Christmas is a busy time at Helsinki Airport. The number of passengers in the terminal is the greatest in the morning between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and in the afternoon between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The busiest travel days this year are 21–23 December and 26–29 December.
During Christmas week, heavy snowfall and changing weather conditions may delay departing and arriving flights as well as baggage delivery at Helsinki Airport. Passengers are advised to follow their airline's updates and information.
Tips for arriving at the airport
- Arrive at the airport well before your flight so that you will have enough time to check in your bags and go through security control. Your airline will let you know when check-in starts.
- Pre-book parking for your Christmas holiday to get the best price. It’s easy to park at Helsinki Airport, and the P2 building, for example, has wide parking spaces and a lift that goes to the terminal.
Tips for packing your bags
- Check Finavia’s search engine to see what you can take with you on your flight. You should also check the instructions for skis and snowboards with your airline.
- Pack any Christmas food and other food items in bags bound for the cargo hold. Food items such as Christmas casseroles, pastries, preserves and fish roe products must be transported in the hold.
- Do not pack fireworks, sparklers or flammable products such as flammable ski waxes for your trip. It is prohibited to carry these items on an aircraft. Check the product in Finavia’s search engine.
Start your Christmas holiday already at the airport
- Enjoy the festive atmosphere throughout the Helsinki Airport terminal. The terminal’s shops, restaurants, kiosks and cafés will be open every day, but there may be changes to opening hours on 24 December, 25 December and 31 December.
- You can meet Santa Claus at the terminal. Santa Claus will tour the airport from 14 December to 23 December in the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. You can see Santa Claus with his elves in the gate area or at his station in the arrivals hall next to Luoto.
- Visit the Christmas Cabin and the Maja Living Room. You can find them in gate area 40–52 after going through passport control. For the youngest members of the family, there are also play areas at gates 16 and 20.
- Subscribe to MyFlight for detailed information about restaurants, services and shops near your departure gate.
Further reading
Travelling with children at the airport
Did you know that you can leave your winter coat in storage for the duration of your trip?
Updated 22.12.: Weather conditions may cause delays at Helsinki Airport.
