9 hour layover in Helsinki
May 20th, 2004, 11:47 AM
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9 hour layover in Helsinki
We have a 9 hour layover in Helsinki this August (from about 2 p.m. until about 11:00 p.m.) Is it realistic to go into the city itself in this amount of time? If so, any recommendations of what to do and where to dine? We are traveling with our children, ages 10 and 12. Thanks!
May 20th, 2004, 06:48 PM
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It's about a 30 minute cab ride from the airport to Helsinki. Let's say you take 1.5 hours for travel to and from time plus arrive 2.5 hours early for your flight out. Taken from your 9 hours total leaves you 5 hours in Helsinki.
I'd do it. Visiting Helsinki is certainly a better way to entertain a couple of kids for 5 hours than trying to do it at an airport. Especially since almost everyone in Helsinki speaks excellent English. You won't have a language problem at all. I was amazed at how virtually everyone spoke English. From what I asked people older than 50 or so are less likely to speak English, but the ones that don't must stay at home all the time. I didn't run into them.
Helsinki's downtown is fairly compact. You could walk along the water front. Visit the gorgeous Lutheran Cathedral, maybe swing by the Church in the Rock, Temppeliaukio. I liked the Fine Arts Museum, but with kids it might not work as well.
You might duck into the Kiasma with the kids. Modern art can sometimes entertain them more than dusty, old classics. Though you might want to steer than away from the painting entitled "Donald Duck Masturbates."
Ack! I'd managed to block that from my memory until I re-read my notes. When I was there in 2002 they had free internet access on 4 laptops set up in the cafe.
You could realistically make it out to Suomenlinna Island. It's a 20 minute ferry ride and the views of the city are pretty from the water. You could see a couple of the small museums on the island, have dinner, then work your way back. I had a pizza lunch that was very good. It was at the far end of the island from the ferry landing. It was in the fort. The views from the ramparts are beautiful.
If not that you might try Zetor for dinner. Rolls of paper towels on picnic tables and decorated with John Deere tractors. Very casual and a bit noisy, perfect with kids. I think I had elk stew when I was there. Though I liked it, I'm not sure if it was good or not. I don't have any other elk stew experiences to compare it to.
www.zetor.net
Anyway this is just a topper. Hopefully Elina, a regular here and resident of Helsinki will come along. She may know of something convenient and entertaining out by the airport. I've only been to Turku and Helsinki in Finland.
I'd do it. Visiting Helsinki is certainly a better way to entertain a couple of kids for 5 hours than trying to do it at an airport. Especially since almost everyone in Helsinki speaks excellent English. You won't have a language problem at all. I was amazed at how virtually everyone spoke English. From what I asked people older than 50 or so are less likely to speak English, but the ones that don't must stay at home all the time. I didn't run into them.
Helsinki's downtown is fairly compact. You could walk along the water front. Visit the gorgeous Lutheran Cathedral, maybe swing by the Church in the Rock, Temppeliaukio. I liked the Fine Arts Museum, but with kids it might not work as well.
You might duck into the Kiasma with the kids. Modern art can sometimes entertain them more than dusty, old classics. Though you might want to steer than away from the painting entitled "Donald Duck Masturbates."
Ack! I'd managed to block that from my memory until I re-read my notes. When I was there in 2002 they had free internet access on 4 laptops set up in the cafe. You could realistically make it out to Suomenlinna Island. It's a 20 minute ferry ride and the views of the city are pretty from the water. You could see a couple of the small museums on the island, have dinner, then work your way back. I had a pizza lunch that was very good. It was at the far end of the island from the ferry landing. It was in the fort. The views from the ramparts are beautiful.
If not that you might try Zetor for dinner. Rolls of paper towels on picnic tables and decorated with John Deere tractors. Very casual and a bit noisy, perfect with kids. I think I had elk stew when I was there. Though I liked it, I'm not sure if it was good or not. I don't have any other elk stew experiences to compare it to.
www.zetor.net
Anyway this is just a topper. Hopefully Elina, a regular here and resident of Helsinki will come along. She may know of something convenient and entertaining out by the airport. I've only been to Turku and Helsinki in Finland.
May 20th, 2004, 07:00 PM
#3
Yes, do it! there's a wonderful and relatively short bus tour that starts and ends at the park right by the waterfront near the Lutheran Church that will take you past and to the sights described by indytravel. The church is all cleaned up and sparkling -- your kids will love the green dome with shiny stars -- and the Church in the Rock is really bizarre. When you finish, you can walk through the outdoor market at water's edge, have some ice cream and buy amber jewelry at good prices.
May 20th, 2004, 07:23 PM
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The airport is not very big and hence not very interesting. There is also a bus at the airport that takes you into the city. You should definitely see the Church in the Rocks. Don't run around to all the museums, etc. the kids are going to dislike that. Take it easy, enjoy some good food, moose, raindeer (elk), icecream, ryebread, fish. Have fun! And everybody speaks English!! The young people love to speak English, so make up some question and start talking.
May 20th, 2004, 08:17 PM
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We did this with a shorter layover and it worked well. Took the bus to and from the city. Walked around town center, visited the Rock Church, ate on the run and shopped. It was a great afternoon and I suggest you do it. It peaked our interest and we do want to return for a longer stay.
May 21st, 2004, 03:05 AM
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I don't think I have really anything to add. Except one thing. Indy mentioned Suomenlinna island fortress. They have every summer special program for children (but I doubt that you have time for that). It is a treasure hunt where kids go by themselves through old tunnels and artillery pits and search for a treasure, and in the end they save a beautiful princess. All done in 1700's spirit, and conducted in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English.
But even without that the kids would like the old canons. Escpecially if they are boys.
But even without that the kids would like the old canons. Escpecially if they are boys.
May 21st, 2004, 03:23 AM
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I just remembered one thing that is very near the airport, and that satisfies all curious minds, weather child or adult:
http://www.heureka.fi/portal/englanti/
That is Science Center Heureka, and in spite of the name, it is far from boring. For example you can take a simulated space trip. Check their pages.
http://www.heureka.fi/portal/englanti/
That is Science Center Heureka, and in spite of the name, it is far from boring. For example you can take a simulated space trip. Check their pages.
