Nordic Countries - 5 hr 40 min layover in HEL, anything to do?

Hi,

I'm a US citizen with a 5 hr 40 min layover in HEL (arriving 8:30am, leaving 2:10pm). Is there enough time to clear customs, go see anything (and if so, what?), maybe get lunch (any recommendations?), and get back to the airport? I've never been to Finland before, and any suggestions on something to do outside the airport would be much appreciated. Or telling me there isn't enough time to leave.

Thanks!

Edit: This is on Sept. 2nd. Also, I haven't finalized the reservation yet (held on AA), and it's possible I could move the outbound flight to the next day and stay for a night. Does that make any sense to do?

There will be plenty of time to clear customs, but the few interesting things there are to do in Helsinki will most likely take longer than you have. There is a regular municipal express bus between the airport and town that takes 40 minutes or less, so I guess you could walk around a bit if you wanted to.

Overall, Helsinki is not exactly chock-full of interesting sites and it definitely isn't cheap either. I'd keep your current itinerary.

This might be better moved to the "Nordic Countries" forum where there are probably more knowledgable people who can attack my views!

Please continue to follow this discussion in the Nordic Countries Forum.
Thanks....
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Passport control and security will most likely be very fast when you are using them, but you still don't have too much time in the city, if you decide to go there.

These threads might give you some hints as to what to do, and whether you might want to stay overnight.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-plus/1365270-layover-hel-suggestions-activities.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-plus/1334429-overnight-connection-hel-advice-coach-seat.html