Discover Helsinki on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
Helsinki is not only the capital and largest city of this country, but also one of the most avant-garde capitals on the planet. Fortunately for tourists, most of the sights are located in the city center, so it is worth leaving the car in the parking lot and walking among them. Other significant places can be visited by driving around the city and its picturesque surroundings.
If you are planning a trip to Helsinki, take care of your travel plan in advance. Get directions from Vantaa Airport, if arriving by air, rent a car using the Bookingautos car rental website, and take a closer look at the sights and those places where you want to relax and enjoy peace.
Noisy and lively Helsinki, despite the Finnish language unfamiliar to most visitors, will please anyone with hospitality and a friendly atmosphere. Salespeople, waiters and other social workers use English.
Green in summer and cozy in winter Esplanade Park with its miniature stalls where you can warm up with a cup of Finnish Kahvi coffee, and ice cream during the hot months, can be a starting point for exploring Helsinki in one or two days. From there, Kauppatori, or Market Square, with its street restaurants selling grilled salmon, is within easy reach, and the Cathedral can be seen a little further away. Needless to say, a trip to Helsinki will be unforgettable, and you will want to return there.
What to see in Helsinki?
In the heart of Helsinki stands a cathedral of impeccable white color, in the middle of the square stands a monument to Alexander II, and nearby are the Senate and several government buildings. Start your walk around the city from here and you will not regret it.
Senate Square and the Cathedral Helsinki
The cathedral was built in 1852. It is usually open to visitors during the day and admission is free. There is nothing better than to sit on the top steps of his stairs and admire the square from above. On Christmas Eve, a fair opens here, and when you arrive in June, you can catch an incendiary samba festival and trade on Ivan Kupala Day. In winter, a skating rink is set up near the Senate Square, and children will be happy to visit the Children's Museum, where they can play and see the life of the Finns at the beginning of the last century.
Harbor and Market Square
After looking at Senate Square, look for Sofiyskaya Street branching off from it with its souvenir shops and reach the harbor. Once on the Market Square, do not forget to turn around: you will have a beautiful postcard view of the cathedral, which can now be seen at the end of Sofiyskaya Street. This view should be among your photos.
The old market is located in the port. Its stalls sell typical Finnish products - venison, salmon and other fresh, smoked and dried fish, as well as handicrafts, furs and souvenirs. In summer, the stalls are bursting with garden and forest berries - raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.
Assumption Orthodox Cathedral
The most striking thing about this Orthodox church is its reflection of the Russian style and the fact that its golden domes are visible from all points of the city. The Assumption Cathedral, built between 1862 and 1868, belongs to the creation of the Russian architect Alexei Gornostaev and is open to the public on weekdays and public holidays.
Also not far from the center, a 10-15 minute drive with a rental car is the Stone Church Temppeliaukio – Lutheran a prayer temple, and a monument to Sibelius, known throughout the world. Connoisseurs of Suomi history and art can visit the National Museum, information about which can be found on the official website.
If time permits, be sure to take a trip to the cities that are close to the capital. These include Porvoo and Espoo.
Porvoo
This city, whose Finnish name is nothing more than a distorted Swedish "Borgo", is 50 km from the capital. Porvoo has its own, indescribable old atmosphere, which breathes its small streets with wooden houses. In each of them you can find souvenir shops, cozy cafes, as well as craft workshops and art galleries. Fairs of antique goods, as well as old books and curious objects of past centuries are often held in the central square.
Espoo
This city includes an archipelago of islands and canals, Nuuksio National Park and one of Finland's most important universities - Aalto University. It is worth coming here and staying for the night in one of the prestigious hotels in the city to take a walk through the forests, enjoy the silence of the Finnish lakes, chat with swans and wild geese on their banks, visit the Finnish sauna. The distance from Helsinki to Espoo is only 21 km.
The best restaurants in Helsinki
Finns are real gourmets who are ready to surprise tourists with avant-garde cuisine and unique culinary experiences. No one leaves the restaurants of the capital hungry, taking with them memories of smoked fish with pink pepper, venison meatballs and other local delicacies.
combined with original ingredients. Grilled meat with boiled or baked potatoes and beet salad, rye bread, venison with mash and salmon with fresh vegetables are complemented by a large selection of wines.
If you enter this cozy establishment on Tehtaankatu 27 through the backyard, it will seem to you that you have broken into a private club. The fact is that the institution is located in a former factory in the Punavuori district and therefore can be proud of its somewhat mysterious surroundings. The cuisine is based on Mediterranean dishes with Finnish flair.
This seemingly unassuming 18-seat restaurant is just a short walk from the Market Square and can go unnoticed due to its minimalist look. At the same time, an exquisite collection of national dishes awaits you inside. Nordic recipes include both meat and fish, as well as vegetarian delicacies. The wine list is small, but chosen so carefully that each guest will be satisfied with the addition of the selected menu with an excellent drink.
Where to park in Helsinki?
Parking at the ferry terminal is the best way to start your walk in Helsinki. There are several of them in the city, and parking prices will vary depending on the location. Remember that the closer the parking lot is to the city center, the more expensive it will be to park there. The minimum price is one and a half euros per hour.
Most hotels have their own parking lots for guests, so when choosing a place to stay in Helsinki, discuss this point in advance with hotel administrators. Do not forget about free parking spaces, which are located near shopping centers and large stores. The only inconvenience will be their remoteness from the city center.
You should also pay attention to one more nuance: free parking time in such places is usually strictly limited and can last from 1 to 4 hours. You can determine the type of parking by the icon on the sign next to the parking lot.
Arriving in Helsinki in a hired car rental, be sure to follow the parking regulations in force in the country and in this way you will be able to avoid unnecessary problems and enjoy the trip from the first to the last minutes.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Enterprise
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
33 € / Day
Best price
24 € / Day
Average cost per week of rental in Helsinki
January
€193
February
€123
March
€134
April
€146
May
€186
June
€235
July
€231
August
€250
September
€160
October
€129
November
€107
December
€142
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Helsinki in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Helsinki is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €24 for a Compact car.
Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting Audi A5 Cabrio during Summer period can costs €138 per day.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Helsinki you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
What affects the cost of renting a car in Helsinki? These are three indicators: car class, time of year and rental period. The highest prices are in summer, and the lowest are in autumn and winter. The tariff is reduced if you order the service for a long time. Some specific examples: a compact model Ford Fiesta in March-April costs about€24 per day. But book a car right away for a week - and the price will drop to €23 per day. These are standard prices for budget cars. The middle class will cost an average of €31-€29 per 24 hours. This can be Mercedes CLA,Opel Insignia Estate or Opel Mokka. In Helsinki convertibles can be rented for a minimum of €72. Luxury models raise the bar to €138 per day. Some exclusive cars are valued at more than 400€ per day.
In recent years in Helsinki the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Hyundai Ioniq in Helsinki by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Early Booking Discount
Helsinki is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Renault Twingo or Ford Fiesta. These models are the most popular with our customers in Helsinki.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Opel Insignia Estate will cost €31 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Helsinki may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Helsinki, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Helsinki - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in Helsinki is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Helsinki
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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