Overview
The Helsinki Metro (Finnish: Helsingin metro) is a rapid transit system serving the Helsinki capital region and the only metro system in Finland—as well as the world's northernmost metro system. It forms the core of public transport in the city, operating alongside commuter rail, light rail, tram, bus and ferry services. All of these services are coordinated under a single ticketing scheme operated by HSL (Helsinki Region Transport), so you can move between metro, bus, tram, train and ferry using the same ticket.
To ride the metro as a visitor, you must purchase a ticket before boarding. You can buy single tickets, day passes or multi-day passes through the HSL mobile app, at HSL service points, or by contactless card payment at ticket readers. Once you have a valid ticket, simply enter the station, descend to the platforms, wait for your train and board. The metro runs from approximately 05:30 to 23:30 on weekdays and extends to 00:30 on Friday and Saturday. Transfers to other HSL services (buses, trams, trains, ferries) are included within your ticket's validity period, allowing seamless end-to-end journeys across the region.
The network
The Helsinki Metro consists of two lines that mostly share the same track through central Helsinki before branching in the east. The system has a total of 30 stations, of which 21 are underground and 9 are overground, and spans 43 kilometres (26.7 miles).
- M1 line: Operates between Kivenlahti (in Espoo to the west) and Vuosaari (in east Helsinki). This line opened in stages: the initial section from Rautatientori to Itäkeskus opened in 1982, extended to Mellunmäki in 1989 and to Vuosaari in 1998. The line was further extended westward through the Länsimetro project, reaching Tapiola in 2017, Matinkylä in 2017 and finally Kivenlahti in 2022.
- M2 line: Operates between Tapiola (in Espoo) and Mellunmäki (in north Helsinki), sharing the central tunnel with M1 before branching at Itäkeskus.
The metro passes under Helsinki Central Railway Station, allowing easy transfer to commuter trains. Key central stations include Rautatientori, Kamppi and Ruoholahti.
Beyond the metro, Helsinki's public transport network includes:
- Commuter trains: Eight lines operated by VR, departing from Helsinki Central Station. Lines I and P serve Helsinki Airport, with trains departing every 10 minutes on weekdays and taking approximately 30 minutes to the city centre.
- Trams (light rail): Eleven traditional city tram lines operating green-and-yellow vehicles with service roughly every 10 minutes until midnight. A modern light rail line 15 was added in October 2023, providing a 25-kilometre cross-city route. The tram system has been in operation since 1891.
- Buses: 268 routes as of 2024, with regular service until midnight and night buses (marked with "N") from approximately 01:00. Around 40 per cent of the bus fleet is electric.
- Suomenlinna Ferry: Departs from the Market Square pier with service every 15–20 minutes year-round (more frequent in summer) to the UNESCO heritage island fortress, taking approximately 15–20 minutes.
All these services—metro, trains, trams, buses and ferries—use the same HSL ticketing scheme, so a single ticket covers your entire journey regardless of how many modes of transport you use.
Tickets & fares
Helsinki's fares are structured by zones. The metropolitan area is divided into five HSL zones (A, B, C, D and E), with Zone A covering central Helsinki, Zone B the rest of Helsinki and parts of Espoo and Vantaa, Zone C extending to outer areas including the airport, and Zones D and E covering the outer suburbs. There are no single-zone tickets; the minimum ticket covers two adjacent zones.
Single ticket fares (approximate, as of July 2026): Tickets are valid for 80–110 minutes depending on the zones covered. An AB ticket (central Helsinki) costs approximately €3.30 and is valid for 80 minutes. Tickets covering more zones—such as ABC (€4.50, 90 minutes), ABCD (€5.00, 100 minutes) or ABCDE (€6.10, 110 minutes)—offer longer validity. All single tickets include unlimited transfers within their validity period across all HSL transport modes.
Day and multi-day passes: Day tickets are available for 1 to 13 days. An AB day ticket costs approximately €10.60, while an ABC day ticket (covering the airport) costs approximately €12.80. A 7-day AB pass costs approximately €42.40. These passes offer unlimited travel within their zones for the specified duration.
Season tickets: Monthly adult season tickets are available, with a monthly cost of approximately €61.60 (requiring a 1-year commitment for the lowest rate) and offer unlimited travel within specified zones.
How to buy tickets: Tickets can be purchased through the HSL mobile app (available in English), at HSL service points, or by contactless card payment (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay) at card readers in stations and on transport vehicles. You can also purchase an HSL rechargeable card at service points and load it with value or season tickets. No cash or tickets are sold on buses or at metro validators; you must purchase your ticket before boarding or entering a metro station.
Validity and zones: Your ticket must cover all the zones you will travel through. For example, if you travel from central Helsinki (Zone A) to the airport (Zone C), you need an ABC ticket. Transfers between different transport modes are included within your ticket's validity period—you do not need a new ticket to change from metro to bus or tram, provided you are still within the ticket's time window.
Discounts: Children aged 7–16, students, pensioners and customers aged 70 and over are eligible for reduced fares. Travel is free for one adult accompanying a child aged 0–6 in a pram, buggy or bicycle trailer, and for people with impaired vision or wheelchair users.
Penalties: Fare inspectors patrol the network regularly. Travelling without a valid ticket incurs a penalty of €100.
From the airport
Helsinki Airport (HEL IATA) is located in Vantaa, approximately 20 kilometres north of central Helsinki. You will need an ABC ticket (covering Zones A, B and C) to reach the city centre from the airport.
Commuter train: The fastest and most convenient option is the commuter train. Trains run on lines I and P from Helsinki Airport to Helsinki Central Station approximately every 10 minutes on weekdays, with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes. Trains depart from 04:30 until 01:15. This service is covered by your standard HSL ticket.
Buses: Several bus routes serve the airport. Lines 600, 570, 562 (daytime) and night buses 415N and 431N connect the airport to the city centre and eastern suburbs. Journey times range from 40 to 60 minutes depending on the route and time of day. These services are also covered by HSL tickets.
Metro connection: Buses from the airport serving Itäkeskus (in east Helsinki) offer a connection to the metro system, though the commuter train to Central Station is generally faster and more direct for reaching the city centre.
Etiquette & customs
Helsinki's public transport users generally follow courteous and orderly practices. When waiting to board the metro or other services, queuing in an orderly fashion is the norm. On escalators, you should stand on the right side to allow people in a hurry to pass on the left.
The metro designates certain seating areas for priority passengers—the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities and families with small children. If you see someone from one of these groups standing, offering your seat is appreciated. Eating and drinking are permitted on public transport, though you should avoid making a mess and be respectful of shared spaces.
During rush hours (typically 07:00–09:00 in the morning and 16:00–18:00 in the evening on weekdays), the metro and buses can become quite crowded. In these periods, standing room is common and passengers generally maintain quiet, orderly behaviour. It is customary to allow passengers to exit before boarding.
Mobile phone use is common on public transport, but keeping conversations quiet and avoiding loud phone calls is considered respectful. The HSL app and contactless payment are widely used—approximately 70 per cent of passengers use the HSL app—and using these methods rather than cash or paper tickets is the norm and expected practice.
Official links
Survival terms
- Metro (Helsingin metro): The underground rapid transit system.
- Lippu (ticket): A valid ticket required for all journeys on public transport.
- Linja (line): A numbered or named route, such as M1 or tram line 2.
- Sisäänkäynti (entrance): The entry point to a station or vehicle.
- Uloskäynti (exit): The exit point from a station or vehicle.
- Vaihto (transfer): Changing from one service to another, such as from metro to bus.
- Yksittäinen lippu (single fare): A single journey ticket covering specified zones.
- Päivälippu (day pass): An unlimited travel ticket valid for one calendar day within specified zones.
Download the HSL app before you travel, as it is the most convenient way to purchase tickets and plan your journeys using real-time information.