Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL)

Helsinki (Vantaa), FI 🇫🇮 Large International Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

EFHK

IATA

HEL

Elevation

179 ft

Region

FI-18

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: EFHK

Local Code: Not available

Location: 60.318363° N, 24.963341° E

Continent: EU

Type: Large International Airport

Arrivals

View incoming flights

Departures

View outgoing flights

External Links

Official Website Wikipedia Live Flights

Nearby Points of Interest

Tourist Attractions View
Hotels View
Restaurants View

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL) generally receives positive reviews from recent travelers, often praised for its modern design, cleanliness, and efficient operations. While many appreciate its calm atmosphere and comfortable amenities, some express frustration over security wait times, particularly for transfer passengers.

Overall traveler sentiment is largely positive, with many considering it one of the best airports they've experienced, especially after recent renovations.

What Travelers Love

Terminal Facilities & Cleanliness: Travelers consistently highlight the airport's exceptional cleanliness and modern, well-maintained facilities. The terminal offers diverse and comfortable seating options, including "bubble chairs" and benches suitable for resting or even lying down, along with ample charging outlets and free WiFi. Unique features like bird chirping in toilets and Finnish nature themes are also appreciated.
Food and Shopping: There is a good variety of food options available, with a strong selection of restaurants and shops, though some note prices can be high.
Efficiency and Staff: Many reviews commend the airport for its smooth and efficient processes, clear signage, and friendly, helpful staff. It has been recognized as one of the best airports in Europe for business travelers, partly due to efficient check-in and security.
Transportation Connections: The airport boasts excellent public transport links. The train connection to Helsinki city center is particularly praised for being affordable (€4.40 in 2025), fast (around 30 minutes), and convenient, with frequent departures. Buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services are also readily available.

Common Complaints

Security Wait Times & Experience: A significant complaint, especially from transfer passengers, involves inefficient and occasionally aggressive security checks, leading to long waits and sometimes missed connecting flights. While some experience very short queues, current estimates for passport control can be around 52 minutes, and security up to 45 minutes, with peak hours being particularly busy.
Overpriced Amenities: While the selection is good, many travelers find the food and duty-free shops to be overpriced.
Congestion during Peak Hours: Satisfaction levels can be lower during early mornings and afternoons due to rush hours, which can affect travel time between gates and overall experience.
Strikes and Disruptions: Recent industrial actions, such as strikes in early 2025, have led to mass flight cancellations and delays, causing significant disruption for travelers.

Helsinki Vantaa Airport generally provides a pleasant and well-managed travel experience, often highlighted by its modern infrastructure and commitment to passenger comfort. However, travelers should be mindful of potential security delays, particularly during peak times, and consider transportation and parking costs.

Generated False weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

Loading weather data...

Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)

Newly Discovered

Popular Flight Routes

Building Route Index: We are building our route index for commercial airports. Currently 180 routes are indexed for Helsinki Vantaa Airport. For real-time updates, admin access is required.

0 destinations displayed

Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
Loading... Loading routes...

Top Airlines

Operating at Helsinki Vantaa Airport

Airlines by Flight Activity

Based on observed flight operations and route network

Airline	Routes	Flights	Destinations	Last Activity
Finnair `FIN` / `AY`	88	1753	88	Dec 10, 2025
Norwegian Air Sweden `NSZ` / `D8`	25	141	25	Dec 10, 2025
Air Baltic `BTI` / `BT`	2	120	2	Dec 10, 2025
Lufthansa `DLH` / `LH`	2	98	2	Dec 10, 2025
Scandinavian Airlines System `SAS` / `SK`	2	98	2	Dec 10, 2025
Budapest Air Service Ltd `BPS` / `RP`	2	88	2	Dec 10, 2025
Scandinavian Airlines Ireland `SZS` / `SL`	2	81	2	Dec 10, 2025
Ryanair `RYR` / `FR`	8	53	8	Dec 1, 2025
Braathens Regional Airways `BRX` / `TF`	1	44	1	Dec 9, 2025
Air France `AFR` / `AF`	1	44	1	Dec 10, 2025

Showing top 10 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`04L/22R`	10039 ft	197 ft	ASP	Active Lighted
`04R/22L`	11286 ft	197 ft	ASP	Active Lighted
`15/33`	9518 ft	197 ft	ASP	Active Lighted

Type	Description	Frequency
APP	APP	`119.1 MHz`
APP	-	`129.85 MHz`
ATIS	HEL VOR	`114.2 MHz`
ATIS	-	`135.075 MHz`
DEL	-	`118.125 MHz`
GND	GND	`121.8 MHz`
PMSV	PMSV METRO	`125.1 MHz`
RMP	RMP	`121.65 MHz`
TWR	22L/04R and 15/33	`118.6 MHz`
TWR	22R/04L	`118.85 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency
`ESP`	Espoo	NDB	`381 kHz`
`HEL`	Helsinki	VOR-DME	`114200 kHz`
`KOR`	Korso	NDB	`322 kHz`

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

Taxi ranks are located directly outside the arrivals hall of the terminal. Several licensed taxi companies operate at the airport, offering both metered and fixed-price fares to Helsinki city center and the surrounding region. It is recommended to confirm the fare type with the driver before the trip begins.

Rental Cars

Car rental service desks are situated in the corridor between the arrivals and departures halls. Major international and local providers like Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt are available. Rented cars are picked up from and returned to the P3 parking building, which is a short walk from the terminal.

Public Transportation

The airport is efficiently connected by public transport. The Ring Rail Line (trains I and P) provides a direct link to Helsinki Central Railway Station in approximately 30 minutes, with the station located directly beneath the terminal. Additionally, local bus line 600 runs to the city center, and various other local and long-distance buses depart from the bus station in front of the terminal. Tickets must be purchased before boarding from HSL ticket machines or the mobile app.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.