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Finland

Helsinki

A Baltic capital of design and sea air. Green trams loop the city, and no station has a ticket gate.

Bus (bussi)

Drivers sell no tickets and cash is no use on board - tap a bank card on the reader inside to buy one. Board blue buses at the front door; only the orange trunk buses let you walk in through the middle doors.

Updated on August 2, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Get a ticket before you board
    Ticket machines at bus stops are rare. Buy in the HSL app, or get a paper ticket at an R-kiosk or S Group store.
  2. 2
    Put your hand out at the stop
    Buses drive past unless you signal. Hold your hand out early enough for the driver to see you.
  3. 3
    Board the blue buses at the front door
    Board at the front door and tap your card on the reader, or show the driver the ticket in your app.
  4. 4
    Board the orange trunk buses at the middle doors
    On the orange trunk-route buses you can board through the middle doors, with nothing to show the driver.
  5. 5
    No ticket? Buy it at the reader
    Pick your zones on the reader's screen, then tap your card. Drivers sell no tickets, so cash gets you nowhere.

Fares

Single fares4

Single ticket AB (app or HSL card)
Covers virtually every bus route inside Helsinki. Valid 80 minutes, transfers included.
3.3 EUR ≈ $4
Single ticket AB (contactless or ticket machine)
The price when you buy at the reader on board. Adult single tickets only.
3.5 EUR ≈ $4
Single ticket ABC (app or HSL card)
What you need for the airport or the outer edges of Vantaa and Espoo. Valid 90 minutes.
4.5 EUR ≈ $5
Single ticket ABC (contactless or ticket machine)
The same trip costs 30 cents more when bought at the reader.
4.8 EUR ≈ $5

Passes & multi-ride2

Day ticket AB (adult, 1 day)
For 2-13 days it is app-only, at 5.30 euros per extra day. Not available on the HSL card.
10.6 EUR ≈ $12
Day ticket ABC (adult, 1 day)
The one to buy on a day that reaches the airport or Vantaa. Extra days cost 6.40 euros.
12.8 EUR ≈ $14

Children & discounts1

Child single ticket AB (ages 7-17)
Under-7s travel free. Ages 7-17 pay half the adult fare, but contactless cannot sell it.
1.65 EUR ≈ $2

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 4, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
VISAMastercardDiners
Buy right at the reader on board - adult single tickets only
IC card
Pay at the reader on board with value on an HSL card
App tickets
The HSL app - buy before boarding for the lowest fare
Paper tickets
Paper tickets from shops carry a QR code for the reader or driver
Cash
Only at some ticket machines - never on board the bus

Quick facts

Fares from
3.3 EUR+

Heads-up

  • Pressing a zone button on the bus buys a second ticket

    If your card already holds a valid ticket, just tap it on the reader when you board a bus - the zone buttons are how you select zones and buy a new ticket, so pressing one means paying twice. HSL issues this warning specifically for buses.

  • The card you paid with is the ticket itself

    When you pay contactless, the card or phone you paid with is the ticket itself. Show that same card at every reader when you transfer and to any inspector - the reader never prints anything.

Timetable

Typical duration The network that fills in everywhere the metro and trams do not reach - in the suburbs it is mostly buses
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka