In September Beaker, my husband, and I traveled to Lithuania, the country where I was born, raised and lived till the tender age of 26. We flew American Airlines all the way from Salt Lake City to Helsinki, Finland. There we had a six hour layover before getting on a small Finnair plane to fly to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania and my home town.
Arriving to Helsinki at 8:00 AM local time (about two o’clock in the morning Salt Lake City time) meant the following:
– a foggy head from jet lag;
– exhaustion from a long nine-hour flight;
– slight dehydration (not a lot of water was being distributed on the AA plane which was really odd);
– a really stiff back and legs due to the almost non-existent leg room on AA planes (imagine our misery considering that I am 5‘10“ and Beaker is 6‘1“);
– an absolute need for strong coffee that would prevent one from falling to the closest bench in the Helsinki airport to have a nap.
However, we swiftly started to wake up when I handed $200 to a currency exchange clerk at Helsinki airport and got back only about 140 Euros. A few minutes later, after purchasing a bottle of water for about 6 Euros (converts into $8!!!), we were completely awake and counting how much we can afford to spend in the next few hours in Helsinki.
Overall, the six hour layover’s cost was about 100 Euros that translated roughly into $140.
What $140 was spent on:
– A luggage locker at Helsinki airport where we stuffed our carry-on. Luckily for us, our check-in luggage traveled all the way from Salt Lake City to Lithuania without us seeing it. Otherwise, we would have to pay double for the lockers. Cost: 5 euros.
– A bus to Helsinki center (round trip). Cost: 24 euros (for two).
– Two cups of coffee (those are small European size cups, not your Starbucks Venti size), another bottle of water, two small sandwiches. Cost: 34 euros.
– Two more cups of coffee (hey, we needed to stay awake!). Cost: 8 euros.
– One magnet featuring Helsinki (something to remember it by besides the sinking feeling in the middle of my stomach and a thought that we are being ripped off). Cost: 6 euros.
– Two Finnish beers for Beaker and two glasses of wine for me (people’s watching is a very expensive entertainment in Helsinki.) Cost: 25 euros.
Other than a cost, Helsinki is a lovely city! And here is the proof:.
Uspenski Cathedral was built as a Russian Orthodox Church in 1868:
Senaatinori, Helsinki’s “official” center. I was surprised to see a statue of the Russian czar Alexander II. I did not realize how strong the Russian’s influence was in Helsinki during the 19th century .
Street performers:
That’s very expensive but those pictures are beautiful, so it looks like a worthwhile spend!
Looking back I can say, yes, it was worthwhile. I probably would go back again. 🙂
Definitely seems worth it. What a beautiful time.
Helsinki is nice (I’m biased, I’m about 1/2 Finnish) but wow – 25 Euros for two beers and 34 for the meal you had? That’s unbelievable. Subway should go over there and introduce them to the 5 Dollar Footlong (3.5 Euro Footlong?).
Oh, you should have seen those sandwitches we ate. I could see right through them! But they were tasty. They do need Subway there. 🙂
I am used to 14 hrs flights. NYC to Delhi or Chicago to Mumbai non stop. I know what it feels. Joy of returning to family always overpowers the hardship of long haul flights. Great pictures, love to see the place.one day.
It is exhausting to fly that far, but you are right – it is sooo worth it!
I had a 10 hours lay over in Seoul once and I went out to see the city too. It’s a great way to spend the extra time. Sure, it was a bit pricey, but when is the next time you’ll be in Helsinki? And you guys had a great time. 🙂
I think I was shocked to pay $8 for a bottle of water. 🙂 Other than that we did have fun.
Ouch! Although Helsinki looks beautiful!
Fifty bucks for a couple of sandwiches and coffee? I’m guessing that Finns are very trim people. I mean, at those prices, who can afford to eat very much…
Yes, Finns are very trim. But so is majority of Europe. 🙂
Those are lovely pictures! Never realized Finland was so expensive! Now for some pictures from Lithuania!
Great pictures. Costly layover, but sounds like you had a good time!
Oh wow, that is an expensive layover. But if you rename it as a “day trip” it’s not so bad. 🙂
It looks like a beautiful city! And I bet that coffee was worth every penny.
Yes! I looove European coffee. It is really strong and somehow tastes differently than American. It seems to be more concentrated.
Hey Coffee lovers nice pics!
What do i say to you guys u did actually enjoyed your layover or you are repent on it!
Well the next time you have layover i wud suggest you to visit Helenski take tram number 3B or 3T just front of central railway station. Those trams drive same 8 shaped route but opposite directions around Helsinki and it takes 2,50 euros for that about 60 minutes “sight seeing”. On the route you will see those Olympia-tower, Senate Square, Kisama museum, the ferry port, the most cenral city, areas around center and so on.
When i had a layover of 8 hours i asked my travel Company through which i booked my itenary i.e Yatra.com i would advise you hire a professional travel company before you get Travel!
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