Many tourists have been thrown off-balance when they’ve discovered that their local Helsinki public transportation tickets won’t take them to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport via the spanking new Ring Rail Line. Most have then been forced to by a new ticket before they could board the train to get to the airport.
Visiting commuters have laboured under the misconception that the airport is actually in the capital; however as residents know, it’s located in the Vantaa suburb, which requires a more costly travel card.
Visitors have also been left in the dark by the rail line’s route map, which doesn’t clearly show that the airport is not, in fact, in the city.
Tourist information agents have also reported coming across tourists bewildered by the maps and ticketing arrangements.
"Many tourists have first bought an internal Helsinki ticket for their trip to the airport. Later, they’ve had to buy a new ticket when they find out that it won’t work," said information officer Aslak Djupsjö.
Djupsjö was full of praise for the old route maps, which clearly showed in which cities stations were located. The situation has seen many visitors opt for taking the traditional airport transit bus, jut to avoid confusion.
Maps to be updated
Jarmo Esktröm, Service Design Manager with Helsinki Regional Transport HSL, said he has heard of the difficulties tourists have been experiencing.
"We have received a great deal of feedback about the matter. And we will update the maps this autumn," he said.
Ekström noted that the situation will improve in a couple of years when the city renews its network of self-service ticket machines.
"It’ll then be much easier to purchase a ticket for the airport than it is today," he explained.
The Ring Rail Line came into service on July 1, and extended Helsinki's rail service to the country's main international airport, a move welcomed by many. Commuters traveling to the airport currently have to transfer to a shuttle to reach the terminal buildings. A direct connection from the airport's Lentoasema station to the terminal is due for completion in October.
