On board
Using public transport is convenient and safe for all of us when we follow certain guidelines, whether it is about transporting a bike or skateboard or travelling with a pet.
Boarding a vehicle and presenting your ticket
Use the front door to board the blue buses.
Once on board, please present your valid ticket either to the driver or the card reader.
If you have a ticket on the HSL app or a paper single or day ticket, show it to the driver.
If you have an HSL card, a disposable cardboard card, or are using contactless payment with a bank or credit card, show it to the card reader. If you are using value stored on your HSL card or contactless payment, first select the zones you need and then show your card to the reader.
Press the stop button when you want to get off at the next stop.
The orange trunk route buses have open fare collection, which means that you can board the buses also through the middle doors, as long as you have a valid ticket. The open fare collection speeds up boarding, which is why trunk route buses spend less time at stops compared to other buses.
You must have a valid ticket when traveling on trunk route buses, just like on any other HSL public transport vehicle. You can buy a ticket conveniently using the HSL app. Please make sure that your ticket is visible in the app before boarding.
You can also buy a ticket with contactless payment or with value stored on your HSL card directly after boarding. Tickets are also available at sales and service points and ticket machines. If you have a paper single or day ticket that has a QR code, show the code to the reader when boarding.
You must also show your ticket to a ticket inspector or the driver upon request.
Please allow other passengers to get off the bus before boarding. Press the stop button when you want to get off at the next stop. We recommend that you use the middle doors to get off the bus.
You can board commuter trains through any door. Please allow other passengers to get off the train before boarding.
You must have a valid ticket when traveling on commuter trains, just like on any other HSL public transport vehicle. You can buy tickets conveniently using the HSL app. Please make sure that your ticket is visible in the app before boarding. You can also buy a ticket with contactless payment or with value stored on your HSL card directly after boarding. Tickets are also available at sales and service points and ticket machines. If you have a paper single or day ticket that has a QR code, show the code to the reader when boarding.
You must also show your ticket to a ticket inspector or conductor upon request.
You can board the Metro through any door. Please allow other passengers to get off before boarding.
A valid ticket is required when traveling on the Metro, just like on any other HSL public transport vehicle. You must have a valid ticket before going to the Metro platform. All Metro stations have a payment area that is marked by blue signs and a yellow line on the floor. You must have a valid ticket before entering this area, so remember to buy a ticket well in advance.
You can buy a ticket conveniently using the HSL app. If you are using the app, make sure that you have received the ticket on your phone before entering the payment area. If you are using contactless payment or value stored on your HSL card, buy your ticket at a card reader at the station.
Tickets are also available at sales and service points and ticket machines. If you have a paper single or day ticket that has a QR code, show the code to a card reader at the station.
You must also show your ticket to a ticket inspector upon request.
You can board trams through any door. Please allow other passengers to get off the tram before boarding.
You must have a valid ticket when traveling on a tram, just like on any other HSL public transport vehicle. You can buy a ticket conveniently using the HSL app. Please make sure that your ticket is visible in the app before boarding.
You can also buy a ticket with contactless payment or value stored on your HSL card at a card reader inside the tram. Buy your ticket immediately after boarding. If you have a single or day ticket with a QR code, show the code to a card reader when boarding. You must also show your ticket to a ticket inspector upon request.
Press the stop button when you want to get off at the next stop.
Please allow other passengers to exit the ferry before boarding.
When traveling on the Suomenlinna and Kruunuvuorenranta ferries, you must have a valid HSL ticket.
Suomenlinna ferry:
- You must have a valid ticket when passing through the gate at the ferry pier. If you are using contactless payment or value stored on your HSL card, buy your ticket at a card reader at the ferry pier.
- Transporting vehicles and bicycles on the Suomenlinna ferry is subject to a fee. For more information, please visit Suomenlinna’s own website. When transporting a bicycle, car, or some other vehicle on the ferry, both you and all persons in the vehicle must also have a valid HSL ticket.
Kruunuvuorenranta ferry:
- If you are using the HSL app, you must have a valid ticket when boarding the ferry from the ferry pier. If you are using contactless payment or value stored on the HSL card, buy your ticket at the card reader found inside the ferry.
- You can take your bicycle on the ferry free of charge. However, bicycles can be transported on the ferry only if there is room for them. The ferry personnel will provide you with more information concerning the transport of bicycles.
If you have a paper single or day ticket that has a QR code, show the code to the card reader before entering the ferry pier. Place the ticket with the code facing up on the lower edge of the card reader. Wait until the screen turns green to indicate that the ticket has been activated. Move the ticket on the device if the reader does not read the QR code.
You do not need to show your ticket to the ferry personnel when boarding or passing through the gate at the ferry pier. However, you must show your ticket to an inspector or the captain if requested.
Tram, train or Metro services may be disrupted due to, for example, a technical fault or track work. If the disruption is prolonged, the service may be replaced by buses. Replacement buses operate on diversion routes and only serve bus stops that are marked with red signs.
Tips for travel
You are entitled to free travel when travelling with a child aged between 0 and 6 years in a pram, pushchair or wheelchair.
You can carry your bike on the Metro and commuter trains free of charge at any time, provided there is room. On the Suomenlinna ferry, bicycles can be carried for a fee. Bicycles are not allowed on buses and trams.
You may take regular luggage on public transport free of charge. You can bring with you, for example, shopping bags, suitcases, prams or skis. Restrictions on transporting large luggage are possible on U line buses.
Please make sure that your luggage does not cause inconvenience to other passengers. A driver can refuse to carry large items of luggage if it may cause inconvenience to other passengers.
In addition, drivers can refuse to take on board prams, pushchairs or wheelchairs if no space is available for them.
You can carry dogs, cats and other pets on public transport, provided they do not disturb other passengers. Pets can be carried free of charge. On the metro and commuter trains, pets can only be carried in carriages with no sign indicating prohibition on the outside.
Small pets travel most comfortably on your lap, larger pets in the legroom. At stations, it is safer to use a lift than to take stairs.
Guide dogs, assistance dogs and service dogs are always allowed on board.
Prams and pets are usually not allowed on U line buses free of charge. Read more
You can carry a skateboard or kick scooter on public transport. Always carry your skateboard under your arm and make sure you do not inconvenience other passengers.
You have to take off your roller skates before boarding. If the driver needs to brake suddenly and you are balancing on your skates, you may fall over and hurt yourself or someone else.
Mobility scooters for people with limited mobility are allowed on the Metro, trains and the Suomenlinna ferry. You do not need to buy or present a ticket if you are traveling with a mobility scooter.
Mobility scooters are not allowed on buses or trams, as they do not fit in the space reserved for wheelchair users. Other electric scooters are not allowed on HSL public transport.
