Budget Helsinki: How to save money in the Finnish capital

The first and foremost rule of Helsinki is money on the card. Keep in mind that Finland is a very digital country, where some services are only available by online payment. For example, the luggage room must be booked and paid for in advance (€5 — luggage unit). You can't do it on the spot because the website only shows approximate locations. You choose a suitable one, pay for the reservation and only then you get the exact address. Everything happens online.

Here it will be hard for old-timers without a smartphone and a map. Even in a small souvenir market in the middle of the street, sellers are ready to pay you by PayPass. And this is not only a general advice, but also the most direct way to save money. The fact is that Finns are very encouraging of the new digital habits of the society, so some services will cost cheaper if you pay online. Just kidding: a bus ticket between two zones bought on the app costs €2.80, while from the driver's hands it costs €4.

Let's say you are looking for options on Booking or Airbnb. The difference in prices for accommodation in Helsinki and in neighboring towns like Espoo or Vantaa (the city of arrival) immediately catches your eye. You can see that a "cheap" apartment in the capital in the fall costs €35-50 per night, while in some 20-30 minutes drive you can find something for less than €20. Tempting? Of course! But if you plan to tie your activity to Helsinki — stay in Helsinki. A ticket to cross the three zones on public transportation costs €4.60 on the app and €6.50 from the driver. You'll end up spending not only the money you saved on rent, but also the most important resource in traveling — time.

It seems that the most screaming rule is already clear: you need to download a special HSL app and buy tickets through it. A single ticket is valid for 80 minutes and covers all types of transportation: bus, streetcar, metro, even some ferries. During 80 minutes you can transfer as many times as you want — the ticket will be valid. On the bus you have to show it to the driver with your smartphone at the entrance, on other means of transportation you just have it with you in case you are checked. If you know you'll have to travel a lot between specific zones, buy a pass. They are available for 1 day to a week in the same app. Absolutely all the information about fare zones, prices, schedules and other information is collected on the official website, which cannot be bypassed when going to Helsinki.

Conclusion. Download the app in advance and link your payment card to it. On the spot, buy a ticket right before boarding and keep track of the time of its activity.

Be sure to take tea/coffee on your trip so you can have breakfast at home or at the hotel. Fresh pastries are available at any convenience store that opens fairly early. The cheapest croissant is only 50 cents. Grab some free honey to go with it while visiting some coffee shop and voila! With a couple of yogurts, pastries or a sandwich, you can easily set yourself up with a €3-5 breakfast.

If possible, take your lunch on an outing. Finns are very respectful of everyone's right to choose their food, so many places have special areas for those who come with their own. For example, in the zoo (there are fountains with drinking water), in the oceanarium or in the library. Such points are even equipped with a microwave.

There is such a magical thing as free food distribution in Helsinki. Several times a week, supermarket products that are almost expired are brought to a couple of points. They give them away to anyone who wants them — a very practical action. Don't hesitate to look for current addresses and days — Finnish products are of extremely high quality, and remain so even at the end of the expiration date (and rumor has it that even after it's over, but we haven't checked).

Bonus. Come to Linnanmäki Luna Park 3 hours before closing time and admission will be €10 cheaper. For €33 you can ride all of the park's main rides, including the crazy Taiga roller coaster, and get into the oceanarium for 50% off. There are also 9 free rides in the park.