HELSINKI AIRPORT HAS NEVER BEEN HELL FOR ME. (Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL))

Member Name: purplegirl1989

Product:	Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
Date:	10/06/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: simple, cool, reliable, friendly staff and awesome shops.

Disadvantages: slow baggage collection, stuffed reindeer!

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is an example to all; simple but very, very cool. I've been here a handful of times and have never had any problems.

Arriving here, the first thing that hits you is the lovely fresh and clean atmosphere of the place. Finland is a very considerate place, have signs in Finnish, Swedish and English mainly making it very easy to navigate through to the border control area and through to the baggage collection. It's very relaxed, perhaps a little to relaxed if your in a hurry, and the bags take longer than they usually do in airports but its not half as crowded. When you exit the airport, there is a big bus station literally just outside and to get to Helsinki centre you literally cross the road and hop on the bus, its not too expensive either, though I can't remember an exact price. The journey takes roughly half an hour and terminates just to the side of the City Railway station.

When you leave Helsinki, its also very simple to navigate through, often leaving you with time for one last Finnish Kahvi (coffee), Karl Fazer Chocolate bar, and a browse through the fantastic record shop. I've also found the staff very lovely, even as you go through security checks they start conversations with you and if you're forgetful, like me, they even come running after you with your passport which you left! What more could you want?

Oh, the only other negative I must add is that I really do not like that stuffed reindeer they have outside the gift shop. I understand that it is part of the culture, but I find it disgusting. Other than that...

Summary: A great airport =)