I read about the Helsinki ferry ( http://www.seahelsinki.fi) in the Rick Steves northern Europe cruise book, and am hoping to take this ferry from the port to Market Square. I emailed the company to confirm their hours, but my email bounced back as undeliverable. The company's facebook page has not been updated since 2012. Could someone please confirm if this ferry is still running? Thanks so much.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
You might try emailing the tourist office (tourist.info@hel.fi) or calling the ferry company phone during Finnish business hours. I just got an answering service, and Rick's book says this is a mobile phone number. Note that he also describes limited service in June and August and no service September to May.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
From the Port to Market Square?
When you arrive by cruise into Helsinki, some of the boats will dock walking distance to market square. You will be able to tell because you will be able to see the churches and buildings that surround the market area. If you're there, you won't need a ferry.
Some of the ships dock maybe three to five miles from there (it may be first come first served on docking locations or they may be based on docking fees). I didn't see a ferry in that area. A bus line runs from there to downtown or it's a quick taxi ride.
I also couldn't find an ATM near the dock. Airports and train stations always have ATMs but it doesn't seem to be true of dock areas. We were coming from Copenhagen and Stockholm so had no euros in our pockets, we had no money until we got into the Market Square area. This is a good stop to either bring some euros with you from home or get some euros from the purser on board before you disembark (even though I hate paying the cruise lines exorbitant exchange rates).
We took the ferry to Suomolina Island from the Market Square for part of the day. I'm sure that ferry is still running regularly but I can't say whether there are ferries to get you to where your ship is docked, I didn't see any.