Helsinki

[Granny B]

Did anyone take the J.L. Runingren to Porvoo? ...and sightsee on their own?

...there and in Helsink? All info appreciated...will be on the Star Princess leaving August 23rd from Copenhagen.

[tartangal]

We had hoped to go to Porvoo by boat but at the tourist info office in Helsinki we were told us it took 3 hours so we opted for the bus both ways. If we'd had longer in port we would have taken the boat at least one way but it was a short port day on our Constellation cruise. We were glad we'd chosen Porvoo over other options in Helsinki, though as it is a charming town of historical interest as well as having interesting shops and lots of outdoor cafes. We would also have liked more time to explore Helsinki itself as it is a lovely city if more modern than others on our trip. The produce and craft market in the central square shouldn't be missed.

[jimbo23]

If you make it down to the harbour there is a market with local goods to shop in.

 

The ferry office will sell you a combined ticket for the 3b/3t tram which goes on a circular tour of the city(3b goes one way,3t the other)It is a hop on hop off tram and you can get off anywhere to see the sights.The ferry office gives you a stop guide and there is an illuminated board on the tram announcing which stop is approaching.You can visit the senate,rock church,olympic stadium and other sights off the tram easily.

 

When you get back to the harbour the combined ticket gives you the ferry ride over to suomellina fortress and island rom the pier near the ferry office.

 

The best thing of all is the price !!!

 

eight euros for two !!!! what a deal.

 

easily done in a day

 

Jim

[dileep]

If you make it down to the harbour there is a market with local goods to shop in.

 

The ferry office will sell you a combined ticket for the 3b/3t tram which goes on a circular tour of the city(3b goes one way,3t the other)It is a hop on hop off tram and you can get off anywhere to see the sights.The ferry office gives you a stop guide and there is an illuminated board on the tram announcing which stop is approaching.You can visit the senate,rock church,olympic stadium and other sights off the tram easily.

 

When you get back to the harbour the combined ticket gives you the ferry ride over to suomellina fortress and island rom the pier near the ferry office.

 

The best thing of all is the price !!!

 

eight euros for two !!!! what a deal.

 

easily done in a day

 

Jim

 

Yes! I asked for two tickets @ 5.50 Euros per person and the salesperson suggested a group ticket for 8 Euros. Great deal!!!

[harbormaster]

We did the Baltic cruise last year in July. Helsinki was our favorite port, outside of St. Petersburg. It is very easy to do on your own. We took the local bus directly from the ship. Then we walked down the main street. The best part of the city was the downtown market. It is chock full of local crafts, art, clothing and food. Of all the ports we visited, it had the best prices and I got the best gifts for people for Christmas there. Very unique. Most everyone speaks great English and they are very happy to help you and to chat about local customs, etc. They'll even give you free samples of reindeer meat!

We also walked along close to the market to the little sightseeing ships and took a cruise of the harbor and outlying islands on our own. It was lovely.

Hope you have a great time. We'd love to go back.

[mborchgardt]

In researching the hop on/hop off tram in Helsinki, I came across this site with details on where to buy tram tickets and a link to a PDF map of the "tourist tram" route.

 

http://www.hel.fi/HKL/english.html

 

Click on "For Travelers" and then "See Helsinki by Tram".

[pj-atsea]

We thought Helsinki was the best stop on our trip. We had a short city highlights tour and then time on our own at the end of the tour. We later took the shuttle back to the ship. Loved the market down at the waterfront. Ate the faboulous fresh strawberries.. We had a hot sunny day and it was a wonderful atmosphere...would love to go back there.pj

Some people did the Porvoo trip and said although they liked it, they wished they had just done Helsinki. But everyone has a different opinion of what they like so you have to judge yourself.

[edinburgher]

We had the same experience as Dileep.

 

 

Went to ticket counter and asked for 2 all day tickets. Told if we travelled together at all times could buy a "group" ticket and directed to a machine to get it. Instructions in English.

[Smmessineo]

Another nice little side trip in Helsinki is Suomenlinna, an island fortress that's a 15 minute ferry ride from the harbor. Nice little shops and cafes, information center and museums, and the fortress itself which has great semi-ruins that you can poke around in, walk on the walls,etc. We did this on our recent cruise and still had time to see the sights in the city when we returned.

Check for which ferry has the best price, though they are all pretty cheap. Our ferry ran 3 times an hour.

[Mapu]

In researching the hop on/hop off tram in Helsinki, I came across this site with details on where to buy tram tickets and a link to a PDF map of the "tourist tram" route.

 

http://www.hel.fi/HKL/english.html

 

Click on "For Travelers" and then "See Helsinki by Tram".

Thanks for the great link. :)