How to get there
How to Fly to Helsinki from the US and Canada
How to get there
How to Fly to Helsinki from the US and Canada
Updated Tue, Feb 3, 2026
Direct flights exist, but may be seasonal, from North America to Helsinki. Travelers connect through European hubs with total journey times of 10-15 hours including layovers.
Overview
Ease of getting there
Nonstop flights between North America and Helsinki are limited and may be seasonal. Most travelers connect through major European hubs like Amsterdam, London, Paris, or Stockholm. Finnish national carrier Finnair operates extensive routes from these connection cities to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Major US departure cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston, while Canadians typically fly from Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal. Total journey time ranges from 10-15 hours including layovers. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport sits 19 kilometers north of the city center with excellent public transport connections.
Customs and immigration
Finland uses automated border control gates for US and Canadian passport holders, significantly reducing wait times to 5-15 minutes during peak periods. No visa required for stays under 90 days within a 180-day period. Digital passport scanning speeds processing considerably. Customs operates on a green/red channel system with most travelers passing through quickly. During summer peak season, immigration lines may extend to 20-30 minutes. EU citizens and Schengen area travelers use separate faster lanes.
Flights from the US / Canada
Major US cities like New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and Washington DC offer connections to Helsinki through European hubs. Canadian travelers depart from Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Primary connection cities include Amsterdam (KLM/Delta), London Heathrow (British Airways/American), Paris CDG (Air France), Stockholm (SAS), and Frankfurt (Lufthansa). Finnair operates multiple daily flights from these European hubs to Helsinki-Vantva Airport. Expect 1-2 connections depending on your departure city.
From airport to city center
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport connects to the city center via multiple transport options. Expect around 30 minutes by train and 45–55 minutes by bus, with public transport tickets costing under 10 euros, and taxis usually 40–50 euros to the center. The airport also offers rental cars from major international companies. All public transport accepts contactless payment and mobile tickets through the HSL app.
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