Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL)
Helsinki (Vantaa), FI 🇫🇮 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
EFHK
IATA
HEL
Elevation
179 ft
Region
FI-18
Local Time
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GPS Code: EFHK
Local Code: Not available
Location: 60.318363° N, 24.963341° E
Continent: Europe
Type: Large International Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
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.
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Airport Routes
Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL) offers 191 flight routes operated by 10 airlines. Major carriers include Finnair, Norwegian Air Sweden, Air Baltic and others. Popular destinations from Helsinki (Vantaa) include Copenhagen, Stockholm-Arlanda, Munich Int'l, Chania Int'l, Ioannis Daskalogiannis and Alicante.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- Copenhagen (CPH) 9
- Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) 8
- Munich Int'l (MUC) 5
- Chania Int'l, Ioannis Daskalogiannis (CHQ) 4
- Alicante (ALC) 4
- Vienna Int'l (Schwechat) (VIE) 4
- Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL) 4
- Frankfurt Int'l (FRA) 3
- Tenerife South (Reina Sofia) (TFS) 3
- Larnaca Int'l (LCA) 3
- Berlin-Brandenburg (BER) 3
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) 3
Newly Discovered
- Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) new
- Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l (BKK) new
- Oulu (OUL) new
- Ivalo (IVL) new
- Brussels (BRU) new
- Rovaniemi (RVN) new
- Tallinn (TLL) new
- Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG) new
- Riga Int'l (RIX) new
- Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL) new
- Kuusamo (KAO) new
- Vienna Int'l (Schwechat) (VIE) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Helsinki Vantaa AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Finnair
FIN
/ AY
|
91 | 2480 | 91 | Feb 9, 2026 |
Norwegian Air Sweden
NSZ
/ D8
|
25 | 173 | 25 | Feb 8, 2026 |
Air Baltic
BTI
/ BT
|
2 | 145 | 2 | Feb 9, 2026 |
Scandinavian Airlines System
SAS
/ SK
|
2 | 133 | 2 | Feb 9, 2026 |
Lufthansa
DLH
/ LH
|
2 | 126 | 2 | Feb 9, 2026 |
|
Budapest Air Service Ltd
BPS
/ RP
|
2 | 124 | 2 | Jan 30, 2026 |
Scandinavian Airlines Ireland
SZS
/ SL
|
2 | 111 | 2 | Feb 9, 2026 |
Ryanair
RYR
/ FR
|
9 | 66 | 9 | Feb 9, 2026 |
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM
/ KL
|
1 | 63 | 1 | Feb 9, 2026 |
Air France
AFR
/ AF
|
1 | 60 | 1 | Jan 25, 2026 |
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 |
Ground Transportation
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.
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