SURVIVE
FINLAND
The
Kanto Survival Guide
Helsingin liiketalouden ammattikorkeakoulu
Greg Ankers
©1999
©1999
With the exception of the chapter "Second Hand" written
by Suzanne Hénault, this guide has been written and/or compiled by Greg Ankers
for the use of visiting exchange students to Helia - Helsingin liiketalouden
ammattikorkeakoulu. Information
collected by Greg Ankers with the exception of Second Hand, Sightseeing and
Theatre/Concert Information which was collected by other members of the Kanto
Group
Welcome to the Kanto Group’s Survival
Guide to life as an exchange student in Finland. This guide has been made to make your life a little easier and
help you enjoy your stay in Finland.
Naturally, even this excellent guide J cannot answer all of the questions you may have but
hopefully it can answer some of them.
If you do find yourself with questions
naturally, any member of the Kanto Group will be willing to help you. You should also be able to ask your Personal
Student Tutor. Usually your Tutor will
have met you at the airport, station or ferry terminal when you first arrived
in Finland. If you don’t know who your
Tutor is then just ask any member of the Kanto Group or enquire at the
International Office.
If at any time you wish to contact the
Kanto Group by e-mail you can write to the address:
Similarly you can write to all the
registered exchange students at the same time using the address:
Kanto members, and also your teachers
will write to you using the exchange@myy.helia.fi address, it is therefore important
that you check your Helia e-mail regularly, even if you have chosen not to use
it for your everyday e-mails.
Helsinki boasts an excellent Public
Transport system which you are able to benefit from using the 30 Day transport
ticket purchased from HKL offices.
Don’t forget that you need not visit the HKL office to purchase your
renewal ticket as these may be purchased from any R-Kioski in the Helsinki
area. HKL offices are located in the
underground shopping centre of the Main Railway Station and on the second floor
of the Itäkeskus Shopping Centre.
Note that R-Kioski accepts cash and
Finnish bankcards but does not take Credit Cards (Visa, EuroCard etc). If you want to buy your renewal ticket with
a Credit Card then you can do so only at HKL offices.
Public Transport
Information is available on the Internet at:
There are five
forms of public transportation in Helsinki:
BUS 
TRAM
METRO 
LOCAL
TRAIN
FERRY
The 30 Day ticket is valid on all of
these for transportation within the Helsinki boundary.
There is also a 
Night Bus Service for the party animals
among us. When you are out in partying
in the city centre make sure you know which Night Bus to take and the times
that it leaves from the ”Rautatientori” Bus Station next to the Main Railway
Station. There is a supplementary
charge for the night bus equivalent to the price of a single ticket.
|
Night
Bus Number |
Wed,
Thur, Fri, & Sat nights only |
Wed,
Thur, Fri, & Sat nights only |
Wed,
Thur, Fri, & Sat nights only |
|
01N |
02:45 |
04:00 |
|
|
02N |
02:45 |
04:00 |
|
|
03N |
02:05 |
03:15 |
04:20 |
|
04N |
02:05 |
03:15 |
04:20 |
|
05N |
02:45 |
04:30 |
|
|
06N to Lauttasaari |
02:11 |
04:01 |
|
|
06N to Siltamäki |
02:40 |
04:30 |
|
|
07N |
02:05 |
03:10 |
04:20 |
Regional Traffic
Sometimes you might need to take a bus or
train to somewhere not in Helsinki but in Espoo, Vantaa or Kauniainen. For example if you need to go to the airport
this is in Vantaa so you will have to take a regional bus.
You cannot use your 30 Day Helsinki
ticket to travel beyond Helsinki’s boundary so you will need to purchase a
Regional Ticket (Seutulippu) from the driver (if using a bus), from the ticket
collector (if using a train) or in advance from R-Kioski or an HKL office.
Regional
Transport is identifiable by these logos 
Taxis are a very
expensive way to get around Helsinki.
Take them only if you really need to and then try to take them with a
group of people so that you can share the costs. If a Taxi has its yellow ’Taksi’ light on then it means it is
free and you can take it.
Helsinki boasts a fine range of
night-clubs/discos, bars and restaurants.
You will no doubt discover your own favourite place but there are a few
suggestions below. Note that many bars
and pubs as well as all Night-clubs have a minimum age requirement that can be
as high as 24 and identification is usually strictly checked. The following guide shows those age limits. If you are below the minimum age but part of
a group of people, the majority of whom are old enough then a phone call in
advance often allows entry to someone as much as two years below the minimum
requirement.
Nightclubs & Discos:
Iso Puistotie 1, 00140 HELSINKI
Tel: 09-684 1530
Kaivohuone is a
former Victorian Villa now transformed into a nightclub. Downstairs there is a large dance floor area
where music mainly from the 90's can be heard.
Upstairs in the small bar area you will hear more traditional music,
mainly Finnish from 70's 80's and 90's.
There are occasional live performances on the lower floor. Kaivohuone is a place to be seen in and to
see the Cream of Finland. Look out for
the "Perjantaibaillut" on tables in the Helia caféteria, these
tickets allow for free entry on some Friday nights. In the summer months Kaivohuone's swimming pool is also open.
Minimum Age Requirements: Fridays 21years,
Saturdays 24 years.
Mannerheimintie 5 / Kaivopiha
00100
Helsinki
Tel: 09 622 0520
Located in the heart of the city centre,
Heartbreakers, offers two floors of
dancing opportunity. Upstairs, you will
find music from 80's and 90's both international mixed with Finnish and
downstairs the music caters for the Techno and Dance music fans.
Minimum Age Requirement: 22yrs (but phone in
advance if younger)
S-Group
Bonus can be earned on entry fee and at bar.
Kasarmikatu 40, Helsinki
Tel: 09 171 312 www.kaarle.com/
Kaarle, famous for the Wednesday school
parties you will no doubt hear about from Helia's students is situated not too
far from the main centre activities and well worth the visit. Upstairs, you will find the main dance floor
playing music from the 90's and a smaller one where there are frequent live
bands. Downstairs you will find small
bars.
Minimum
Age Requirement: 18 years during school parties
24 years at other times.
ROBERTS
Iso-Robertinkatu,
Helsinki
Robert's offers two large dance floors
playing music from the 90's. There are several bars including a
café-bar area at the entrance to the club.
There is a generally good atmosphere here, though, for those over 24 it may
not be too suitable.
Minimum
Age Requirement: 18 years
Entry is not expensive.
ARKADIA
Fredrikinkatu 48, 00100 Helsinki
Tel: 09 694 0246
The deceptively
large Arkadia boasts three dance floors playing different types of music from
today. The smallest dance floor is
hidden away to one side and plays only Techno while the others concentrate on
Dance music.
Minimum
Entry Requirement: 18 or 20 years depending on the day
S-Group Bonus can be earned on entry fee
and at bar.
Fennia
Rautatientori, Helsinki
The medium sized
Fennia offers one dance floor where 80's and 90's music is played with a good
mix of Finnish music. Expect to queue
for a long time
Minimum Entry Requirement: 20 years or more
depending on day/event
HELSINKI
CLUB
Helsinki Club
offers one dance floor and several bars on the next floor. There are occasionally bands playing. Dance music is played.
Minimum
Age Requirement: 24 years, No limit on Sundays
Nightclub DTM
Annankatu 32, Helsinki
Tel: 09 694 1122
DTM, also known as Don't Tell Mama, is
Helsinki's Gay Club. There is one dance
floor and an upper bar area. Music
varies depending on the event but is usually from the 80's and 90's.
Minimum
Age Requirement: 20 years
Pubs & Bars
SODA
Located in the Annankatu. This bar has a
dance floor downstairs and a bar area upstairs. The music is from the 90’s.
Minimum Age Requirement: 22 years
MOLLY MALONE'S
Located on Kaisaniemenkatu, close to the
Main Railway Station. This Irish pub has live music almost every evening.
Traditionally this has been a popular meeting place for Helia’s exchange
students. It is essential to experience
Molly Malone's at least once.
During weekends there are usually queues
and age checking has also been known.
However, the early visitor will get in without having to queue or have
their age checked. Otherwise the age
limit is 18/20 years depending on the day and how full the pub already is.
Santa Fé
Located in the building of the World Trade
Centre, close to Finnkino's Bristol cinema. You can both eat and drink in this
place. In the summer there is a possibility to sit outside in the terrace area
and enjoy the sun. Age requirements
depend on time of day and how busy the bar is.
mulligans
Located on Mannerheimintie, this is another Irish pub. Life music isn’t so regular as in Molly
Malone's but the atmosphere is nice.
Minimum Age Requirement: 24 years
MEMPHIS
This bar/café is located in the Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, on
Kaivokatu across from the Main Railway Station. There is a normal entrance from the Street rather than having to
go through the Hotel. It is also possible to eat small meals and snacks.
Minimum Age Requirement: No age limit is strictly applied
S-Group Bonus can be
earned on all purchases.
Ale Pub
Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 21
00100 Helsinki
Tel: 09454 3533
This pub has a dance floor where music is played from the 80s
and 90s.
Minimum Age Requirement: Generally at least 18/20
S-Group Bonus can be
earned on all purchases.
Helsinki offers many Cinemas where the
latest releases can be seen in comfort.
The majority of cinemas are operated by the Finnkino Chain (http://www.finnkino.fi)
although some individually owned cinemas also exist the best of which is
Kinopalatsi on Kaisaniemenkatu, near the Main Railway Station and opposite
Molly Malones Irish Bar (www.kinopalatsi.fi/). Information on current and future releases
including times and the cinema the film is being shown at can be gained from
the leaflets and the Trailer newspaper available at most cinemas.
Tickets to the cinema can be quite
expensive although it is possible to buy a book of 5 tickets from Finnkino at a
significant reduction.
Kinopalatsi also offers lower priced
tickets during the week with prices rising on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Group tickets are also available at
Kinopalatsi.
Helsinki has restaurants and cafés for
almost everyone’s budget from quick service takeaways to high-class
restaurants.
When the city’s nightlife begins so do
the several fast food kiosks scattered around the city centre, usually offering
French fries, sausages and burgers these kiosks often stay open until the last
night buses have left. So if you are
really hungry after a heavy night of partying then this may be an instant
source of food.
There are also the usual fast food
restaurants that you will find now in almost all capital cities of the world.
Finland has its own national chains
Hesburger and Carrols as well as the internationally famous McDonalds.
The expected range of Burgers, Nuggets
and Salads can be found at all of the fast food chains as well as some more
Finnish style burgers such as the McRuis – a burger between rye bread.
Hesburger and Carrols also offer a meat
free alternative to the regular range of burgers. The Vegetableburger (Kasvishampurilainen) is available on its own
or as part of a meal (Ateria). If you
are more hungry then it is possible to make your meal bigger for a small
charge. At Hesburger and Carrols this
type of meal is called Iso-Ateria and at McDonalds Plus-Ateria.
Almost all of the staff at Hesburger,
Carrols and McDonalds speak English although you may want to try out your
Finnish with them J.
Also around Helsinki you will find such
restaurants as Pizza Hut, or Rax/Golden Rax (the Finnish Pizza Hut), Rosso and
many other chain restaurants.
For a more adventurous time, you may
want to try a different restaurant.
Here are a few suggestions:
Mannerheimintie
3-5/Kaivopiha
Tel:
09 666 966
Zetor is a
restaurant that is said to show the typical Finnish spirit. If you are going to visit only one
restaurant in Finland then Zetor should be on your list of choices. Elanto Bonus can be earned here.
TEMPURA
Mikonkatu 2, Sisäpiha
Tel: 09 627 063
A very small
vegetarian café.
LA VISTA
Eteläranta 10
Tel: 09 134 561
Good Italian
Restaurant with Harbour views. Large
selection of Wines. Pizza is not
available here.
MAXILL
Korkeavuorenkatu
4.
Tel: 09 638 873
International kitchen,
modern & light simple surroundings.
À la Carte menu
including salads and omelettes. Small
bar.
Keskuskatu 7
Tel: 09 622 6010
Italian
Restaurant in the World Trade Centre. A
very wide selection of dishes especially Pizza and Pasta. S-Group Bonus can be earned here.
CHICO's
There are
several Chico's "All American Bistros" around Finland, in Helsinki
look out for them on Mannerheimintie (Töölö) Tel: 09 493 591 and in Itäkeskus
Shopping Centre Tel: 09 343 1905. S-Group Bonus can be earned in Chico's
Kaivokatu 6, 2nd
Floor
Tel: 09 663 589
The speciality
of Wienerwald is chicken although other meals such as steaks are also
available. The atmosphere in Wienerwald
is aged but friendly. Guess what?
S-Group Bonus can be earned in Wienerwald!
Helia’s sports facilities consist of one
large and one small sports hall, a gym and a small multisports room. All of the facilities are located in the
second basement of the school’s Pasila premises. Changing rooms are to be found nearby. Sports facilities are available for free use when no lessons are
taking place. The students union also
has many sports teams and groups, which you are welcome to enquire about at the
student union (Talko Ry, Atkins Ry etc) office.
Helsinki also
offers many sports possibilities both operated by the city council and by
private companies.
Stadiums
and Arenas:
Hartwall Areena, Areenakuja 1, Tel: 09-0204 1997
Helsinki Ice Rink, Keskuspuisto Park, Tel: 09-2418
122
Olympic Stadium, Keskuspuisto Park, Tel: 09-440
363
Velodrome, Mäkelänkatu, Tel: 09-1464 260
Rowing Stadium, Merikannontie, Tel: 09-4029279
Töölö Sports Hall, Paavo Nurmen kuja 1, Tel:
09-402 9380
Swimming:
Helsinki
offers many swimming pools across the city.
All swimming pools also have at least one sauna and some also have steam
saunas. Saunas are almost always
separate. Students can usually get reduced
price entry Monday to Friday 8-15.
Student Identity can include a Finnish Students Union card or an
ISIC-International Student Identity Card.
If you don't have either it is cheaper to take an ISIC card than to join
the students union. You can get an ISIC
card from Kilroy Travels in the centre of Helsinki. You will find the address in the section, travelling home.
|
Swimming Pool |
Phone Number |
Size of largest Pool |
Other Facilities |
Other Information |
|
Itäkeskus Olavinlinnantie 6 |
09 243 7351 |
19m X 50m |
Slide,
Whirlpool, Steam Sauna, Gym, 3 Normal Sauna, Café |
Carved
into a rock, this is an excellent pool. City
Owned |
|
Haaga Isonnevantie 8 |
09 571 355 |
8m X 25m |
|
Closed
Sundays Owned by a school |
|
Jakomäki Somerikkopolku 6 |
09 382 250 |
8m X 25m |
|
Closed
Sundays City
Owned |
|
Kallio Helsinginkatu 25 |
09 765 255 |
12m X 25m |
Café,
2 Normal Sauna. |
Owned
by UH Oy |
|
City Centre Yrjönkatu 21 |
09 6098 257 09 6098 258 |
10m X 25m |
Separate
Men and Women only swimming sessions |
Closed
Sundays City
Owned. |
|
Kontula Ostostie 4 |
09 301 133 |
8m X 5m |
|
Owned
by UH Oy |
|
Lauttasaari Isokaari 19 |
09 679 400 |
10m X 25m |
|
Closed
Monday and Sunday Owned by a school |
|
Malmi Pekanraitti 14 |
09 358 255 |
16.6m X 25m |
2
Normal Sauna, Café, children’s teaching pool. Sports
Centre |
Owned
by UH Oy |
|
Pirkkola Liikuntapuisto |
09 4029 203 |
16m X 25m |
|
City
Owned |
|
Sitamäki Jousimiehentie 3 |
09 363 421 |
8m X 17m |
Very
Small |
Owned
by UH Oy |
|
Töölö Topeliuksenkatu 41 |
09 2417 761 |
10m X 25m |
Steam
Sauna, Normal Saunas, Sports Centre |
Owned
by UH Oy |
|
Vuosaari Vuosaarentie 5 |
09 317 044 |
9m X 25m |
|
Privately
Owned |
Beaches
Pihlajasaari Recreational Park. Motorboat
connection from the end of Laivurinkatu in summer.
NJK Boating Club, Valkosaari Island, the official
guest harbour of Helsinki, Tel: 09-636 047.
HSK Guest Harbour, Tel: 09-692 3580
Bicycle rentals:
Green Bike, Tel: 050-550 1020
Cat Sport, Tel: 049-4040 12
Saunas:
Finnish Sauna Society, Vaskiniemi, tel. 0-678 677,
09-679 180
Oulunkylä Sports Centre, tel. 09-725 837
Other:
Helsinki has facilities for golf, bowling, squash
and tennis.
Information is available from the City Tourist
Office, tel. 09-169 3757.
Library,
kirjasto, bibliotek
The main library is situated next to the
school. It is in the building with the
purple coloured tiles. You can come
there by leaving the school through the main entrance and go to the right. If you walk up the stairs, then walk
straight on, it is on your right-hand side.
You can become a member for free. The only thing you have to do is fill in an application
form and take your passport with you.
Some libraries open on Sundays. It is also possible to use the Internet and
read your school e-mail from the library free of charge once you have a card.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10-20 and Sat
10-16
Address: Rautatieläisenkatu
8 (entrance Kellosilta 9)
00520
Helsinki
Tel:
09-31085001(information)
The library has also departments in the
following areas: Etelä Haaga, Herttoniemi, Itäkeskus, Jakomäki, Kallio,
Kannelmäki, Kontula, Kulosaari, Käpylä, Laajasalo, Lauttasaari, Malmi,
Malminkartano, Maunula, Munkkiniemi, Myllypuron Lehtisali, Oulunkylä,
Paloheinä, Pihlajamäki, Pikku Huopalahti, Pitäjänmäki, Pohjois Haaga, Puistola,
Pukinmäki, Punavuori, Rikhardinkatu, Roihuvuori, Ruoholahti, Suomenlinna,
Suutarila, Tapanila,Tapulikaupunki, Toukola, Töölö, Vallila and Vuosaari. Look at that particular building for the
opening hours.
Helsinki
City Tourist Office
tourist.info@hel.fi
Pohjoisesplanadi 19, 00100 Helsinki
Tel. 09- 169 3757
Fax 09- 169 3839
Sights
Winter Garden of
the City, Hammarskjöldintie 1, tel. 4029 616.
Open Mon - Sat 12 noon
- 4 pm, Sun 11 am - 3 pm. Tram 8.
Parliament House,
Mannerheimintie 30, tel. 432 2027.
The building was
designed by J.S. Sirén and completed in 1931.
The Finnish
Parliament has 200 members.
There are guided
tours of the Parliament House
Senate Square. The
centre in neoclassical style created by C.L.Engel and built between the years
1818 and 1852. The square became the centre of many government, municipal,
church and academic institutions. Trams
1, 2, 3B, and 4.
Stadium Tower,
Olympic Stadium, Paavo Nurmen tie 1, tel. 440 363.
The tower is 72
metres high and affords a splendid view across the city.
Open Mon - Fri 9
am - 8 pm, Sat and Sun 9 am - 6 pm.
Entrance fee.
Trams 3B, 3T, 4, 7A, 7B, 8 and 10.
Visits by
appointment
Finlandia Hall,
Karamzininkatu 4, tel. 40 241. The concert and congress centre designed by Alvar Aalto.
Mäntyniemi,
Mäntyniementie 4. The official residence of the President of Finland. Guided
tours only.
Tickets must be obtained beforehand at Ticket Service Lippupalvelu, Mannerheimintie
5.
Opera House,
Finnish National Opera, Helsinginkatu 58, tel. 403 021.
Exhibitions
Design Forum
Finland, Fabianinkatu 10, tel. 629 290.
Handicrafts,
industrial art, industrial design, interior decoration and commercial art.
Open Mon - Fri 10
am - 4 pm, Sat and Sun 11 am - 4 pm;
1.6. - 31.8. Mon -
Fri 10 am - 5 pm, Sat and Sun 10 am - 4 pm.
Helsinki Art
Exhibition Hall, Nervanderinkatu 3, tel. 444 855.
The exhibitions
include contemporary Finnish art.
Open Tue - Fri 11 am
- 6 pm, Wed 11 am - 8 pm, Sat-Sun 12 noon - 5 pm. Entrance fee.
Helsinki Trade
Fair Centre, Rautatieläisenkatu 3, tel. 150 91. www.finnexpo.fi
Popular annual
events are the international trade fairs in tourism, boating, interior
decoration, sports and skiing, dog shows, a garden show, and the Helsinki
International Horse Show. Entrance fee.
Bus 17, trams 7A and 7B.
Wanha Satama,
Pikku Satamakatu 3-5, tel. 173 341.
Finnish and
international exhibitions. Entrance
fee. Tram 4.
Churches
Cathedral, Senate
Square, tel. 656 365.
Completed in 1852,
according to designs by C. L. Engel. Exhibitions and concerts are held in the
vaulted crypt.
Temppeliaukio
Church, Lutherinkatu 3, tel. 498 804.
Designed by Timo and
Tuomo Suomalainen and dating
from 1969. The
walls are of natural Finnish rock.
Uspensky
Cathedral, Kanavakatu 1, tel. 634 267.
The biggest
Orthodox church in Scandinavia.
Kannelmäki Church,
Vanhaistentie 6, tel. 534 155.
This modern church
was completed in 1968.
Details of church
concerts, often held on or around the special days in the church year, are
available from the City Tourist Office. St. John's Church (Korkeavuorenkatu
12), Kallio Church (Itäinen Papinkatu 2) and the Old Church (Lönnrotinkatu 6)
are also popular concert venues.
Galleries
Amos Anderson Art
Museum, Yrjönkatu 27, tel. 09 640 221.
Modern Finnish
art. Special exhibitions of international art.
Open Mon - Fri 11 am
- 6 pm, Sat and Sun 11 am - 4 pm; 1.6. - 31.8. Mon - Fri 10 am - 5 pm, Sat and
Sun 11 am - 4 pm. Museum shop. Café. Entrance fee.
Finnish National
Gallery, Ateneum and Museum of
Contemporary Art,
Kaivokatu 2 - 4, tel. 09 173 361.
Finland's largest
collection of paintings, sculpture and graphic art.
Museum shop. Café.
Entrance fee. Trams 6 and 7A.
Helsinki City Art
Museum, Tamminiementie 6, tel. 09 169 3169.
Finnish art from
the 20th century. Exhibitions. Open Wed - Sun 11 am - 6.30 pm. Entrance fee.
Bus 24.
Museums
Arabia Museum and
Gallery, Hämeentie 135, tel. 09 39 391.
Exhibition of
utility and decorative china.
Open Mon 10 am - 8
pm, Tues - Fri 10 am - 6 pm, Sat and Sun 9 am - 3 pm. Factory shop.
Café. Entrance
fee. Tram 6.
Mannerheim Museum,
Kalliolinnantie 14, tel. 09 635 443.
The former home
(1924-1951) of Gustaf Mannerheim, Marshal of Finland.
Open Fri, Sat and
Sun 11 am - 4 pm. Entrance fee. Trams 3T and 3B.
Military Museum,
Maurinkatu 1, tel. 09 161 6381.
Military history;
collections of weapons, uniforms, pictures.
Open Mon - Fri 11
am - 4 pm, Sun 11 am - 4 pm. Entrance fee. Bus 18.
Museum of Finnish
Architecture, Kasarmikatu 24, tel. 09 661 918.
Changing
exhibitions of architecture, picture archive and library.
Open Tues 10 am -
4 pm, Wed 10 am - 7 pm, Thurs - Sun 10 am - 4 pm. Entrance fee. Tram 10 and bus
17.
National Maritime
Museum of Finland, Hylkysaari Island, tel. 09 135 5379.
History of
shipbuilding and life on board.
Open 2.5. - 30.9.
Mon - Sun 11 am - 5 pm,
closed 1.10. -
28.2, open 1.3.-30.4. Sat and Sun 10 am - 3 pm. Entrance fee.
National Museum of
Finland, Mannerheimintie 34, tel. 09 405 01.
The collections
contain archaeological finds, religious art, furnishings and ethnological
materials.
Open Tues 11 am -
8 pm, Wed - Sun 11 am - 4 pm; 1.6. - 31.8. Tues 11 am - 8 pm, Wed -Sun 11 am -
5 pm.
Museum shop. Café.
Entrance fee. Trams 4 and 10.
Sport Museum of
Finland, Olympic Stadium, tel. 09 407 011.
Permanent
collections and special exhibitions.
Open Mon - Fri 11
am - 5 pm, Sat and Sun 12 noon - 4 pm. Entrance fee. Trams 3B, 3T, 4,7A, 7B and
10.
Zoo
The Zoo on
Korkeasaari Island, tel. 09-169591, 0600-95 911.
The landscape is a
suitable home for animal species from mountainous areas and cold regions. The
Zoo is open year round. Pedestrian bridge from Mustikkamaa Island, motorboat
connections in summer. Bus number 11 drives from the Herttoniemi
metrostation via
Kulosaari metrostation to Mustikkamaa.
Open-Air
Museum
Seurasaari
Recreational Park and Open-Air Museum, tel. 09-484 712.
The
buildings give an excellent idea of Finnish folk traditions. In summertime the
island is busy with numerous events. Tourists are especially attracted by folk dance
performances and concerts. The high point of the season is the traditional
midsummer celebration. In winter the island is a suitable spot for skiing and
sleigh riding. The museum is open from May to mid-September. Bus 24.
Suomenlinna
(Sea Fortress Island)
The
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, tel. 09-668 154 and 09-668 341.
The
historic sea fortress is one of Finland's most remarkable sights - it is
included in Unesco's list of World Heritage Treasures. The construction was
started in 1748 to defend the Finnish coast. Guided tours in summer daily 12.30
pm and 2.30 pm in English. Ferry connections from the Market Square
Emergency Centre
For an ambulance
or other emergency vehicle Tel: 112
First, tell what
has happened and where. Then answer to the questions that are asked of you.
Listen to the directions and follow them. Don’t hang up before you are
permitted.
Health Care
Those requiring first aid should make
their way to the nearest health centre or hospital outpatient’s department.
Emergency Health Centre
Maria Hospital, Tel: 09-3106 3231
Mon-Fri
16-23, Sat and public holidays 8-23
For
very urgent treatment turn to the hospital outpatient’s clinics 24 hours a day:
Serious
accidents
Töölö Hospital, Tel: 09-4711
Internal
diseases:
Maria Hospital, Tel: 09-310 6611
Malmi Hospital, Tel: 09-310 6611
Meilahti Hospital, Tel: 09-4711
Emergency
Dental Treatment, Tel: 09-736 166
For non-urgent treatment during school hours you may visit the
nurse at Helia or make an appointment to see the Helia doctor.
Pharmacies
University Pharmacy/Yliopiston Apteekki
Mannerheimintie
96, Tel: 09-4178 0300
OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY
EVERYDAY
University Pharmacy/Yliopiston Apteekki
Mannerheimintie (across from Forum Shopping
Centre)
OPEN 7-24 EVERYDAY
Police
Emergency number, Tel 10022
HELIA
TEL: 09-148 901
Oulunkylä
Student Office, Tel: 09-728
3912
Pasila
Student Office, Tel: 09-1489 0221/09-1489 0231
International Office, Tel: 09-1489 0312
Fax:
09 147 063
Kaarina Heikkilä, Tel: 09 1489 0324
HOAS-The foundation for Student housing in the Helsinki Region
Asemapäällikonkatu
1, open: Mon 9-18, Tues-Fri 9-16
Tel:
09-549 900
Hoas
Office, Tel: 09-549 901
Guest
Room Services, Tel: 5499 0200
Directory Enquiry Information
Dial
118
There is a charge for this service.
Police
Driving licences,
permits, matters concerning nationality and asylum applications, residence and work
permits, Tel: 09-1891
Lost and found
Police lost and
found office
Päijänteentie
12 A 3rd floor, Tel: 09-1891
Open Mon-Fri
8-16.15, Wed 8-17.30(26.6-31.7, Wed 8-16.15
BANKS & POST
Finland does not use cheques, when you
pay your bill you can do so at the bank over the counter or, if you have an
account there, by automatic transfer using one of the many bill payment
machines found everywhere including supermarkets and Metro Stations. Most account holders now also have the
option to pay their bills through the Internet. If you pay your bill over the counter at a bank then and you do
not have an account there then you will be charged a handling fee which varies
between the banks.
When you pay with a card in Finland
(foreign or Finnish) you must spend a minimum amount (currently FIM 30)
Finnish banks now offer their bankcards
with Avant chips. (www.avant.fi/newsine).
These are chips that you can charge with money to use in phone boxes, stamp
machines and to pay for goods at R-Kioski, McDonalds, Hesburger and some other
stores. Cards can be charged at all
Otto. ATM Machines.
Otto. is Finland's main cash machine
network. If you have a Finnish bank
account it is worthwhile to ask for your bank card to include the Avant chip as
even if you don’t intend to charge the card having the chip entitles you to use
Otto.2000 ATMs to withdraw money. These are located in the busiest areas
meaning that you don’t have to queue so long at the ATM.
If you like to pay with a card rather
than cash you can ask your Finnish bank for a "Pankkikortti", a
payment card.
There are three major banks in Finland,
these are:
Leonia is the PostBank of Finland. If you have an account at the National
PostBank/PostGiro/Girobank of your home country then transferring money to
Leonia is not only cheaper but also simpler and quicker by means of a Eurogiro. Staff at Leonia usually speak English, if
they do not then they will find someone who does for you.
Merita is the
largest bank in Finland; it is part of the Scandinavian Banking group
Merita-Nordbanken.
Ossuspankki is
the Co-operative bank of Finland.
Posti, the Post
Office. Post office opening times vary but
they are usually open Monday to Friday from 9 until at least 16.
You can also buy
stamps at R-Kioski and at stamp machines such as the one in the Main Railway
station near to the Photo machines.
If you need to
post a letter or require some other postal services and the post office is
closed, don’t worry! Posti is open 24
hours a day everyday in the city centre.
The 24-hour post office is located in the same building as the main post
office but to get there you need to enter using a different entrance. At the side of the Posti building opposite
the Railway Station there is a small car park.
Next to the Car Park is the Poste Restante Service, Helsinki 10
Helsingfors. This is where you will
find the 24-hour post office. At night
you need to ring the bell and then the door is opened for you.
You will find
that most stores in Finland are open from 9 to 21 on weekdays and 9 to 18 on
Saturday. There are always exceptions
to this rule. Some foodstores open at 7
or 8.
Normally large
stores do not open on Sunday except in December and during the summer. However, all of the stores located in the
underground shopping centre of the Main Railway Station (Asematunneli) are open
every Sunday of the year (unless it is Christmas day).
There are four
supermarkets located in the Asematunneli; these are all open between 7 and 22
Monday to Friday and 10 to 22 Sundays and Public Holidays. The stores are:
KOTIKONTU
Also in the
Asematunneli and open on Sundays are several other stores including Anttila's
Top Ten Megastore which sells music, videos, home entertainment, stationery and
offers a Photo Processing Service.
Convenience and 24
hour stores are also appearing in and around the city. The Select, K-Extra and Spar Express
convenience store chains are usually open from 7-23 every day while Select in
Iso-Robertinkatu is open 24 hours a day everyday. Many Service Station shops are also open 24 hours a day.
Helsinki's city
centre offers a wide range of stores including some international names. There are also 3 major Department stores, perhaps
the most famous of which is Stockmann, located in the heart of the city
Stockmann can easily be found and almost any 'Helsinkilainen' will be able to
direct you to it should you not find it for yourself.
Sokos is the
second most popular department store, though its range is not as wide as that
of Stockmann. Even on the busiest of
weekends the store appears much more spacious and far less crowded compared
with Stockmann and can be a pleasurable place to shop. Sokos is operated by Helsinki Co-operative
Society; S-Group Bonus can be earned on purchases made here.
The third
department store Company in Helsinki's Centre is Anttila. This is a more practical chain of stores
focussing on lower prices rather than the high quality and service image given by
Stockmann and Sokos. There is one
Anttila store located opposite the Main Railway Station as well as a store at
the 'Granite House' opposite the main bus terminal in Kamppi. Anttila is operated by Kesko; PLUSSA cards
can be used there.
Shopping Centres
Helsinki's city
centre offers the Asematunneli and Forum shopping centres but for a much wider
choice the knowledgeable visitor to Helsinki travels further afield than the
city centre.
The Itäkeskus
Shopping Centre in Eastern Helsinki is said to be the largest shopping centre
in Scandinavia. It is easily accessible
by Metro (Station-Itäkeskus) and there are also many free parking spaces for
the car user. The centre boasts famous
stores such as Stockmann, Anttila, H&M Hennes & Mauritz, Jack &
Jones, Aleksi 13, Asko, Body Shop, Citymarket, Suomalainen Kirjakauppa. There is also a cinema (Finnkino), a Laser
Game centre and several restaurants including Hesburger, McDonalds, Carrols,
Golden Rax as well as cafés.
Recently opened
further east in Vuosaari is the Columbus Shopping Centre, although smaller than
Itäkeskus it is worth a visit. Take a
Metro to Vuosaari station.
Hypermarkets
Hypermarkets are
spread around the edges of the cities; there could be one where you live! As well as offering a greater range of
products than a supermarket it is often the case that prices can be
significantly cheaper too, useful if you don’t want to spend your party budget
on food.
There are three
hypermarket chains operating in Helsinki, these are:
Prisma – Located
at Malmi, Take trains P or K
Citymarket –
Located in Itäkeskus Shopping Centre – Take Metro
Maxi -
Kannelmäki
Bonus cards are now extremely popular in
Finland as a way for retail chains to attract your custom and loyalty. Even if you are staying in Finland only one
semester it may still be worthwhile to get a card as there are frequently
special offers and discounts available only to holders of the relevant card.
There are three major retail groups in
Finland, all of which offer their own Bonus Card.
PLUSSA
Kesko, the largest of Finland’s retail
groups offers the PLUSSA card. There is
a charge for the card but the cost is soon recovered if you buy something on a
cardholders special offer at one of Kesko’s stores as the saving can often be
much more than the original cost of the card.
A Bonus is also earned when the PLUSSA card is used on normal purchases.
The following table of logos shows all
of the Kesko outlets that accept the PLUSSA card.
S-GROUP BONUS CARD
www.s-etu.com/html/tervetuloa_e
S-Group Bonus Card (S-Etukortti) is
offered by SOK (Suomen Ossuskauppa/The Finnish Co-operative Society), Finland's
second largest retail group. To get a
card you need to join the local co-operative of the area in which you live, so
if you live in Helsinki or the surrounding area then you will join HOK
(Helsingin Ossuskauppa). Joining HOK is
easy, you just need to fill in a form at the information desk in any Sokos
Department store or Prisma hypermarket.
There is a fee charged to join the co-op but it is given back to you
when you surrender your card and terminate your membership. Any bonus you have earned during your
membership is yours to spend as you wish.
Each month you will receive a letter from HOK explaining how much you
have spent during the last month and whether or not you have any bonus due to
you. Provided that you have spent a minimum amount, bonus is paid monthly in
the form of a voucher that can be used in any HOK outlet, some of which are
shown below:
There are many more HOK outlets
including many nightclubs (Arkadia, Heartbreakers etc) Pubs, (Mr Pickwick, Ale
Pub etc) and restaurants (La Tour, Chicos etc) plus McDonalds in Helsinki
centre's Sokos store.
Elanto
Bonus Card
Elanto, the third retail group in
Finland offers it customers the 'Ykkos Bonus' card. Information is available from any Elanto group store, these include:
WHERE TO FIND SECOND-HAND STUFF IN HELSINKI by Suzanne Hénault
Fleamarkets
Summer
In
Helsinki there are a lot of flea markets, especially in summer. The oldest and most traditional one is the
Hietalahti-fleamarket which is held at Hietalahdentori in daytime and in the
evening. There you can find people selling their stuff they want to get rid
of. Some times you can even see there
some Finnish celebrities selling their stuff they do not need any more.
Really
in the centre of Helsinki there is a flea market every Saturday, Sunday and in
the summer months June, July and August also on Wednesday evenings at the Old
Magasins just between the Finlandia-Talo and the new modern art museum. A lot has been talked about pulling down
these magasins, but till now there has not been taken any final decision, and
so the flea market goes on there. You
can find there antique sellers which are selling antique glassware, jewellery,
etc and sellers of collectable stuff like phone cards, ice hockey cards,
stamps, postcards, etc. Also there are people just selling stuff from their
cellars, wardrobes etc.
Always
on summer days when the shops are closed, you can find big flea markets on the
parking-spaces of these hypermarkets: Maxi-Kannelmäki, Maxi-Leppävaara (Espoo),
Citymarket Itäkeskus. There are people from the surroundings selling from the
back of their car stuff from their homes they do not need anymore, like clothes
and shoes, tableware, small household machines, etc.
If
you do not want to get wet with some Finnish summer-rain and want to go to a
flea market, you can also go to Vantaa-Myyrmäki to the Myyrmäkihalli flea
market.
Winter
Even
that flea markets are not the first thing that comes in mind when thinking
about things to do in Finland in wintertime, you can find them, for example in
the parking halls of big shopping centres, like in the Itäkeskus and Malmi
Prisma shopping centre. These flea
markets are quite a lot like the ones in summer at the parking-spaces, people
selling their stuff out of the back of their car.
In
the centre of Helsinki you can find in winter in the parking space of the
Forum-shopping-centre a flea market that is open always when the shops are not.
Then
there are flea markets that are open round the year inside old buildings. In
these flea markets very often one side is for people selling themselves their
stuff and another side where the things to sell are on tables but they are paid
at the cash desk at the door.
A
good way to find out about actual flea markets is to look in the Helsingin
Sanomat under the section ”Myyjäiset ja Kirpputorit”. There you can also find out
about flea markets, organised only occasionally.
Addresses:
Summerfleamarkets:
Hietalahden
kirpputori
Hietalahden
tori (Tram no 6)
mon-fri
8-14 and 15-20
sat
8-15 sun 10-16
Marskinkirppis
VR:n
makasiinit
Mannerheimintie
13
wed
18-21(?) Jun-Jul-Aug
sat-sun
10-16 end Apr-begin Oct
Parking-spaces sun 10-16
Itäkeskus
Citymarket
Kannelmäki
Maxi
Leppävaara
Maxi (Espoo)
Myyrmäki-Halli
Raappavuorentie
8
Vantaa-Myyrmäki
sat-sun
9-14
Winter-flea
markets:
Forum
parking-hall
sun
10-16
Malmi
Prisma Multi Storey Car Park
sun 9-14
Itäkeskus
parking hall
sun
10-15
Self-service and seller flea markets:
Keravan
Savio
Kirppiscenter Fun-Fun
Kumitehtaankatu 6
Suurkirpputori
Minttutie 28
Tikkurila-Vantaa
Kehäkirppis
1
Koskelonkuja 4 Espoo
Kehäkirppis
2
Vanha Nurmijäventie 85 Vantaa
2. Second-Hand
clothes
The
biggest second-hand clothes shop chain in Helsinki is the UFF. This chain has 7
shops around Helsinki and they have a very big choice of clothes and in some you
can even find things for interior decoration like curtains, tablecloths,
sheets, etc.
And
then there are a lot of smaller shops where you can find all kind of clothes
especially those you would not find in any other shop.
Addresses:
UFF
Fredrikinkatu
36
Women’s, men’s,
children’s, and fashion clothes
Helsinginkatu
19
Women’s, men’s,
children’s clothes and home textiles
Hämeentie
4
Women’s, men’s,
children’s, sports and fashion clothes, home textiles
Iso-Roobertinkatu
4-6
Women’s, men’s and
fashion clothes
Itäkatu
11
Women’s, men’s,
children’s, sports, and fashion clothes, home textiles
Mannerheimintie
104
Women’s, men’s,
children’s and sport’s clothes
Runeberginkatu
4 C
Women’s and
children’s clothes
Others
Ruutu-Rouva
Fredrikinkatu
16
Especially
women’s clothes
Play
it again Sam
Rauhankatu
2
Old
fashion style
Mister
Nor
Fredrikinkatu
41
Men’s clothes
3.Second-Hand
furniture and others
The
environment departments of Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo have recycling centres
”Kierrätyskeskus” where people bring things they do not need any more, like
furniture, clothes, tableware, household-machines. Others who need these things can come and take them away for free
or, the more valuable ones, against a small fee. In these recycling centres they have also exhibitions about the
environment and recycling.
Then
there is the LKA (Finland’s Missionary Society) which have their own shops
where you can find all kind of things, from cloths to small furniture.
For second-hand
furniture you can also go and see at Kaluste-Lahti.
If you want to try
some new sports or go one with a familiar sport and you can not/do not want to
take the equipment with you from your home country, one possibility is to buy
the sports-equipment in second-hand. At the ”Helsingin Sportti Divari” you can
buy equipment for playing ice hockey, skiing, boxing, bodybuilding,
roller-skating, cycling, and more.
When you just need
a bike, you can find second-hand bikes at the ”Eco-bike”, or at lot of other
bike-stores which are selling them even they do not advertise them.
Addresses:
Kierrätyskeskukset
Helsinki
Lönnrotinnkatu 45
Kyläsaarenkatu 8
Vantaa
(Tikkurila)
Horsmakuja 6
Espoo
Asemakuja 3
LKA
Hämeentie
31, HKI, Iso-Roobertink.24,HKI, Kolmas Linja 3, HKI, Turunlinnantie 12, HKI
Others:
Helsingin
Sportti Divari
Eurantie
10, Helsinki
Kaluste
Lahti
Hakaniemenkatu
11 and Linnanrakentajantie 4, Helsinki
Eco-Bike
Mannerheimintie
13 at the VR-magasins
You may have
already noticed that it seems like everyone in Finland has a mobile phone. Well, most people do!
There are
several mobile telephone companies and currently there are two types of GSM
(Digital) service in operation. The
older NMT (Analogue) system is less popular in Finland but if you have an NMT
phone you can contact Sonera to have it connected here in Finland.
The standard GSM
mobile phone operators are as follows:
Radiolinja (www.radiolinja.fi/english/index)
Sonera (www.sonera.fi/nmt.gsm) 
In addition you
can also use the GSM 1800 system in Helsinki and some other major cities in
Finland. This system is called
"Cityphone" and call costs are usually cheaper than with a normal
mobile phone however, do not forget that the phone can ONLY be used in some
cities and you may not be able to use it at all* in your home country on your
return.
*(In Great
Britain GSM 1800 is used nation-wide by Orange and One2One)
The
"Cityphone" operators are:
Telia (www.telia.fi/eng) 
HPY - Helsinki Telephone Company (www.hpy.fi)
Travelling in Finland is easy and
fun. You can travel by bus, train or
even plane. Once you are there are a
number of youth hostels you can stay at. Use the following Internet links to
find out more:
Matkahuolto is
responsible for the national bus companies of Finland as well as some
international bus journeys. There is a
generous discount for students, visit the Helsinki bus station to get your
discount card.
www.vr.fi/e-index Finnish Railways
Suomen
Retkeilymajajärjestö-SRM/Finnish Youth Hostels
Yrjönkatu 38 B
15
00100 Helsinki
FINLAND
Tel: (09) 694
0377, 693 1347
Fax: (09) 693
1349
Email: info@srm.inet.fi
If you don’t have a ticket to fly home
yet, you need to go home early or you need to travel somewhere then Helsinki
has a student travel office of Killroy Travels right in the city centre.
Kaivokatu 10D
00100 Helsinki
Tel 09-680 7811
helsinki.sales@kilroytravels.com
helsinki.groups@kilroytravels.com
(group travels)
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10-18.
An ISIC-International Student Identity Card can be acquired
here. With this card you can get discounts on travels all over the world.
If you want to book your flight there,
be sure that you are there early in the morning, because there is often a long
queue.
Thanks for taking the time to read this
guide. I hope you found it useful. So that the next guide can be even more excellent
and useful than this one has been I’d appreciate your comments and
suggestions.
Is there a bar or Night Club that isn’t
in the guide that you think should be? Is there a place, which definitely
shouldn’t be in the guide?
Do you have any experiences that would
be useful to the next exchange students?
Send me an
e-mail to:
Or visit my homepage!