Guide for visitors

You are most cordially welcome to the University of Helsinki! By having chosen to spend some time here, you are contributing to our quest for increased internationalisation. With the help of this site we wish to make sure that you can make the best use of your time during this visit and to access the services we have available for you.
Wireless network

There are two separate wireless networks at the University of Helsinki: Eduroam and HelsinkiUni Guest.

Eduroam is an international academic public network. If you already have an eduroam user account at your home university you can use the same account in the eduroam network at UH.

HelsinkiUni Guest visitor network offers incidental visitors an easy way to use online resources. More information about the HelsinkiUni Guest. 

If you need access to the UH intranet (Flamma), Moodle, wiki or other electronic services, your host unit’s IT contact person can provide you with a limited user account.

More information on IT related matters is available on the website of the University's IT Helpdesk.
Libraries and souvenirs
See the sights
Food
Transport

The Helsinki region has an integrated public transport ticket system. HSL tickets are valid on public transport services in Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Vantaa, Kerava, Kirkkonummi and Sipoo. The same tickets can be used for traveling on buses, trams, the Metro, commuter trains and the ferry to Suomenlinna. You can also transfer from one vehicle to another with the same ticket.

A day ticket is your key to getting around in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The tickets available on single-charge cards allow you to travel easily and at low-cost for 1-7 days.

A great help when you need to figure out how to get from point A to point B in the Helsinki Metropolitan area, is the Journey Planner website. You just type in the address of your starting point and the address of your destination and the website will give you the itinerary, including public transportation schedules and walking directions.

Purchasing tickets

Helsinki internal and regional day tickets are available from the HSL office, located at Central Railway Station and also from ticket machines: the pink single ticket machines sell one day tickets for adults, the blue full-range ticket machines sell 1-7 day tickets for adults and children. You can also buy HSL tickets from convenience stores marked R-Kioski.

The HSL app allows you to easily find tickets and routes. Buy single, day or season tickets wherever and whenever you want and conveniently pay with your debit/credit card. The HSL app is available on apps store for free. Download from AppStore, GooglePlay or AppGallery.

Coming from the airport

Local trains I and P operate between Helsinki Airport and the city centre on the Ring Rail Line every 10–20 minutes. The journey takes 30 minutes. A regional ABC ticket is required. 

Buses operate throughout the region. Bus 600 runs between the airport and the Central Railway Station and takes around 40 minutes. A regional ABC ticket can be purchased from a ticket machine or via HSL mobile app. Bus 415N operates at night.

Timetable for airport trains and busses (Finavia website)

In case you need to get a taxi during your visit in Helsinki, you can either order the taxi by calling 0100 0700 or going directly to a taxi-stand. In general all taxis with a yellow taxi sign are licensed and safe.

Taxi Helsinki website

Read more about the airport taxi
Services

ATMs are available throughout the city and they are called the “OTTO” or "Nosto" in Finnish. ATM’s enable you to withdraw cash also with internationally recognized credit cards.

 

In case you need to visit the pharmacy during your visit in Helsinki, the place to go is called “apteekki” in Finnish. Central Helsinki has several pharmacies and the best way to recognize them is the green cross – sign.

Yliopiston Apteekki (University Pharmacy) at Mannerheimintie 96 is open 24/7 and Yliopiston apteekki at Mannerheimintie 5 is open from 8 to 24.

Emergency number

General Emergency number for police, ambulance and fire department is 112.
Ac­com­mod­a­tion

Töölö Towers – The University of Helsinki’s own hotel for every stay

Unihome Töölö Towers, part of the University of Helsinki corporation, offers an ideal accommodation solution for short-term and long-term stays, including post-event overnights during conferences, academic visits and more. Whether for a single night or an extended visit, Töölö Towers provides fully serviced and furnished apartments and rooms designed to meet diverse needs with university visitor discounts.

Why choose Töölö Towers?

  • Prime Location: Within walking distance of Helsinki city center.
  • Flexible Options: Compact single rooms with shared kitchen access or spacious apartments with one to two bedrooms. For larger groups, townhouse apartments accommodate up to seven guests.
  • University Partnership and Affordable Rates: Contact Unihome Sales department for special price! Discounted rates are exclusively available for University of Helsinki visitors and collaborators.
  • Töölö Towers ensures a hassle-free stay, offering daily breakfast, WiFi included and self-service laundry facilities and warm saunas six days a week.

Book early to secure your spot during the busy season! 

  • Email: sales@unihome.fi
  • Phone: +358 2941 24727
  • Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM

For more information, see the Unihome Töölö Towers website.

More accommodation options in Helsinki

For more accommodation options you should visit the My Helsinki website, but to help you start off your search please have a look at the suggestions below. They are all just a short walk away from the University of Helsinki's City Centre Campus and many of the conference venues there:

Radisson Blu Plaza
Radisson RED Helsinki
Scandic Kaisaniemi
Hotel Arthur
Solo Sokos Hotel Helsinki
Eurohostel
Scandic Meilahti (Meilahti campus)
Other practical information

For other practical information about Helsinki see the My Helsinki website.

Useful links: