Plan Your Trip
Our local conference team is ready to welcome you to Helsinki!
A global design mecca, renowned architecture, vibrant arts and innovation ecosystems, leading sustainability programs, excellent public transit access within the city and to national parks beyond…
So where to start? Although endless information is online, there’s nothing better than advice from local EPIC people. This page will get you started, and soon the team will add more detail about their favorite places to visit, eat and drink, walk, and more.
Getting There and Getting Around
International Arrivals
If you will require a visa to visit Finland, we encourage you to apply for one as soon as possible. To request a visa letter confirming your EPIC2025 registration and other conference details, please email conference@epicpeople.org.
The Helsinki airport is 19 kilometers from the city center and served by:
- Train and bus: Both stations are at the airport. For a trip from the airport to Helsinki or directly to the conference venue, you will need a ticket for Zones ABC (4.40 Euros). The ticket is valid on any mode of public transport for 90 minutes. You can download the HSL app or pay on the train platform.
- Taxis: Use the taxi station at the airport to ensure you are using a company licensed to operate at the airport (there are four of them).
In addition to air service, Helsinki is served by ferries from Estonia, Sweden, Germany, and Poland.
Read more about getting to Helsinki here.
On the Ground
Central Helsinki is easy to get around on foot—this is also the best way to discover architectural gems! But if you’re not a walker or are traveling throughout the greater Helsinki area (or beyond!), you’ll want to make us of the excellent public transportation system. Detailed accessibility info for public transit is here.
Bus & Metro
For all travel in the greater Helsinki area you will use Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). You can buy tickets for travel within different zones at train platforms or download the HSL app to buy tickets, passes, and plan your trip.
If you plan to spend time exploring Helsinki or Espoo, we recommend buying multi-day tickets for the A and B zones, which will cover most of Helsinki and our main conference venue. Purchase a 3-day ticket (20 Euros), 4-day ticket (25 Euros), or 5-day ticket (30 Euros).
Learn more about public transport routes, zones, and tickets.
City Bikes
With nearly 4,600 bikes and 460 bike rental stations in Helsinki and Espoo, city bikes are a convenient, sustainable way to get around the capital region! Buy a day pass, which gets you an unlimited number of rides up to an hour in duration, for 5 Euros, or shell out for a week for just 10 Euros. You can register as a city bike user here or in the HSL app. Stations are located throughout the region, with one close to Dipoli.
Getting to the EPIC2025 Venue
Our primary conference venue, Dipoli, is on the Aalto University Campus. It is located within the Helsinki metropolitan area, approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Helsinki city center in the town of Espoo. We recommend staying in central Helsinki and using the extremely convenient metro or bus services. Trains run every 4–7 minutes, and the Aalto-Yliopisto station or bus stop is most convenient to Dipoli.
Where to Stay
The local team recommends staying close to the metro line. They particularly recommend the areas near the Kamppi, Hakaniemi, and Railway stations in Central Helsinki. The main conference venue is close to the Aalto Yliopisto station.
If you’d like to stay near conference venue to eliminate that commute, be aware that you’ll want to commute into the city center for much livelier food, drink, arts, museums, things to see and do, and the conference dinner.
Both Airbnb and hotels are excellent options. Finland is a high trust society, so Airbnb is very safe and reliable, and there is a wide variety of great listings to choose from. Hotels are also relatively affordable and well maintained, ranging from budget options to boutique and luxury properties.
What to Do
Please stay tuned for a special EPIC list of things to see and do; places to eat and drink; and neighborhoods to visit in the Helsinki region! In the meantime, you can start browsing these lists of things to do in Helsinki, the best saunas in Helsinki, and recommended restaurants.
What to Pack
Autumn weather in Helsinki can shift between sunny and rainy, so we recommend bringing layers. Average highs for September are around 60°F (15°C) and lows are 51°F (10°C).
Wondering what to wear to the conference? EPIC people come from different countries, cultures, and work environments, so we are eclectic dressers. It’s fair to say we’re not an overly formal; you might think “business casual,” but that doesn’t have to mean business boring! We encourage you to dress comfortably (and be kind to your feet).