Suomenlinna ferry: timetable and tickets

Where does the Suomenlinna ferry depart from?

From the east side of Market Square, near the Presidential Palace. The ferry arrives at the main pier on the north shore of Iso Mustasaari in Suomenlinna.

The HSL ferry pier is on the east side of Market Square, opposite the Presidential Palace. This is a different location from the summer waterbus pier at Keisarinluoto, so check the signs and the departure pier name before joining the queue. The ferry is part of HSL public transport, and the vessels are operated by Suomenlinnan Liikenne Oy.

In Suomenlinna, the ferry docks at the main pier on the north shore of Iso Mustasaari. From here, the Blue Route begins, passing the island’s main sights and ending at the King's Gate in Kustaanmiekka. The walk from the main pier to the King's Gate takes about 30 - 45 minutes, so allow at least 1 - 1.5 hours for your visit to the island.

On the way to the King's Gate, the Blue Route passes the church, whose dome also serves as a lighthouse, the Great Courtyard and Ehrensvärd’s tomb, as well as the dry dock. Since the ferry returns to the same main pier, you’ll walk back to the pier at the end. In summer, an alternative is the waterbus, which stops at the King's Gate and Artillery Bay, but this requires a separate ticket.

What is the Suomenlinna ferry timetable?

The ferry operates year-round every day from approximately 6:00 - 2:20 from Market Square. In winter, departures are every 40 - 60 minutes, and in summer, several per hour.

According to Suomenlinnan Liikenne, the ferry runs from Market Square to Suomenlinna from early morning at around 6:00, with the last departures at around 2:20. Even in winter, there are at least hourly departures, usually every 40 - 60 minutes. In summer, there are several departures per hour.

• Crossing: about 15 minutes each way.
• Last return: according to suomenlinna.fi, the last ferry leaves Suomenlinna at around 2:00 am.
• Exact daily departures: timetables change seasonally, so check the day’s services in the HSL Journey Planner or Suomenlinnan Liikenne schedules before departure.

How much does the Suomenlinna ferry cost?

A standard HSL AB ticket is valid on the ferry, the same as for other public transport in Helsinki. Prices vary by ticket type, so check the current fare via HSL services.

Suomenlinna is in HSL’s A zone, and an AB ticket is required for travel between Market Square and Suomenlinna. Any ticket covering zone A works, such as AB, ABC or ABCD. A single ticket is valid for 90 minutes. For the return trip, you need a valid ticket, which can also be bought on the island, as explained below.

Visiting the island itself is free: there is no entry fee for Suomenlinna. You only pay for the ferry and, if you wish, the museums. So a typical visitor’s day on Suomenlinna can consist of just an HSL ticket, a walk along the Blue Route and a packed lunch.

Where can I buy a ticket for the Suomenlinna ferry?

Buy your ticket before boarding via the HSL app, contactless payment at the reader, the ticket machine at Market Square or an HSL sales point.

The ticket must be purchased before boarding, and there are several ways to do this:

• HSL app: buy an AB ticket on your phone and show it when required.
• Contactless payment: you can pay with a contactless card at the readers.
• Ticket machines: machines are available at both Market Square and the Suomenlinna pier.
• Sales points: HSL sales points also sell tickets.

It’s worth planning your return ticket in advance. On Suomenlinna, tickets can be bought via contactless payment at readers, the HSL app or the ticket machine at the pier. No other purchase points are mentioned on the island, so bring your phone or contactless card.

Is the Helsinki Card valid on the Suomenlinna ferry?

Yes. According to suomenlinna.fi, the Helsinki Card is valid on the ferry, and according to the listing, Helsinki Card City includes the HSL AB zones.

Helsinki Card City is a 24, 48 or 72-hour card activated on first use. According to the listing, it includes HSL AB zones, including the Suomenlinna ferry, and museum admissions. According to suomenlinna.fi, the Museum Card and Helsinki Card are valid for all Suomenlinna museums, so the card covers both the journey and Suomenlinna museums.

One practical note: according to the listing, a printed PDF card is required for public transport. Check this before departure to avoid surprises during the ferry ticket inspection.

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Which boats operate the Suomenlinna ferry?

M/S Suokki, M/S Suomenlinna II and M/S Tor operate between Market Square and the main pier. The operator is Suomenlinnan Liikenne Oy.

There are three ferry vessels: M/S Suokki, M/S Suomenlinna II and M/S Tor. All follow the same route from Market Square to the main pier on Iso Mustasaari, so it makes no difference to passengers which one is at the pier.

You can take a bicycle on board, but there is a fee for bikes on the ferry. On the islands, cycling is on roads, not on the ramparts, and there is no bike rental in Suomenlinna. If you bring a bike, be prepared to pay for it.

Are there other ways to reach Suomenlinna besides the HSL ferry?

In summer, FRS Finland waterbus from Keisarinluoto at Market Square, on weekdays the maintenance ferry from Katajanokka and your own boat to the guest marina on Susisaari. The service tunnel is not open to the public.

The HSL ferry is the main connection for the average traveller. Other options serve more limited purposes:

• Waterbus: FRS Finland operates from early May to late September from Keisarinluoto pier. The journey takes about 25 minutes, and the waterbus stops at Artillery Bay and King's Gate. HSL tickets are not valid on the waterbus. A waterbus return ticket is also available on GetYourGuide.
• Supply ferry: M/S Ehrensvärd departs from Katajanokka (Katajanokanranta 10) to the east shore of Iso Mustasaari on weekdays roughly once an hour from 7:25 - 15:30. The vessel has a small passenger cabin.
• Private boat: the guest marina is on Susisaari, the season runs from late spring to late September and there are 40 berths.
• Maintenance tunnel: A roughly 1.3-kilometre tunnel running under the sea from Kaivopuisto to Suomenlinna was built in 1982 for heating, water and electricity supply. It is not open to the public.

What should you know before taking the ferry?

Buy your ticket before boarding, check the return trip in advance and remember there is no entry fee to the islands.

A few practical tips to make your day easier:

• Return schedule: check return services in the HSL Journey Planner, especially in winter and in the evening when services are less frequent.
• Services on the island: in summer, restaurants, cafés and bars are open, and many stay open year-round. Public toilets are available all year. There is no luggage storage or ATM.
• Guided tours: if you want a guide, private guided walking tours start, according to the listing, from the main pier at the HSL ferry’s landing point, by the blue-and-white umbrella. The ferry is not included in the tour, so you’ll need your own ticket to reach the island.
• Cancellation: products booked through GetYourGuide can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before.

Official Suomenlinna guide, tunnels, cannons and dry dock in 1.5 hours for your own group.

Private guided tour: tunnels, ramparts and dry dock · 1.5 hours · free cancellation

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Frequently asked questions