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
Airport terminals are open 24 hours, but security checkpoints close overnight when there are no departing flights. Reopening times vary depending on the day’s first departures.
What this means for airport sleepers:
You can stay inside the airport overnight, but access to secure (airside) areas may be limited if there are no late-night or early-morning flights. If you arrive very late or your flight departs early, expect fewer open services and quieter—but more basic—sleeping conditions. Plan ahead with food, water, and charging, and be prepared to sleep in public seating rather than dedicated sleep areas if security closes.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
If you want a quieter place to sit or rest between flights, Living Room Majo offers a calmer lounge-style seating area. Location: Airside, Non-Schengen area, 2nd floor, near Gate 52.
As with sleeping in any public place, keep valuables secured and within reach, and use luggage locks when possible. While Helsinki Airport is generally considered safe, normal precautions are recommended, especially overnight.
Cots
Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods and Day Rooms
Quick Facts
- Nearest Hotel: Inside the Airport
- Sleep Cabins & Pods: No
- Day Rooms: Yes
- Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
If sleeping in a chair or on the floor isn’t appealing, Helsinki Airport offers several hotel and day-room options, most of them directly connected to or beside the terminal.
- Comfort Hotel Xpress Helsinki Airport Terminal – Landside, ground floor of the terminal. Restpods are bookable in 4–7 hour time blocks. » 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
Whether you’re looking to relax, work, or refresh before your flight, Helsinki Airport offers a variety of lounges to enhance your travel experience. From premium airline lounges to accessible public lounges, there are options for every traveller. Access is available through multiple methods, including pay-at-the-door, prepaid lounge passes, lounge membership programs, or complimentary entry for eligible airline passengers and frequent flyers.
- (Gate 13) Location: Airside, Schengen Area, 1st Floor, near Gate 13. Hours: 4:30 AM – 7:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No.
- (Gate 27) – Location: Airside, Schengen Area, 3rd Floor, near Gates 27-28. Hours: 4:30 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No.
Finnair Business Lounge – Location: Airside, Schengen Area, 3rd Floor, near Gate 21. Hours: 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (from €55 via Finnair app or website) • Prepaid lounge passes (Finnair Lounge Pass via Finnair Shop, Finnair Plus Silver members get a discount) • Business Class ticket holders (Classic, Flex, or Saver, excluding Business Light) • Finnair Plus Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Lumo members • oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members • Finnair Plus Basic members can purchase off-peak lounge vouchers.
Finnair Platinum Corner – Location: Airside, Schengen Area, 3rd Floor, within Finnair Business Lounge near Gate 21. Hours: 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Business Class ticket holders (Classic, Flex, or Saver, excluding Business Light) with upgrade from Finnair Business Lounge • Finnair Plus Gold members with upgrade from Finnair Business Lounge • Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members • oneworld Emerald members.
Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Airside, Non-Schengen Area, Mezzanine Level, near Gate 40. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (from €45 for 3 hours) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders • Select credit cards benefits • oneworld Sapphire or Emerald members flying Japan Airlines or Qatar Airways • Star Alliance Gold members flying Turkish Airlines • First Class passengers on Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, or Turkish Airlines.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. Walk-in or pay-at-the-door access is not available at these lounges. For more information, check the airline’s website.
Drinking Water
Free water bottle refill stations are available airside near Gates 13, 28, and 50, and landside near Level 0 (Arrivals). Tap water is potable throughout the airport. Gate areas 37–60 are also equipped with hot and cold water dispensers.
Food & Drinks
When travelling overnight, food options are limited, but a few places stay open late or around the clock.
- Landside: A 24-hour grocery store, Alepa, is located in the Arrivals Hall.
- Airside: Fizza Pizza machine (Gate 40) • Nordic Kitchen (Non-Schengen Area, near Gates 37 – 39) • Pier Zero (Schengen, Gate 28) • Richie’s Gourmet Hot Dogs (Schengen, near Gate 19) • Subway (Arrivals • Schengen, Gate 16) • 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 provides luggage storage and travel accessories.
Location: Terminal 1, Landside, Level 0, Arrivals Hall.
Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Rates: approx. €5–10 per item per day.
Mobile Charging
Showers
Showers are available inside the pay-to-use Aspire Lounge in Terminal 2. Access requires a lounge pass or fee, and overnight availability depends on lounge hours. See the Lounge section for current details. 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 and installations are displayed throughout the terminal, offering small visual distractions while you wait.
Business Services
- SIM Cards – SIM cards can be purchased on arrival at R-kioski stores in the Arrivals area. Major Finnish operators are typically available.
- Work & Rest Station – Spacehub offers a quiet, enclosed pod for working or resting, with seating, a desk, and charging points. Access is paid and time-based.
- Meeting & Conference Rooms – Congress Helsinki Airport provides meeting and conference facilities of various sizes for business travellers.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – Diaper-changing rooms and baby facilities are available in many airport washrooms.
- Children’s Play Area – Colourful play areas with toys and seating are available in the Schengen area. One playroom offers runway views.
- Strollers – Free-to-use strollers are reportedly available for use inside the terminal.
Information Desk – Information desks are located in the Arrivals and Departures halls and are generally staffed around the clock. Transfer service desks are also available airside.
Luggage
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Luggage Wrapping – Luggage wrapping services are available in the Arrivals area to help protect bags during travel.
- Porters – Need assistance with your luggage? Luggage assistance may be available.
Medical Services
- Defibrillators – Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are installed throughout the terminal.
- Medical Services – The Mehiläinen Airport Clinic provides medical care for travellers near the Arrivals area.
- Pharmacy – An airport pharmacy sells medications and health products during daytime hours.
Postal Services – Mailboxes are located throughout the terminal. Stamps can be purchased at selected shops.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available airside and landside and operate 24 hours. Some machines dispense foreign currency. Fees may apply.
- Currency Exchange – Currency exchange kiosks are located throughout the terminal.
- TAX Refunds – VAT refund drop boxes are available airside, with Global Blue service counters located both landside and airside.
Pet Relief Areas – Designated pet relief areas are available outside the Arrivals hall and airside in the Non-Schengen area.
Security
- Security Check – Liquids must follow standard carry-on rules. Screening availability overnight depends on flight schedules.
- Police – A police station is located outside the terminal. Emergency travel documents may be issued in limited circumstances.
Shopping – Duty-free shops are available airside in both Schengen and Non-Schengen areas. Additional retail shops, convenience stores, and souvenir outlets are spread throughout the airport. R-kioski and Alepa convenience stores are available landside and airside, with some locations operating 24 hours. [ read more ]
Smoking Areas – Smoking is permitted only in designated, ventilated smoking rooms located inside the terminal.
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: 2025-12-02
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.