I used Helsinki Airport as a transfer point while traveling between European destinations.
My impression was that it is clean, manageable and relatively easy to understand without feeling overwhelmingly large. With a short connection, the priority is simply getting to the next gate. With a longer layover, there is enough time to explore the airport — or potentially make a short trip into Helsinki.
If your connection is short
The airport did not feel excessively large to me, so finding the next boarding area was fairly straightforward.
Still, border and security procedures can take time, and busy transfer periods can make a connection feel tighter than expected.
If your itinerary gives you very little time, check the gate first and keep moving. For a genuinely short connection, it can also help to tell airline or airport staff that your onward flight is close.
Keep duty-free liquids sealed during a transfer
Liquids can be one of the more confusing parts of an international connection.
Finavia’s current guidance says that at transfer security at Helsinki Airport, ordinary liquids must be in containers of no more than 100 ml and fit into a one-litre transparent resealable bag. Airport-purchased liquids can be packed according to transfer rules, so if you still have another flight ahead, it is sensible to keep the sealed packaging and receipt intact.
When we transferred on February 23, 2025, security staff checked the capacity of every duty-free liquid item we carried. For anything over 100 ml, they confirmed that the duty-free packaging was still sealed and then placed it in a scanner to check for risk. This describes the screening we personally encountered that day and should be understood separately from the current general liquids rule.
With a long layover, Helsinki can be within reach
If your layover is comfortably longer — around six or seven hours or more — a quick visit to central Helsinki may be worth considering instead of spending the entire time in the terminal.
The airport railway station is directly connected to the terminal. I and P commuter trains run between the airport and Helsinki city centre, and Finavia says the train journey is about 30 minutes.
The important part is not to underestimate how quickly time disappears once you start walking around the city. Build in enough margin for the return train, border formalities if applicable, security and the walk to your gate.
There is baggage storage at the airport
Taking a suitcase into the city can make a short layover unnecessarily tiring.
Helsinki Airport currently has baggage storage through Excess Baggage Company in the arrivals hall. If you plan to leave the airport during a long connection, check the latest opening hours and prices before relying on it.
If you stay inside the airport
If the layover is too short for the city — or falls during very early hours — exploring the terminal is still a reasonable way to pass the time.
Moomin shops are an obvious Finnish stop. Finavia currently lists multiple Moomin Shop locations at Helsinki Airport, with a broad range of Moomin products.
For overnight or early-morning transfers, remember that some shops and restaurants may be closed. Check same-day opening hours rather than assuming everything will be available.
PRACTICAL INFO
- Airport: Helsinki Airport (HEL)
- Location: Vantaa, Finland, about 20 km from central Helsinki
- City connection: I and P commuter trains; Finavia gives a journey time of about 30 minutes.
- Long layover: A city visit can work, but calculate the full round trip plus border/security procedures and the walk to the gate.
- Baggage storage: Available through Excess Baggage Company in the arrivals hall.
- Transfer security liquids: Current rule is containers up to 100 ml, packed in a one-litre transparent resealable bag.
- Duty-free liquids: For an onward connection, show all boarding passes when purchasing and keep the security packaging and receipt intact.
- Shopping: Moomin Shop and other Finnish brands are available at the airport.
- Early-hours transfer: Some shops and restaurants may be closed; check current opening hours.
- Info checked: 2026-09-06. Recheck security, liquid, transport and opening-hour information before travel.
