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Discover Helsinki by Hire Car

Many notable cities on our planet have an epithet. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, has two.

As the “White City of the North” and the “Daughter of the Baltic,” Helsinki enjoys a worldwide reputation.

The naming is no accident. On the one hand, it is the white-pastel façade colours of the light-flooded city and, on the other, its location in the bosom of the Baltic Sea, lapped by ocean waves without being an island.

But it’s not just Helsinki itself that’s worth exploring, the surrounding countryside is too. And the best way to do that is by hire car. We have put together a few tips for renting and travelling.

Receiving the hire car

Some providers have their stations right in the terminal. Just ask at the information desk. But there are also providers who have their station only near the airport. In this case you have to wait for a shuttle to take you there. And that can sometimes take a long time.

Also, if you’re picking up your airport direct, you should always reserve your car in advance. After all, some rental companies only open when customers are actually expected. A convenient reservation option with great deals is offered by our handy price comparison.

Choosing the right car

When choosing the right car, it very much depends on what you intend to do with your hire car. If you want to explore the area around Helsinki in the summer, a comfortable mid-range vehicle will be enough to travel smoothly on the well-maintained roads.

But if you want to travel in the north and east of Finland, where there are still unpaved roads, you are better off with a four-wheel drive vehicle. The same goes for the often icy and snowy Finnish winter.

hire car price comparison Helsinki

Insuring the car properly

Wild changes and bad weather conditions mean that accidents can happen quickly in Finland. You’ll be on the safe side if you take out comprehensive insurance with no excess for your hire car. And when it comes to liability insurance, you should pay attention to the amount of coverage.

It should be at least one million euros. So you protect yourself if several vehicles are involved in an accident or even people are injured. If the coverage of your rental company seems too low, talk to your insurance company to provide additional protection. Ask for a so-called Mallorca policy.

age limit

Almost all rental companies only rent to drivers who are at least 21 years old and have held a driver’s license for at least two years. Some do not rent to drivers older than 75.

And still others charge an additional fee for drivers under 25. Ask about your rental company’s terms before you rent.

Accessories

Even in winter, you will need accessories such as snow chains or a jumper cable. Find out before the rental whether your rental company also has these things in the assortment and reserve in time. This is the only way you can be sure that the accessories you want will actually be available on the day of rental.

Language barrier

Almost all Finns speak English very well. So you won’t have any problems when renting and travelling.

Free kilometers

Finland is a huge country. To be able to explore its vastness carefree with a hire car, you should book a hire car with free kilometers.

Customer Review Hire Car

Most customers are very satisfied with the rental companies on site. However, some criticize the longer transfer to the hire car station. In addition, you should inquire exactly about the opening hours of the station, so as not to stand in front of closed doors when handing over.

Safety Hire Car

Most customers are also satisfied with the road safety of hire cars. Nevertheless, you should test the complete lighting of the vehicle before your first drive. Do a quick brake test as well. And during the winter months, make sure you haven’t neglected to put on winter tires.

Bail

There are rental companies that actually charge the deposit due to your credit card. In this case, you may have to wait longer for the amount to land back in your account after returning the car. It is better to choose a rental company that only blocks the amount.

Sights in Helsinki

Alexanterinkatu: The shopper’s paradise
In Helsinki’s city centre, you hardly feel the maritime environment. The lively streets provide variety. For example, Alexanterinkatu, pedestrian zone and tram route at the same time. At the junction with Mannerheimintie, the gigantic Stockmann department store catches the eye of visitors.
Akateeminen Kirjakauppa: most beautiful bookshop in the world?

Again, the “Akateeminen Kirjakauppa”, the academic bookstore, with its inviting cafe. It is not only the largest of its kind in Northern Europe but for many people who have visited it, the most beautiful bookshop in the world.

Esplanade: Green Lung of the City
From there, it’s a stone’s throw to the Esplanade. The elongated park stretches all the way to the bustling Kauppatori, Helsinki’s market square. Close by is the Presidential Palace and, just beyond, Senate Square with its snow-white cathedral and its mighty light-blue dome reaching far across the city.

Seurasaari: Journey into the past
Helsinki has much more to offer, however. Clever who gets a hire car, because a whole series of sights are located on the outskirts of the city. For example, the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, which provides insight into the way of life of the Finns of yesteryear.

Suggestion of a round trip

Porvoo: Picturesque small town
A first round trip by hire car could take you first to Porvoo. You can be there in just under an hour. In Porvoo you can enjoy idyllic small town life. Wooden houses line the narrow streets. Here you will feel like a child in a picture book. Many visitors are drawn to the medieval cathedral, which was built between 1414 and 1418.

Lahti: Modern metropolis with sports centre
Continue your journey in about an hour to Lahti. There you will experience a real contrast. Because the seventh largest city of Finland received only 1905 the city rights and scores with modern architecture. Especially the Church of the Holy Cross, built in 1978, with its clear design language, is not to be missed. And the sports centre with its 113-metre-high ski jump with viewing platform is also an absolute highlight.

Hyvinkää: Journey into the past
Before heading back to Helsinki, you should make a stop in Hyvinkää. This trip also takes just one hour. In Hyvinkää, the Finnish Railway Museum will take you back to the days when Finland could be travelled primarily by rail. It will take you another hour to get back to Helsinki. There you can plan your next excursions at your leisure.

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