Lois Larson
Helsinki Airport, also known as Helsinki Vantaa Airport, is a sleek and modern airport with a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafes. The airport offers a decent amount of seating, including armrest-free benches and reclining chairs, and security is generally tolerant of overnight sleepers. If you're looking for a more comfortable option, there are sleep pods available for 5 EUR/hour, or an overnight rate of 49 EUR. For uninterrupted sleep, there are also hotels within the airport, including the GLO Hotel Airport, and several nearby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tolerant of overnight sleepers | Yes |
| Security checks | Yes |
| Safety | Good |
| Seating availability | Decent amount, including armrest-free benches and reclining chairs |
| Sleeping pods | Available for €5/hour in the Schengen Area; €39.90 for 5 hours; €22.50 for 3 hours |
| Luggage storage | Yes |
| Charging points | Yes |
| WiFi | Free and unlimited |
| Hotels | At the airport and several nearby |
| Restaurants and cafes | Available |
| Shops | Available |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping in the airport terminal
Helsinki Airport is open 24/7, and airport staff are tolerant of overnight sleepers. Security may check IDs and tickets, but many travellers report that security contributes to the overall feeling of safety. The airport is small, and most things are centralised in one building, with the train station directly beneath the arrivals hall. The airport has free unlimited WiFi, and there are several lounges open to all passengers.
If you don't have luggage, you can stay in the airside/gate area and go through the baggage claim hall in the morning. The benches at the check-in desks fill up first, so arrive early if you plan to sleep there.
There is a hotel in the terminal building, the GLO Hotel Airport, which has direct access from the arrivals hall. The hotel offers standard rooms and private resting pods that can be booked for four to seven hours. The overnight pod rate is typically €49, including a pillow and blanket, and gives you lounge access until noon the next day. You can book online or via email.
There are also the Scandic and Hilton Helsinki Airport hotels within walking distance of the terminal building.
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Sleeping pods
Helsinki Airport offers GoSleep sleeping pods for passengers looking for a quick nap or an overnight stay. These futuristic-looking pods can be found at Terminal Two at Gate 31, with each pod featuring a cosy cocoon with a chair that can be converted into a bed. The hourly charge is 4.50 euros, while the overnight rate is 49 euros, which allows you to "check in" after 8 pm and gives you lounge access until noon the following day.
The pods provide a safe and comfortable place to relax or nap, with features such as USB chargers, privacy shades, and storage space for hand luggage. The Finnish GoSleep pods are among the most successful sleeping pods globally, also found in airports such as Amsterdam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tokyo, and New York.
If you're looking for a shorter stay, booking via email is required as Booking.com only offers whole-night bookings. For a 5-hour stay, the rate is 39.90 euros, including a pillow and blanket. A 3-hour stay costs 22.50 euros, but you'll need to rent the pillow and blanket separately.
While the airport staff are generally tolerant of overnight sleepers, they may perform ID and ticket checks. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels within the airport, such as the GLO Hotel Airport, and nearby, including the Scandic and Hilton Helsinki Airport hotels.
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Airport lounges
Helsinki Airport is tolerant of overnight sleepers, and security contributes to the overall feeling of safety. There are a few options for places to sleep, including armrest-free benches, reclining chairs, and couches. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels at the airport and several nearby.
If you're looking for a more comfortable option, you can purchase access to airport lounges. Finnair offers lounges on both the Schengen and non-Schengen sides of the airport, which can be purchased online or during check-in. The lounges offer dining, resting, and showering facilities, as well as signature drinks and meals. Finnair Plus members can also use Avios to pay for lounge access, and certain Business Class tickets include free entrance.
In addition to the Finnair Lounges, there are also the Aspire Lounge by Gate 13, Aspire Lounge by Gate 27, and the Plaza Premium Lounge. These lounges can be accessed through the Priority Pass app, which can be downloaded to help locate and access lounges.
Overall, Helsinki Airport provides a range of options for travellers spending the night, from sleeping in the terminal to accessing comfortable airport lounges.
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Nearby hotels
Helsinki Airport is generally quite accommodating to overnight sleepers. The airport features unlimited free Wi-Fi, and security personnel are known to be tolerant of those staying overnight, even contributing to an overall feeling of safety.
However, if you would prefer to stay in a hotel, there are several options available. The GLO Hotel Airport is located within the airport itself, while the Scandic and Hilton Helsinki Airport hotels are just next door, a short walk from the terminal building.
If you would like to venture a little further, there is a HI hotel that is a good 20 minutes away. While this may be a bit of a trek, it is still a viable option if you are looking for a place to stay for a short period.
For those seeking a more unique experience, GoSleep pods are available at the airport. These pods feature USB chargers, allowing you to recharge your devices while you sleep. The rates vary depending on the length of your stay, with the overnight rate being €49, which includes lounge access until noon the next day. You can also book the pod for shorter durations, such as 5 hours for €39.90 or 3 hours for €22.50, although you may have to rent additional amenities for a fee.
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Visiting Helsinki on a layover
Helsinki Airport is quite accommodating for travellers with layovers. The airport has a good selection of shops, restaurants, and cafes. You can easily pass the time by visiting the several Scandinavian design shops featuring Finnish lifestyle brands such as Balmuir, Marimekko, Littala, and Luhta, which sell stylish Nordic clothes and designer homeware. If you're travelling with kids, there's also a Moomin shop with books, mugs, posters, and other Moomin-themed items.
If you're looking for a place to relax, the Helsinki Airport lounge offers comfortable seating and large windows for plane-watching. Access to the lounge costs £33. Additionally, the airport provides free unlimited WiFi, mobile charging points, and 24-hour food options.
If you're considering a quick trip into Helsinki during your layover, it is feasible if you have at least five hours between flights. You can take the train to Helsinki Central Station, which takes about 30 minutes, and join a guided tour of the city's main sights. Alternatively, you can book a tour that includes transport to and from the city, ensuring a seamless experience. For a unique perspective, you can even opt for a 30-minute helicopter tour of the city, complete with a glass of champagne.
If you decide to stay at the airport, it's important to note that the airport staff are generally tolerant of overnight sleepers. However, they may perform ID and ticket checks for security purposes. The airport offers a decent amount of seating, including armrest-free benches and reclining chairs. If you're in the Schengen Area, you can also rent sleep pods for 5 EUR per hour, providing a more private and comfortable sleeping environment. These sleep pods come with USB chargers and space to stow your carry-on luggage.
For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels within the airport, such as the GLO Hotel Airport, and others nearby, including the Scandic and Hilton Helsinki Airport hotels.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can stay overnight at Helsinki Airport. Airport staff are tolerant of overnight sleepers, and security contributes to the overall feeling of safety.
There are various options for sleeping at Helsinki Airport. You can sleep on armrest-free benches or reclining chairs scattered throughout the airport. If you want to sleep on the floor, you can seek out carpeted areas or use a sleeping bag or sleep mat. If you are in the Schengen Area, sleep pods are available for 5 EUR/hour, with an overnight rate of 49 EUR.
Yes, there are hotels at the airport, including the GLO Hotel Airport, and the Scandic and Hilton Helsinki Airport hotels, which are located next to the terminal building.
During a layover at Helsinki Airport, you can shop at the various Scandinavian design shops, such as Balmuir, Marimekko, Littala, and Luhta. You can also visit the Moomin shop, which sells Moomin-themed items. Additionally, you can pay £33 to access a private premium lounge where you can relax and enjoy runway views. If you have a longer layover, you can take a tour of Helsinki, either by train or helicopter.
