How to buy a ticket?

On this page, you’ll find instructions on buying and using tickets in the HSL area. We explain where you can buy single and season tickets, what the zones mean, how long tickets are valid, and how to buy tickets for someone else. You can also read about discounts, student tickets and QR code tickets.

Instructions for buying tickets

Where can I buy HSL tickets?
You can easily buy a ticket using the HSL app or contactless payment. You can top up your HSL card online at the HSL Ticket Store or at sales and service points. In addition, you can buy single and day tickets at sales and service points and at ticket machines. Click here to see all HSL ticket sales locations.
Single ticket, season ticket or a multi-journey ticket? You can compare different ticket types and their prices on the Tickets and fares page.
What do the zones mean?
HSL area is divided into four zones, labelled A, B, C and D, which extend outward from the Helsinki city center. Check which zones your journey covers in the Journey Planner. It also tells you which ticket you need and how much it costs. Read more about the HSL area and zones.
How long are tickets valid?
The validity times of single tickets vary by zone. You can change between services during the ticket's validity.
- AB, BC and D tickets are valid for 80 minutes
- ABC and CD tickets are valid for 90 minutes
- BCD tickets are valid for 100 minutes, and
- ABCD tickets are valid for 110 minutes.
- Paper single tickets purchased from ticket machines are valid for 10 minutes longer than other single tickets.
Where can I find information about discounted tickets?
Information about tickets for children, students, senior citizens and mobility-impaired passengers is available on the Discounted travel page.

Buy a ticket

Buying tickets using the HSL app

The HSL app makes travel easy. Buy tickets, check your route, and stay informed about service disruptions using your phone.

Please note that when you buy a ticket using the HSL app, it must be on your phone before you board a vehicle or pass the card readers to enter the Metro or the Suomenlinna ferry payment area.

Instructions for buying tickets using the HSL app are available here.

Topping up your HSL card

You can top up your HSL card with season tickets and value easily online at the HSL Ticket Store or at sales and service points.

Where can I get an HSL card, how can I top it up, and where can I check my balance?

You can find instructions on how to buy, top up, and use the HSL card here.

Buying and using a ticket

On this page, you’ll find instructions on buying and using HSL tickets. We explain where you can buy tickets, whether you can buy tickets from drivers, and how to show a QR code ticket to a driver.

How do I buy HSL tickets?

Can I buy a ticket from the driver?

How can I pay for my HSL tickets?

How do I show a QR code ticket to a card reader?

Buying a ticket for someone else

You can buy a ticket for someone else, for example, your child, a family member or a friend traveling with you. Here you'll find instructions on buying single and season tickets for someone else, as well as important things to consider before traveling.

How do I buy a ticket for some traveling with me?

The easiest way to buy a ticket for another person is to use the HSL app. Tickets can also be purchased using contactless payment or an HSL card, but if a single ticket has already been purchased with that card, the validity of the additional ticket will be determined by the ticket that is already valid. This means that both tickets will expire at the same time. For this reason, we recommend using the app to buy tickets. Please note that when you buy a ticket for someone else, you must travel together. A maximum of 10 tickets can be purchased using contactless payment or an HSL card.

How do I buy a ticket for a child?

How do I buy a season ticket on behalf of another person?

You can pay for someone else’s season ticket in the HSL app, for example, by adding your own debit or credit card as a payment method. However, the person using the ticket must complete strong authentication in the HSL app using their own online banking credentials. This is because the ticket is personal, and we need to verify information that affects the ticket price – such as the person’s home municipality and age – through strong authentication.

You can buy a season ticket on someone else’s HSL card at a sales or service point.

Discounts and student tickets

Who is entitled to a discount, how can I get a student discount in the HSL app, and what should I do if the discount does not appear in the app?

How do I get a discount?

Students, pensioners receiving a pension from Kela, people over 70, and people with reduced mobility who live permanently in the HSL area can buy HSL tickets at a discounted rate. In addition, children aged 7 to 17 years can also buy their tickets at a discount.

Age-based discounts (for children and passengers aged 70 and over) are applied automatically—you don’t need to contact customer service to receive them.