Find out which harbor you dock at. From the outer harbors you need a tram, shuttle or taxi; from the inner harbors you can walk. Suomenlinna fortress is a short ferry ride from Market Square.
Where Helsinki lies
HelsinkiCopenhagenHamburgKielOsloStockholmWarnemündeAarhusGdańskGothenburgKlaipėdaRigaSkagenTallinnVisbyWhere your ship docks
The Port of Helsinki lists these cruise quays: Hernesaari: Munkkisaari Quay (LHB, LHC) and LHD, served by tram 6; Katajanokka, the cruise quay at the tip of Katajanokka (ERA) and Katajanokka Quay (EKL), served by trams 4 and 5. South Harbour and West Harbour are also named as cruise areas. Big ships usually use Hernesaari. Which one you get changes the plan.
Shuttle. Many lines run a paid shuttle from West Harbour/Hernesaari. Check your planner.
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tram (HSL) or ship shuttle to City center from Hernesaari or Katajanokka | not confirmed | not confirmed (HSL ticket required) |
| HSL ferry from Market Square to Suomenlinna | About 15 minutes | Any valid HSL ticket (Suomenlinna is in zone A); price not confirmed. Helsinki Card holders ride free. |
Tram (HSL) or ship shuttle to City center from Hernesaari or Katajanokka
- Buy an HSL ticket in the HSL app or at a machine.
- Hernesaari: tram 6 (Hernesaari-Arabia); MSC says walk about 1 km to the Eiranta stop.
- Katajanokka: tram 4 or 5, or walk.
Fare not confirmed: HSL fare pages blocked automated access. Check your line's shuttle first.
HSL ferry from Market Square to Suomenlinna
- Walk to Market Square.
- Buy your ticket first, at the Market Square machines or in the HSL app. Tickets are not sold on board.
- Board the HSL ferry.
Several departures an hour in summer, at least one an hour in winter. Ticket validity starts when you buy it. Leave time for the return ferry.
What to see
Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral
White cathedral and grand square.
- How
- Tram/walk.
- Time
- 45 minutes
- Tickets
- Free
Market Square and Old Market Hall
Harbor-front stalls and food.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Tickets
- Free
Suomenlinna
18th-century island sea fortress.
- How
- Ferry.
- Time
- 2.5-3 hours
- Tickets
- Island free (no entrance fee); museums paid; ferry needs an HSL ticket
Temppeliaukio Rock Church
Church cut into rock.
- How
- Tram/walk.
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Tickets
- Paid; price unverified
Uspenski Cathedral
Red-brick Orthodox cathedral.
- How
- Walk from Market Square.
- Time
- 20 minutes
- Tickets
- Unverified
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- Tram or shuttle into the center.
- Senate Square, Cathedral, Market Square.
- Ferry to Suomenlinna; walk the fortress.
- Back to Market Square; tram/shuttle to the ship.
- Aboard 45 minutes early (60 if outer harbor).
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- Harbor varies by ship, confirm.
- Wind on the ferry; bring a jacket.
Do this
- Use the HSL app for tickets.
Fees, money and access
Accessibility
Trams are low-floor on most routes (unverified). Suomenlinna has cobbles and slopes.
Money
Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted. Carry a little cash for small cafes, toilets, and markets.
More of the The Baltic Capitals
Which ships are in port
See today's ships and every upcoming arrival at Helsinki, from the port's own schedule.
Sources & what we could not confirm · 5 sources · checked 2026-11
- MSC Cruises: Helsinki port page
- Seatrade Cruise News: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea drop St. Petersburg (2022)
- Port of Helsinki: cruise quays
- Suomenlinna: arriving (HSL ferry)
- HSL: tickets and fares
- HSL fares
- Tram trip times
- Distance Hernesaari to center
- Attraction prices