airport.
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