What to do in Kuala Lumpur in 2 Days by Metro?

Finding top 10 things to do in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days is a breeze with a KL MRT map. The abbreviation for MRT is ‘Mass Rapid Transit’. For some people, it is a subway or metro in the city. Another common mode of transport is the monorail which runs overhead. Here are some suggestions on what to do in Kuala Lumpur (KL) so you would not miss the fascinating places to visit. My notion here is to visit as many points of interest in Kuala Lumpur as possible around an MRT station to save travelling time.

My Belgian friend who works in Singapore and I went on a weekend trip from Singapore to KL by bus recently. We could have taken a 1-hour cheap flight to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore, but she chose to be more adventurous, following what most Singaporeans and Malaysians traditional method of travelling. Especially with someone like me who has been to Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Malaysia umpteen times with nasty travel bus stories to share, it sounded less foreign to her.

We stayed in Hotel Impiana at KLCC which was 15 minutes walk away from the famous Petronas Twin Tower and Suria KLCC Shopping Mall. Hence, the two tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur would be the first two things to do in Kuala Lumpur. If you are not staying around KLCC, take a train to KLCC MRT Station.

KLCC MRT Station

The KLCC MRT station was busier than others due to the influx of visitors to the Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC shopping mall. Some ticket machines accepted RM5 or RM10 dollar notes and some only allowed RM 5. We found it annoying that 3 ticket machines continually rejected our new Malaysia Ringgits (RM) dollar notes. The 4th one accepted it finally. You will get a token instead of a paper ticket. If you have only big-dollar notes, you can change it at the customer service counter for smaller ones. One cannot buy the token from there.

1. Tour in Petronas Twin Tower

Petronas Twin Towers designed by Argentine architect César Pelli are the most majestic symbolic skyscrapers standing in awe of Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). It has a sublime sight, especially in the evening. One could fall in love with it when the dark night falls. The Malaysians said that if you do not visit the Petronas Twin Towers, you have never been to Kuala Lumpur before.

Non-Malaysian tourists can buy tickets at €16.60 (RM80) for a semi-guided 1-hour tour from the Concourse basement level to the 42nd storey skybridge and 86th-floor observatory tour for a panoramic view of the stunning city. The entry up to the Petronas Towers is every 30 minutes. Do note that there is usually a waiting time for the Petronas Twin Towers tour due to the limited visit capacity and the overwhelming response from visitors over the weekend.

In the meanwhile, you can go shopping in Suria KLCC if you get a later schedule. The ticket counter is at the Concourse which is at the basement level. Upon entering Suria KLCC Shopping Mall main entrance, the escalator to go down to the ticketing counter is on the left side. There is also a signboard.

2. Luxury Shopping in Suria KLCC

Suria KLCC is the leading shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur comprising of 6 floors with 4 wings of shopping outlets. It specialises in congregating branded boutiques under one roof. A perfect shopping trip for people who love splurging on branded goods and the best thing to do in Kuala Lumpur.

If one is not going for the dazzling brands in Suria KLCC, there are also megastores like Isetan and Parkson for the budget-conscious shoppers. Isetan is a Japanese owned company, and Parkson is a Malaysian establishment. These departmental stores have good quality products with mid-range prices among the high-end products in Suria KLCC that would not burn a hole in the pocket.

You can also find branded cosmetic stores in Parkson and Isetan similar to the ones at the boutiques in a consolidated area. Thus, it will be easier to compare prices or decide which brand to purchase by simply hopping around the megastores in a smaller sphere. The shopping experience here is a twist from the high-end atmosphere.

There is also a big Isetan Foodmarket at the basement level of Suria KLCC with a great selection of sushi and other mouth-watering food at a reasonable price. The price of the products may not be the cheapest, but the choice of food is extensive. I had to try some of it to ease my greedy mouth because I could not resist what I saw.

3. Watch Musical Fountain in KLCC Park

Exiting the back entrance of Suria KLCC is the KLCC Park which has an enormous 50-acre garden. It doubles up like a wonderland for children to play with water in the 10,000 sqm Lake Symphony. The water fountain shoots water to a height of 42 metres during the day and night. The spectacular musical fountain emits a beautiful light pattern with the music. It gives the environment a magical touch at 8 pm, 9 pm, and 10 pm nightly.

One word of caution is to avoid strolling in the afternoon. The heat intensity in KL is a strong deterrence to walk further into the KLCC Park. We did not see many people wandering far due to the hot weather. Apply enough sunblock for protection if you are keen to explore a distance away.

4. Drink Belgian Beer at Delirium Café

My Belgian travel partner was unquestionably delighted to discover Delirium Café as it originated from Belgium. Over here, one can indulge in Belgian food specialities and an assortment of Belgian beers! You can find the restaurant at the far end corner at Suria KLCC back entrance. You’ll get a scenic view facing the KLCC Park and the newly opened Police Station not far from it.

Delirium Cafe, established in Brussels was a Guinness World Record holder in 2004. It holds a smashing beer stock of 2004 brands! Now the enormous beer collection has grown to 2,500 offering Belgian beers as well as other international brands. Over in Kuala Lumpur, you still get to savour a wide selection of Belgian beers with high alcohol percentage to go with your favourite mussels. For beer lovers, give it a go in Kuala Lumpur!

5. Greet Marine Animals at Aquaria KLCC

The mysterious blue water Aquaria KLCC is an oceanarium less than 5 minutes walk along the perimeter of KLCC Park. The world-class aquarium has two levels which are homes to 5,000 aquatic animals from Malaysia and all over the world. Watch 250 species of the marine animals swimming around you in a 90-metre water glass tunnel and catch their feeding time in the underwater world. Picture taking is allowed but no flash. The entrance fee is €13.30 (RM64) for adults, children from 3 to 12 years old are €11.60 (RM56), and senior citizen is €9.60 (RM46).

Pasar Seni MRT Station

In Suria KLCC, we got to know 2 new Malaysian friends who advised us to go to Central Market first, followed by Petaling Street in Chinatown. That was our planned itinerary for the night. The Central Market would close earlier than the night markets in Petaling Street. We stopped at Pasar Seni MRT Station and crossed the road to go to Central Market first.

6. Buy Local-Made Souvenirs at Central Market

Central Market is just opposite Pasar Seni MRT Station. People come here for Malaysia local-made souvenirs, art and crafts. We reached there around 8 pm on a Saturday night. There was almost no customer at that time. It enabled us to look around freely at the beautiful items. We felt comfortable that the sellers were not pushy there. But, it also meant that they were not aggressive to push their sales. Maybe it was about time for them to close shop. Hence, they were tired. It was lovely looking at pretty things, but I did not any of these souvenirs back. The environment was cosy lit with warm lights.

7. Bargain at Petaling Street Market

After Central Market, we walked over to Petaling Street Market in Chinatown which was just under 5 minutes. It is a top place of interest in Kuala Lumpur if you want to feel integrated with the local. Petaling Street KL is a tourist spot infamous for selling counterfeit products like clothes, bags, perfumes etc.

I have been there several times over the last two decades as a tourist. Many stalls sell identical things. So, it can be quite boring to complete the full shopping activity of looking at similar fake items. They might even be run by syndicates who take the goods from the same source. I like to shop for sunglasses every time I am here.

Chinatown KL has also lost most of its appeal and liveliness over the years with fewer customers apparently, even on a Saturday night! Walking amidst the stalls now is more leisure than the past. Back then, it was difficult to look at something for long without being jostled or blocked.

I noticed that foreigners were the ones who managed most of the stalls there as they certainly did not look like Malaysians. They were pushy and over-enthusiastic to sell you something to the point of being irritating. Part of the charm was diluted. In the past, the Malaysian Chinese would be the ones tending the stalls. So in my eyes, I had lost the familiarity of the original touch of Chinatown which was supposed to be run by a Chinese community.

Haggling is a powerful tool here where you can get 50% off the quoted amount. When the sellers offer you a high price, just walk away. The value will be slashed down immediately. Sellers here are desperate to sell, and it can get overwhelming at times. Nevertheless, it is still a great place to negotiate some cheap bargains. Chinatown is a top attraction in Kuala Lumpur, especially for first-timers. The area has an entirely different facet from the glamorous KLCC which carries authentic brands.

8. Have Dinner in Chinatown

When you go to Chinatown Kuala Lumpur, how can one not try some Chinese food there? We reserved the space of our stomach searching for a comfortable food corner to dine in Chinatown. We were drawn to a Chinese restaurant, Kim Lian Kee at one of the busy streets. I reckoned having dinner sitting by the road was one memorable experience for my friend. She could indulge in the lively ambience of Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and watched the surrounding activities.

We strongly recommend the Stir-Fried Beef with Spring Onion. The meat was so tender and delicious! My friend could not help but praised the dish vehemently. The Salted Egg Prawns were another excellent choice too. The other two dishes were bland and less tasty. The waitress came over and talked to us when there were not many customers. She was rather spot-on when analysing the type of tourists from different countries. I tipped her at the end of the day for her excellent service.

Bukit Bintang MRT Station (SBK)

Our last destination for the day is the Bukit Bintang night entertainment area. There were 2 Bukit Bintang MRT stations on the signboard. Choose the name marked with SBK (Sungei Buloh-Kajang). We had a pleasant surprise when we exited from Bukit Bintang MRT station Pintu C (Exit C) on a Saturday night. There was a live band performance by Sentuhan Band with an excellent acoustic sound system. We stayed there for a while. Later, I realised such band performances were everywhere on the street.

9. Indulge in Bukit Bintang Nightlife

Bukit Bintang is a top-rated tourist attraction for things to do in Kuala Lumpur at night for partygoers and night owls. The street was bustling with people on late weekend nights. You get to listen to free music from the various groups of live bands. Bukit Bintang nightlife generates a strong presence of energetic vibes with a lot of entertainment as there are so many things to see in Kuala Lumpur.

I loved the alluring stretch of Middle Eastern restaurants at BB Park. The screaming LED lights was the reason why l crossed the road to demystify it. The loud colours were like magnets, beckoning me to unravel and stay. Good marketing strategy.

We had some drinks in one bar while other customers were smoking shisha. Many shops and restaurants opened till late at night. During the day, people can come here for shopping in the departmental stores. From day to night, there’s always something to do in Bukit Bintang Walk.

Imbi Monorail or Hang Tuah MRT Station

If you want to try the monorail in Kuala Lumpur, you can alight at Imbi Monorail Station. There are only 11 monorail stations in KL which operates mainly on the vital commercial and touristic areas. The monorail system is supplementary to the MRT lines for better transportation accessibility in some places. At some stations, both the MRT and the monorail trains inter-connect to each other. Since the monorail run overhead, it allows tourists to have a sightseeing of KL city. One tip is to take a monorail from one end to the other end. Refer to the KL Monorail Map.

10. Frenzy Shopping in Berjaya Times Square

Berjaya Times Square is a classy shopping mall that has a pretty remarkable interior structural design. That goes without saying when the top of the shopping centre is the Berjaya Times Square Hotel which has a 5-star rating. Shopping here was more affordable than Suria KLCC. You can shop till you drop dead in this 10-storey shopping mall. Yes, 10 floors high!!

Eateries are mostly on the third level. On the 5th and 7th floor is the Berjaya Amusement Park which is the largest Indoor Theme Park in Malaysia. The whole place is a twin complex which comprises of corporate buildings too. Imbi Monorail Station is right in front of Berjaya Times Square. If you want to go by MRT, stop at Hang Tuah MRT Station. Walk 10 minutes for 800 metres.

The second day was almost up. We had to take a bus back to Singapore. There are dreaded facts that could happen when you use a travel coach from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore or vice versa. The pickup point was outside Berjaya Times Square which gave us a good reason to hang around here and to have a quick lunch.

Impiana KLCC Hotel Review

Elegant 4-Star Business Class Hotel with Spacious Room

Impiana KLCC Hotel is a 4-star business hotel in the location of Kuala Lumpur  City Centre (KLCC) which I have stayed for the last trip with a Belgian friend working in Singapore. If you go to Malaysia, stay in a hotel with at least a 4-star rating because that is one country in South East Asia which you can have a bit more luxury without burning a hole in your pocket.

The cost is relatively similar to good star rating hotels in Thailand. The less developed country like Vietnam has hotels that are more expensive than that of Malaysia and Thailand. I paid more to stay in a 3-star hotel in Ho Chih Minh than hotels in Malaysia and Thailand. Even my Belgian friend had the same opinion to stay in a better hotel and not some budget ones.

I have stayed in some cheap hotels like 2-star and 1-star in Kuala Lumpur and other cities in Malaysia. The bed had a deep indent in the middle. The room condition was filthy. The wall had an ugly green painted. The toilet had a lot of dark stains on the floor and looked disgusting. The room was so polluted that my friend and I had developed allergies on our eyes and nose while talking to each other in the room.

Lesson learnt. As I grow older and have more spending power, I want to pay more to stay in a better hotel which fits into my budget. That is not to say that all cheap accommodation would end up in a negative light. I had equally pleasant encounters staying in hostels and guesthouses in Malaysia.

Taking Taxi to Hotel Impiana from Berjaya Times Square

We travelled to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore by bus. We took a taxi from our arrival point in Berjaya Times Square to Impiana KLCC Hotel. The cabs there did not want to operate on a fare meter and quoted us an inflated rate of RM20. I knew that was the culture for getting a taxi there in Kuala Lumpur city.

We went with it anyway since it was only €3 after an exchange rate conversion. How would we be able to get a 15 minutes taxi ride for that dirt cheap amount in Belgium? Impossible. When we took another cab back to the same place from Hotel Impiana by metered fare, it was only RM7.90.

Impiana KLCC Hotel Review

We were delighted with the size of the room and the toilet. The room was larger than many other hotel rooms in KL. It was also clean and well-maintained. The smallest room of Hotel Impiana KLCC is Superior at 30 sqm which only seem to have the queen-sized bed and no twin beds. Therefore, the hotel staff gave us a Deluxe room which had twin beds. The Deluxe Twin room was spacious at 36 sqm for €65 inclusive of breakfast!

On top of that, it had everything of what a 4-star hotel ought to have. Items like hair dryer, safe, slippers and bathrobes were provided. We were on the 6th floor of Impiana KLCC Hotel and had a beautiful rooftop swimming pool view. When my friends and I had some spare times, we would watch the people having fun at the swimming pool as it was so near to our room. The night view standing outside the Impiana KLCC Hotel was astonishing. One could see the luminous Petronas Twin Towers.

We passed by a counter selling chocolates and cakes in Impiana Hotel. Although the hotel room did not cost that much, the desserts were relatively expensive. €0.60 for a piece of praline, €3 for a tart or a slice of cake and €18.75 for the whole cake. If nobody wanted to buy those because they were expensive, I wondered how long can they keep the food and if they were also fresh.

Breakfast at Tonka Bean Cafe & Deli Buffet Review at Impiana KLCC Hotel

Our breakfast in Impiana KLCC Hotel was at Tonka Bean Café & Deli located on the ground floor. The buffet breakfast began from 6.30 am to 10.30 am. The buffet had a wide spread of Malaysian and international cuisine. My recommendation is the omelette and the Chinese congee which had one of the most delicious radishes (菜脯) that I had ever eaten.

Very tasty indeed! Instead of having the typical black coffee placed on the table, you can ask for cappuccino, latte, espresso or more from the bar counter. In Europe, salad is always the first thing I will eat. In Asia, sorry, you are no longer my first choice because my stomach has no room for you. Overall, it was a satisfying breakfast experience because all the food that I tried was delicious and very impressive!

Tonka Bean Café & Deli also has buffet lunch and dinner with local and western delights. The buffet lunch is Monday to Friday from 12 pm to 2.30 pm. The nett cost is RM88 per adult and RM44 per child. The buffet dinner is on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm with sumptuous cuisines. Both buffets also serve limitless scoops of Baskin Robbins ice cream. The nett costs are €22.50 (RM108) for adults and €11.25 (RM54) for children. Senior Citizens get a 50% discount at Impiana KLCC Hotel.

Hotel Impiana Nearest Metro and Places of Interest

Hotel Impiana has an ideal location for walking to the famous Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC under 10 minutes. The nearest MRT station is KLCC or Bukit Bintang (SBK) which is 15 minutes walk away. Visit Petronas Twin Towers and go shopping for branded goods in Suria KLCC mall. Explore Bukit Bintang area on weekend evening to experience the vibrant nightlife full of street music performances! For more things to do in Kuala Lumpur, I will show you the places of interest in the same area by taking the subway train.

Three Types of Transport from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre

The cheapest way from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre is by bus which will take 1 hour to reach KL Sentral and 1.5 hours to reach Puduraya, near to the Chinatown area. KL Sentral is the heart of the MRT Station in Kuala Lumpur where all the train lines connect. MRT stands for ‘Mass Rapid Transit’ and also known as subway or metro to others.

Alternatively, the Express Train is another preferred option for many people to overcome the traffic jam and to arrive at a shorter time to KL city centre. That is even more practical to reach KL Airport on time to catch a flight. However, a one-way ticket express train ticket is more costly (RM55 / €11.50 / US$13.20) than a bus ticket (RM12 / €2.50 / US$3). Taking a cab is the most expensive of all.

Kuala Lumpur Airport Terminals

There are two airport terminals in Kuala Lumpur International Airport – KLIA and klia2. Terminal M is the main terminal at KLIA (aka KLIA1). It serves most of the international airlines. klia2 terminal (fka LCCT) started its operation in 2014 to service low-cost airlines such as AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, Cebu Pacific Air. Thus, it will be easy to know which terminal you land without looking at your booking slip.

Airport Shuttle Bus Service

Free airport shuttle bus service is available for passengers with inter-connecting flights between KLIA and klia2. If you do not have a connecting flight, skip this part and read further on the other three methods. Registration for the free shuttle bus booking is required. The distance between KLIA and klia2 is 1.8km which is a 3-minute ride by KLIA Express Train and 10 minutes by airport shuttle bus.

Waiting Area

• KLIA: Door 4, Level 1
• klia2: Bay A10, Level 1, Transportation Hub, Gateway@klia2

3 Ways to Go from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre

1. By KL Airport Train to KL Sentral

Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) operates both the KLIA Ekspres and the KLIA Transit train services. Travellers can take these trains from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre, getting off at KL Sentral. The trains are said to the fastest in Southeast Asia and equipped with 4G WiFi.

① KLIA Express Train

You can purchase the KLIA Ekspres ticket at the KLIA Ekspres Ticket Counter, self-service kiosks at KLIA, KLIA2 and KL Sentral Station, online or via the KLIA Ekspres mobile app which you can download from their website. (The phone app does not include tickets from the KLIA Transit.)

Journey Time

The KLIA Ekspres train service is a non-stop airport transfer that took 28 minutes to reach KL Sentral from KLIA terminal and 33 minutes from klia2 to KL Sentral.

KLIA Express Fare

I have converted the Malaysian Ringgits to Euro and US Dollars to make it more convenient for international travellers to know the conversion rate at one glance without reaching for their calculator.

*The exchange rate is correct at the time of writing.

Ticket Validity

The validity of a single trip ticket and round-trip tickets are 1 month. They have to be used within 30 days from your selected travel date.

KLIA Express Time – First and Last Train

For a more precise train timing from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City and vice versa, you can refer to the KLIA Express Schedule (PDF).

② KLIA Transit Train

The KLIA Transit has the same ticket price as the KLIA Ekspres from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre. Check the rates above.

Journey Time

The total distance from klia2 to KL Sentral is 59 km which takes 39 minutes of travelling time. There are 3 more stops in between klia2/KLIA to KL Sentral that lengthen the overall journey. Hence, it is advisable to get tickets only from KLIA Ekspres to speed up the travelling time.

klia2 ⇔ KLIA⇔ Salak Tinggi ⇔ Putrajaya Cyberjaya ⇔ Bandar Tasik Selatan ⇔ KL Sentral

2. By KL Bus from KLIA/klia2 to KL Sentral or Puduraya

If you decide to take a bus from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City and want to cope with a presumable traffic jam, the good news is that you get to see more of KL centre which you will miss if you choose to take a train.

There are bus ticket counters in KLIA and klia2 terminals to go to Kuala Lumpur and other cities in Malaysia. It is important to note the departure airport terminal of the bus ticketing company that you want to buy as not all will operate at both locations to the same destination.

Bus ticket counters can be found at Level 1 bus bay of both terminals. At klia2, the location is at Transportation Hub of gateway@klia2 mall. Three bus companies go from Kuala Lumpur Airport to KL Sentral and the last one to Puduraya at Chinatown vicinity.

① Aerobus

Aerobus departs only from the klia2 terminal from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre. The one-way ticket from klia2 to KL Sentral is RM12.00 for adult and RM5.00 for children below 12 years old. However, the single trip ticket for children is RM6.00 from KL Sentral to klia2.

According to the table below reflecting Aerobus Schedules on their website, their buses run for 24 hours. When I make random checks on their booking site from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City, certain hours were not in operation between 03:00 – 07:59. You can see the actual bus timing when performing a search.

② Airport Coach

Airport Coach leaves from the KLIA terminal. Their ticket price has a standard rate for both adults and children travelling in any directions. The travel time from Kuala Airport to City Centre is approximately 1 hour. It runs at a 30-minute interval from:

• KLIA to KL Sentral Schedule
• KL Sentral to KLIA Schedule

You can also buy the bus tickets from their counter at KLIA, Level G, Block C STCP (Annexed to Main Terminal Building – MTB) at the bus station area. From KL Sentral Bus Station, you can purchase tickets at the Ground Floor, Airport Coach Counter A (between Aerobus Counter and Police booth).

③ SkyBus

SkyBus operates daily from the klia2 terminal. Buses run at 15-minute intervals during peak hours and depart every 30 minutes at the off-peak timing at KL Sentral. The advantage is that you can ride on any bus on your selected date by looking at SkyBus Schedule. Free seating. Children below the age of 3 can travel for free.

From the international arrival hall of klia2, walk straight for about 3 minutes until you see an escalator. Once down on your left, you will see the SkyBus terminal. You can also purchase the Skybus tickets inside both International and Domestic Arrival Halls. Additionally, there is also a Skybus counter just in front of the Bus Terminal on Level 1.

④ Star Shuttle Express

Star Shuttle Express departs from both KLIA and klia2. Their online booking bus tickets range from RM10, RM12 to RM18 for adults and children after a random check to several destinations. You may not be able to see the departure schedule online if the selected date is too far away. You can check the location of Star Shuttle ticketing counters at both terminals.

One of the destinations in Kuala Lumpur departing from both airport terminals is Puduraya Bus Terminal (Pudu Sentral) which is 400 metres away and a 6-minute walk from Chinatown in Petaling Street Market. You skip the hassle of taking additional transport from KL Sentral if you are staying around the Chinatown area. Other drop-off points are KL Sentral, Classic Inn Hotel at Bukit Bintang and an unnamed hotel in KLCC.

3. By KL Airport Taxi

Taking a taxi from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre is the most expensive option of all but is still considered cheap if you are coming from Europe and America as the cab fares there are even more costly. Quite a practical choice to take you directly to the hotel especially when there are small children around or when your flight lands late at night.

Here in KL Airport, the ride to downtown would take at least 45 minutes and approximately RM75 (€15.60 / US$18) for a small Budget Taxi and over RM100 (€20.80 / US$24) for an executive model. If you have a minimum of 2 people sharing a cab, the taxi fare might even be lower as compared to the total cost of all individuals taking a train (RM55/pax ≈ €11.50 / US$13.20).

When you return to Kuala Lumpur Airport from the city centre, do not expect to get the same metered rate as most taxi drivers will quote you an inflated price instead of running the fare on a meter. Count yourself lucky if you get one who is willing to turn on the meter.

Some unscrupulous taxi drivers may also detour from the original route to make the distance longer when going by the meter. They can earn more cab fares from innocent tourists knowing that they are unfamiliar with the roads.

Either encounter that you chance upon should not deter your sparkling holiday mood as such shady culture has been going on for decades in KL that it becomes a norm. Furthermore, it is also a matter of luck if you would meet unethical taxi drivers like them.

① KLIA

There are 4 types of taxis or limos to choose from – Budget Taxi, Premier Limo, Super Luxury and Family Service according to the car model for accommodating passenger capacity from 3 to 8. The taxi can be found in:

» Metered Taxi

• Available at level 1 and 3 of the Main Terminal Building (MTB).

» Budget Taxi Fares

» Executive Taxi Fares

② klia2

There are 3 types of taxi available in Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre for 24 hours similar to the those discussed above. Coupon Taxi, Metered Taxi and Premier Taxi at the Transportation Hub located at Level 1 of the Gateway@klia2 building.

» Coupon Taxi

Get a coupon from the counter after informing them of your destination. After making the payment, go to Door 4 to queue and wait for a red Budget Taxi. Pass the coupon to the taxi driver to proceed with the journey to your destination.

» Metered Taxi

Go to the metered taxi counter and get a coupon for RM2.00. Queue up for the Metered Taxi at Door 4. The taxi meter will start running after you hand it to the driver. You will pay the fare displayed at the meter plus other additional costs like toll charges if any.

» Premier Taxi

The colour of the Premier Taxi is blue. They are more pricey and spacious than the Budget Taxis. Beware that you have to pay double the price for a more comfortable ride than the smaller ones. They are readily available at all time.

Finally…

After giving you three choices above, you have to decide ‘time versus cost’, which is the most appropriate mode of transport for you from Kuala Airport to City Centre. Next, follow me to take a look at our 4-star hotel room at Impiana KLCC Hotel and how my Belgian friend working in Singapore and I spent 2 days in Kuala Lumpur.

How to Go to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore with Low-Cost Airlines?

Cheap Flights to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore is not a dream as Malaysia is the neighbour of Singapore. Being a Singaporean, I can suggest two methods which you can travel to various cities in Malaysia easily especially if you would like to spend some days there such as a weekend trip to Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Tioman etc.

The first method to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore is by low-cost airlines with AirAsia, Scoot Air and Jetstar Asia. I will reveal in this article about their hidden costs and what to look out for when you book with these low-cost airlines. Subsequently, you can also read 3 ways to go to Kuala Lumpur city centre from KL Airport.

The second method is to go by bus from Singapore to Malaysia in a separate article. However, there are some drawbacks by bus when choosing the less expensive option.

Going to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore is generally inexpensive thanks to the depreciating Malaysian Ringgits (RM) over the last few years. With a good exchange rate, you can spend your weekend in Kuala Lumpur at a 4 or 5-star hotel in Malaysia for less than €100. You spend lesser to indulge more pleasure in most cities of Malaysia.

Cheap Flights to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore with AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar

If you are looking for cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore for low-cost airlines instead of international carriers, purchase your air ticket to KL from the three prominent budget airlines from Singapore. Compare the prices and the departure times between them that are most suitable for you. The travel duration from Singapore Kuala Lumpur Airport is 1 hour.

The prices would not differ much between the three low-cost airlines as they are always actively running a promotion. For me, there is no loyalty or preference to these airlines for an hour short trip. Whoever offers the lowest price with my preferred timing would get the deal. The return air ticket to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore starts approximately €70 onwards.

① AirAsia Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

AirAsia is a low-cost Malaysian airline based in Kuala Lumpur. It has won numerous accolades for being the world’s best low-cost carrier for 9 years in a row for international travel and airline awards, including the latest in 2017. The AirAsia Group operates flights to more than 165 destinations spanning 25 countries. They are the largest airline in Malaysia by fleet size and travel destinations. The operation focuses on the domestic regions of Malaysia.

② Scoot Singapore to KL

Scoot Air, formerly known as Tigerair is a low-cost airline owned by Singapore Airlines through its subsidiary Budget Aviation Holdings. Headquartered in Singapore Changi Airport, Scoot operates 24 Airbus 320s and 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Scoot is also Asia/Pacific’s Best Low-Cost Airline for 2015. The flight operation starts in June 2012 on medium and long-haul routes from Singapore, predominantly to China and India.

③ Jetstar Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

Jetstar Asia is an Australian low-cost airline whose head office is in Melbourne. Each week, Jetstar schedules more than 5,000 flights to over 85 places across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas to cater for the low-cost market. Even though the highlight of Jetstar air routes prevails in the Australian cities, they have many unbeatable airfares from Singapore to KL which I had booked the most in the past.

9 Tips for Booking Cheap Flights to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore for Low-Cost Airlines

Low-cost airline companies such as AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar earn more revenue when you purchase their additional add-on items. There are so many pushy advertisements on every page that you have to screen them carefully to uncheck the unnecessary before hitting the payment page. Here are 9 tips for you to understand and avoid the hidden cost in them for your ultimate frenzy cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore.

#1 Airfare will increase sharply nearer to your planned date

Book your cheap flight to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore at least 3 weeks in advance. The air ticket prices increase gradually on the second last week of your desired date. It is different from international air routes from Europe to Asia because the low promotional airfare can maintain even if you book a few days in advance before the departure date.

#2 Cheaper to book directly from the budget airlines

I had done the research several times when I used these airlines to travel to KL or other parts of Asia in the past. Each time, it was cheaper to book the flights from the low-cost airline directly than from the travel comparison websites. For international flights from Asia to Europe or vice versa, it was cheaper to get the air ticket from a travel comparison website.

#3 Avoid Public Holidays and School Holidays like a plague

The airfares are going to increase two to threefold higher if your range of travel dates coincide with the Singapore Public Holiday 2018 or Malaysia Public Holidays and School Holidays 2018 as most people like to go for holidays on these dates. Pick a low peak season, fly at odd hours like 6 am or on a weekday will give you some price advantage.

#4 Pay attention to sneaky, inconspicuous checkbox

Some items are pre-ticked for you online which will add to your overall airfare cost if you are not paying enough attention. Travel insurance, checked-in baggage, seat allocation and even membership sign-up are a guilty bunch. You have to uncheck items you do not want before paying so as not to pay for them unwittingly.

#5 Free meals are not provided

This point is understood by most people. Avoid buying your food and drinks onboard the low-cost flight because it is expensive. The destination from Singapore to other cities in Malaysia are at most 3 hours of flight time. The duration from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur takes precisely 1 hour. Prepare your own food and drinks to take with you for a short flight.

#6 Selection of seats is not free

Random seats will be allocated to you. When you book for two or more people, all may sit apart. To avoid this, you can purchase ‘preferred seats’ at the start of booking. The legroom and seat space are smaller compared to standard airlines. They are probably built for petite and shorter people. If you have long legs and need more space, you can buy seats with extra legroom at a low cost.

#7 High credit card processing fees

Unfortunately, you do not get to see the amount of the credit card processing fees upfront until you proceed to the payment checkout where it will be reflected. The cost is SGD 10/flight/person. For example, if you have 2 people travelling to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore on a return trip, it will cost SGD20 (€12.50 / US$14.50) per person, SGD40 (€25 / US$29) in total.

#8 Check-in online where possible

AirAsia charges each passenger RM10 for counter check-in for domestic flights (only within Malaysia). Similar to RyanAir who imposes an exorbitant fee of €50 on all their flights. However, you can get your boarding pass printed at the airport or via email after checking in online. I have yet to know at this point in time that Scoot and Jetstar practise the same thing.

#9 Travel light to cut down the cost

That goes to say no baggage check-in which can save you some money. For short trips, pack all your clothes in a hand-carry haversack or use the laundry facility in a hotel if you are staying longer. If you have travel luggage to check-in, book it online in advance to avoid a higher cost if you purchase an upgrade later at the counter.

Baggage Fees: AirAsia, Scoot & Jetstar

The baggage fee of AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar in Singapore Dollars (SGD) on a table for comparison. I have also converted the currency rate from SGD to EURO and USD for international travellers to refer easily.

• 1 EURO = SGD 1.60
• 1 USD = SGD 1.38

*The baggage fees and conversion rates are correct at the time of writing.

① AirAsia Luggage Price

② Scoot Airlines Baggage Cost

③ Jetstar Baggage Price

Conclusion

I have to confess that among all my trips to Kuala Lumpur and other Asian cities, Jetstar was the airline that I booked most of the time as it offered the lowest airfare to my destination after a comparison. Still the same old trick – No loyalty to any of the three airlines. Whoever gives the cheapest airfare with my preferred timing gets the deal.

The Notorious Facts about Taking Travel Coach Buses in Malaysia Which May Irk You

So you want to take a bus going to Malaysia from Singapore? Other than cheaper to travel to Malaysia by bus compared to an economical flight to Kuala Lumpur Airport, here are some ugly truths about Malaysia bus which you may experience.

I have already experienced some points below with Star Qistna Express Singapore and StarMart Express taken from Berjaya Times Square during my recent weekend trip in Kuala Lumpur. The incidents do not happen with just these two bus companies who happen to be parent and subsidiary company. Problems can arise with any bus company that you book.

Coach Bus Going to Malaysia from Singapore on Return Trip

1. Smoking inside the Bus

Smoking inside the bus could be the number 1 turn-off for many people. Most of the Malaysian bus drivers in the travel coaches to Malaysia smoke! Yucks! They usually do not have the guts to smoke when they are still driving in Singapore due to the strict law. The moment they cross the Malaysian Customs, the drivers whip out a cigarette immediately. You can smell a whizz of the disgusting cigarette smoke even if you are sitting behind the bus. I didn’t mention Singapore drivers because all the tour buses going to Malaysia from Singapore are Malaysia licensed.

2. Incessant Talking on their Mobile

Most Malaysian bus drivers are chatterboxes. I had three drivers for my return trip on Singapore to Kuala Lumpur bus recently. All three of them talked non-stop on their mobile for hours, at least 50% of the journey. Some will use the handsfree device when chit-chatting whereas some will hold on to their phone with only one hand. I had taken a *video of one driver who had a hand holding on to his phone while the other hand was covering his mouth to talk in a way that his receivers can hear him more clearly. He used his elbow to support the steering wheel. He chatted for a few hours in this manner. Gosh! Dangerous driving!! (*Google Maps video can only be played on a desktop at the time being.)

3. Incredible Long Traffic Jam at the Customs

Almost everyone who travels on a bus going to Malaysia from Singapore will experience a long traffic jam. Particularly on Sunday evenings from 5 – 8 pm when returning to Singapore. The Singaporeans travellers and Malaysians working in Singapore will choose to return on Sunday so they can go to work the next day. The traffic jams worsen on Public Holidays. One can be stuck in a traffic jam for hours for that few kilometres of road nearing Malaysia Customs, stretching all the way to Singapore Customs. The queue is notoriously long at both customs.

4. Road Traffic Accident along North-South Expressway

The North-South Expressway (NSE) is the longest expressway in Malaysia with a total length of 772 km from Kedah at the Malaysia-Thailand border to Johor Bahru nearing the Malaysia-Singapore border. The bus going to Malaysia from Singapore will take this road. Road traffic accidents are common but not that frequent along this expressway if you want to meet a major one.

A minor vehicle breakdown on the road shoulder can already cause a long traffic jam to occur in the middle of nowhere. That does not include the jam at both the customs. I had witnessed years ago that an accident occurred on the opposite side of the road which caused the vehicles to stop moving. The traffic jam was as long as an hour of driving from my end. It was indeed a horrible jam and unimaginable on the amount of time taken to reach their destination!

5. Various Pickup Points & Changing Bus

One survival strategy for the travel bus companies is to offer a few pickup points in Singapore and Malaysia. When one buys cheap bus tickets to Malaysia, two things are likely to happen together. Firstly, there will be a few pickups or drop off points in Singapore or Malaysia which might delay your estimated time of arrival.

Secondly, you may have to change buses somewhere in Malaysia so the bus companies can combine their resources and operate more efficiently. The bus change can also take place more than once. When you change buses, it becomes free seating when there are already other passengers inside. You may not be able to find double seats to sit together with your friends and family anymore.

Sometimes, passengers quarrel over the seating arrangement themselves or with the driver because such seating arrangement is not what they expect or are being informed in the first place. Oh yes, it happened to me once when someone was not happy that I had taken their seat numbers in a transferred bus. I had no choice. Other passengers had robbed away my seats as well.

6. Dangerous Driving

One practical way of making good use of your precious time in Asia is to select a late evening coach departing from Singapore to Malaysia. You can then sleep inside the coach. By the time you arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Genting or other cities in Malaysia, it is already 4 to 6 am in the morning. Not to worry. All the coach seats are generally spacious and comfortable with reclining seats and generous legroom.

The problem is you would not be watching the road when you are resting. A few drivers are caught dozing off while driving. Genting Highlands Casino in Pahang is a hill resort with curvy roads. Some drivers ramp at high speed on these spiral routes. As the altitude increases, the visibility reduces due to the foggy road condition. Fast driving is a concern due to numerous reported accidents in Genting.

7. Strong Aircon

Singapore and Malaysia have a similar hot climate. Thus, the aircon is mostly blasted to its maximum with strong cold hair blowing uncomfortably on the head, sometimes causing a headache. Seasoned travellers taking a bus trip from Singapore to Malaysia will know about this coldness problem. Even when the aircon ventilator tap has been shut off completely, one can still feel the chill and hear the noise from the top. During rainy days, the aircon is not reduced. The driver will determine the temperature inside the coach. Therefore, bring along a jacket or even a cap to keep yourself warm and comfortable for that few hours journey.

8. Loud Noise from Movies and Music

Some travel buses provide English movies on a TV for entertainment. However, the kind of movie played may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The TV is at the front of the vehicle. Naturally, the volume is blasted so that those sitting at the back of the bus can hear. Many people would fall asleep on the bus when they travel back from Malaysia to Singapore after their holiday trip.

The noise from the TV would then be irritating instead of entertaining. When there is no TV or movie played, some drivers will blast the music on their radio loudly. How inconsiderate! The driver of my last KL trip was playing loud songs in a foreign language when what I really wanted was some peace and silence on my way back to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur.

9. Late Bus Arrival

Travel buses in Singapore and Malaysia have been known to arrive late at their pickup points. Sometimes as late as an hour or more. Nothing can be done even if you complain to the counter staffs because they are not the one driving the vehicles. All they could reply is that the drivers are on their way or there is a traffic jam on the road. Sometimes, the bus picks up passengers from another location and delays the rest of the pickup points. It depends on luck. Not all tour coaches will come late. Exercise some patience when taking a bus going to Malaysia from Singapore.

10. Urgent Need to Use Toilet

Point 1 to 9 above is beyond our control. Deal with the unexpected as it comes. What many of us including myself are most concerned about having an embarrassing stomachache and the need to answer the call of nature at the wrong time. The worst thing is we are praying in our heart that the drivers would stop for a toilet break soon.

We feel embarrassed to approach the driver out of the blue requesting for a pause with many pairs of eyes watching us. We are just ‘so Asian’, perpetually feeling self-conscious on our behaviour. You need to know that there is no toilet inside the bus going to Malaysia from Singapore. If you want the driver to stop for a toilet break, tell him. Avoid eating and drinking too much on the bus journey.

Conclusion

There is no perfect or best bus company around in my opinion. It will be hard to control the drivers if there is a shortage in the market. It is likely that you might meet some of the incidents above. The more you know, the better you can manage your expectation. Which ugly truth above irks you the most?

Tips on Bus Booking for Travelling from Singapore to Malaysia and Crossing Customs

How to go from Singapore to Malaysia by bus?

Travelling with Singapore to Malaysia by bus is what most locals like Singaporeans and Malaysians would do as it is cheaper than taking a flight. Or rather, we are more familiar with using a tour coach from Singapore to Malaysia cities despite long travelling hours and perceived horror stories by taking a bus from these two countries.

Decades ago, it was very inconvenient to go from Kuala Lumpur Airport to City Centre as the transport network of train and buses was inadequate. The only mean was taking a taxi which we were often ripped off by the inflated price. Now the transport infrastructure is fully developed and easy to travel from point to point.

Recently, I went for a weekend trip to Kuala Lumpur (KL) from Singapore with one Belgian friend working in Singapore and stayed in a very chic Impiana KLCC Hotel. I suggested that we took a travel bus to KL though we could also take cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore as an alternative.

It would then be a memorable experience for her to take a bus from Singapore to KL with someone experienced like me on a road trip to Malaysia. Both countries are neighbours connected by two bridges in two different customs. Hence, the easy accessibility has brought me to Kuala Lumpur countless times.

Eventually, I bought our tickets online which cost us SGD36 per person (€22.50 / $26.10) for round-trip tickets. Other than the advantage of being the least expensive, travelling by Singapore to Malaysia bus has several drawbacks that you should know.

Buying Singapore to Malaysia Bus Ticket to Other Cities in Malaysia

Online Bus Booking from Singapore to KL

Online bus booking has made travelling from Singapore to any parts of Malaysia very easy. The website that I always use is Easybook.com. If I run out of idea where to go in Malaysia, I would just browse for destinations to see where their buses go.

Founded in 2006, Easybook.com was established as a one-stop platform that sells bus tickets in Singapore and Malaysia. They are the largest online booking platform in Southeast Asia with more than 5 million tickets sold online.

Easybook.com has several departing points in Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Thus, you find a location most convenient for you. If you are a tourist in Singapore, choose Golden Mile Complex. The place has a long-standing reputation for travel coach to go to Malaysia.

Different bus companies put up their offer on Easybook.com. Some buses have WiFi, English movie on TV to keep you entertained. Some even provide meals with higher bus fare. The features are represented by the icons on the website.

I think the above features are not significant when it comes to buying Singapore to Malaysia bus tickets. Roomy seat space that can recline for a good rest during a long journey is more vital. Fortunately, most travel coaches travelling to Malaysia are spacious and even have double-deckers.

» Cheap Bus Travel Insurance

The online bus booking from Easybook.com also pre-ticked cheap travel insurance protection at SGD 1.20 per trip. You can uncheck if you do not want it. I would advise you to buy the insurances considering they are so cheap and affordable.

Furthermore, you do not know what will happen on the way with a Singapore to Malaysia bus as many travel coach drivers are reckless. Additionally, I have also heard a lot of nasty accidents about it. Here is what the insurance company covers: –

• 1 EURO = SGD 1.60
• 1 USD = SGD 1.38

Buying Singapore to Malaysia Bus Tickets at the Counters

There are several bus ticketing agencies in Singapore where you can buy bus tickets to Kuala Lumpur and to other cities in Malaysia. The most well-known location is again at Golden Mile Complex as mentioned above. You can walk around the perimeter of the building and select from a few bus ticketing companies there.

The bus ticketing agencies in Singapore and Malaysia do entertain last minute booking if there are still available seats. However, do not try this during peak seasons like the Public Holidays in Singapore and in Malaysia. The buses are usually fully booked during these periods.

Is it cheaper to book Singapore to Malaysia bus online? Likely yes, but it also depends on special service on the bus. Premium services like meal onboard or WiFi will be more expensive. Most travel coaches provide standard services with no food and no internet.

Some bus ticketing agencies charge the same rate at the counter like what they advertise on Easybook.com whereas some do not sell their tickets online. Booking online brings more convenience by saving time. If the website gives discounts during promotions, then you will get a lower bus ticket price from Singapore to Malaysia.

What to Expect of Your Bus Trip from Singapore to Malaysia?

At the Departure Point

Arrive at the pick-up point 30 minutes before the departure time. Bring along your passport and the printed booking confirmation. Many bus companies accept bus booking confirmation shown from your mobile. The office of my last trip to KL was not open at 8.45 am. Having a printed slip to show the bus driver may make things easier.

At the Singapore Customs

The bus from Singapore will stop at the Singapore Customs which is either at Tuas Checkpoint or Woodlands Checkpoint. You can leave your bags inside the vehicle while you carry your passport with you for checking. Take your valuables with you.

At the Malaysia Customs

When the bus crosses the bridge and reaches Johor Bahru Customs in Malaysia, you have to bring down ALL your belongings to go through scanning in the X-Ray machine. Your passport will be stamped. Make sure the stamp is there. There were past incidents where the customs officers did not stamp on the passports. It caused big problems to the travellers when they entered into Singapore later.

At Yong Peng Coffee Shop

The travel coach will typically stop at a coffee shop for a 30-minute break in a Malaysian city, Yong Peng. That would be 2 to 3 hours later from Singapore. You can take your meal here or use the washroom. There are usually bus announcements in Malay, Mandarin and English with the bus number called at the coffee shop. Hence, always remember your vehicle number when before getting down the bus.

On the Way to Your Destination

I would advise you not to drink so much water. Some insensitive drivers will not stop for toilet breaks if no one tells them. They are always rushing to complete the journey as quickly as they can. Inform the driver if you need to use the toilet on the way so he can stop somewhere. Most of the times, the driver will give appropriate toilet breaks, but you can’t always count on that.

At Kuala Lumpur or Other Cities in Malaysia

After the short pause at Yong Peng, the bus will usually proceed all the way to the destination. However, there are times that the bus will stop at 1 or 2 stops for people to alight in Malaysia.

What to Expect of Your Bus Trip back from Malaysia to Singapore?

All the above procedures exist in a reversed manner. This time, at the Singapore Customs, you are expected to remove ALL your luggage and shopping bags for scanning. I would like to caution you about bringing duty-unpaid cigarettes from Malaysia to Singapore if you are not aware of Singapore laws.

Prohibition to Bring Duty-Unpaid Cigarettes into Singapore without Declaring

The cost of cigarettes in Malaysia are cheap, much cheaper than Singapore. Thus, it is common for people to buy more than usual in Malaysia. According to the Singapore Customs, one is prohibited from bringing in any duty-unpaid cigarettes from Malaysia into Singapore without any declaration.

Either you declare the pack of cigarettes and pax taxes at the Singapore Customs even when it is less than half a pack, dump the cigarettes away or risk being caught in possession and pay a fine of SGD 200 per packet. Checks are conducted randomly at the Singapore Customs.

What most tourists do not realise is that Singapore Duty-Paid Cigarettes are all marked with ‘SDPC‘. In the past, people swapped the cigarettes purchased from Malaysia and put them in a Singapore cigarette pack when SDPC marking was not implemented yet.

People can avoid detection this way as there is no way to differentiate the cigarettes from Malaysia other than the packing. Later, the government became smarter and came up with the idea of marking the cigarettes. Now, the Singapore Customs officers will check the content and watch out for the ‘SDPC’ mark.

After Singapore Customs Clearance

After the passport and baggage clearance at the Singapore Customs, take the escalator down to the bus bay on the ground floor. Look out for your coach number as there will be several buses there. During peak hours, weekend and Public Holidays, security checks on the tour coach generally take some time so be patient. The drop-off point for most buses in Singapore is at the Golden Mile Complex.

How Many Hours to Reach from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by Bus?

The distance from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on Google Maps is approximately 350 km and 4 hours of driving. The bus booking website reflects 5 hours of travelling time. That is only true if you are driving a car at reasonable high-speed non-stop and change lanes on Malaysia road from time to time to a faster-moving lane. Additionally, there must be no traffic jam on the way too.

Well, if you take a Singapore to Malaysia bus, I’m afraid you have to add 2 to 3 hours to the estimated travelling time above. The last Kuala Lumpur trip took me 8 hours with some additional pickup point, traffic jams etc. I’ll reveal 10 ugly facts about taking a tour bus from Singapore to Malaysia.

What to Do in Helsinki City?

There are so many Helsinki attractions and many things to do in Helsinki which make it one of the most desirable capitals to visit in the 5 Nordic sovereign countries. What I like about Helsinki is that it is a compact city in Northern Europe. Many points of interest are close to one another. You can see many Helsinki attractions just by foot going for a budget travelling like me.

Why Visit Helsinki Finland?

The Finnish city, Helsinki is one of the recipients for receiving the accolade of being a ‘City of Design’ for its sustainable urban design among the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Helsinki takes pride to create its environment and infrastructure network to improve the standard of living.

With a strong influence from the Finnish, Swedish and Russian architectural designs in Helsinki which are evident in the historical monument preservation, one would appreciate how the unique blend of the three countries plays a part in shaping the Helsinki tourism with renowned architectural designers.

What’s more, I have provided 25 Helsinki attractions and sightseeing locations which I have visited most of them for my last two trips in Helsinki. If you have many hours of layover in Finland airport, do not waste your time hanging and sleeping at Helsinki Airport.

» See also: 4 ways that you can get from Helsinki Airport to the city centre in 30 minutes

3 Quick Facts about Finland at the Top of the World

#1 Finnish beats hand down at the top of the scale for drinking the most coffee in the world with light roast coffee as being their favourite. So far, it is the only country with a volume that exceeds over 10 kg of coffee per capita in comparison with the next-in-rank country. That is more than 2 cups of coffee per day.

#2 An extraordinary exemplary in having an education system with ‘no test’ until the age of 16. Despite that, Finland is ranked as the best education system in the world in numerous statistical reports. The Finnish students are less stressful but yet, achieve a positive outcome thanks to the brilliant teaching system.

#3 Are you expecting to see this as one of the known facts? 3.3 million saunas for 5.5 million population (2017)! Finland has the most number of saunas in the world. Many Finns have a sauna in their home on top of the plentiful public saunas in Finland. Finns enjoy an average once a week retreat in the sauna for their well-being.

25 Best Things to do in Helsinki City Centre

① Sea Life Helsinki

Sea Life Helsinki brings you closer to the marine creatures and exhibits them in an underwater tunnel where sharks and rays swim around you. Catch the largest zebra sea shark named Mussukka in action there. Visit an exhibition or catch the feeding time of these sea creatures.

It opens daily from 10 am to 5 pm and extended time during some day and closed on Christmas Eve and Day. Sea Life Helsinki tickets cost €16.50 for adults and those over 15 years, €13 for 3 to 14 years old. You pay less when you purchase the ticket online €15 and €12 respectively.

② Linnanmäki Amusement Park

Just 3 minutes walk from Sea Life Helsinki, visit the Linnanmäki Amusement Park. It is not just another typical entertainment park that you know. It was built in 1950 with a purpose to support Finnish Child Welfare Work in a non-profit organisation. The Children’s Day Foundation maintaining and developing it has donated €4.3 million in 2016 to help children and family living in a less privileged environment.

The entry to Linnanmäki Amusement Park is free. It also offers 10 different types of rides for free regardless of age. Buy a wristband from €36 to €39 from online to amusement park purchase to access all the rides. The price is standard for any age. Go and enjoy the rides in Linnanmäki for a good cause and help others.

③ Helsinki Olympic Stadium

The original Olympic event in 1940 was supposedly in Tokyo, Japan but rescheduled in Helsinki, Finland due to the inability to wrap up the war. Helsinki Olympic Stadium was built in 1938 for the 1940 Summer Olympic when Japan forfeited during that year. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of World War II, the Olympic Games were cancelled. Finally, until 1952, Helsinki had the honour to hold the Summer Olympic for that year.

Today, Helsinki Olympic Stadium still holds many sporting events and music concerts. The stadium is the largest in Finland and the best place for visitors to enjoy a scenic landscape of Helsinki. The tower is 238.5 m in height and free for the public to view the city from the top. At the moment, the Helsinki Olympic Stadium and the Tower are closed until 2019 due to renovation.

④ Sibelius Monument @ Sibelius Park

In the Töölö district in Helsinki at the Sibelius Park stands more than 600 hollow steel pipes welded together that looked like a winged bird. Every steel bars of Sibelius Monument have motifs on it. The monument named “Passio Musicae” made its first appearance in 1967 to commemorate a famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius.

The hollow steel pipes representing the organ pipes did not resonate well with the public after Elia Hiltunen, a Finnish artist won the competition, following the composer’s death in 1952. It was thought that the monument was too abstract. The commissioning set in after some time when an agreement that a figurative representation of Jean Sibelius would be included. Sibelius Monument is one of the most touristic attractions that worth a visit!

⑤ The Rock Church Helsinki | Temppeliaukio Church

20 minutes away by foot from the Sibelius Park is the marvellous Temppeliaukio Church. Also known as the Rock Church, it ought to be on the priority list of Helsinki attractions. Never have I seen a rock church built in this manner – embedded right into the scabrous bedrock. On the outside is a dome-shaped cap built on rock. Entrance fee is €3.

The church hall has a dramatic theatrical and excellent acoustical effect as a lady was playing some instrument to entertain the visitors. The 24-metres dome ceiling plastered with copper tapes and skylight allows the church hall to receive sunlight penetration. The sheer beauty of Rock Church Helsinki grand architecture and an excellent sound effect is sought-after for church wedding and concerts.

⑥ National Museum of Finland | Kansallismuseo

Not far away from Rock Church in 10 minutes is the Helsinki National Museum of Finland. It is one of Finland’s most significant national-romantic works of architecture. The National Romantic style was part of the National Romantic movement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It signified an outstanding Nordic architectural design often considered to be a form of Art Nouveau.

The National Museum of Finland opened its door to the public in 1916. The renovation from 1997 to 2000 distinguished its latest architectural interior from the exterior built with granite façade and steatite decoration. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm and closes on Monday. Entry fee is €10 for adults and free for those under 18. Visitors may have to pay a separate fee for special exhibitions.

⑦ Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art | Nykytaiteen Museo Kiasma

Kiasma Museum is a wing of the Finnish National Gallery which educates the public on contemporary art.  Five levels of building introduce a new perspective on life and experiences through arts and events. Kiasma Museum was designed by Steven Holl, an American Architect and opened to the public in 1998. The building concept works based on the diffusion of light. There are stores and cafes inside the building too.

The ticket is €14 and free for people under 18. The admission is also free on the first Friday of the month. Visiting hours are from 10 pm onwards and extended to 8.30 pm from Wednesday to Friday. Close on Monday and a certain period of the year. Another noteworthy point of interest is the jigsaw-liked park landscape in front of Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art which is one of my favourite attractions.

⑧ Sanomatalo Building

3-minutes walk from Kiasma Museum is the Sanamatolo Building which is the largest News and Media company for Sanoma in Finland. Its newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat founded in 1889 is the largest newspaper publishing in Finland and the Nordic countries. It is not exactly a Helsinki point of interest for tourist’s attraction. But yet, I would recommend you to go inside and have a look.

I visited it two times just to witness the stupendous glass interior and its modern 20-metres lift design. Sanamatolo building has a dramatic glass building equipped with infrared emitters to eliminate the problem of a cold draft and has a positive effect on the indoor climate. There is a restaurant which people can chill while admiring the impressive architecture of the building.

⑨ HAM Helsinki Art Museum

If you are a lover of visual art, you will appreciate the HAM Helsinki Art Museum which showcases over 9,000 art collection in modern and contemporary arts. The focus is on the everyday life of the Helsinkians. There are displays of almost half the works in public areas such as parks, streets, offices, health centres, schools and libraries.

The remaining art collection is in Tennispalatsiin (Tennis Palace). The guided tours on Saturdays are open for all and inclusive in the museum admission fee of €10. Entry is free for those under 18 years. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm and closed on Monday.

⑩ Kamppi Shopping Centre

Merely a 5-minutes walk from HAM Helsinki Art Museum is the Kamppi Shopping Centre. It is an entertainment complex comprising of 6 floors for dining, shopping and nightclubs. The hidden gem in Kamppi Shopping Centre lies in the basement towards the metro station where there are a lot of shops.

The underground area is very lively and bustling with people. Besides the Kamppi Shopping Centre are private residences with cool, protruding glass windows with an ultra-modern touch which personally, I like such architectural design very much. If you have more time to explore out of the city centre in the residential area, you will see more stunning glass building of a similar style.

⑪ Kamppi Chapel of Silence

Just a stone’s throw beside Kamppi Shopping Centre stands a huge chunk of a wooden circular block that might occur to tourists just as a street decoration. I was fooled by it. On closer inspection was a door that leads to a chapel. Yes, this is the Kamppi Chapel and a Helsinki attraction, also known as the Chapel of Silence for people to calm down after a hectic day. Moreover, it is not considered a place of worship as no religious ceremonies would take place here.

As opposed to the intention, the “Chapel of Silence” is never silent with curious tourists coming in and out on a short interval. Since the space of the chapel hall is rather small, a tourist would only need a minute to screen through the place if not staying for a purpose. Simplicity is a beauty and befits the wooden Kamppi Chapel well for everything inside including the chairs are made of wood in a uniform colour. Entrance free for Kamppi Chapel.

⑫ Ateneum Art Museum

Ateneum Art Museum is perpendicular to the Helsinki Railway Station which one cannot miss. It is also under the umbrella of Finnish National Gallery featuring classical art painting predominantly by famous Finnish painters. It has an accumulation of the largest and oldest art collection in Finland backdated to the 18th century to the present day.

To date, it has more than 4,300 paintings and over 750 sculptures. Ateneum Art Museum was also the first museum in the world to own a Vincent van Gogh’s Street in Auvers-sur-Oise (1890) in 1903. Admission fee is €18 and free for those under 18. Visiting hours start at 10 am and close on every Monday.

⑬ Forum Shopping Centre Helsinki

Forum Shopping Centre Helsinki runs by a Finland-Swedish organisation from 1985 is the only private-owned shopping mall at the heart of the city centre not far away from the Helsinki Railway Station. It won awards ‘Finnish Best Shopping Centre 2016’ and ‘Nordic Shopping Centre of the Year 2017’ with over 140 shops, restaurants and cafés. Forum Helsinki opening hours start from 10 am daily and 12 pm on Sunday. You can shop till you drop dead until 9 pm during weekdays.

⑭ Stockmann Helsinki Department Store

Stockmann Group is a Finnish listed company in the retail trade and is one of Europe’s largest department stores marked as a city’s central landmark since 1930. Well-connected with Forum Shopping Centre, Stockmann Helsinki has 13 floors including several basement levels and sells mainly high-end products.

The opening hours commence earlier than Forum Mall from Monday to Saturday at 9 am and on Sunday at 11 am. It closes at the same time as the Forum Shopping Centre. If you like shopping, it is one of the enjoyable things to do in Helsinki city.

⑮ Aleksanterinkatu Shopping Street

Situated on the same street as Stockmann, Aleksanterinkatu is my favourite shopping street. It is vibrant and has an astonishing architectural building design. Known colloquially as “Aleksi”, it is also the longest city street planned by Carl Ludvig Engel during the 1800s. Aleksanterinkatu remains as one of the best Helsinki attractions and sightseeing location for locals and tourists to date.

During the weekend, only trams and emergency vehicles can pass through it by ensuring a safe and traffic-free environment for shopping in Helsinki. Following this stretch of the road towards the east, you will be able to discover more Helsinki attractions without getting lost. It is the most beautiful shopping street in Helsinki which you should see.

⑯ Senate Square Helsinki | Senaatintori

Continuing the path of Aleksanterinkatu street, you will see the Senate Square which is one of the Helsinki points of interest. Several activities such as art exhibition, concerts, snow building and snowboard events have been taking place in this square. Senate Square and its surrounding are the oldest part of Helsinki.

In front of the Helsinki Cathedral lies a broad flight of steps on the north side of the Senate Square. They are so steep as people approaching the square from the north frequently assume that they are approaching a cliff edge. Such a sensation arises when the steps do not become apparent until one is at the very top level. Sometimes, one can experience vertigo momentarily. Hence, locals call this point as the ‘cliff-edge’.

⑰ Helsinki Cathedral | Helsingin Tuomiokirkko

A remarkable white monument with five green dome ceiling that one can recognise from far is the Helsinki Cathedral. Originally known as St Nicholas’ Church before Finland’s independence in 1917, it was constructed from 1830 to 1852 in honour of Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicolas I of Russia. Helsinki Cathedral in the neoclassical style is another brainchild of Carl Ludvig Engel who also planned the Aleksanterinkatu street. The cathedral is still in service for religious worship and a popular venue for weddings.

In the coldest winter month of January, the annual Lux Helsinki light art festival illuminates the street and some well-known monuments in stunning and magical colourful sights for 5 days. The event uses an array of light artwork to induce a spectacular background on the facades and outdoor places. Visitors can admire the light installation from 5 pm to 10 pm nightly. It is surely an excellent place to visit in Helsinki in winter for some stunning photography shots.

⑱ Helsinki City Museum | Helsingin Kaupunginmuseo

Towards the end of the Aleksanterinkatu street is the Helsinki City Museum situated in the oldest blocks of the city near the Senate Square. If you want to know all about the captivating capital of Finland, the Helsinki City Museum is the right place to visit in Finland. Walk the life and experiences in Helsinki with a collection of 450,000 objects and one million photographs that through the transition of time. Learn the history and everything focusing on Helsinki.

The museum also has a children’s corner and interactive activities for kids. Therefore, it would be a lot of fun for the family. It also has a good spot for taking a picture of the Helsinki Cathedral. Monday might be the best time to visit the Helsinki City Museum for tourists because many places of interest are closed on Monday. The museum is open every day from 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays and closes at 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Free entry.

⑲ Market Square Helsinki | Kauppatori

Located towards the South Harbour at one end of the Esplanade Park (Esplandi) is the Helsinki Market Square. It is a famous Finnish market hall identified with prominent orange tents for every stall. The best time to go to the Market Square Helsinki is at the beginning of October where the Herring market will be held annually at the Market Square since 1743.

Over here, you can sample tasty Finnish food like reindeer meat, salmon soup and shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs. The Helsinki Market Square operates from Monday to Saturday from 6.30 am. On the weekday, it ends at 6 pm and 4 pm on Saturday. Usually, it does not open on Sunday. However, during the summer, the market runs from 10 am to 5 pm.

During winter, there will be heaters inside the tent to ensure maximum comfort for the customers. As a form of tradition, there is a display of old American cars on the first Friday of every month. Mark the Market Square as one of the top things to do in Helsinki. Nonetheless, since it is a tourists’ spot, the prices may be on the high side.

⑳ Uspenski Cathedral

Crossing over to the Katajanokka peninsula district from Helsinki is the Uspenski Cathedral characterised by its brownish-red brick facade and contrasting 33-metres light green dome roof atop a hill. The Uspenski Cathedral is said to be the largest Orthodox Church in the North and Western Europe. The cathedral was built from 1862 to 1868 after the death of the Russian church architect, Aleksey Gornostayev. On the back of the Upenski Cathedral is a plaque in tribute to the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who was the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Finland during the cathedral’s construction.

A remnant of the Russian Empire in Finland, Uspenski Cathedral has a conspicuous high ceiling, impressive chandeliers and houses several valuable icons and treasures. There were theft cases of Icons and jewellery in the past. Fortunately, some were recovered. The entrance is free and closed on Monday and during ceremonies. The opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9.30 am to 4 pm, Saturday 10 am to 3 pm and Sunday from 12 to 3 pm.

㉑ Helsinki Skywheel and SkySauna

Also located in In the Katajanokka district and 5-minutes walk from Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki Skywheel offers an opportunity to oversee the breathtaking city, nearby islands or the passing ships from a height of 40 metres in a Ferris wheel. A ride on the Skywheel costs €12 for adults and €9 for children. A standard cabin can take up to 8 people and a VIP-cabin with leather seats can fit 4 people.

Skywheel introduces a new experience that you cannot find anywhere in the world! What is the favourite pastime of Finnish people? Yes, Sauna! Original SkySauna is the latest luxury for pampering yourself in the sky with a tranquil sea view and a hot spring hot tub on the ground. Skywheel recommends it as an extraordinary atmosphere aside from the traditional sauna. Prices start from €240 per hour for 1 to 4 people. It opens seven days a week starting at 11 am. On Saturday, it starts at 10 am.

㉒ Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Suomenlinna Fortress is a national highlight and part of the UNESCO World Heritage List too. The commencement work of the Suomenlinna fortress in 1748 was an initiation by the Swedish Parliament as a protection against Russian expansionism under the Swedish name ‘Sveaborg’ (or ‘Viapori’ in Finnish). In May 1918, the fortress was renamed Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland) after Finland’s independence in 1917. Till date, it is an emphasis on Helsinki tourism and attracts a lot of visitors.

How to get to Suomenlinna? The maritime fortress is accessible by ferry service or a water bus service during the summer. During the cold winter, visitors can experience the trip in ice-covered water which is an unforgettable moment.

㉓ Last Finnish Vesikko Submarine

One of the more remarkable attractions in Suomenlinna is the last submarine in Finland, Vesikko. Launched in 1933, Vesikko was one of five submarines to serve in the Finnish Navy when Finland bought it in 1936. After the Finnish Winter and Continuation Wars from 1939 to 1944, Vesikko was the only Finnish submarine that survived the fate of being scrapped. After much renovation, Vesikko was reopened to the public in July 1973 as an exhibit of the Military Museum in Suomenlinna. It preserves the memory of naval warfare globally.

Vesikko submarine is open daily until 31 September 2019 from 11 am to 6 pm. The ticket price is €7 and includes admission to the Military Museum. You can also see Vesikko by taking a sightseeing cruise boat from Royal Line around the fortress without going to the Suomenlinna island. The sightseeing cruise ticket starts from €21.60 onwards for 1.5 hours (which is an increase from €12 for 45 minutes from the last time I went). You can also opt for their buffet lunch and dinner cruise which at €39 and €52 respectively. That is also another good opportunity to try out Finnish food on the cruise boat.

㉔ Design Museum Helsinki | Designmuseo

On return from the Suomenlinna Fortress, you can visit the Design Museum Helsinki which is 10 to 20 minutes walk from the harbour. The neo-Gothic style Design Museum is more than 140 years old since 1978. Moreover, it is also one of the oldest museums in the world with a collection of over 75,000 objects, 45,000 drawings and 125,000 photographs. The original collection by the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design was In 1873. Design Museum Helsinki also exhibits its collection worldwide. Ticket costs €10 for adults. The opening hours are from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am and close on Monday. During the summer, it opens daily and closes at 6 pm.

㉕ St. John’s Church Helsinki | Johanneksenkirkko

Another neo-Gothic architectural style designed in Stockholm in 1891, St. John’s Church Helsinki is the largest Lutheran stone church in Finland with a 2,600 seating capacity. Also known as ‘Johannes Church’, it has noticeable twin spires from far and an incredible church hall design which is a reason to visit this Helsinki attraction. The St. John’s Church also has excellent acoustic which made is a prime choice for a wedding venue, special events and ceremonies. Johanneksenkirkko is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 3 pm, on weekends when there are special functions.

Poll – Your Favourite Helsinki Points of Interest

Show others what you like! If you have read this far, let’s have a quick survey. Select 5 to 12 Helsinki attractions that are your favourite destinations or on your list of must-visit points of interest if you have never been there. Participation is anonymous. Let’s have some fun!

• The result will be shown after the vote.

Transport from Helsinki Airport to City Centre

How to get from Helsinki airport to city centre? With a 30-minutes train journey connecting from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Helsinki city centre since 2015, it is even easier and more convenient to reach the Helsinki city centre in a whizz.

For the second time in Finland with the 9-hours stopover in Helsinki and the cheapest airfare ever purchased for my regular European trips, I decided to take advantage of the layover and travel in Helsinki once again.

I benefitted from Finnair long stopover programme a few years ago with an unbelievable 7-days layover in Helsinki from Singapore to Brussels without additional cost comparing to the usual airfare purchased over the past few years.

Finland promotes its tourism that there are programmes for stopover aiming at the Chinese, Japanese and South Koreans travelling to other parts of Europe via Helsinki Airport. This programme ensures that there are always things to do in Helsinki or other cities in Finland.

If you take Finnair Airline and have a layover in Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, be sure to include Helsinki as another destination under a low or no cost travel. This article will introduce you a few ways how to get from Helsinki Airport to City Centre so that you would not spend the long stopover time sleeping in the airport.

Do check out the article on 25 Helsinki Attractions and Things to do in Helsinki City.

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

Strict Security Customs Check in Airport Helsinki

With the fear of terrorism and overstayers, the security check at Helsinki airport is even stringent than before. The Customs officers asked EVERY passenger exiting out of the airport at 6 am on their intention in Finland and to show proof of return ticket or other documents.

What I witnessed in the past was random checks and screening was never done on every passenger. I had to admit that even though it took more time for clearance, I appreciate the stringent control because it made me feel safe in Finland. Kudos to the serious Finnish Customs Officers!

Helsinki Airport Wifi and Tourist Information

There is free wifi in Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Other than that, if you have a SIM card from one of these 28 European countries, you can call and use the mobile data in Finland with no additional roaming charges. Pick up a Helsinki city map or other cities’ travel maps in Finland from the Tourist Information Counter located on the first floor of Terminal 2.

Helsinki Airport to City

How to get from Helsinki airport to city centre?

Helsinki city centre is 20 km from the airport. Getting public transport to reach the destination is easy and takes about 30 minutes by bus, taxi or train. The only challenge is the Finnish language written on the board with no English translation when buying a train ticket. Hence, it is important to know what are your options to go to Helsinki city and to come back to the airport without booking a taxi which will cost you a bomb or stuck in a traffic jam.

By Airport Taxi

There is a taxi counter in Terminal 2 where you can call a cab or ask some questions. The taxi from Helsinki Airport to City would cost between €40 to €55. Taking a cab is perfect for those who landed at the airport at night when there is no more public transport or those with small children.

Of course, there are some who do not want to bother too much about how to go about using public transport or their company reimburses fully on their business trip expenses. Hence, taking cab seems to be a hassle-free option to take you exactly where you want to go, or simply book a private transfer online ⬇︎ which is even easier and costs almost the same as that of a cab.

By Finnair City Bus

Finnair City Bus operated by Pohjolan Liikenne is an express shuttle bus service that leaves the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport every 20 minutes from the Finnair bus stop outside Terminal 2. A single trip ticket costs €6.60 whereas a round-trip ticket is €6.05 for one way if you purchase online. Alternatively, you can pay exact amount in cash €6.70 directly to the bus driver. 6 to 16 years old pay half price and children under 6 are free. Many credit cards are accepted on board the bus too.

Online e-ticket has a flexibility which allows the user to travel within 30 days from the date marked on the ticket. Customers receive a link after online purchase which they can either print out the e-ticket or show it on their phone screen. I had used the Finnair City Bus service in 2013 before the airport train was in service then. The Finnair Bus has a free wireless internet connection onboard. The ride was comfortable and reliable throughout my journey to Helsinki Airport.

Click on the link above. Select departure from ‘Helsinki Airport Terminal 1 or 2’ and choose arrival point at ‘Helsinki City Elielsquare’ which stops at the ④ Finnair City Bus Station in Helsinki city centre as shown from the images below.

Refer to the Google Maps above for ④ Finnair City Bus Station in Elielsquare.

By Helsinki Bus 615

Helsinki Bus 615 run by HSL will take you from the airport to the Helsinki city centre in 40 to 50 minutes. The bus stops for both arriving and departing buses are located in front of both Helsinki Airport Terminal ① and ② (Finnish Name: Lentoasema T1 and T2). In Helsinki city, you can stop at ⑤ Rautatientori Bus Stop right in front of the ⑥ Helsinki Railway Station. Refer to the Journey Planner for Bus 615 for the timetable from Helsinki Airport to City Centre and the Google Maps above for the exact bus stop location.

The ticket costs €5.50 if you pay directly to the bus driver, €5.00 if you purchase from the ticket machine or the HSL mobile app after the download. Give exact or smaller amount as the bus driver is not obliged to receive notes more than €20. When purchase from a mobile app or vending machine, always choose ‘Regional Ticket’ because you are crossing the region of Vantaa (airport) to Helsinki.

By Helsinki Airport Train

Since July 2015, the fastest and most convenient option is the new Helsinki Airport train line directly to the city centre in 30 minutes operated by HSL. By taking the train to Helsinki city, tourists do not have to worry about the traffic jam on the road by travelling in a vehicle especially when going to the airport.

I opted to take a train to and fro Helsinki city centre during my 9-hrs layover trip to Finland for this time. Do note that some ticket machine only accepts bank card or credit card and no cash especially on the airport train platform. If you want to pay by cash, you have to look for the ticket machine which accepts it at Terminal 2 or for the location of this cash machine at the Tourist Information Counter.

The ③ Helsinki Airport Train Station is located at the end of Terminal 2 or upon seeing a signboard which states “Railway Station”. Along the 200 metres walk, you can see some ticket machines.

Likewise, there are similar ticket machines on the underground train platform where I had bought my ticket. There is an English option on it. Select ‘Single Ticket’, then ‘Helsinki’ and pay only with a bank card. The Helsinki Airport train ticket price will reflect €5.00 instantly. You will then receive a paper train ticket.

When I bought the single trip ticket from Helsinki City Central Railway Station (Helsingin Päärautatieasema) back to the airport, I had an additional selection. Select ‘Regional’ ticket to go back to ‘Vantaa’ region where the airport location is. The ticket would cost you €5.00. If you select ‘Helsinki’, it means that you can only travel within the Helsinki city and would cost only €2.90. Don’t buy wrongly as there are train inspectors on board the train who will check your ticket.

There are two types of trains (I & P) that run from the airport to the Helsinki Central Station (Helsingin Päärautatieasema) in a Ring Rail Line. The difference is that both trains run in the opposite direction (westward and eastward) towards the south to Helsinki and vice versa.

The good news is that you do not have to be concerned about which train to take because they will reach your destination all the same with a mere difference of 5 minutes arrival time. In short, just hop onto any train that arrives at the airport. The screen on the train platform will reflect “Helsinki Helsingfors” which confirms the journey towards the Helsinki city centre.

• I train – from Helsinki via Pasila to Tikkurila and the airport and back to Helsinki
• P train – from Helsinki via Huopalahti to the airport and from there via Tikkurila back to Helsinki

The interior of the train is new, clean and attractive. What I appreciate most about the train is that every seat has two 230V charging station which gives me a chance to charge my mobile while taking the 30-minutes ride to Helsinki city.

Helsinki Central Train Station | Helsingin Päärautatieasema

Train to Helsinki Airport Timetable 

When returning back to the airport from⑥Helsinki Central Railway Station (Helsingin Päärautatieasema), look for the train timetable board below for the text “Flygplatsen Airport” or “Lentoasema” which means “Airport” together with a plane symbol. There will be a few trains going back to the airport at different timing and platforms. When in doubt, always confirm with a local there before you board the train.

Beautiful Railway Station Title

The Helsinki Train Station should be another point of interest even if one is not taking a train. Inaugurated in 1919, BBC chose it as one of the world’s most beautiful railway stations in 2013. Apart from the acclaimed Antwerp Central Station rated by Mashable as being the most beautiful railway station from around the world, Helsinki Central Station earns its due recognition and well-deserved for the title.

Most Expensive Toilet

Although voted as one of the most beautiful stations, Helsinki Central Station is the most expensive toilet I have ever paid in my memory. It cost €1 per entry. When I walked out of the station to begin my Helsinki trip of the day, I saw a FREE public toilet outside. So, people. If you have an urgency, use the free one outside. I had used the same type of toilet somewhere a few hours later. It was safe, reliable and of decent hygiene standard.

Helsinki City Sightseeing

Hop-On Hop-Off Helsinki Bus Tour + Royal Line Sightseeing Cruise

If you prefer more leisure travel for a layover in Helsinki city, Hop-On Hop-Off Helsinki Tour departs every 20 minutes to 20 tourist attractions on a double-decker bus. The tour bus will bring you on a sightseeing trip to the most popular travel destinations in Helsinki city. The bus has audio guides in 10 languages and equipped with wifi connection.

For €30, you can hop on and off to any stops in 24 hours. For an additional €5 combo ticket, visitors can enjoy 1.5 hours sightseeing cruise by Royal Line on top of the land tour. The cruise departs from Market Square. Get your ticket from Red City Buses or City Tour.

Helsinki City Pass or Helsinki Card

To get the maximum benefit, get a Helsinki City Pass at €39 from City Tour which lasts for 48 hours inclusive of the above 24-hours land and sea tour OR a Helsinki Card from Stromma which costs between €46 to €72 from 1 to 3 days. Ferry and entrance to Fortress of Suomenlinna are free for both passes. More discount is available for both cards.

Helsinki Card also acts as a travel card to allow unlimited travel across all transport networks in Helsinki for the duration of your pass. You do not have to worry about spare change for your daily transport tickets.

As both companies run their separate promotion, it would be wise to check both out to find the package most suitable for your needs.

HSL Helsinki Public Transport Ticket Prices

If you are just looking for some public transport tickets for 1 to 7 days of travel or just for a single trip, you can get more information about the HSL ticket prices from the website. Always select “Regional” if you need to use the ticket to travel to and fro from the airport to Helsinki or other parts of the cities. If you want to take the public transport solely in Helsinki, then select “Helsinki”.

Finland Time

Finland has an Eastern European Time (EET) time zone which is 1-hour ahead of Belgium in the Central European Time (CET) zone. If Belgium is 12:00h, then Finland is 13:00h.

What to Do in Helsinki

In the next article, follow me on 25 Helsinki Attractions and Things to do in Helsinki City. As Helsinki is a compact city, you can see many points of interests just by foot according to the number sequence in my customised Google Maps.