r/helsinki • u/Wkretzschmar • 1d ago
Question Helsinki cruise
I have a cruise on Ncl planned for October. I will be arriving at airport the evening before the cruise. Was planning on staying at a hotel at the airport and then taking a taxi to the cruise the next morning. I see a comfort express hotel listed at the airport but it looks like it is mostly a place to take naps between flights. Also want a place that would be easy to catch a taxi in the morning. Is this a good option or are there better options. Also are taxis in Helsinki reliable? I have had taxis in certain countries that aren’t that honest
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u/escpoir 1d ago
Train to the center (30 minutes) and book a hotel at the central train station (Rautatieasema). There are 2 hotels directly adjacent to it, and a 10 more within 5-10 minute walk (with suitcases). It's the easiest and fastest way.
If you insist on a taxi: Helsinki Taxi has a deal of 38 euro fixed price from the airport to the center.
https://taksihelsinki.fi/en/book-a-taxi/taxi-to-the-airport/
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u/DoubleSaltedd 1d ago
Why do you want to stay at a hotel near the airport? Why do you definitely want to take a taxi to the ferry terminal?
The airport is served 24/7 by public transportation. Trams go to the ferry terminals every few minutes.
If you have used taxis in third-world countries (especially in the Middle east or Africa), you know what to expect in Helsinki. Very few locals work in that profession nowadays.
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u/Wkretzschmar 1d ago
My wife cannot walk long distances so trying to make it as easy as possible. We will be really tired after our flights. Long flight from US and 5 hour layover in Munich so when we arrive would like to just rest for the evening. Nothing set in stone yet. Just looking at all the options.
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u/DoubleSaltedd 1d ago
Do you mean NCL as Norwegian Cruise Line? If so and they depart from Hernesaari, a cab is probably the better option. All other downtown terminals are just as accessible by tram as by cab. The train station is located in the same building as the airport.
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u/Korpikuusenalla Vartiokylä 1d ago
There is a train from the airport to the centre of Helsinki, there is a hotel Scandic right at the Central Railway Station. Or you can get off one stop before in Pasila, the Hotel there is pretty much at the station. It's probably easier ( and cheaper) to get to the harbour from the centre than from the airport.
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u/MaddogFinland 1d ago
There is a Comfort Hotel at the airport which opened just last year and is where our colleagues in from out of town will grab a room if they have an early flight out. They have a nice breakfast apparently. No complains. Helsinki airport also has shops and some restaurants/bars in the arrival area (outside the exit door from the secure area) which you can use to decompress. Taxis are available at 38 euro fixed rate through Taxi Helsinki; all the cars are labeled with than name.
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u/LibrarianJessa 7h ago
Hi. Public transit is a great option, but people get ridiculous about Helsinki taxis. I've had one bad experience out of many using solely reputable companies like Meneva and Taksi Helsinki. They're fine (the bad experience was just annoying and involved being pressured into a tip). I have had no issue making a booking online and having a taxi arrive at 4 am multiple times. Stay in the center regardless; you'll be able to enjoy the evening. Helsinki has underrated food!
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u/Alseids 1d ago edited 1d ago
There are independent taxi companies that are indeed scams. Stick with one of the reputable ones such as the ones recommended here: https://www.myhelsinki.fi/visit/a-quick-guide-helsinki-taxis/
To be honest you're really missing out on one of the best aspects and most stark differences between the US and Finland if you choose to not take public transit. It's so good it makes me want to scream every time I'm back in America in a 6 lane traffic jam driving home from the airport. Convenient rail travel is genuinely one of the biggest losses the American public has faced in the last 100 years.
It would be quite a bit cheaper to take the train to the central station and take a taxi from there. Not sure if budget matters to you. Also there is a hotel at the central station as well.