Helsinki Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026

Helsinki Airport Map

The Helsinki Airport map below shows the full layout of Helsinki‑Vantaa Airport (HEL/EFHK). HEL handled around 17 million passengers in 2025 and is the main hub for Finnair, Finland’s flag carrier. The airport serves as an operating base for Norwegian Air Shuttle and hosts roughly 20 airlines flying to more than 100 destinations across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Middle East.

As you can see on the Helsinki Airport map, the layout is straightforward. What were once two separate terminal buildings (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) merged into a single integrated terminal in June 2022. Inside, the airside gate area divides into a Schengen zone (gates 1–36) and a non‑Schengen zone (gates 37–55). The terminal’s A‑shaped footprint keeps walking distances short: from central security to the farthest gate takes roughly 12–15 minutes on foot. Study the HEL airport map before you travel so you know which zone your gate falls in.

Helsinki Airport Location Map

Helsinki‑Vantaa Airport sits in the city of Vantaa, approximately 17 km (11 miles) north of Helsinki city centre. The Helsinki Airport location map below shows HEL’s position relative to the capital. The airport is accessed via the Ring III motorway (Kehä III), with well‑signed exits directing drivers to the terminal, parking garages and cargo areas. The underground Ring Rail Line station sits directly beneath the terminal building.

Helsinki Airport Terminal Layout

Helsinki Airport operates as a single integrated terminal building. The former Terminal 1 (north) and Terminal 2 (south) merged on 21 June 2022, so there is no longer a need to travel between separate terminal buildings. All check‑in counters, security and departures gates are under one roof. Inside the secure airside area, the gate zone splits into two distinct areas based on Schengen status.

Helsinki Airport Gate Areas

Once through security at Helsinki Airport you enter the airside gate area. The Schengen and non‑Schengen zones are connected by indoor corridors. Walking from one end of the gate area to the other — say from Gate 5 to Gate 55 — takes roughly 10–15 minutes. Both zones have restaurants, cafes, shops and lounges, so there is little reason to rush to your gate the moment security clears.

Schengen Gate Area (Gates 1–36)

Non‑Schengen Gate Area (Gates 37–55)

Helsinki Airport Security

Security at Helsinki Airport is located on the second floor of the departures hall, between check‑in and the gate area. The checkpoint uses 3D CT scanners, which means liquids and laptops can remain inside carry‑on bags — no need to unpack. Some bags will still be checked manually, but preparation time at the belt is generally faster than at older airports.

Airlines at Helsinki Airport

Finnair dominates HEL across both gate zones, operating domestic Finnish routes, short‑haul European services and a network of long‑haul intercontinental routes to Asia, North America and Africa. Norwegian Air Shuttle uses Helsinki as an operating base for Scandinavian routes. Around 20 airlines in total operate scheduled services at HEL, covering over 100 direct destinations. Below is an overview of the main carriers.

Getting to Helsinki Airport

Ground transportation is accessible from the arrivals forecourt outside the terminal. The Ring Rail Line station sits directly beneath the building, making the train the simplest option for most travellers arriving from central Helsinki or the western suburbs.

Helsinki Airport Parking

Pre‑book Helsinki airport parking at finavia.fi to guarantee a space during busy periods, especially summer and the winter holiday season.

Connecting Through Helsinki Airport

Helsinki Airport has one of the shortest minimum connection times in Europe at 35 minutes for Schengen‑to‑Schengen transfers. The compact single‑terminal layout is the reason: there are no inter‑terminal buses or trains, just a straightforward walk. For connections that cross from the Schengen to the non‑Schengen zone (or vice versa), allow at least 60 minutes to clear passport control. Self‑transfers on separate bookings require a minimum of 90 minutes.

Transfer Connection Types

Helsinki Airport Arrivals

Arriving passengers at Helsinki Airport deplane via one of 17 jetbridges or a short bus transfer from the apron. Clear multilingual signage in Finnish, Swedish, English, Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Russian guides you from the gate to baggage claim or onward connections. Domestic and Schengen arrivals flow straight into the terminal without border control. Passengers arriving from non‑Schengen countries clear passport control before collecting bags and exiting into the arrivals hall, where rental car desks, taxi ranks, bus stops and the Ring Rail Line station are all within easy reach.

Helsinki Airport Departures

Departing passengers check in on the departures level, then clear security on the second floor. Check‑in counters and bag drop typically close 45–60 minutes before departure. Gate assignments appear on flight information screens throughout the terminal and in your airline’s app. Finnair’s check‑in opens 24 hours in advance for bag drop and 2.5 hours before departure at the counter. For non‑Schengen departures, allow extra time to clear passport control inside the gate area.

Recommended Arrival Times

Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before Schengen flights and 3 hours before long‑haul and non‑Schengen departures. During peak morning hours (5:00–7:00 a.m.) security queues can reach 30–45 minutes, so factor that into your schedule. The Ring Rail Line is the most reliable way to hit your timing: trains run every 10 minutes and the 30‑minute journey is largely immune to road traffic.

What to Do at Helsinki Airport

HEL has over 50 restaurants and shops across both gate zones. Highlights include Fazer Café (famous for Finnish chocolates and pastries), the Nordic Kitchen with seasonal menus, and a strong selection of Finnish design homeware, outdoor clothing and local food gifts — all well suited as last‑minute souvenirs. The airport has free Wi‑Fi throughout. Sleeping pods near gates 22, 31 and 50 cost around €6 per hour and are useful for overnight layovers. The GLO Hotel Airport is located inside the terminal, while the Hilton Helsinki Airport connects via a covered walkway from the arrivals hall.

Insider Tips

HEL is compact by international standards. The biggest navigation challenge is knowing which gate zone you need before you clear security — once airside, everything is clearly signed. Check your gate number on the screens and on your boarding pass app before heading to passport control, as the non‑Schengen zone requires a dedicated crossing point. The 3D CT scanners at security mean you do not need to unpack liquids or laptops, which saves real time. If you are flying Finnair long‑haul, the Sauna Lounge in the non‑Schengen zone is worth experiencing as a piece of genuine Finnish culture. MARTA it is not — but the Ring Rail Line is fast, cheap and leaves from directly under the building. Refer to the Helsinki Airport map above to plan your route before you arrive.