Travel: Flights to Helsinki from London Gatwick (lgw)

All international and domestic flights land at the compact, modern and airy Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (IATA: HEL, ICAO: EFHK), 15 kilometers to the north of the city. International and domestic terminals are separate but connected by a walkway.

The cheapest public transport option to the city center is the regional bus 615, which takes around 40 minutes and costs 3.60€ to the Central Railway Station in the heart of Helsinki. The Finnish airline Finnair operates its own bus which also offers direct service to city center for 5,20€ and is slightly faster (and more comfortable) than the regional bus. Other options include bus 61 to Tikkurila (center of Vantaa, the closest railway station for train connections - all north and east-bound trains stop here) and bus 519 to Itäkeskus (for the biggest shopping mall in Scandinavia and the eastern parts of the city).

Taxis to the center cost 30-40€, although the shared Airport Taxi (tel. 0600 555 555 for bookings) mini-vans start from 22€.

For general aviation (small planes) the Helsinki-Malmi Airport (IATA: HEM, ICAO: EFHF) works nicely, with fuel and customs facilities available at the airport.