Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Helsinki Vantaa Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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Overall, I think the airport is small and seems almost cozy, most of the things go smooth[ly] and the staff was very helpful. – a traveller
HEL Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Helsinki Vantaa Airport (Code: HEL).
What to Expect
Helsinki Vantaa Airport has a large, single terminal with domestic and Schengen flights departing from gates 11-31 and long-haul and non-Schengen flights departing from gates 32-55. Navigating the airport is described as easy, and all passengers have access to numerous shops, restaurants, cafes and services both airside and landside, with some eateries offering 24-hour service. The airport has plenty of mobile charging stations and offers free WiFi. For additional services—including showers—and lounging options, passengers can pay to use one of the airport lounges.
Sleeping in Helsinki Airport
The sleek and modern airport offers a decent amount of seating, including armrest-free benches and reclining chairs scattered throughout. Not all gates have seating areas, so look for a good spot. If you want to sprawl out on the floor for some rest, seek out some carpeted areas or consider using a sleeping bag or sleep mat. You likely won’t be alone if you spend the night in the landside/public zone. The benches at the check-in desks fill up first, so arrive early to grab one. Security at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport tolerate overnight sleepers on the landside, but security may check ID and tickets overnight.
For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels at the airport and several nearby. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Helsinki Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours. Security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules: approx. 1:00 AM–4:00 AM for Schengen/domestic (Gates 11-31) and non-Schengen (Gates 32-55), reopening with first departures.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
If you want a quiet place to rest and relax between flights, head to Aukio. Equipped with LED screens, alternating projections, and natural white noise, passengers can immerse themselves in a Finnish nature oasis without leaving the airport. Additionally, there are flat padded benches with charging outlets. Location: Airside, 2nd Floor Non-Schengen, near Gate 40. Hours: 24 hours.
Take precautions even when sleeping in the rest zones. In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them. Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.
Cots
Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods and Day Rooms
Quick Facts
- Nearest Hotel: Inside the Airport
- Sleep Cabins & Pods: Yes
- Day Rooms: Yes
- Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is good news for those looking to sleep comfortably at Helsinki Airport. If you are on a layover, you don’t have to go through security as sleep pods are in the non-Schengen area. On the landside, in the public area of the airport, there is a lounge with sleep pods in the Arrivals area, hour hotels conveniently located close to the airport, and several more off-site options.
- Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge – Sleep pods are available for rent on top of the lounge entrance fee in both Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Comfort Hotel Xpress Helsinki Airport Terminal – Location: Landside, on the ground floor. Restpods can be booked in four to seven-hour time slots. Rates from 40 € / 4h (1 person) or 60 € / 4h (2 people). » Check Rates
- Comfort Hotel Helsinki Airport – Next to the terminal. » Check Rates
- Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport – Next to the terminal» Check Rates
- Scandic Helsinki Airport – 200 metres from T1, 3-minute walk. » Check Rates
- Hilton Helsinki-Vantaa Airport – Connected to the main terminal by a covered walkway. Day rooms are available. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Aspire Lounge – Location: Airside, Schengen Area, 1st Floor, Gate 13. Hours: 4:30 AM – 7:00 PM. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Aspire Lounge – Location: Airside, Schengen Area, 3rd Floor, Gates 27-28. Showers are available ($). Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Airside, Non-Schengen Area, Mezzanine Level, near Gate 40. Showers and sleep pods are available ($). Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
- Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge – Location: Arrivals. Showers and sleep pods are available ($). Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM. Lounge Access: Pay at the door.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
- Finnair Lounge – Locations: Airside, Schengen Area, 3rd Floor, Gate 22. Showers are available. Hours: 5:30 AM – 11:30 PM. Lounge Access: Finnair ticket-holders can purchase a Finnair Lounge Pass from the Finnair Shop, while business class passengers, Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo, Platinum and Gold, Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members can access the lounge for free. Location: Non-Schengen Area, near Gate 52. Lounge Hours: 6:00AM – 01:00AM. The lounge also features a Finnish sauna and showers. Access: Finnair Plus Basic members can purchase an off-peak lounge voucher from the Finnair Shop, while business class passengers, Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo, Platinum and Gold, Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members can access the lounge for free.
Related Pages: Helsinki Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Free water bottle refill stations on the airside, near Gates 13, 28, 50 and landside, near Level 0, Arrivals. Tap water is potable. Gate areas 37 – 60 are furnished with hot and cold water automats.
Food & Drinks
When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out these vendors:
- Landside: A 24-hour grocery store, Alepa, is located on the landside in the Arrivals Hall.
- Airside: Fizza Pizza machine (Gate 40) • Nordic Kitchen (Non-Schengen Area, near Gates 37 – 39) • Richie’s Gourmet Hot Dogs (near Gate 19 • Schengen Area) • Subway (Arrivals) • Toastery Cafe & Bar (Schengen Area, near Gate 21). Food vending machines are available throughout the terminal.
- Two 24-hour R-kiosks stores in the Arrivals and Airside, near Gate 29, sell snacks, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Excess Baggage Company offers luggage storage and travel goods. The company also provides printing services. Location: T1, Landside, Level 0, Arrival hall. Rates: €5-10/$5.30-$10.50 USD per item/day. Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Mobile Charging
Showers
Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Head to the pay-to-use Aspire Lounge in Terminal 2. See the Lounges section above for details.
WiFi/Internet
Free unlimited WiFi is available at Helsinki Vantaa Airport. Connect to the “Helsinki Airport Free Wi-Fi” network. No registration is required.
Security & Safety
Airport staff are pretty tolerant of overnight sleepers, and a few travellers report that the security contributes to the overall feeling of safety. Staff generally leave you alone, but don’t be surprised if you get a wake-up for ID and ticket checks.
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Airport Art – Various artworks can be found inside the terminal.
Beauty Salon and Barber – At one point, Salon Fly Hair offered haircut and barber services. We could not confirm this at the time of our October 2023 update. If you know whether they are still there, click here to update this guide.
Business Services
- SIM Cards – SIM Cards can be purchased upon arrival. Look for the R-kiosk store in the Arrival Hall. Here, you will find SIM cards from three main operators: DNA, Saunalahti, and Telia.
- Work & Rest Station – Spacehub workspace offers a quiet place to work and relax while you wait for your flight. You’ll find comfortable seating, laptop tables and recharging stations for different electronic devices. The pod is soundproof and has air conditioning. Rate: €2.50 / 15 min. Locations: Gate 29, Schengen area. Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
- Congress Room – Congress Helsinki Airport offers rooms to host meetings and conferences for two up to 100 people.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, there are designated diaper changing rooms and tables in many of the airport’s washrooms.
- Children’s Play Area – Toys, games, changing tables and seating are available inside the airport’s brightly coloured play areas. Runway views are available from the playroom at Gate 20! Locations: Schengen Area at Gate 20 and Gate 16. Hours: Open 24 hours.
- Strollers – A reader tells us that free strollers are still available for use during your time in the airport. (March 2025)
Information Desk – Have any questions? Visit one of the airport information desks for assistance! Locations: Arrival and Departure Halls. Hours: open 24 hours. Additionally, two transfer services desks (Airside, near Gates 29 and 52) provide extra assistance.
Luggage
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in 100% recyclable and biodegradable film. Excess Baggage Company offers luggage wrapping services. Location: Arrival hall. Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
- Porters – Need assistance with your luggage? Porters are available. Fees are unknown.
Medical Services
- Defibrillators – Locations: Gate 13, Gate 25, Gate 29, Gate 45, Gate 50, Gate 54, Departure Hall, Arrival Hall, Baggage Claim.
- Medical Services – If you feel unwell or injure yourself, the Mehiläinen Airport Clinic can be near the Arrival Hall.
- Pharmacy – Buy health and beauty products and fill your prescriptions at the airport pharmacy, Apteekkipkus. Location: Schengen Area, Gate 29: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at one of the mailboxes found throughout the terminal, both in the Departure and Arrival Halls. Stamps can be purchased at the R-Kiosk and the WHSmith store.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs, operated by Otto and Forex (dispenses foreign currency), are available 24 hours a day. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Airside, 7 locations • Landside, Arrival and Departure Halls.
- Currency Exchange – FOREX Money Exchange kiosks can be found in these locations:
- Gate 21 • Gate 23 • Gate 44 – 49 • Gate 50 • Departure Hall.
- Foreign currency ATMs are listed in “ATMs / Cash Machines” above.
- TAX Refunds – Drop your VAT Refund in one of the many boxes throughout the terminal. Locations: Airside, near Gates 29, 50, and 13. Two Global Blue Tax Refund offices can also be found in the Arrivals Hall and Airside, near Gate 50.
Pet Relief Areas – Designated pet relief areas can be found in the following areas: Outside Arrivals Hall • Airside, Non-Schengen Area, near Gate 51.
Security
- Security Check – Liquids and gels in individual containers (max. 100 ml each) must be packed in a single transparent and resealable plastic bag with no more than 2 litres capacity.
- Police – A police station can be found outside of the terminal. If you forgot your passport at home, the police here can issue you a temporary one for the validity of a single trip.
Shopping – Helsinki Duty-Free stores are available Airside, in the Schengen Area, near Gates 13 and 27, and in the Non-Schengen Area, near Gates 37 and 40. A wide variety of retail shops, selling everything from books to local delicacies, are available throughout the airport. If you need a magazine, a souvenir or a quick snack, R-kiosk stores are available both landside and airside. In addition, an Alepa Shop can be found landside in the Arrival Hall. Both the Alepa store and the R-Kiosks are open 24 hours a day.
Smoking Areas – Smoking is only permitted in ventilated smoking areas in the airport: near Gate 12 • near Gate 28 • near Gate 40.
Bus
Helsinki Airport’s bus station is located outside the arrival hall. Bus route 600 operates between the airport and the city centre. Travel time is around 40 minutes, and tickets can be purchased through the HSL app or at the bus station ticket vending machine. For more information, visit the HSL HRT website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are located in the Arrivals Hall: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • National • Sixt. Hours of operation vary between the agencies.
Hotel Shuttles
Several hotels near Helsinki Airport provide shuttle service: Bonus Inn Airport Hotel • Best Western Airport Hotel Pilotti • Holiday Inn Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Shuttle
At one point, a complimentary airport bus circulated between the parking areas and the terminal every 15 minutes, from 3:30 AM – 1:30 AM. We could not confirm this at the time of our October 2023 update. If you know whether they are still there, click here to update this guide.
Ride Sharing
Uber operates throughout Finland. A ride to the city centre will cost from $50 to $55.
Taxi
Taxi stands are outside the Arrivals areas. A trip to central Helsinki takes about 30 minutes. To avoid the sometimes long line-ups and to receive a fixed rate, you can order a taxi online through the Helsinki Airport website.
Train
Local trains I and P connect the airport, central Helsinki and the rest of the country. Trains depart every 10 – 20 minutes, with varying daily hours of operation. For fares, routes and more information, visit the Helsinki Region Transport website. Note a fare zone system has been put in place, so make sure to buy a ticket to the ABC zone.
Last updated: 2025-03-05
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.