Helsinki Airport Taxi Guide
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Table of Contents
Finnish Taxi System
Taking a taxi has always been one the most reliable ways to travel in Finland. Finnish taxis are safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, as always, good quality comes with a high tag price.
In 2018, the taxi law in Finland changed. Before July 2018, obtaining a taxi license from the government was somehow challenging and the government had also set a limit for taxi tariffs. That meant that you always knew beforehand how much your taxi ride will (maximally) cost. As a consequence of these limitations, it was difficult to find a free taxi during busy hours. For now, there is not anymore any kind of limits for the total number of taxis operating and getting a taxi license is also much easier. Furthermore, the prices are not anymore regulated. Shortly said, getting a taxi is now a lot easier, but the quality and prices by different taxi companies may vary much one from each other.
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Taxi Fares in Finland
Taxis in Finland are not cheap. Many companies are using dynamic pricing. During the busy hours, taxi fares can be surprisingly expensive but during other hours there may be cheap offers. So you must be careful how much your ride will cost. It would be wise to learn beforehand about the fare not to get surprised after your journey.
Almost all taxes accept cash payments and also Visa and Mastercards. Better taxis will also accept Diners Club and American Express payment cards. By using certain taxi apps, it is possible to prepay the journey.
Are Taxis Safe?
Taxis in Finland are safe. Drivers have decent driving habits and you can trust them. They are not overcharging or making any kind of frauds. Also, passengers need not to offer them tips.
Drivers speak at least basic English but usually they are not talkative. There is no need to get worried about communicating with him/her in Finnish.
Helsinki Airport to City Centre
Helsinki Airport has agreed a clear system with taxi companies. This means that getting a taxi and making an estimate on its cost is easy. The airport has agreed fixed prices from the airport to Helsinki center with three different taxi companies so you know beforehand how much your journey costs. However, you may choose to take a ride from taxi companies other than these three. If this is the case, you do not know the estimated fare because it depends on their own pricing model.
There are 5 taxi lanes in front of the Terminal 1 and in the underground of the Terminal 2 at Helsinki Airport. Three lanes have been reserved to the partner companies of Helsinki Airport and the 4th lane has been reserved to any taxi. It is also possible to order your own taxi, say Uber.
The taxi stations of Helsinki Airport have 5 lanes. Each lane is reserved for different taxi companies.
In the Terminal 1 of Helsinki Airport, the lanes are outside the terminal building in the way that the lane number 1 is close to the terminal and the lane number 4 the furthest one. The lane 5 is separated a little left from the other lanes.
In the Terminal 2, the taxi station is in the underground in the parking hall. The taxi station is easy to find just by following taxi signs inside the terminal to the parking hall. The lanes are in different order than in the Terminal 1 so when looking for a specific taxi company, you need to follow the signs. Like in the Terminal 1, the lane 5 (prebooked taxis) has been separated a little left from the other lanes.
The taxi station in the Terminal 2 is in the parking hall. It can easily be found just by following TAXI signs.
Check maps on Helsinki Airport's website to find your taxi station and the right lane.
Lane 1: Lähitaksi
The first lane has been reserved for the cars of Lähitaksi. Lähitaksi is a reputable taxi company and guarantees you a safe journey wherever you will go. Its prices are the following:
- Price to the center (1 - 4 people): 39 euros
- Price to an airport hotel (less than 5 km, 1 - 4 people): 25 euros
- Full price list
Lane 2: Vantaan Taksi
The second lane has been reserved for Vantaan taksi (Taxi of Vantaa). However, you can take this taxi to anywhere so the destination does not need to be in Vantaa. Also this company is really reliable. Its prices are the following:
- Price to the Helsinki center (1 - 4 people): 43 euros
- Price to an airport hotel (less than 5 km, 1 - 4 people): 23 euros
- Full price list
If you do not remember which lane is meant for your taxi, you can refer to this taxi sign.
Lane 3: Taksi Helsinki
The third lane has been reserved for Taksi Helsinki. Like with the previous companies, this lane is a safe choice. Its prices are the following:
- Price to the Helsinki center (1 - 4 people): 41 euros
- Price to an airport hotel (less than 5 km, 1 - 4 people): 24 euros
- Full price list
Lane 4: Any Taxi
The lane 4 is a surprise lane. Any licensed taxi can arrive to this lane. If you choose this lane, ask about the price from the driver before taking a ride. If you do not like the quality of the car or the price, just skip the taxi and take next one. We believe that all taxis coming to this lane are safe and reliable but the risk level is a little increased. You may end up having much cheaper ride, or the other possibility, to end up paying a high fare for a short ride.
For example, we were taking a ride to home that would cost about 40 euros by using Airport's partner companies. We chose a taxi from the lane 4 and asked its price. The price started from 45 euros but we were able to negotiate it to 35 euros easily. When there are more taxis available than customers, choosing the lane 4 is a good option. You may easily negotiate a good deal.
Lane 5: Preordered Taxis
This lane is reserved for preordered taxis. If you are a fan of Uber or another similar company, your taxi will arrive here.
Notice that in the Terminal 1 this lane is separated a little left. In the Terminal 2 prebooked taxis will come to pick you from parking places a little left too.
Shared Taxi
There is also a company called Airport Taxi Yellow Line, that offers fixed priced shared rides to Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo. The prices start from 22 euros depending on the number of passengers and your destination. This is a shared taxi service so the ride may take much longer. Check the full price list from their website.
Airport Taxi has not its own lane but you will find their office in the arrival areas of the terminals. This service is good for solo travellers who are not in a hurry. The ride will last quite long because there are many stops.
Taxi Apps in Finland
There are many taxi ordering apps in Finland. They can be used to order a cheaper taxi to the airport fast.
Uber
The number one the list is the famous taxi app Uber. If you order Uber to pick you up from the airport, you will be picked up from the taxi lane 5.
Uber rides are legal in Finland and Uber drivers need a license so you can expect a professional and safe driver with an insured car.
Uber is often a little more affordable from Helsinki Airport than the airports' partner companies.
Install Uber app from here.
Bolt
Unfortunately, this Estonian company does not operate in Finland anymore.
Yango
Yango is also a taxi ordering app from Yandex company. They have a reputation being a cheap company and installing their app is recommended. The company comes from Russia and there has been discussion about the privacy level of their app. In the beginning, the company didn't have enough cars in Helsinki area but now there are more of them.
Yango taxis will also pick you up from the lane 5.
Install Yango app from here.
Fixutaxi
Fixutaxi is a Finnish taxi company. They have a nice app and you should check their price too. The taxis are reliable and they have a fixed rate (10 euros) within the Helsinki center outside the busy hours.
Fixutaxi cars will also pick you from the lane 5 at the airport.
Install Fixutaxi app from here.
Menevä
Menevä is a company that is offering taxi services in Helsinki and also in many other Finnish cities. They have an app that is called the same as their company, Menevä. The app is well-working and reliable to be used.
Install Menevä App app from here.
Other Taxi Apps
There are also apps called Taksini (from Lähitaksi) and Valopilkku (from Taksi Helsinki). Because these companies have their own lanes and fixed prices at the airport, using their apps does not give any additional benefit. If you travel elsewhere in Helsinki by a taxi, you can install these apps too.
Other Airport Transfer Airport Options
From Helsinki Airport to City Centre without a Taxi
If you are heading to Helsinki Center and you are not in a hurry, there is no need to take a taxi but use other public transport instead. You save some of your pennies by transporting with a bus or a train. It may also be even faster to take trains than taxi.
Helsinki Airport Train
The airport train to the center leaves from the Airport's railway station located underground between the terminals, just about 5 minutes walk from both terminals of the airport. There are 2 different train lines, P and I leaving to the center every 10 minutes during daytime. The trains take different routes but both of them arrives finally to Helsinki Central Railway Station. So it does not matter which train you take, if you are heading to the city center.
The ticket price starts from 4,60 € and there is not any airport supplement fee unlike in other many European airports.
The journey is about 30 minutes. Trains are calling at every stop and stops are also displayed on the information screens for your guide. Tickets can be bought from automated machines at the station and R-kiosks. Finnoy Travel recommends buying cheaper tickets by HSL app. You need to install the mobile app HSL and you just need to link a payment card, afterwhich you can easily purchase a single, day-, week- or 30-day tickets. There is no ticket sales inside the train! You therefore need a valid ticket before getting any public transport to avoid a ticket inspection fee of 80€!
Airport Buses
Taking a bus is the best option if you are not heading to the center. There are many public transport buses leaving to center and also Finnair's own bus. Use route planner to check which bus is the most suitable for you.
The bus ticket has the same price as the train ticket. You can connect free of charge between different types of public transportation while your ticket is still valid.
From Helsinki Airport to the city center you need a ticket including the zones A B C.
Finnair has its own bus to the city center but it is more expensive. Actually we do not find any good reason why to use it.
Which Helsinki Airport Taxi to Take?
There is no single best taxi solution from Helsinki Airport to the city center. If you are travelling on budget, taking a train instead of a taxi is a good choice. At night, using Uber or Yango probably the most inexpensive method to reach any destination in Helsinki area.
Business travellers who wish to reach their hotel or meeting place as fast as possible may take any of the next available ride from any taxi company. This sounds the simplest solution for this group.
If you still wanted to take a taxi ride for comfort reasons, then you should do at least basic comparison of prices. A few minutes spent for price comparison on the spot or by apps may easily save you 10 euros.
Our Fare Examples
We do not often use taxis from Helsinki Airport because reaching our home in North Helsinki is convenient by the airport train. However, sometimes we land to Helsinki Airport so late that a taxi is the only available option. During the past year we have paid the following fares from the airport to home:
- Uber 25 - 35 euros
- A taxi from the airport taxi line 30 - 35 euros.
- Bolt 19 euros
Almost all of these prices have been cheaper than the list prices of Helsinki Airport's taxi companies. But actually we live quite close to the airport too.
Easy Private Transfer
A well-prepared traveller will book his/her Helsinki Airport transfer before the trip has even started. A driver will be waiting for you at the airport and if the ride has already been paid online, no hassles with the payment while inside the car. Even though, this kind of service seems luxurious, it is still inexpensive. And if your flight arrives late, the driver will wait for you.
Book a reliable ride via Taxi2Airport. This service is especially a good option at foreign airports when you do not know the names of local companies.
Bottom Line
Getting from Helsinki Airport to city is fast. Taxi is the most comfortable way while travelling with heavy luggage though it requires you to pay more. Uber at Helsinki Airport is a great choice too.
If you are not heading to the city center by public transport, use Google Maps or route planner to find the best route and the ticket price for you. The information provided by the both sources are accurate.
If you have any questions, write your comment below. Or tell others about your taxi experiences in Finland.
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