Vantaa

Understand

Like Espoo, Vantaa is basically an extension of Helsinki, despite having a huge population by Finnish measures. It does not have a proper city centre: Vantaa's administrative centre is in the district of Tikkurila (Swedish: Dickursby), and other districts that can be considered local "centres" are Myyrmäki (Swedish: Myrbacka) in the west, Kivistö in the north-west and Korso in the north-east. Quite few of the inhabitants have any connections to the rural landscapes and villages left from the old Helsinge (renamed Vantaa in 1972). Best known as the city where Helsinki's airport is located, you will also find various parks and farms you can visit there, as well as the beautiful medieval Church of St. Lawrence and a couple of interesting museums, notably the science centre Heureka. Depending on your interests, also the complex of the Jumbo mall and Flamingo hotel and entertainment centre can keep you busy for a couple of hours at least. Helsinki Airport, located in the middle of northern Vantaa, takes up a large part of the city's area and effectively splits the rest of Vantaa in two parts, the Myyrmäki-Martinlaakso area in the west and the Tikkurila area in the east. The Ring Rail (Finnish: Kehärata) railway line connects all three areas together with the neighbouring city of Helsinki.

Local information City of Vantaa website

Getting there

By plane The city is indeed accessible by air, as Finland's main airport is in Vantaa:

1 Helsinki Airport (HEL IATA) There are buses from the airport to different parts of Vantaa, or you can take the commuter train to the public transport traffic hubs Tikkurila (for eastern Vantaa) or Myyrmäki (for western Vantaa).

By train The main railway north from Helsinki goes through eastern Vantaa. In addition to several local train stations, all long distance trains to the north and east, including the ones to Russia, stop at 2 Tikkurila Railway Station. . If you are heading for the western parts of Vantaa, you can take the local train line "I", which stops at 3 Myyrmäki Railway Station. and also continues to Helsinki–Vantaa Airport via 4 Kivistö Railway Station. .

By car Highways 3, 4 (E75), 45 and 7 out of Helsinki go through Vantaa and the main east-western road is the third Helsinki ring road (Kehä III), which is mostly part of the E18 route. In the morning and afternoon rush hours traffic on it can get quite busy and in the winter a heavy snowfall or a larger accident due to the often over-frozen road surface can block the traffic completely.

By bus From Helsinki several local buses go to Vantaa, and there are some lines directly from Espoo too. The Journey Planner of the Helsinki region public transport authority (HSL) is an excellent tool to find out which bus you should take from one address to another. Some larger cities in southern Finland also have a direct connection to Helsinki airport.

Getting around

The public transport of Vantaa is operated by the Helsinki region public transport authority (HSL), see Helsinki#Get around for information about fares and tickets and HSL's website for routes, schedules and updated official information.

By train Kehärata (Ring Line) connects the main rail line with western Vantaa via the airport. Combined with bus transfers, this is the fastest way to get around for many.

By bus There is a maze of bus lines in the area.

By car As distances are longer than in the more central parts of Helsinki, driving is sometimes an option. As above, the traffic can get quite congested in the rush hours, especially on the ring roads.

By bike or foot On a sunny summer's day you can make use of the cycleways and footpaths criss-crossing Vantaa and suburban Helsinki. Get a good map.

Vantaa City Bikes, ☏ +358 9 4257-8815, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2022)

Electric kick scooters German Tier and American Bird rent electric kick scooters for use in Tikkurila, Martinlaakso, Myyrmäki, Vapaala and Varisto. The companies aim to keep the scooters available also in winter, conditions permitting, but the vehicles are not ideal in snowy or slippery conditions. Tier has also electric bicycles.

By taxi Helsinki Limo, ☏ +358 20-787-0360, [email protected]. Their vehicles are always new and black with leather interior. Drivers speak English and can even, by order, give short sightseeings. Lähitaksi, ☏ +358 100-7300 (extra charge: €1.92+€2.5/min+pvm). Traditionally the main taxi dispatch service in Vantaa (and all the capital region outside of Helsinki). Smartphone app: Taksini Daytime M–Sa €3.90+€1/1.45/km+0.90/min, nights and holidays €7.90+1.05/1.55/km+0.99/min; prebooking €7/14; the lower km and prebooking fees for 1–4 persons. (updated Jul 2020) Uber. Uber now uses licensed vehicles and drivers like everybody else, although the vehicle standard may differ more than what is otherwise common. (updated May 2019) Yango. Yango is a Russian company which offers cheap fares. M–F €3.00+1.10/km+0.25/min, Sa Su 05:00-21:59 €3.00+1.10/km+0.25/min, F-Su 22:00-04:59 €6.00+1.10/km+0.25/min (Starting fare includes 4 min and 1.5 km). (updated Jul 2020) Menevä Vantaa, ☏ +358 50-471-0470 (head of office), toll-free: 0800-02120 (booking). Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €4, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €0.90/km + €0.90/km, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (July 2020). (up

See

1 Heureka, Kuninkaalantie 7 (Near Tikkurila railway station). M–W Th 10:00–20:00, F 10:00–17:00, Sa Su 10:00–18:00. Heureka is an interactive science museum, with different kinds of exhibitions about technology, physics, chemistry, medicine, astronomy and so on. Really exciting for children interested in science. Adult: €19; Children (6–15): €12.50. 2 Vantaa Agricultural Museum (Vantaan maatalousmuseo), Nybackankuja 2 (in Vantaanlaakso), ☏ +358 500-315-744, [email protected]. 3 Vantaankoski Dam (Vantaankosken pato), Kuninkaantie 33 (along the Ring III). A popular vantage point for the roaring rapids of the Vantaa River. 4 Hakkila Stone Bridge (Hakkilan kivisilta), Tikkurilantie 19 (between the Hakkila ja Jokiniemi districts). A stone arch bridge from 1898 crossing Keravanjoki. 5 Suomen Ilmailumuseo (Finnish Aviation museum), Tietotie 3 (near Helsinki-Vantaa airport), ☏ +358 9 870-0870, [email protected]. 10:00–17:00. A museum with over 70 planes (both civilian and military) as well as plane parts, equipment and photos. adults €9, children €6. 6 Vantaa City museum (Vantaan kaupunginmuseo), Hertaksentie 1. Tu–F 11:00–18:00, Sa Su 11:00–16:00. Learn more about how Vantaa grew from a countryside parish to the city of 200,000 inhabitants it is today. €2. 7 Collection and Conservation Center (Kokoelma- ja konservointikeskus), Kanervantie 6 (in the Hakkila district). A museum centre owned by the Finnish Heritage Agency (Museovirasto), offering storage and conservation services for museum collections. 8 Viherpaja (Puutarhakeskus Viherpaja), Meiramintie 1 (in Koivuhaka district, just east of the airport, buses 574 and 623). Not just a plant and gardening store, but actually a 3500 m² garden with an indoor desert where cacti grow and a Japanese garden mimicking the climate of Tokyo round the year. 9 Katrineberg Pks4H Petting Zoo, Katriinankuja 5 (Buses 576, 444, 445 and 446), ☏ +358 45-783-17764, [email protected]. In Katrineberg you will find several different domestic animals such as sheep. Children can hug animals. (updated Apr 2021) 10 Ankkapuisto Park, Korsontie 11 (in the Korso district). A city park with a long narrow pond and walking trails. (updated Oct 2022) 11 Honkanummi Cemetery (Honkanummen hautausmaa), Vanha Porvoontie 225 (in the Hakkila district). One of the largest cemeteries in Finland; the area covers approximately 76 hectares. There are two chapels in the cemetery area, along with a crematorium, office, flower shop and lunch restaurant. (updated Apr 2023)

Churches Churches of the congregations of Vantaa.

Do

1 Flamingo Entertainment Center, Tasetie 8 (buses 650 and 615T from Helsinki Railway Station or bus 61 from Tikkurila Station). A big entertainment complex located near the airport in Vantaa, next to a large shopping mall Jumbo, just north of Helsinki. Biggest attractions are Flamingo Spa & Wellness with pretty cool and fast slides in the waterpark section and a large selection of relaxation pools, jacuzzis and different saunas in the other section, and Hohtogolf West Coast which is a glow in the dark 15-hole miniature golf course with over-the-top mechanized special effects and a special "horror" section. Cheesy but fun, especially after a few drinks from the bar. Other attractions in Flamingo include a small casino, a 3D movie theatre, many pubs and restaurants, a variety of specialist shops, a large hotel and one of the biggest nightclubs in Finland called Onnela. 2 Bio Grand, Kielotie 7 (in Tikkurila). Smaller independent cinema, showing mostly the bigger blockbusters. May have a matinée series of cheaper, more art house screenings supported by the local culture board. 3 David Fitness Club, Puutarhatie 26 A (in Koivuhaka), ☏ +358 500-605-822, [email protected]. 24/7. (updated Apr 2023) 4 ELIXIA Tikkurila, Kielotie 1–3. M–Th 06:00–22:00, F 06:00–21:00, Sa 08:00–19:00, Su 10:00–20:00. A gym. (updated Apr 2023) 5 Kuusijärvi recreation ground (Kuusijärven ulkoilualue), Kuusijärventie (Buses 738, 739 and 731N). Vantaa's most popular outdoor area. Smoke saunas, open-air swimming, ice swimming, skiing, beach, nature trails. (updated Mar 2021) 6 Kuusijärvi Smoke Sauna, Kuusijärventie 3 (in Kuusijärvi Outdoor Centre). This traditional smoke sauna is located in Vantaa but very easy to reach from Helsinki Railway Station. Situated besides a beautiful lake, it's widely regarded as one of the best traditional saunas in the capital region. Rebuilt in 2011. Take your swim gear with you, as the smoke sauna is mixed-sex. €10 for adults, students/children €6. 7 Pavi, Honkanummentie 6 (Itä-Hakkila, eastern Vantaa; bus stop Pavi), ☏ +358 400-703-141, [email protected]. Mid-Apr to mid-Oct: W F 20:00–24:00 and Sa 17:00–21:30. Social dancing with live music. Also dance courses, often one-hour courses before the dances (included in the price; rotating system, own partner not needed). 60-years anniversary 2025. Café (no alcohol), grill, free water. €20 + cloakroom €2, students and youth < 30 years €15 (+€2). 8 Hiekkaharju Golf, Tennistie 9 (in the Hiekkaharju district), ☏ +358 29-170-2080, [email protected]. 9 Keimola Golf, Kirkantie 32 (in the Keimola distr

Buy

1 Halva factory shop, Tammiston kauppatie 27. The factory shop of a candy manufacturer. Yes, they do make the Middle Eastern confectionary too (as their name suggests) but they're best known for their liquorice candies. (updated Jul 2022) 2 Zagros Food, Liesikuja 7 (in Myyrmäki), ☏ +358 40 036 2727. M–Sa 09:00–20:00, Su 10:00–19:00. Oriental grocery store. (updated Apr 2023)

Shopping centres In Vantaa and the northern suburbs there is no shortage of large shopping malls with even larger parking areas where you can buy everything from strawberries to washing machines. They also have other services like banks and restaurants and are all accessible by bus. The major ones are:

3 Jumbo, Vantaanportinkatu 3 (near the airport). Finland's second largest mall when it opened in 1999, Jumbo does live up to its name. Jumbo features Prisma and Citymarket superstores, a Stockmann department store and practically all major Finnish shop chains and a range of cafés and restaurants. 4 Myyrmanni, Iskoskuja 3 (in Myyrmäki, western Vantaa). Citymarket superstore and several smaller shops, and near it a couple of older malls including Isomyyri and Myyrinpuhos. 5 Dixi, Ratatie 11 (in Tikkurila, near the railway station). 6 Tikkuri, Asematie 4–10 (in Tikkurila). 7 Kivis, Vantaankoskentie 69 (in Kivistö, near the railway station), [email protected]. Vantaa's newest shopping centre with more than 20 shops. There's also a cluster of shopping malls in 8 Tammisto, along freeway 45 south of Ring road III, as well as in 9 Porttipuisto, though this one only comprises furniture and bargain stores. There are also smaller shopping centers in the central locations of some neighborhoods, such as in 10 Hakunila, 11 Kaivoksela, 12 Louhela and 13 Vantaanpuisto.

Eat

Budget 1 Antell Väritupa, Heidehofintie 6 (in Kuninkaala), ☏ +358 20-770-2211, [email protected]. A lunch restaurant. (updated Apr 2023) 2 Balkan Grilli, Kannistontie 2 (in Kivistö), ☏ +358 9 896-161. A grill kiosk. 3 IKEA furniture mall's cafe and restaurant, Porttisuontie 18 (at the intersection of freeway 4 and the third ring road). M–Sa. The furniture store IKEA has a restaurant on the 3rd floor and a café on the second where you can have a decent meal for well under €10 or a coffee or a hotdog for around €1. Also serves €2 breakfast in the morning. 4 Katamaran Grilli, Niittytie 27 (in Koivuhaka), ☏ +358 41-315-1566. A grill kiosk. 5 King's Corner, Kuninkaantie 39 (in the Vantaankoski district near the Vantaa River), ☏ +358 9 893-024. M–F 09:00–21:30, Sa Su 10:00–21:30. A pizzeria kebab restaurant. 6 Kuninkaan Ravintola, Malmarintie 39 (in Hakkila; near the Honkanummi Cemetery), ☏ +358 9 4289-2490, +358 9 4289-2491, [email protected]. Pizzeria. (updated Apr 2023) 7 Lounasravintola Kehä III, Virkatie 7 (a little over a kilometre west from the Jumbo shopping centre, best accessed by car). Daily 08:45–17:00. A café all day, but also serves you a good all-you-can-eat buffet lunch at lunchtime. Popular among blue-collar workers. lunch buffet €9. 8 Lounasravintola Saarikoski, Niittytie 12 (in Koivuhaka), ☏ +358 45-171-9111, [email protected]. A lunch restaurant. (updated Apr 2023) 9 Pizzeria Xona, Talkootie 17 (in Hiekkaharju), ☏ +358 9 873-2200. (updated Apr 2023) 10 RAX pizza buffet, Asematie 4 (Tikkurila), Iskoskuja 3 (Myyrmäki), Tasetie 8 (Flamingo). The pizza buffet chain RAX has three restaurants in Vantaa. All you can eat buffet serving (some say "unhealthy") food such as pizza, chicken wings, lasagne, meat balls, fried onions, nachos, salads, soft drinks and ice for dessert. buffet €9.95. 11 Ravintola Flyygeli, Sairaalakatu 7 (Near Peijas hospital), ☏ +358 50-513-8072, [email protected]. Daily 11:30–12:30. The Manor Restaurant Flyygeli prepares traditional tasty home-cooked food and pastries. Pensioners €8.50, others €9.70. (updated Apr 2021) 12 Ravintola Silmu, Juurakkokuja 4 (in Koivuhaka), ☏ +358 50-410-9118. A lunch restaurant. (updated Apr 2023) 13 Sapusca, Jönsaksentie 4, ☏ +358 451411045. Weekdays 10:15 - 14:00, Sa 11:00 - 13:30, Su closed. A lunch restaurant in Myyrmäki. Serves a lunch buffet based on a mixture of Finnish home cooking and Mediterranean cuisine. Open for lunch only, no à la carte menu. Located right next to a health care station whose employees often come here to eat. 13.70 €. (upda

Drink & nightlife

Most suburbs have a pub or two. If you want something fancier, head to central Helsinki, that's what the locals do.

Pubs and bars 1 Baston, Unikkotie 11 (in Tikkurila), ☏ +358 400-720-321, [email protected]. A cocktail bar. 2 Pub Hertas, Hertaksentie 2. Su–F 16:00–04:00, Sa 11:00–04:00. 3 Old Story, Tikkuraitti 17. Daily 09:00–02:00. 4 Hakunilan Cowboy, Hiirakkokuja 6 (in Hakunila), ☏ +358 45-236-3939. Su–Th 10:00–12:00, F Sa 10:00–02:00. 5 Lazigana Pub, Marmoritie 11 (in Kivistö), ☏ +358 9 879-2927. 6 Beer and Café Solmu, Jaspiskuja 5 (in Kivistö), ☏ +358 44-747-9020. Su–Th 11:00–01:00, F Sa 11:00–02:00. A bar and coffeehouse.

Nightclubs 7 Pingviini Night and Street Bar (Ravintola Pingviini), Kielotie 20. 8 Shamrock, Peltolantie 2. M Tu 16:00–24:00, W Th 16:00–02:00, F 15:00–04:00, Sa 12:00–04:00, Su 14:00–02:00. Night club in Tikkurila. 9 Tulisuudelma, Hertaksentie 2, ☏ +358 20-123-4618. Tu-Th 20:00 to 00:00, F-Su 22 to 04. The most famous nightclub in Vantaa. Easily accessible as it's actually located inside the hotel Sokos Hotel Vantaa, right next to the Tikkurila railway station. As such, after partying you can either go sleep in the hotel or travel by train to neighbouring Helsinki. The nightclub regularly holds live performances by various Finnish musicians and bands. The nightclub is so popular among partygoers in the capital region that people tend to include it in a list of Helsinki's popular nightclubs even though it's not actually in Helsinki. Free to €16, depending on event. (updated Jan 2016)

Sleep

The major hotel concentration in this part of the capital region is near the airport. No wonder, as most people coming to or leaving from Finland by air pass through Helsinki-Vantaa.

Budget 1 20Rooms, Kyläkaivontie 6 D (Hiekkaharju), ☏ +358 40-658-2939, [email protected]. A budget hotel with comfortable rooms.

Mid-range 2 Clarion Hotel Aviapolis, Karhumäentie 5 (in Aviapolis; 2 km south of the airport terminals), ☏ +358 9 3417-4652, [email protected]. The hotel features 258 rooms, 12 conference rooms, a restaurant, and a relaxation area with a gym and saunas. €120. 3 Sokos Hotel Vantaa, Hertaksentie 2 (Tikkurila), ☏ +358 20-1234-618, fax: +358 10-785-0150, [email protected]. Hotel of the national chain Sokos Hotels. 4 Hotel Tikkurila (Hotelli Tikkurila), Läntinen Valkoisenlähteentie 52 (Tikkurila), ☏ +358 43-825-2928, [email protected]. Comfortable accommodation in rooms for 1–8 people; 32 of the hotel's rooms are non-smoking and the bed capacity is 127. The hotel includes a café-restaurant. In connection with the hotel, there are excellent opportunities to practise various sports. It is about 1,3 km to Tikkurila railway station from the hotel. 5 Airport Hotel Bonus Inn, Elannontie 9 (Pakkala exit from Ring III Highway), ☏ +358 9 825-511, fax: +358 9 8255-1818, [email protected]. Friendly family-owned hotel with basic but very clean and comfortable rooms. Restaurant, sauna (evening only), free shuttle service to the airport (5–7 min). €120. 6 Cumulus Airport Hotel, Robert Huberin tie 6, ☏ +358 9 4157-7100. Mid-range Finnish chain hotel, 10 min from the airport by free shuttle bus. €120. 7 Comfort Hotel Xpress Helsinki Airport Terminal (Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, immediately outside baggage claim), ☏ +358 9 5619 2709, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Also day rooms available, depending on the booking situation.

Splurge 8 Hilton Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Lentäjänkuja 1 (next to the airport), ☏ +358 300-308-489, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Full-service hotel. Soundproof windows, bar, restaurant, sauna. €150. 9 Sokos Hotel Flamingo, Tasetie 8, ☏ +358 20-123-4605, fax: +358 20 1234 606, [email protected].

Go next

Espoo Helsinki Järvenpää — 25 km further north, where you can visit Ainola, the home of the famous composer Jean Sibelius. Kerava Sipoo Klaukkala