2.5 Hours in HEL
 

I have a 2.5 hour layover in HEL and wondering if I have enough time to leave the airport for the city centre?

Say 30 mins to get there, hang out for 30 mins, then 30 mins to get back. That brings me back 1 hr before departure. Is this realistic?

Thanks

Not really. It takes more than 30 minutes from your arrival to city center even if you are really fast. I'd say 45 minutes minimum if you are really fast and 60 minutes if not. Going back leaving city center 1,5 hours before departure is enough but that leaves you just 15 minutes hanging out and that if you are fast and lucky.

There are places to visit little closer but honestly with 2,5 hour layover I would just hang out there. HEL ain't a bad place to be.

During rush hours, i.e. 8am and 16 +/- 2hours, don't do it.

Outside those hours it may be an option if you are not a stressy guy. The safest way though is to take the train for fixed schedules (they might fail however, due to strike/weather/whatever) or taxi (not necessarily fastest, but for flexilibity, but the risk is getting jammed if something is going on in traffic). Minimum half an hour one-way, in any case.

Thanks all for the advice.