in content lists or on the content page.Travel and Accommodation
Helsinki can easily be reached from anywhere in the world. Helsinki International Airport is located in Vantaa, thirty minutes from the city centre. The airport serves about two hundred international flights each day and connects Finland to Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.
More information about required travel documents.
The World Circular Economy Forum 2017 recommends compensation for the CO2-emissions of your flights. At the same time you can promote renewable energy. The compensation can be done for example with the non-profit providers Atmosfair, My Climate or any other organization you wish to donate your compensation to.
Transport to and from Helsinki Airport
There are many ways to get to and from Helsinki Airport to the city centre: public transportation, Finnair City Bus, train or taxi.
By bus:
The Finnair City Bus operates between the airport and city centre (Elielinaukio) every 20 minutes and takes around 30 minutes. A single ticket costs 6.20 euros when purchased online in advance or 6.30 euros from the driver.
Bus 615 (“Lentoasema-Rautatientori”) is operated by Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). A regional ticket costs 5 euros and can be purchased from Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) ticket machines or from the driver with cash. At night you can also take the 415N night bus.
By train:
Local trains I and P operate between Helsinki Airport and the city centre on the Ring Rail Line, which opened in July 2015. The journey time between the airport and the city centre (Central Railway Station) is approximately half an hour. A regional ticket costs 5 euros and can be purchased from Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) ticket machines and onboard trains from a ticket sales carriage.
By taxi:
You can also travel conveniently between the airport and the city centre by taxi, which will cost around 50 euros.
Public Transport in Helsinki
Helsinki is well served by public networks. Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) provides an integrated service throughout the city. Modern city bikes are also a convenient way to move around the city. With a single ticket it is possible to travel with trams, buses, the metro and even the ferry to Suomenlinna. Single tickets can be purchased from the driver, from ticket machines or even by sending an SMS text message by mobile phone (requires a Finnish service provider) or by downloading the HSL Mobile ticket app to your smartphone for free.
Daytickets are available for unlimited use on public transportation for 1-7 days. They can be purchased from ticket machines, from the Tourist Information or from the Helsinki City Transport service point at the Central Railway Station. One-day tickets are also sold by the drivers. Regional tickets allow the holder to travel freely in Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa. Regional tickets and regional tourist tickets can be purchased e.g. from ticket machines.
Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on public transportation within the city.
Citybikes
The City of Helsinki is attempting to increase levels of cycling in city traffic. Bringing a modern city bike system to Helsinki supports this goal. In summer 2016, there are 500 bikes in 50 locations around the city center. The area will be expanded in summer 2017 and more bikes will be added. The goal is for there to be 1,500 bikes and 150 bike stations by that time. The city bike system will complement the services provided in areas where public transport is not an option.
City bikes are shared-use bicycles that can be borrowed for a fee by anyone in central Helsinki. Your chosen season pass (day, week, whole season) covers up to 30 minutes of bike use per time. For an extra charge, you can use a bike for a maximum of five hours at a time. After the ride, the bike is returned to a bike station. For more information and registration please visit the city bikes website.
Hotel Information
The organisers of the World Circular Economy Forum 2017 have negotiated special conference rates on limited number of rooms at several hotels within walking distance of the conference venue. All bookings include breakfast and Wi-Fi access. The special rates are available until 5th of May 2017 or as long as special priced rooms are available. Please note that the participant is responsible for all the travel and accommodation expenses.
All selected hotels are committed to minimising environmental stress and to developing sustainable solutions. All hotels have an environmental certificate. More information available on the hotel websites.
The selected hotels are listed here (pdf).
Helsinki – Host City of WCEF 2017
Helsinki is a modern, pocket-sized European city known for design and high technology. Helsinki’s attractive and unique character comes from its proximity to the sea, as well as its location between the East and the West. The capital of Finland is a vibrant seaside city of beautiful islands and great green parks. The city’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active.
Helsinki is a compact city easily explored on foot. Design, architecture, culture and shopping are all great exploration angles and large park areas, forests, lakes, and the coastline with numerous islands sprinkled off it make certain there’s no shortage of natural presence. Needless to say, there’s something going on in Helsinki every day of the year.
The archipelago of Helsinki consists of around 330 islands, providing beautiful set-ups for days at the beach or weekend camping trips. Many of the islands, such as Suomenlinna and Pihlajasaari, can be reached by a regular ferry from early morning until late at night.
A third of Helsinki is covered in green areas. Along with a score of sports grounds, they offer great possibilities for outdoor activities and relaxation. The large Central Park and its forests spread out just outside the city centre.
Coming soon: Recommendations of WCEF2017 team
More information about Helsinki:
Visit Helsinki
My Helsinki
Helsinki365
Helsinki Secret
Discovering Finland – Helsinki
Visit Finland – Helsinki
Finland – the Land of the Midnight Sun
Finland is the big surprise of the Nordic countries, a natural wonderland with more trees than people and more islands than any other nation in the world. With miles of empty wilderness, the Finns are uniquely in tune with their natural surroundings.
Finland, one of the Nordic Countries, is full of interesting contrasts: four distinct seasons, the midnight sun and winter, urban and rural, East and West.
Finland has white summer nights when the sun briefly dips beyond the horizon before rising again. With the midnight sun, anything you can do during the day, you’ll be able to at night. When the autumn comes, the Northern Lights appear and lighten up the sky. The first snow falls at the beginning of December and Kaamos (the polar night) arrives.
The things Finland has are plenty of trees and water. We have thousands of clean, blue lakes. In fact there are 188 000 lakes in the country with water good enough to drink. Over 70 % of Finland is forest and our archipelago is the biggest in the world. Untouched and beautiful landscapes provide habitat for thousands of wild animals and birds.
Finland has a population of 5.5 million and the total area is 338 4440 km2. That makes Finland one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe.
One of the most famous elements of Finland’s heritage is the sauna. It is estimated that there are over two million saunas in Finland. In addition to the sauna, everyone knows that Santa Claus – the one and only – comes from Finland.
More information about Finland:
Visit Finland
This is Finland
Discovering Finland
Recommended
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