GNRMatt

I'm considering a trip for JFK-HEL-HKG and back in October. Going there, it gives an almost 14 hour layover in Helsinki from 10:10 AM til 11:55 PM. With this long of a layover:

• If I wanted to go explore Helsinki for most of the day, is there a place at the airport to store my carry-on's securely so I don't need to drag them around the city?
• Which lounge would I use in HEL upon arrival for a shower, as well as prior to my second flight? (Note: This will be business class tickets and I'll have Sapphire status)
• For my checked luggage, for this long of a layover, will they automatically be routed to my HEL-HKG plane? Or do I need to go get them and re-check them? If so, will Finnair accept them that far in advance of the flight?
• Any other tips for this long of a layover in HEL?

Thanks in advance!
-Matt

FlyeBye

The baggage will be checked through to HKG and you will be able to use the new business lounge in the Non-Schengen area at arrival and prior to your onward flight again. Trip to downtown Helsinki is fast and easy.

remymartin

You can store your carry on at the left luggage counter or in a locker for 5-6€ per day.
Terminal 2, relevant for you: https://www.finavia.fi/en/airports/h...ices/lockers-0
Terminal 1, for archiving purposes: https://www.finavia.fi/en/airports/h...rvices/lockers

Ed Size

When you are going to the city centre with the train, you can choose a ticket which works the whole day in the city (I guess some specialists here can help you out). That ticket is great if you want to explore Helsinki since you can use a busses, trams and even the ferry to Suomenlinna, this is a island near the city centre and nice to visit. Also don t miss Vanha kauppahalli (old market hall) - it´s a tourist place - yes - but you can have nice lunch in a good atmosphere (if not too many asian tourists take their pictures). Since Helsinki is pretty small you can see a lot in 8 hours.

I m not sure about the shower situation, since I not know much about the business lounge - but as far as I remember the non-schengen business lounge has limited shower facilities and you can use them on arrival and prior to departure.

AnnaCA

You'd be best getting the 3-zone day ticket thats valid for 24h, like poster above suggested. You'll be covered for trams, metro and ferry as well if you decide to hop over to Suomenlinna. It being October tho weather mightnt be best suited for it, but play it by ear.
Tickets cannot be bought on board train itself, but there are ticket machines on platforms. Easiest by country mile is to get the HSL app on your phone, route planner on that is pretty decent as well as obvs being handy way to buy said ticket.

FlyingFinn

Actually that's a two zoner (Helsinki + Espoo/Vantaa) at the moment. However the new zones will come into effect at the end of April and in October it will indeed be three zones.

'OPR

Trav1970

GNRMatt

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice thus far!

To answer Trav1970's question, we'd be there on a Sunday.

intuition

Doesn't HSL app require internet connection?
OP seems to be NA, ie might be hit with huge roaming fees or having to get local SIM.

But if not, it can be highly recommended even for foreigners as the payments issues have been sorted and one can pay by non-FIN issued credit cards.

AnnaCA

That's fair enough, but HEL wifi is decent, and free wifi is in general readily available in the city.If my memory serves me right all public transport within the city also has free wifi? Open to correction on that, not too sure,
Re: payments app works well for me on non-finnish issued credit card, when installing I just picked location ''abroad'' instead of zip code.
App also supports some offline functions so you don't necessarily need to be connected all the time.

r2d2

No, only the metro has WiFi, and you need to have a ticket before entering the metro.

Lappe

See https://www.hsl.fi/en/mobileticket

AnnaCA

Thanks I wasn't too sure on the wifi on metro.
If OP downloads app before leaving HEL and buys this 24h ticket can access it offline whilst out and about for the day.

lkrt

Yes. On the HSL site:

intuition

Yeah, that function is what was needed for visitors without roaming or local sim. Good to see it added.
One needs connection while purchasing, but that can be done from airport free wifi.