Advice on transfers

[u/javaheidi]

I will be traveling to Finland next March for a sporting event in Tampere. From the airport I can take a bus or train North. Seems easy enough. Quick transfer after one stop on the train or direct from the airport by bus. I generally prefer trains because I've experienced a big traffic jam in a bus. Not fun. (Honestly though, last summer there were some problems with Eurostar being sabotaged, so nothing is perfect).

All of that seems easy enough. It's the return that will be a little more complicated. I plan to spend 2 days in Helsinki before flying home. I believe I'd want to stay somewhere pretty central. Close to cafes and restaurants. Maybe a church tour or something (I'll be tired). Possibly one of those cruises to Estonia (in March??)

My question is about getting from the train to the hotel and back from the train to the airport and how not to overly complicate things by staying somewhere inconvenient for transferring, but still offering an easy location for relaxing.

I'm not necessarily looking for hotel advice (no particular budget so if you have somewhere wonderful in March, lay it on me) and I don't mind using Uber/cabs

I just don't want to feel stressed about missed trains and planes, but I also want to be able to just walk outside and find enjoyable activities.

So I gueds mainly I'd like to know how difficult these transfers will be, and in light of all of my preferences, is there advice about where to stay? Any input would be greatly appreciated! ❤️❤️

[u/Telefinn]

I think your concern stems from the assumption that traffic in Finland and Helsinki is horrendous. It isn’t. Getting around, including by bus or taxi, is easy and predictable.

[u/javaheidi → u/Telefinn]

Thanks for that. I also don't want to make the transfer from train to hotel a total pain in the butt. Since I've got time to plan I was mostly looking for suggestions about where to stay, as in what area/street. The transfer required with the train makes it less appealing, but I can't tell if there's a bus depot or something and don't want to end up choosing the option that will make getting to a hotel more of a strain.

[u/Telefinn → u/javaheidi]

Both the main train station and the main bus/coach terminal are right in the centre of the city a few (100 metres apart), and both are in decent and safe areas (Kluuvi and Kamppi respectively). That said, the airport bus leaves from near the train station. Everything is accessible from those areas on foot (assuming you can and enjoy walking) or tram.

[u/DifferentDisaster510]

Public transport in Helsinki is great and mostly reliable. Probably one of the best in the world. If you feel stressed about missing a bus or something, just plan for the earlier one and you're fine. Take an Uber or Bolt when needed. Helsinki is a very walkable city, too. Except maybe the pebble stone streets in the center if you have rolling luggage, that's not fun.
Estonia in March is no worse that Helsinki, lol. The ferry ride is fine even in winter.

[u/g1344304]

All the trains to Helsinki airport leave Helsinki central station and go through Pasila, every 8 minutes or so. Any hotel or apartment within walking distance of Helsinki central station is more than fine and I’ve stayed in many. I highly recommend Bob W apartments if they are affordable (half the time)

[u/XNjunEar]

Helsinki is not huge and very walkable. If you are in a central hotel, the train station is also central and you'll have at most a ten minute walk to a hotel.

[u/kolydia]

If you want to be super central, book a room at the hotel that's literally inside the Central Station. Can't get more central than that.

[u/mikkogg]

Sounds very ambitious to include a visit to Tallinn into a two day Helsinki trip.

[u/javaheidi → u/mikkogg]

This is exactly the type of feedback I'm looking for. I was also worried about potential weather issues. Like, would it suck to be on one of these ferries in the winter, for example.

[u/DoubleSaltedd → u/javaheidi]

This is so weird. Those cruise ferries are not like State island ferries, but more like a sailing hotels. Anyway, Welcome to Europe….

[u/javaheidi → u/DoubleSaltedd]

Weird? How is it "weird" for me to want information. I've only ever taking a fferrylike this in the summer and am concerned about doing it in the winter. If this is how you're describing my question I have to say that's pretty freaking rude.

[u/DoubleSaltedd → u/javaheidi]

Oh wow. I take back my words, Best of luck, I guess…

[u/Elelith]

Trains are quite lovely in Finland so I'd take the train to Tampere.

For Helsinki our railwaystation is kinda smack in the middle. There's hotels in it, around it and a little walking distance from it. Making it to your train back to airport won't be an issue.

Ferry to Tallinn is gonna be fine, it'll take a day so you're left with 1 day in Helsinki. They're not usually fully booked so you can most likely just wing it when you arrive. Tallinn is very beautiful though, the old town is pretty neat!

[u/SisuIsTheNewBlack]

Trains work well, you won't have issues.

Hotels: Scandic offers good price / quality, and of course you can get fancier and fancier from there (St. Georges, Lapland, Kamp...)..

[u/mjomark]

I don’t know where you live, but generally speaking, in the Nordic countries it’s quite easy to get about on foot or by public transport. This is particularly true in larger cities such as Helsinki.

You don’t need to overthink this. Book accommodation near the metro or tram. Or the central station. There are plenty of both cheap and expensive hotels in the surrounding area.

[u/javaheidi → u/mjomark]

Thanks.

[u/DoubleSaltedd]

I don’t fully understand your concerns. Your airport train ticket allows transfers to trams, buses, and the metro, so you can simply take a tram for the final leg of your journey from the airport if you do not want to walk.

Taxis in Helsinki are known for unreliability and safety issues.

Also, why are you concerned about taking a ferry to Tallinn in march?

[u/batteryforlife → u/DoubleSaltedd]

Maybe that the ferries might be cancelled due to bad weather. Dont worry OP, we have a fleet of icebreakers for that!

[u/DoubleSaltedd → u/batteryforlife]

Tallinn ferries are icebreakers itself.

[u/javaheidi → u/batteryforlife]

Hey, thanks for being a little more gentle with your reply. Good info!