Ruth Haines
Helsinki Airport offers currency exchange services, allowing travellers to convert their cash into euros. However, it is recommended that travellers compare the exchange rates and fees at the airport with those in the city centre, as the former may not offer the best rates. Additionally, ATMs are readily available at the airport and throughout Helsinki, often providing more favourable rates. For travellers flying abroad from Helsinki Airport, duty-free shopping is available, accepting various payment methods, including cash in euros and several foreign currencies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Currency used in Finland | Euro |
| Currency exchange at Helsinki Airport | Available |
| Currency exchange rate at Helsinki Airport | Not attractive |
| Forex desk at Helsinki Airport | Not available |
| Forex desk in Helsinki | Available at the railway station and at Stockmann's dpt store |
| Sampo Bank branch office in Helsinki Airport | Available from 10 am to 4:30 pm |
| Card acceptance in Helsinki Airport | Visa/MasterCard, Diners, and Amex are accepted |
| Duty-free shopping at Helsinki Airport | Available for travelers flying outside the European Union |
| Payment in foreign currency at Helsinki Airport duty-free shops | Accepted, change is given in euros |
| Loyalty program at Helsinki Airport duty-free shops | Club Avolta |
| Loyalty program currency | Euro |
| Loyalty program threshold | 5,000 points or 1,000 euros in a 12-month period |
| Cost of train from Helsinki Airport to the city center | €5 |
| Cost of Finnair bus from Helsinki Airport to the city | €8 |
| Cost of taxi from Helsinki Airport to the city | €45 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Helsinki Airport currency exchange rates are uncompetitive
Helsinki Airport has a variety of currency exchange options available, but their exchange rates are often uncompetitive. For example, the mid-market SEK exchange rate was 11.127 Swedish Krona for 1 Euro, while the rate offered by the money changer at Helsinki Airport was 10.185 SEK/EUR, which is about 8.5% worse than the market rate. Similarly, the mid-market JPY exchange rate was 142.01 Japanese Yen for 1 Euro, but the rate at the airport was 126.42 JPY/EUR, making it about 11.0% worse than the market rate. These unattractive exchange rates also apply to currencies of neighbouring countries.
It is recommended that travellers obtain currency before arriving at the airport or use ATMs and cards instead of exchanging money at the airport. FOREX, a currency exchange service, has ATMs at Helsinki Airport that allow travellers to withdraw most popular currencies using Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Additionally, Sampo Bank, located on the Service Floor, offers currency exchange services. However, it is advisable to exchange larger sums at once due to service charges.
Furthermore, travellers can reserve their desired currency online through ChangeGroup and collect it from one of their exchange offices at the airport. ChangeGroup claims to offer the best exchange rates and 0% commission. FOREX also has a physical store at the airport where travellers can buy and sell travel currencies and receive expert advice. They also offer a buyback guarantee for returning unused currency. However, it is important to be mindful of service fees, such as the 5 EUR fixed fee charged by some companies for exchanging foreign currency to Euros without a FOREX receipt.
Overall, while Helsinki Airport provides several currency exchange options, their exchange rates are often less favourable than market rates. Travellers can minimise losses by obtaining currency beforehand or utilising alternative methods such as ATMs, cards, and online reservations with competitive rates.
Uber Drop-Offs at Las Vegas Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
There are several currency exchange outlets at the airport
Helsinki Airport has several currency exchange outlets, including FOREX, Sampo Bank, and Western Union. While exchanging currency at the airport is convenient, it may not offer the best exchange rates. For example, the exchange rate at the airport was about 8.5% worse than the market rate for Swedish Krona and about 11% worse for Japanese Yen. Additionally, a fixed fee of 5 euros may be charged for exchanging foreign currency to euros without a FOREX receipt.
If you're looking for better exchange rates, it's recommended to venture into the city centre or use alternative methods such as Transferwise or a Finnish bank account. However, if you need to exchange money at the airport, consider exchanging a larger sum at once to minimise service charges. You can also use ATMs at the airport to withdraw euros, but be mindful of transaction fees and choose to be charged in the local currency to get a fairer rate.
When exchanging currency, it's always a good idea to compare the offered rate with the real mid-market rate online. Exchange rates fluctuate, so using an online currency converter can help you stay informed. Remember to factor in commission charges and other fees to make an informed decision about where to exchange your currency. Additionally, some shops and restaurants at the airport accept cards, so you may not need to exchange a large sum of cash.
Helsinki Airport also offers duty-free shopping with airport-exclusive benefits for Club Avolta members. The program's currency is the euro, and transactions in foreign currency are converted to euros based on the Club Avolta corporate exchange rate. You can earn points for spending euros, and these points can be redeemed for discounts and other benefits.
Parking Reservations atPIE Airport: How to Secure Your Spot
You may want to see also
Explore related products
You can withdraw euros from an ATM at the airport
Helsinki Airport offers currency exchange services, allowing you to exchange foreign currency for euros. However, the exchange rates at the airport are typically less favourable than those in the city centre. For instance, exchanging 100 euros' worth of foreign currency could cost you around 13-20% in fees, including the money changer's margin and commission.
If you prefer to withdraw euros directly from an ATM, you can do so at Helsinki Airport. The Otto ATM accepts all debit and credit cards, and the service provider will not charge you for the withdrawal. However, your bank may apply a fee for using the machine, so it is advisable to check with your bank beforehand.
It is worth noting that cards are widely accepted in Helsinki, and you may not need to carry a large amount of cash. Most shops and restaurants accept Visa, Mastercard, Diners, and Amex. Additionally, if you are using public transportation, a nominal amount of cash should suffice, as tickets can be purchased with a card or from R-Kioski locations at the airport.
If you do need to exchange currency, it is recommended to change a larger sum at a time to avoid incurring multiple service charges. The Sampo Bank branch office at the airport can facilitate currency exchange during its operating hours, from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
API at the Airport: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
You can pay with euros at duty-free shops
If you're travelling through Helsinki Airport and want to make the most of the duty-free shopping, you can pay with euros at the airport's duty-free shops.
Helsinki Airport duty-free shops accept card payments from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, China Union Pay, and all major debit cards. They also accept cash payments in euros and the following foreign currencies: GBP, CAD, JPY, CHF, and USD. If you pay in a foreign currency, you will receive your change in euros.
It's worth noting that the duty-free shops operate exclusively at the airport, and you will need to show your boarding pass to be eligible for duty-free shopping. Additionally, if you are purchasing tobacco or alcohol, there are legal age restrictions in Finland that you should be aware of.
While Helsinki Airport provides currency exchange services, it is generally recommended to avoid exchanging money at airports due to unfavourable exchange rates and additional fees. If you need to exchange a large amount of currency, it is suggested to do so in advance or at a location outside of the airport, such as a bank or a currency exchange outlet in the city centre, to obtain a better rate. ATMs are also readily available at the airport and throughout Helsinki, offering a convenient option for withdrawing cash in the local currency.
SL Access Card: Buy at Arlanda Airport?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
You can change euros back into your home currency
If you have euros left over from your trip and want to change them back into your home currency, there are several options available at Helsinki Airport. However, it is worth noting that exchange rates at the airport are generally not favourable, and you may lose a significant percentage of your money in the transaction.
If you want to proceed with exchanging your euros at the airport, you can do so at the Sampo Bank branch office, located on the Service Floor and open from 10 am to 4:30 pm. There are also currency exchange outlets, such as The Change Group, located in the transit area and landside, as well as in Terminal 2. These outlets may charge a fixed fee for exchanging foreign currency to euros without a FOREX receipt.
To get a better exchange rate, you may want to consider exchanging a smaller amount of money at the airport and then waiting until you reach the city centre to change the rest. In Helsinki's city centre, you can find currency exchange offices such as Forex and ChangeGroup, which offer better rates and a wider range of currencies. You can also use an ATM to withdraw money in your home currency, but be sure to avoid foreign ATMs that offer to convert your transaction into your home currency, as this will result in additional fees.
Finally, if you have a Finnish bank account or know someone who does, you can transfer money between accounts using the real mid-market exchange rate, avoiding the need to pay extra fees and charges for exchanging cash.
Uber from Midway Airport: How to Get One
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the currency used in Finland is the euro. You can spend euros at Helsinki Airport, and there are also several opportunities to change cash at the airport.
FOREX Money Exchange has a store, an ATM, and a pick-up point service at Helsinki Airport. The Change Group has several outlets in the transit area and landside, and Sampo Bank can be found landside in Terminal 2.
Exchange rates at the airport are not competitive, and you will likely get a better rate in the city centre. Exchange rates at the airport have been found to be about 8.5-11% worse than the market rate.
A fixed fee of 5 euros is charged for exchanging foreign currency to euros without a FOREX receipt. If you have a FOREX receipt or are exchanging euros to foreign currency, there is no fee. Exchanging small amounts of money can be costly, with the fee being about 13-20% of the exchanged amount.
