Getting Around in Helsinki
Public Transport
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Helsingin Kaupungin Liikennelaitos (HKL) (Helsinki City Transport) (tel: (09) 010 0111; website: www.hel.fi/HKL) operates the metro, local trams, buses and the ferry to Suomenlinna. A ticket for a single journey on any type of transport costs FIM10 (if bought on board), or FIM8 (if purchased beforehand); books of ten cost FIM75. Tickets specifically for trams are cheaper at FIM8 (on board) or FIM6 (pre-purchased). Transfers are allowed for single and multi-trip tickets within one hour of the time stamped on the ticket when initially boarding. Tickets can be purchased from newsagents (R-kioskis), metro stations, the City Tourist Office and the post office. Buses and trams run 0545-0000. The Helsinki City Transport Tourist Ticket allows unlimited travel on all buses, trams, metro and local trains in Helsinki (see Sightseeing section).
Taxis
Most taxis are Mercedes and can be hailed on the street or booked by telephone from Helsinki Taxi Centre (tel: (09) 700 700). A trip around town will cost about FIM150. A taxi is available for hire if the yellow "TAXI" dome is lit. Tipping is not required.
Limousines
Providers include Limousine Service Helsinki, Tuulimyllyntie 7 (tel: (09) 279 7800; fax: (09) 2797 8027). Rates are from FIM270 per hour.
Driving in the City
As the public transport system is excellent and most of central Helsinki is accessible on foot, it is not necessary to take a car into Helsinki city centre. Parking is reasonably expensive: meters cost FIM3-12 per hour and parking spaces cost as much as FIM10 per hour and upwards.
The city is divided into three parking zones, of which Zone I (I-vyöhyke) is the most central and accordingly expensive. With a few exceptions, parking is free after 1800. Parking meters take ordinary coins or parking cards, which can be purchased in advance from R-kioski and service stations. Main car parks are located at the Shopping Centre Forum, Mannerheimintie 20 and Shopping Centre Kluuvi, Aleksanterinkatu 9.
Car Hire
Car hire costs from about FIM170 per day and FIM2 per kilometre. A credit card is usually required as a deposit. The minimum age for car hire varies from 19 to 21 years with extra charges made for additional drivers. One year's driving experience is required. Car hire is available at the airport, railway station, major hotels and tourist offices. Operators include: Budget, Malminkatu 24 (tel: (09) 686 6500; fax: (09) 685 3350), Europcar, Radisson SAS Hesperia Hotel (tel: (09) 4780 2220; fax: (09) 478 02222), and Hertz, Mannerheimintie 44 (tel: (09) 020 555 2300)
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Bicycle Hire
Owing to Helsinki's flat topography, bicycles are a popular way of getting around and the lanes run concurrently with footpaths. It should be noted that all bike traffic lights must be observed to avoid a fine. Bicycles can be hired from Cat Sport Oy, Toolonlahti kiosk on the Finlandia Hall shore (tel: 0400 404 012), where rates are FIM30 per hour, FIM60 per day, plus FIM100 deposit and Rastila Camping, Karavaanikatu 4 (tel: (09) 32116 6551). Helsinki City Transport hire bikes from 25 outlets around the city. Information about cycling events is available from the Cycling Union of Finland, Suomen Pyöräilyunini, Radiokatu 20 (tel: (09) 278 6575, fax: (09) 278 6585).
Boat Hire
In the summer, rowing boats and kayaks are a popular way of island hopping and getting around Helsinki's shoreline. These can be hired from Cat Sport Oy, Toolonlahti kiosk on the Finlandia Hall shore (tel: 0400 404 012), and Rastila Camping, Karavaanikatu 4 (tel: (09) 32116 6551).
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General
