Helsinki and ACM — getting here and around
Helsinki, "the Daughter of the Baltic" is the capital of Finland, with a population of ca. 600 000. The metropolitan area of Helsinki has a population of ca. 1 360 000. The city is at its best during the time of the conference, with its empire city centre and the Gulf of Finland within just a few minutes walk from the venue.
The conference venue is the Marina Congress Center, located in the Katajanokka district, near downtown Helsinki. All the main venues of the ACM conference are shown on the ACM'2014 map.
There are three recommended ways to reach Helsinki for an international guest.
By Plane
Take a flight to Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport. Most airlines flying to Finland have flights to this airport.
However, some airlines such as Ryanair may offer cheap flights to Tampere or Turku, but it should be noted that it is an additional two-hour journey to Helsinki from both of these cities.
By Ferry
Ferries from Stockholm (Sweden), Tallinn (Estonia) and Rostock (Germany) regularly sail to Helsinki and provide an alternative way of arriving.
By Train
From both St. Petersburg and Moscow (Russia) it is possible to take a train to Helsinki.
Transportation from Helsinki Airport to the city
By bus: There are two bus lines from Helsinki aiport to the city centre. The communal line 615 runs from the aiport (terminal T1, platform 2) to Helsinki railway station, the travel time is about 35 mins. Tickets cost 5 euro and can be bought from the driver or from a machine on the platform. The ticket is valid for one hour in all public transportation, including tram lines.
The Finnair City Bus (terminal T1, platform 1) runs also to the railway station, taking a route with fewer stops on the way (30 minutes). The price is 6.30 euro and credit cards are accepted. The Finnair City Bus is convenient for guests staying at the Unihome Töölö Towers, since it stops at "Hesperian puisto", from where the distance to the apartments is about 300 m. The map and timetable can be found on the Finnair website. Please note that the Finnair bus is not a part of Helsinki public transportation.
By Taxi: A taxi ride to the centre takes about half an hour and costs 35-40 euro. There are also some fixed price group taxi companies in the airport (Yellow Line, Airport Taxi). Price for 1-2 persons to Helsinki city starts from 23 euro, 3-4 persons from 28 euro. Reserve the transportation from their service desks at the airport arrival hall.
Getting around Helsinki
Most of the hotels listed on our Accommodations page are in the city centre and within 20–25 minutes by foot from Marina Congress Center.
From the centre, tram lines number 4 and 4T run to Katajanokka; the nearest stop to the venue is Kauppiaankatu (stop number 0411 from the centre, and 0412 towards the centre).
ACM'2014 map
Click the map to see the online version at Google Maps.
Restaurants, bars and cafes
The website Eat.fi has a comprehensive list of restaurants and cafes in Helsinki.
Some selected tips around Töölö area (close to Unihome Töölö Towers)
- Elite, high-end, traditional and cultural Finnish restaurant, open since 1932.
- Lime tree, Thai/Malaysian restaurant, moderately priced.
- Restaurant Kuu, "the Moon", relaxed Finnish/Scandinavian bistro, mid-price, since 1966.
- Mamma Rosa, italian, moderately priced cosy bistro.
- Troikka, Russian high-end restaurant.
- Farang, a very high-end, interesting modern Asian restaurant. Selected among the best restaurants in Finland.
- Manala, cosy restaurant, bar and nightclub. Kitchen open untill 4 AM from Monday to Saturday.
Around Katajanokka and center (close to conference venue and hotel)
- Mount Everest Nokka, Nepalese mid-priced restaurant.
- Wellamo, small, mid-priced Russian/Finnish bistro with nice atmosphere.
- Nokka, high-end Finnish restaurant specialized in local ingredients.
- Kuurna, a very high-end, small restaurant with Finnish cuisine.
- Savu, restaurant "Smoke", specialized in smoked dishes from Finnish cuisine, high-end, located on Tervasaari island.
- Kolme Kruunua, style and cuisine from Finland in 1950's. Mid-priced, cosy, traditional dishes and large portions.
- Sipuli, a high-end restaurant with Continental/Finnish cuisine, located in old, restored red-brick warehouse.
Sport bars to watch the Football World Cup matches (it's football since we are in Europe)
- Sports Academy, the biggest sport bar in Helsinki, quite good international food menu.
- Helsingin Jalkapallopubi, a newcommer in the field. Gastropub, spesialized strictly to football.
- Sportsbar Töölö, sport pub in Töölö district.
- Pub 99, local pub in Töölö, favored by football fans. Adress Mannerheimintie 58.
Some selected summer activities in Helsinki
- Ateneum Art Museum: Fokus: Contemporary Art 125 Years Ago; Tove Jansson
- Design Museum: Ilmari Tapiovaara
- Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
- Museum of Finnish Architecture: Decades of Finnish Architecture 1900-1970
- Helsinki City Museum: Mad About Helsinki; A City of Ice and Snow
- Musiikkitalo (the Music Hall): Sibelius Finland Experience (daily at 12 pm)
- Evening music at Paasitorni Every Friday at 6 pm
- Traditional open-air dancing at Merimelojien maja: E.g. the 2nd of July at 7-11 pm
- Tram route 6: Design and Culinary Tour
- Linnanmäki amusement park
- Korkeasaari zoo
VISA inquiries
Should you require a visa to visit Finland (please check the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website), please send e-mail to acm-2014@helsinki.fi with the subject "Visa inquiry, [your name]" and with the following information:
Name (as given in passport). passport number, nationality, date of birth, your postal address and e-mail, if different from the sender's e-mail.
Upon receiving this information we shall provide you with the formal invitation letter and its scan by e-mail.