We are structuring a Oneworld ticket using miles for next June. We're going from Brussels to Amsterdam and then from Amsterdam to London (we have 15 days for our trip).

Normally we'd just take a train from Brussels to Amsterdam but since we can build this flight into our mileage award for no extra money, why not? The only thing is, we have to connect in Helsinki (either there or Heathrow, which I've tried to avoid at all costs). It's only an hour layover at the Helsinki airport, and the whole trip from Brussels to Amsterdam takes about 6.5 hrs. I know this is a roundabout way to do it, but it saves us $$$ that we don't have to spend on the Thalys.

Anyway, should we actually spend the night in Helsinki and fly out from Amsterdam the next day, or is it not worth it? I could use Starwood points at the Hotel Kamp, which looks nice. How close is that to the airport? How much would we really be able to see in Helsinki?

Thanks.

I say yes, spend the night in Helsinki so that you have the day to explore. We only spent a day several years ago... my thought was, take the opportunity to see someplace I may not get back to. We actually took the overnight ferry from Stockholm, got to Helsinki in the morning, then flew out early evening to Oslo. We took a city tour that was perfect to see the highlights, then visited the Anthenaeum (art museum), wandered through the market, explored, and had a great day.

HI J,

>should we actually spend the night in Helsinki and fly out from Amsterdam the next day,...I could use Starwood points at the Hotel Kamp,...<

In that case, I suggest 2 nights in Helsinki. It is a very pleasant town and much less hectic than Brussels, Amsterdam and London.

Thanks - I think 1 night is all we have time for in the itinerary.

Can anyone tell me where the Hotel Kamp is in relation to the airport?

I can also use Budapest as a stopover instead of Helsinki. Originally I wouldn't have considered Budapest as a stopover point, because the layover flight from Brussels to Amsterdam is like 6 hours long, but then I realized if I'm spending the night, it doesn't matter how long the layover is!!

Spend a couple of days in Helsinki. It is a great city. You can even take the ferry to Tallin Estonia for a day.

There are shuttle buses from Vantaa Airport in Helsinki.

Hotel Kamp is in an excellent location to walk to everything.
Checking the hotel's shuttle service it looks to be quite expensive. The regular airport vans should be much cheaper.

Most all signage is in 3 languages, Finnish, Swedish and English. Most people can speak English.

You won't regret a stopover in Helsinki.

Not sure if I am reading this right, but this is about a flight from BRU to AMS via HEL? That makes no sense at all and any saving will be spent on meals etc in Helsinki. It costs about EUR50 for a one way Thalys ticket and takes 2.5 hours

HEL airport is about 12 miles from the city and where the Hotel Kamp is located. The Finnair City Bus costs about EUR5 and takes you to the railway station and you can walk to the hotel. It is a great hotel in the best location and Helsinki is a pleasant enough city but not sure it's worth such a detour.

I'm not sure I get this either.

Are you saying that in order to use up points you would fly from Brussels to Amsterdam via either Heathrow or Helsinki?

And you have 15 days for the trip? What a waste of time!

Helsinki is quite a pleasant city - I enjoyed it anyway - but it is not one I'd put on a must see list.

In other words, use your 15 days to stay/see/go where you really want to stay/see/go. And if London is on your itinerary anyway - spend more time there, or in Amsterdam, and keep those points for another time.

And - look, it's not a journey I've ever done so I could be talking complete rubbish - but so far in advance can't you get discounted tix for the train?

Cheers.