If you want to make the most of your Helsinki experience, you can't do without the Helsinki Card. It gives one of the best offers in the history of city passes. Aside from giving you free transportation around the city, it also provides free admission to museums and other major tourist attractions. You also get to dine and shop for less by taking advantage of its special rates and discounts. On top of all these is my favorite feature of the Helsinki City Pass, the Audio City Tour.
The card entitles the holder unlimited free rides on any public transportation within the city. This includes buses, trams, local trains, the metro and the Suomenlinna ferry.
When using public transportation, your card serves as your ticket. Make sure to have your card validated before using it for the first time. Validation is done by stamping the date and time on the card which marks the beginning of the validity period. If you fail to do this, be prepared to pay a hefty 80 euros penalty on top of a single fare for traveling without a valid ticket.
To use your free passes or discounts in theatres, museums and other tourist attractions, show your card to the ticket counter or attendant before entering the area. If you are in a participating restaurant, show your card to the waiter before ordering.
Be sure not to miss the one and a half hour Audio City Tour that comes free with your Helsinki card. It is the best introduction to this exciting city. The tour will take you to the major city attractions accompanied by an audio commentary in a language of your choice. The headphone commentary is available in twelve major languages so you are bound to find one that you are most comfortable in.
Although the Audio City Tour is available to all card holders, the seats are limited so you better book in advance to secure a seat. Also, note that you can't just hop on the tour bus without a valid ticket. You need to drop by the ticket sales points at the Kaivokatu Railway Station or at the Esplanade Park and show your Helsinki Card at the counter to get your free Audio City Tour ticket.
The Helsinki Card also offers the following advantages: free admissions to more than 60 major attractions and museums, 30% discount in Finnair Airport buses, 20% discount at Helsinki's major restaurants and cafes, as well as a 10% discount in the city's leisure and shopping facilities. Check out the Helsinki Guide Book that comes with your card for these exciting freebies and discounts.
There are over 50 sales points where you can buy the Helsinki Card. There are the City Tourist and Convention Bureau at the Pohjoisesplanadi 19, Kaivokatu Railway Station and reception desks of major hotels in the city to name a few. Validity periods range from 1-3 days. You may also want to take advantage of the card's discounts on tours to other Finland destinations or to the nearby cities of Talinn, Estonia and St. Petersburg, Russia.
Sunee is author of this article on Hotels in Thailand. Find more information about Phuket Hotels here.
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