Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Helsinki to Espoo

Helsinki TrainIf you happen to be staying at Scandic Hotel Continental, and needs to be at Kutojantie, Espoo before 9am, the bus is your best option. There are two buses you can take: Bus 213 at 8:22am and Bus 212 at 8:32am. They share a bus stop, and it's across the road. Bus 213 will get you to Kutojantie a little before nine. However, if you woke up late, but still want to finish your breakfast of fruit juices, bacon and egg, sausages, muffins, croissants, meat slices, cereals, and fruit, you can till take bus 212. You'll just get there a few minutes a little after 9am. If you really like your breakfast, and decide to get seconds, you'll have to catch the tram to the city (lines 10, 4, or 7), then from there take the train from Central Station to Kera. If you can't help preparing a doggie bag for take-away, I suggest you just take a taxi. Helsinki taxis are very nice, usually either Mercs, Volvos, or Peugeots, and they have the taxi fare to match. A single ride is more than enough to buy you a 5-day regional ride-all-you-can pass.

Scandic EspooWhere to get off? Always something good to know. You don't want to end up at Mikkela or Kauniainen, and have to take the bus back. From Mannerheimintie, the bus will take you out of the city centre and turn left towards the expressway. At one point, it'll make a right, and you'll see Scandic Espoo on your right. That's the one with a huge sign saying "Scandic Colonial Bar & Kitchen". Get off at the next stop. Don't worry. Almost everyone on the bus will be getting off too, so that's your cue.

To get back to Helsinki, you can take the same bus 213 on its return route. You can also take 110T or pretty much take any bus which says Helsinki. It's not that big. Or you can walk over to the Kera train station. The bus ride takes half an hour, but is more regular. The train takes 15 minutes.

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