Helsinki

[Burpin04]

I don't think there would be any major problem for you to visit the church that day.

Thank you very much:)

[KirkNC]

On the questions surrounding the ferries, make sure you get on the right one if you plan on using your all day pass as there are two different ferries. One is a private ferry company (not the one you want) and the other is a public ferry (SLL). The SLL ferry is a little further on the pier, closer to Uspenskin Cathederal.

 

Kirk

[ledris2]

Hi all,

I just posted a reply but I think I deleted it by mistake. If not, sorry for the repeat.

 

My husband is from Finland and Helsinki is an awesome city. Our favorites are the market by the water, the boat over to the island, Rock Church is really neat if it is open now.

 

But to suggest something frivolous, I suggest the "ICE BAR" It is really fun. You need to make a reservation as it is in a regular restaurant.

 

http://www.arcticicebar.fi/ We took our family there 2 years ago when we were all there to have them meet their relatives. It is just a fun place. They give you down coats to wear and your 1st drink if free.

 

Right up the street is a Japanese, Chinese restaurant I don't know which, which is good and cheap and have the hottest sauce ever. My nephew can't taste so eats hot sauce on everything so he has some taste. Even this sauce was toooo hot for him.

 

Then right up from that on the right is a "walking" street, I believe. We bought Cloudberry filled chocolate candy there by either Panda, Lakka or Fazer I don't know which. Maybe the expert on Finland would know. Anyway it is soooo good. In fact so good that I ordered some over the internet last year and paid a good deal for them. But I am sure you can find them around the center of Helsinki. Cloudberry is a liquer made I believe in Finland.

 

Just some little things I thought I would add. We will be in Finland this summer looking for a place to rent for 6 months next year. Helsinki is very very expensive in that area. UGH

 

Enjoy your time in Helsinki. We absolutely love it there.

[missreagan]

My husband and I will be arriving in Helsinki in September on NCL's Sun. Things that are must see's for us are The rock church, The museum of contemporary art (the inside), and the Sibelius Monument and ending at Market Square for a late lunch and shopping.

 

Is this doable in one day? Is there any order we should see these things in? And what type of transportation would you suggest?

 

Thanks for your help, I know a lot has been covered but there doesn't seem to be mush that include the art museum.

 

Jes

[boeckli]

Can someone provide more info on the Church of Rock and that it is closed? Is that temporary? I plan to be there in July 2011. Thanks!

 

From the Tourism Website:

 

http://www.visithelsinki.fi/In_English/Visitor/See/Main_attractions.iw3?showmodul=162&Matko_pid=227

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Ultima,

I just found and printed the map for us to get from LMA to downtown (via either tram#6 or tram #8). I assume that we will need 7 euros apiece to board the tram. Will this one-day ticket allow us to ride the 3B/3T to ride around the city and ferry over to Soumenlinna; or will we have to purchase a separate ticket to do the figure-8 sightseeing loops? Thank you for your time. Carolyn

 

Carolyn, where in the world did you find this information? I find the public transport site totally unintelligible. Care to share? Thanks.

[Ultima Thule]

My husband and I will be arriving in Helsinki in September on NCL's Sun. Things that are must see's for us are The rock church, The museum of contemporary art (the inside), and the Sibelius Monument and ending at Market Square for a late lunch and shopping.

 

Is this doable in one day? Is there any order we should see these things in? And what type of transportation would you suggest?

 

Thanks for your help, I know a lot has been covered but there doesn't seem to be mush that include the art museum.

 

Jes

 

Norwegian Sun will dock at quay LHC.

There are several options of course .

You could take bus #14B straight from the quay to within two/three blocks of the Sibelius monument (bus stop: "Töölön kirjasto")

http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/reittiopas/en/line?line=14B&type=1 or you could do it later from downtown using tram 3T or bus #18.

http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/reittiopas/en/line?line=3T&type=2

http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/reittiopas/en/line?line=18&type=1

 

Details for both bus and tram are given in this thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1177157

 

Bus #24 from downtown will take you even closer to the monument (stop "Rajasaarentie") but it only goes twice a hour.

http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/reittiopas/en/line?line=24&type=1

 

Note that it's a changed route for Helsinki Tram 3T/3B during summer 2011 but that will not affect you in this case.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1378219

 

You could use with buses 14 or 14B or tram 3T from the monument to the rock church (bus stop: "Kauppakorkeakoulut")

 

The museum of contemporary art is in the middle of downtown. 750 yards walk from the rock church. (Downhill on Fredrick street and left turn to Arkadia street) It's NOT worth the effort to use the tram 3T as it will be almost be as long walk to and from the stops. (320 + 340 yards)

 

Then its 1300 yards from the museum to Market Square. You could use tram 3T from the railway station to the Senate Square (3rd stop) or walk (I recommend the route Mannerheim road - Northern Esplanade).

[Ultima Thule]

Carolyn, where in the world did you find this information? I find the public transport site totally unintelligible. Care to share? Thanks.

 

Trams #6 and #8 have been discussed here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1242149

 

But I really recommend a cruise company shuttle bus from quay LMA as it is almost a mile walk to the tram stops and tram 8 will not even take you to downtown.

 

Yes trams 3B/3T are normal trams with normal tickets and a one day ticket can be used on the ferry to the fortress as well . Again, note the

changed route Tram 3B/3T during summer 2011

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1378219

[missreagan]

Thank you so much for you information!

[mescat4]

@ Ultima Thule

 

you've been so great on Helsinki info so I wonder if you could help us. We are arriving on HAL Prinsendam on July 2nd and will be in port until 18:00h.

We are very interested in going to the Design Museum and wonder what the best transportation options to there from the ship might be. The Museums web site lists Bus 16 and Tram 10 as connections- are these convenient to the port?

Or might we do better by Taxi?

Ev and Sybil

[KirkNC]

Trams #6 and #8 have been discussed here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1242149

 

But I really recommend a cruise company shuttle bus from quay LMA as it is almost a mile walk to the tram stops and tram 8 will not even take you to downtown.

 

Yes trams 3B/3T are normal trams with normal tickets and a one day ticket can be used on the ferry to the fortress as well . Again, note the

changed route Tram 3B/3T during summer 2011

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1378219

 

Ultima Thule,

 

Do you know if you can walk from LMA to the Lansiterminaali 15A bus stop? That is my current plan but I can't figure out is there a fence in the way. That would be a pretty short walk.

 

Kirk

[Ultima Thule]

@ Ultima Thule

 

you've been so great on Helsinki info so I wonder if you could help us. We are arriving on HAL Prinsendam on July 2nd and will be in port until 18:00h.

We are very interested in going to the Design Museum and wonder what the best transportation options to there from the ship might be. The Museums web site lists Bus 16 and Tram 10 as connections- are these convenient to the port?

Or might we do better by Taxi?

 

Ok, I'll give several options here in case others are interested as well:

 

If you had docked in West Harbour (Hernesaari) bus 16 would have taken you straight to the Design Museum (bus stop: "Johanneksen kirkko ")

Tram #10 can be used if you would come from north, for example from the Olympic Stadium (tram stop: "Johanneksen kirkko ")

For those who use the shuttle buses there is only 400m walk southwards to the museum from where the shuttle stops in downtown (uphill, past park, uphill, past little park).

For those who walk in the Esplanade Park it is uphill three blocks from the statue in the middle of the park along Kasarmikatu and then one block to the right past the schoolyard. (The museum is located in a former school building). DON'T use Korkeavuorenkatu as it is very steep.

 

However, I notice that HAL Prinsendam on July 2nd stops NOT at West Harbour but at Katajanokka Terminal, quay ERA, That is quay #5 on this map:

 

http://www.portofhelsinki.fi/download/c0f47c21101245a1ad54cb2307aa764be0f27816.jpg

 

Detailed map:

 

http://www.portofhelsinki.fi/download/12977_Kartta_Katajanokan_satama_alueesta.pdf

 

That's considered to be a more preferable quay as it puts you only 0.6 miles from the Market Square and also you'll have a great view of the island fortress as you pass a narrow strait on your way into the harbour.

However, getting to the Design Museum becomes a bit more tricky. It much depends on your other plans for the day.

Usually tram #4 serves the Katajanokka Terminal but this summer due to track repairs it will be served by tram 3T instead.

So, for example take tram 3T to the Senate Square. Walk down one block to the Market Square and take bus #16 from there to the museum (it will be the fifth stop). Be sure to take the bus that goes westwards on the

northern esplanade, not the one that goes eastwards on the southern esplanade. The correct bus stop is north of the Market, across the street.

 

Here is a map of Bus 16 route. The museum is on the little rectangle just right of where it says "Norm. Lyseo" near the bottom of the map.

http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/reittiopas/en/line/?&adv=&maploc=&mapline=117%3A1%3A1016++%3A20110322%3A&keya=&line=16&a=&aa=&an=&mapstyle=&nk=1&map=&px=2552630&py=6673083&ppx=2551480&ppy=6671094&zx=2552630&zy=6673083&ss=&se=&click=2&hlterm=&hlloc=&p=2&print=&zoom=16&x=300&y=200&nc=0&fcmap=&click=2

[Ultima Thule]

Ultima Thule,

 

Do you know if you can walk from LMA to the Lansiterminaali 15A bus stop? That is my current plan but I can't figure out is there a fence in the way. That would be a pretty short walk.

 

Kirk

 

Sorry. Checked it out last year and there IS a long fence in the way. Noticed just one small gate in fence somewhere near the barracks , no guarantee it will be open.

[KirkNC]

Thanks, that is what it looked like on Google Maps street view. I will scope it out from the ship and see if the gate is open, otherwise it might be the ship's shuttle or a taxi for us. You would think they would at least let us get access to public transportation from LMA, it is like being in a desert :mad:.

 

Kirk

[mescat4]

Ultima Thule-

 

many thanks for the info re: getting to Design Museum. Really appreciate the detailed answers to our request.

 

Ev

[KirkNC]

Ultima Thule-

 

many thanks for the info re: getting to Design Museum. Really appreciate the detailed answers to our request.

 

Ev

 

Mescat4, I take it you like the Prinsendam ;). We are sailing on her for the first time next year.

 

Kirk

[marazul]

Ultima Thule,

our ship docks at Kanavaterminaali in Katajanokka. It does seen like a short walk to Senate Square. How do we get to Tempeliaukio Church? Is it too far or too steep a walk?

Thanks.

[Ultima Thule]

Ultima Thule,

our ship docks at Kanavaterminaali in Katajanokka. It does seen like a short walk to Senate Square. How do we get to Tempeliaukio Church? Is it too far or too steep a walk?

Thanks.

 

You cannot get a better quay than that! Very close to the Market and Senate Squares.

You could take tram 3T to the church (get off at tram stop "Kauppakorkeakoulut / Handelshögskolorna"), go back to last corner you passed and turn left. or you could walk. Its just over a mile easy walk straight through downtown. If you take the way west along Alexander street or Northern Esplanade, NW along Mannerheim road and west along Arkadia Street the terrain will be flat. But the last block north along Fredrik street will be uphill regardless if you walk or take the tram.

[marazul]

Thank you!

[mescat4]

@KirkNC

 

this will be our first on the P-dam. Started with the TA and then it kept growing until the budget was busted!! I sincerely hope we like the P-dam- the itinerary is fabulous.

 

Ev and Sybil

[Lair Bear]

@KirkNC

 

this will be our first on the P-dam. Started with the TA and then it kept growing until the budget was busted!! I sincerely hope we like the P-dam- the itinerary is fabulous.

 

Ev and Sybil

 

I think you will like the Prinsendam. We did the Top of the World cruise and here is what our thoughts were of the ship:

http://www.*****.com/Prnsendam.html

 

Keep in mind that my wife always says that I find the negative if there is one and will say so. Like the time I got locked out on our balcony because the sliding door locked itself. I had to pound on the metal side panels and yell to get some attention of other passengers. This is not too far from the North Pole, mind you, so it was cold out there. The cabin steward 'rescued' me. Later I told three crew members about this. Yet, it took three more days before someone came to replace the lock.

[mescat4]

I think you will like the Prinsendam. We did the Top of the World cruise and here is what our thoughts were of the ship:

http://www.*****.com/Prnsendam.html

 

Keep in mind that my wife always says that I find the negative if there is one and will say so. Like the time I got locked out on our balcony because the sliding door locked itself. I had to pound on the metal side panels and yell to get some attention of other passengers. This is not too far from the North Pole, mind you, so it was cold out there. The cabin steward 'rescued' me. Later I told three crew members about this. Yet, it took three more days before someone came to replace the lock.

 

thanks for the honest appraisal of the P-dam. It reinforces all I've heard about the ship. Don't mind the Old Folks as we are of that ilk ourselves- our motto (credit to Satchel Paige)- 'don't look behind ya- they might be gaining'

 

Ev

[marazul]

Ultima Thule -

 

we have six hours in Helsinki so it is a good thing we only have a short walk from the ship to Senate Square. We planned to buy the Helsinki card and go to Suommenlinna first. That would get us to the island before 9 am. At that time the visitors center is closed. I printed the "Blue Route" from their website and I think we will be able to walk the route even if we cannot get inside the buildings. Is that true?

 

We do want to be back in the city to take the 11 am guided tour included in the card.

 

After the bus tour we plan to walk around market square and be near the ship so we don't miss it!

 

An alternative would be to take tram 3T early and then go to Suommenlina. The question is - at what time is Temppeliaukio open?

 

Any comments on our plans are most welcome.

 

THANK YOU!

[Ultima Thule]

I think we will be able to walk the route even if we cannot get inside the buildings. Is that true?

 

Thats true.

 

 

An alternative would be to take tram 3T early and then go to Suommenlina. The question is - at what time is Temppeliaukio open?

 

Found these times on the net.

 

mon, wed 10am-5pm

tue 10-12.45am ja 2-15.15pm

thu, fri 10am-8pm

sat 10am-6pm

sun 11.45am-1.45 pm & 3.30-6.00 pm

 

Note changed route for Helsinki Tram 3 during summer 2011

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1378219

[marazul]

Thank you! That's very useful info.