Finnair Plus - Helsinki to Reykjavik

Dear all

I will be flying from Munich, Germany to Reykjavik, Island (via Helsinki). The ticket is issued by Finnair.

I know from MUC to HEL, there is no need to go through passport control.

Can someone share whether if it is necessary for me to go through passport control in Helsinki for the trip from HEL to KEF as Island is not an EU member?

Thanks.

Iceland is part of Schengen, so no passport control (Schegen treaty includes countries outside EU and on the other hand some EU countries aren't part if it). Moreover, Iceland and Finland belong to the Nordic Passport Union, which is more liberal than Schengen requirements (Nordic citizens can travel without offcilal travel documents, as long as they are able to prove they identity if needed, eg with a driver's licence).

However, there's a customs border between Iceland and EU, so if you may have to declare goods if they exceed the allowances.

And if you are not already aware of it, HEL-KEF will be operated by Icelandair (FI), even though AY at least used to code share on this flight (so you might have an AY flight number all the way through). FI is a decent airline in economy, but if you are in business then the Saga class service is nowadays very lacking, sort of "economy plus" kinda concept.

Iceland is part of Schengen, so no passport control

That is bad news...: (.

I have this hobby of collecting stamps in my passport. I guess I will have 2 stamps lesser (Helsinki and Iceland) for this trip.

But thank you for your information.

That is bad news...: (.

I have this hobby of collecting stamps in my passport. I guess I will have 2 stamps lesser (Helsinki and Iceland) for this trip.

You can always ask for the stamp, like a friend of mine does.

You can always ask for the stamp, like a friend of mine does.

The problem here is that the OP won't go through any immigration anywhere, thus there are no border guards to ask a stamp from. Or are you suggesting just walking up to the border control booths and asking one without actually walking through? That sounds quite dubious to me...

I have this hobby of collecting stamps in my passport. I guess I will have 2 stamps lesser (Helsinki and Iceland) for this trip.


Some heavy travelers actually prefer it that way as they have a tendency of running out of blank space on their passport and having to request additional blank pages to be added...

Some heavy travelers actually prefer it that way as they have a tendency of running out of blank space on their passport and having to request additional blank pages to be added...

I have 64 pages on my passport so I can afford this luxury...:)

I think I will simply enter into the "wrong" immigration line (non-Schengen). Get the passport stamped and come out again. (so 2 stamps in one day...wow)

I only hope that no one is standing before immigration to ensure that I am not going through the wrong line. ;)

I'm afraid there's no immigration line at all... right or wrong.

I'm afraid there's no immigration line at all... right or wrong.

I thought those flying to non-EU countries (e.g. flights to USA, Asia, UK and Russia) must go through immigration (or passport control). I saw this on the airport's web-site.

I am just hoping that they will not stop me from getting through the passport control as I am flying to Iceland.

I thought those flying to non-EU countries (e.g. flights to USA, Asia, UK and Russia) must go through immigration (or passport control). I saw this one the airport's web-site.


Err, that is not correct. Even in your list UK is part of EU :). This happens if you fly to non-Schengen countries (from a Schengen country). Schengen != EU, as there are some additional countries not in EU (Switzerland, Iceland, Norway) and some that are in EU are missing (UK, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria). Is this really somewhere at the HEL airport web site? If so, then it needs correcting. Can you point out a link?


I am just hoping that they will not stop me from getting through the passport control as I am flying to Iceland.

The HEL airport is divided into two zones, non-Schengen (gates 30+) and Schengen (anything below 30). There's passport control between the two, in addition to a transfer security point when crossing over back to the Schengen side. Both your plane from MUC and the one to KEF will be at the Schengen side, thus no passport control needed. What you could do is that you could just boldly walk over the border control post and try to pass. They usually ask for your boarding pass, so you must give out an explanation why you want to go to the other side even though your flight is not departing from there. I guess technically there's nothing illegal about it, but it is at the border guard's discretion and will at least cause some questions if nothing else. If you are admitted then you can ask for the stamp.

Getting back is easy since you have a valid BP, just take look around, and go back to the Finnish immigration counters (maybe even getting a second stamp for your passport in the process), enter and turn left towards the transfer security point instead of going downstairs to the luggage claim hall.

Can you point out a link?

http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/files/efhk/EFHK_kartat/Transfer_kartta_en.pdf

Please see remarks on the legend for the brown region "Flights to/from Asia,
USA, UK and Russia".

Hopefully the immigration officer will be nice to me...:)

I thought those flying to non-EU countries (e.g. flights to USA, Asia, UK and Russia) must go through immigration (or passport control). I saw this on the airport's web-site.


With respect, the page does not state non-EU countries, but it could be clearer. It lists those in Blue as "Europe" (not EU - there is a difference!!) when it should really list them as "Schengen" ... it should ideally list those in orange/brown as "non-Schengen". You can arrive and depart in the non-Schengen area without passing through Passport Control; you can arrive and depart the Schengen (as you are) without passing through Passport Control.

It will be interesting to see whether you are actually allowed through PC (into non-Schengen) without the relevant BP. As Flyinng Finn states, at least expect some questions.

BD