Considered one of the best airports in Europe, Helsinki airport was built for the Olympic Games in 1952. It is located 18km north of the city center and has 2 terminals, one for arrival and one for departure. The airport was expanded in 2004 and along with this expansion the shopping area and other utilities became vaster. Approximately 13 million people go through Helsinki airport annually.
If you plan on staying overnight in Vantaa or you have a stopover in Helsinki airport, there is one hotel located within the airport and several others close to the airport. There are free shuttle buses going from the arrival terminal to hotels and back to the departure terminal. If you would like to book in advance it is very possible to go online and book your stay in one of the hotels.
There are several shops found in the departure terminal, one duty free shop and a few restaurants and cafes. If you find yourself stuck at the airport for long hours you will always find plenty to do. If you get hungry there are many places for you to stop and eat. For passengers arriving, there is even a shop that has opened in the baggage hall, so if you require something urgently, like a drink or feminine products, you can stop by this shop and buy it. If you would like to change or withdraw money, it is very possible to do that. There are banks, bureaus and ATMs all around Helsinki airport; you will never find yourself short of cash.
Transport from the airport is very efficient, you can find buses and shuttles that leave from each terminal and go to various parts of the city and/or to hotels. You can also catch a taxi from the airport to take you to your location of choice. You also have the option of sharing a taxi with other passengers willing to share and you can split the price. If you would rather use your own means of transport and go where you want at any time you would like, you can find car hire company booths in Helsinki airport. This is an especially good idea for those who want to stay longer and go sightseeing around Finland. You can select any car hire company upon arrival and hire a car there and then or you can go online and book in advance, this way you avoid unnecessary waiting and can compare prices of each company.
When you are within Vantaa, there might be a few locations you want to visit. For starters, there is the Heureka Science center. There are science exhibitions in here and are very interactive, if you are interested in science then this is one place you would like to visit. For those who would like to go have fun or just relax, there is the Flamingo Spa. The Flamingo Spa is a waterpark that offers high energy water games, slides, a café and a wellness center. If you are interested in going to Vantaa feel book your trip now!
