Travel Information

This page contains relevant travel information for SMC-17 participants. Please scroll down for a list of recommended hotels.

Welcome to Finland!

Venue

The main conference venue will be Aalto University's TUAS buidling in Otaniemi, located in eastern Espoo in the capital area of Finland. Concerts will take place at Korjaamo Culture Factory, one of the largest independent arts centers in the Northern Europe. SMC-17's banquet will be organized at the Hanasaari Swedish-Finnish Cultural Center.

The following map shows the key SMC-17 locations.

Traveling to Finland

Finland can be accessed by plane from most major European cities. Good connections to East Asia and North America are also available. The closest airport to the conference venue is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, located about 20 km from Otaniemi.

A taxi from Helsinki Airport to Otaniemi costs around 50€ and takes 25 minutes. Taxis are available outside the terminal. The new Ring Rail (Kerärata) provides a transport link between Helsinki Airport and Helsinki city center. Visitors also have the option of traveling to the city center by bus. Helsinki offers excellent connections to SMC-17's main venue in Otaniemi (see below).

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Finland is both efficient and reliable. Information on ticket types and prices (including multi-day tickets for visitors) is available here.

The easiest way to travel between Helsinki city center and Otaniemi is via bus 102. Bus 102 departs from the ground floor of Kamppi, Helsinki's main bus station and shopping center, and offers several runs per hour. The journey takes around 20 minutes. Travel between Helsinki and Espoo requires a regional ticket, costing 5.50€. You can purchase tickets directly from bus drivers.

If you know your location and destination addresses, you can plan your trip using the HSL Journey Planner. Important addresses:

• Airport: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Vantaa
• Kamppi Bus Station and Shopping Center: Urho Kekkosen katu 1, Helsinki
• Aalto University TUAS building: Maarintie 8, Espoo
• Korjaamo Culture Factory: Töölonkatu 51 A-B, Helsinki
• Hanasaari Swedish-Finnish Cultural Center: Hanasaarenranta 5, Espoo

Practical Information

• Finland's currency is the Euro (€). You can change money at banks, hotels and Forex. Banks and Forex are available at the Airport and around Helsinki City Center.
• Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Diners) are widely accepted, including taxis but excluding buses.
• Electricity is 230V, 50 Hz, with Schuko CEE 7/4 sockets.
• No tipping necessary or expected.
• Tap water is safe and tasty, that is what we drink. It is also what you get in restaurant if you order still water.
• Practically everybody in the capital area speaks English.
• This is FINLAND - Things you should and shouldn't know
• The Official Travel Site of Finland
• For sightseeing and tours, see Helsinki Expert.
• Espoo - Official Visitor's Guide

Accommodation

SMC-17 will take place at Aalto University's campus in Otaniemi, Espoo, around 10 km west of Helsinki city center. Located by the sea, Helsinki is the cultural hub of Finland. It offers visitors a wide variety of touristic attractions, restaurants, cafés, bars and shopping centers. It is a city renowned for its design and friendly atmosphere. Conference participants wishing to stay in downtown Helsinki will find excellent public transport links between the city and the conference venues in Otaniemi (see above). Accommodation options closer to the conference venue are also available.

SMC-17 and Aalto University recommend the following hotels for conference participants. Please contact the hotels directly to make a booking.

Hotels in Downtown Helsinki

Hotels in Espoo