PRACTICALITIES IN

European Movement has gathered some practical information about Helsinki and Finland to make your visit here stress free and comfortable. We hope that you will have the opportunity to participate to the EMI Federal Assembly as well as the Future of Europe: Legacy of the Finnish EU-Presidency -seminar held on the 7th of November in the afternoon.

Weather in Helsinki

As you may guess, the weather in Helsinki in November will be somewhat cold. The daily mean temperature is about 2,7 Celsius, which means that we will likely experience degrees below minus during early mornings, late evenings and nights. It is possible, that we might have snow – but it is more likely we will experience cold showers.

In November, the sun will rise at around 8 a.m. and set at just after 4 p.m. local time (UTC +2).

Be sure to bring a weatherproof jacket and perhaps gloves and headgear, even though the schedule enforces only limited time spent outdoors.

Arrival and departure

Finland is somewhat an island as we are surrounded both by Russia and the Baltic Sea. Hence, coming to Helsinki is most convenient either by plane or via a ferry transport from Stockholm (1,5 days travel time) or (3 hours travel time).

Arriving via plane, which is by far the most convenient method, you will land on the Helsinki Airport. The airport is located about 20 km outside of Helsinki city centre, which you can reach via train, taxi or bus.

Train is the recommended option to travel between the airport and Helsinki city centre. You can get on the train directly from inside the airport and the travel time onboard is about 25-30 minutes. All the trains from the airport travel to Helsinki city centre, so there is little chance of mistakes. The cost of one-way train ticket, called the ABC-ticket, is 4,60 €. Please observe, that you can’t purchase the ticket must be bought from the ticket vending machines on the platforms – they are not sold on train!

Taxi is the second viable option to travel between the airport and Helsinki (or your hotel). There are several taxi companies that operate from the airport, but three have designated lanes:

1) Lähitaksi 2) Vantaan Taksi – Helsinki Airport Taxi 3) Taksi Helsinki

The other companies all operate on one lane and their prices are usually negotiable. Beware, there are also “dark taxis” that only take payment in cash and might try to cheat you. It is typically best to discuss the price in advance, if using an operator outside the three mentioned above. The average cost for a taxi from the airport to Helsinki city centre is between 25-50 €.

Bus would be the least preferable way to travel from the airport to the Helsinki city centre. There are multiple different busses operating to and from the airport, but the bus number 615 is the designated airport bus. The cost of one-way bus ticket, called the ABC-ticket, is 4,60 € and you can buy the ticket from the driver.

Returning to the airport is by far easiest by using the trains I or P. These are the airport trains and you can recognize them at the platform from the little plane symbol on the screens. The cost and travel times are the same.

Hotels in Helsinki

There are multiple hotels in Helsinki centre, but we have gathered here a few hotels that are located conveniently and relatively affordable. We recommend booking the hotels (and flights) as soon as possible, to find the best prices. On average, one hotel night in Helsinki city centre costs around 120-130 euros.

• Hotel Arthur – central location, reasonable quality, below average price • Scandic Simonkenttä – central location, excellent quality, average price

Eurooppalainen Suomi ry | Finland i Europa r.f. | European Movement in Finland Siltasaarenkatu 4, 7. krs., FI-00530 Helsinki Finland www.eurooppalainensuomi.fi

• Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre – central location, excellent quality, average price • Marriot Hotel Katajanokka* - excellent central location, excellent quality, above average price *A unique hotel where chic design, uncompromised comfort and personal service meet in a historic former prison setting – a short walk from the city and right next to major attractions and the EMI FA -venue. • Omenahotels Helsinki (Lönnrotinkatu & Yrjönkatu)* – central location, clean, comfortable, modest price. *Budget self-service hotel with two locations in Helsinki city centre. Using the code: NSNEUROSUOMI you will get a room for 1-4 persons ranging from 65-95 € per night, breakfast included.

Experience Helsinki

Despite the weather, Helsinki is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. In your short visit to Helsinki, EM Finland has gathered a few central sights for you to experience while in Helsinki. We also invite you to participate, free of charge, in the Helsinki Panorama Coach Tour held on Saturday 9.11.2019 between 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Oodi, Helsinki Central Library (Right next to venue of the Future of Europe-seminar)

Oodi is Helsinki's new Central Library and a living meeting place in the city centre on the Kansalaistori Square. Oodi is a venue for events, a house of reading and a diverse urban experience. It will provide its users with knowledge, new skills and stories, and will be an easy place to access for learning, story immersion, work and relaxation. Oodi is a library of a new era, a living and functional meeting place open for all.

Helsinki Cathedral & Senate Square

The Cathedral, by Carl Ludvig Engel, rising on the northern side of the Senate Square is the stage of national and academic festive services and one of the most popular tourist sights. The church is part of Helsinki's Empire era centre and a landmark for those arriving by sea. It has become the symbol of the whole of Helsinki. Earlier called St. Nicholas Church and Great Cathedral, the current main church of the Helsinki Diocese was completed in 1852. Sculptures of the twelve apostles guard the city from the roof of the church. Exhibitions at the Crypt (Kirkkokatu 18), in summer also a souvenir shop Cathedral Shop.

The Senate Square and its surroundings form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel (1778-1840): , the Government Palace, the main building of the and the National Library of Finland. A statue of Alexander II (1894) stands in the middle of the Senate Square.

Market Square (Right next to the EMI FA -venue)

Located at the South Harbour at one end of the Esplanade Park, the Market Square is Helsinki's most international and famous market. The booths here sell traditional market foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. There are also heated café tents where you can comfortably have a steaming hot coffee even on the coldest days in winter.

The Old Market Hall (Right next to the EMI FA -venue)

The construction of the first indoor hall in Helsinki, the Old Market Hall, was started at Eteläranta near the Market Square in 1888. This is the year written above the southern entrance of the building, but because of problems with cement delivery, the hall was not opened to the public until 1889. The building was designed by Gustaf Nyström who had studied how market halls were built in large European cities.

Eurooppalainen Suomi ry | Finland i Europa r.f. | European Movement in Finland Siltasaarenkatu 4, 7. krs., FI-00530 Helsinki Finland www.eurooppalainensuomi.fi