Arriving by plane
Helsinki-Vantaa airport
Around 120 International flights per day arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. It is the only international airport near Helsinki and has good connectivity to the major European and a number of intercontinental destinations.
The airport is located about 25 km north of Helsinki city center and the conference venue.
From the airport to the conference venue
The most convenient way to travel from the airport to Helsinki city center is to take a taxi. The taxi journey from the airport to downtown Helsinki takes nearly half an hour and costs about 30 €. The Yellow Line taxi (eight-person Airport taxi) can be used as a group taxi (shuttle transport) or private transport. You’ll get it cheaper if you wait a few moments before they leave and share the taxi bus with some other passengers. The best way is to share it with your travelling colleagues. You get the Airport Taxi from the airport when arriving. You will find Airport Taxi desk in the arrivals halls. You do not need to make an advance reservation. However, if you want to make a reservation, call tel. 0600-555 555 (available only in Finland).
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You can also take the air-conditioned Finnair City Bus from the Airport to the Central Railway Station in downtown Helsinki (address: Elielinaukio). They run at ca 20-minute intervals. The ride takes ca 30 minutes and costs about 6 euros. You find a 4T tram near Elielinaukio to take you to the venue (see the map below).
Finnair bus from airport to Helsinki (picture below):
Finnair bus from Helsinki to airport (picture below):
Arriving by Boat
There are several ferrys by several companies coming from Tallinn, Estonia every day. There are also connections from Germany and two daily ships from Stockholm to Helsinki – one by Silja Line and another by Viking Line. The ferries from Stockholm arrive right in the city center, a walking distance from the market place and the presidential castle.
Arriwing by car
For those (probably mainly) finnish guests who will come to Helsinki by car, there is a car park nearby the Grand Marina Hotel. There are 90 places outside (10 euros each per day) and 35 inside (17 euros each per day). Car park places can not be reserved.
Public transportation in the city
Tram lines 4 and 4T go very near, just around the corner from the Scandic Grand Marina hotel and Grand Marina Congress Center.
The tram 4 route from the Helsinki railway station (and Elielinaukio, marked with the red arrow) to the conference venue (marked with the red dot).
Approximate departures of the first and last buses, trams and metro trains:
Buses Mon – Sat: ca 5.45–1.30 Sun: ca 7–1.30
Metro Mon – Sat: ca 5.30–23.30 Sun: ca 6.30–23.30
Trams Mon – Sat: ca 6–23* Sun: ca 7.15–23*
* Night service on tram lines 3B, 3T and 4 until ca 1.30am
Tram no 4 is passing the stop "Katajanokan puisto" on its way to Helsinki center. This is the closest stop to Marina hotel.
With a single ticket you can hop aboard trams, busses, the metro and even the ferry to Suomenlinna. Single tickets can be purchased from the driver, from ticket machines or even by sending an SMS text message by mobile phone (requires a Finnish service provider). Tickets cost around 2 €.
With the Journey Planner you find out the fastest route from A-Z.
See more about public transportation in Helsinki.
Take the first turning on the left to the Marina hotel & Congress Center. Take right to the Helsinki city (where the car comes from).
There are also plenty of taxi stands throughout the city. You can order a taxi by calling locally 0100 0700 and there is a taxi stand in front of the hotel.
It is very easy to get around in Helsinki with short distances (walking or tram) to wherever you might like to go in downtown. If you travel to Helsinki by train, the Central Railway Station is only a 15 min. walk to the venue.
Passports and Visas
A visitor visa may be required for travel to Finland, along with a valid passport. Please check with the Finnish Embassy or Consulate in your area for detailed information, or talk to your travel agent. Information for US citizens traveling to Finland is available at the U.S. Department of State.
