HSL Card – Complete Guide to Helsinki Public Transport Card
The HSL card is one of the most important tools you can use for public transport in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The card offers users an easy and convenient way to travel on various means of transport, such as buses, trams, metro, commuter trains, and the Suomenlinna ferry. The HSL card is available as a single-use and season ticket card, so you can choose the travel option that best suits you.
The HSL card is your key to smooth and easy public transport in the Helsinki region. With the card, you can travel on buses, trams, metro, commuter trains, and the Suomenlinna ferry. This article provides a comprehensive guide to using the HSL card, obtaining it, prices, and many other useful tips.
What is an HSL Card?
The HSL card is your key to convenient travel in the capital region. The smart card offers passengers an easy way to pay for trips on public transport, such as buses, trams, metro, and commuter trains. The HSL card is a popular choice among both locals and tourists, as it speeds up and simplifies travel. It also offers users numerous benefits and discounts.
Card Types and Benefits
The HSL card is available in two forms: personal and cardholder-specific. A personal card has a name and allows you to take advantage of various discounts, such as student and pensioner discounts. Cardholder-specific cards are not tied to a specific person and can be used by anyone, making them suitable for families and groups.
Personal HSL Card
Only the card owner can use a personal HSL card. You can load tickets with prices that vary according to customer group (adult, child, discount groups) and municipality of residence.
Cardholder-Specific Card
Cardholder-specific HSL cards are being phased out. Cardholders should transition to personal cards or use the free HSL app. Use remaining balance as soon as possible.
HSL App
The free HSL app offers a digital alternative to physical cards with all the same functionality and additional features.
Important Notice: Cardholder-specific cards are being discontinued. Check your card type here.
How Does the HSL Card Work?
The HSL card works with value or season tickets. With a value card, you only pay for the trip, while with a season card you can travel unlimited during a certain period. The card can be easily loaded through the HSL app, ticket machines, R-kiosks, or HSL service points.
When the card is loaded, the passenger simply shows the card to the reader when boarding the vehicle, and the trip is automatically charged from the card’s balance or season ticket.
Using New Card Readers
New HSL card readers work the same way as old readers but have smaller screens and shared zone buttons. This update makes it easier to buy tickets and will enable payment with Visa or Mastercard in the future. Installation is gradual, so both reader types will be used side by side for some time.
Zones and Ticket Types
HSL zones are divided into four main areas: A, B, C, and D. Passengers can choose zones according to their needs, and one card can travel on multiple zones without additional charges. Zone AB covers Helsinki city center and its surroundings, while zones BC and CD extend further to suburbs and neighboring cities. This zone system offers flexibility, allowing you to travel further with one ticket.
Season Tickets and Day Tickets
Season tickets can be purchased for different periods, from 14 days to 360 days. Day tickets are valid for 1-13 days. With season and day tickets, you can travel unlimited during the validity period on selected zones.
Value Ticket
With a value ticket, you pay for individual trips. When you board a bus, show your card to the reader and select your travel zone. On commuter trains, metro, and trams, you only need to show your card to an inspector if requested. You can load €5-400 on the card.
Buying a Value Ticket
Buy a value ticket with your HSL card from the card reader at the start of your journey when you board or before you go down the escalator to the metro platform.
Select Travel Zone
Choose the zones you need for your journey
Pay with HSL Card
Hold your card to the reader to complete payment
Buy Tickets for Multiple Passengers
With your HSL card, you can buy tickets for your companions. Select the travel zone, click “Add passengers,” and select the number of tickets. Pay with your card and make sure all passengers have a valid ticket. You can find instructional videos on buying tickets here.
Buying Tickets for More Than One Passenger
With HSL card value, you can buy a ticket for one or more people traveling with you. You can buy tickets for other adults with an adult HSL card and for children with a child’s card. You can also buy several tickets consecutively, for example for yourself and then for your friend.
Select Travel Zone
Click “Add Passengers”
Select Number of Tickets
If you have a valid season, day, or value ticket, only buy tickets for missing persons. Don’t include yourself.
Pay with HSL Card
Additional Zone Ticket
You can extend your season ticket’s travel zone by buying an additional zone ticket. Select the zones you want and pay with your card. An additional zone ticket is a convenient way to travel in a larger zone without having to buy a new ticket.
HSL Card Prices
Prices vary according to ticket type and travel area. Value tickets start from a few euros, while season tickets are priced according to the selected period and zone. For example, a zone AB season ticket is cheaper than a zone ABC season ticket because it covers a smaller area. HSL also offers discounts for students, pensioners, and children, making travel more affordable for certain groups.
Loading your HSL card is easy and convenient. You can load your HSL card on HSL’s website, mobile app, or at HSL service points.
Single Tickets
For occasional trips
Valid 80-110 minutes
Zone AB Single Tickets
| Zone AB | Adult | Child 7-17 yrs | Pensioner (Kela) | Reduced Mobility | Over 70 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Ticket HSL app, HSL card, ticket machines | AB €2.95 | AB €1.48 | AB HSL card €1.48 App & machines €2.95 |
AB HSL card €1.48 App & machines €2.95 |
AB €2.95 |
| Additional Zone Ticket Extend your travel area affordably | C €2.66 CD €2.95 |
C €1.33 CD €1.48 |
C €1.33 CD €1.48 |
C €1.33 CD €1.48 |
C €2.66 CD €2.95 |
Zone BC Single Tickets
| Zone BC | Adult | Child 7-17 yrs | Pensioner (Kela) | Reduced Mobility | Over 70 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Ticket HSL app, HSL card, ticket machines | BC €2.95 | BC €1.48 | BC HSL card €1.48 App & machines €2.95 |
BC HSL card €1.48 App & machines €2.95 |
BC €2.95 |
| Additional Zone Tickets | A €2.66 D €2.85 A+D App €3.86 Card €5.51 |
A €1.33 D €1.43 A+D App €1.93 Card €2.76 |
A €1.33 D €1.43 A+D App €1.93 Card €2.76 |
A €1.33 D €1.43 A+D App €1.93 Card €2.76 |
A €2.66 D €2.85 A+D App €3.86 Card €5.51 |
Multi-Journey Tickets
For frequent travelers
10 or 20 single tickets at a reduced price
| Zone | AB | ABC | ABCD | BC | BCD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-trip ticket – 1 free trip | €26.55 / €2.66 per trip | €36.90 / €3.69 per trip | €40.50 / €4.05 per trip | €26.55 / €2.66 per trip | €36.90 / €3.69 per trip |
| 20-trip ticket – 3 free trips | €50.15 / €2.51 per trip | €69.70 / €3.49 per trip | €76.50 / €3.83 per trip | €50.15 / €2.51 per trip | €69.70 / €3.49 per trip |
Other Ticket Type Prices
| Ticket Types | Duration | AB / BC | ABC / BCD | ABCD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Tickets | Regular trips One-time purchase (Adult) |
Continuous savings subscription 1-year commitment (12 billing cycles) |
€55.50 €1.85/day |
€82.80 €2.76/day |
€91.40 €3.05/day |
| Continuous subscription (30 days) Cancel anytime |
€66.60 €2.22/day |
€99.40 €3.31/day |
€109.70 €3.66/day |
||
| Continuous Subscriptions | Always valid ticket Billed every 30 days (Adult) |
Continuous savings subscription | €55.50 / 30 days | €82.80 / 30 days | €91.40 / 30 days |
| Continuous subscription (30 days) | €66.60 / 30 days | €99.40 / 30 days | €109.70 / 30 days | ||
| Day Tickets | Short stays Valid 1-13 days |
Good choice for few days | Adult: 1 day €9.00, 2 days €13.50 Child 7-17: 1 day €4.50, 2 days €6.70 |
Adult: 1 day €11.00, 2 days €16.50 Child 7-17: 1 day €5.50, 2 days €8.20 |
Adult: 1 day €12.00, 2 days €18.00 Child 7-17: 1 day €6.00, 2 days €9.00 |
| Additional Zone Tickets | Season ticket extension Valid 90-110 min |
Affordable extension (Adult) | AB +C = €2.66 +CD = €2.95 |
ABC +D = €2.85 |
BC +A = €2.66 +D = €2.85 A+D = €3.86 A+D = €5.51 |
For detailed prices, visit HSL’s website or view the PDF format.
Benefits and Discounts with One Card
The HSL card offers users many benefits and discounts. Students, pensioners, and children can receive significant discounts on tickets, making travel more affordable. Additionally, HSL regularly runs campaigns and offers to encourage people to use public transport. For example, in summer, season tickets may be offered affordably, making holiday travel economical and environmentally friendly.
Student Discounts
Significant savings on season and single tickets for students with valid student cards
Senior Benefits
Pensioners and those over 70 receive reduced fares on all ticket types
Children’s Rates
Children aged 7-17 travel at approximately 50% discount, under 7 travel free
Buying and Loading the Card
Obtaining an HSL card is easy and hassle-free. You can buy the card at HSL service points or selected service points, R-kiosks, and shops. The card can be loaded through the HSL app, ticket machines, and R-kiosks. With the HSL app, you can also check your card balance and plan travel schedules, making travel even easier.
Important: Sales of cardholder-specific HSL cards ended on December 31, 2023, and these cards are being phased out. Read more here.
You can load a season ticket valid for 14, 30, 60, 90, 120, up to 270 days or 360 days onto your HSL card. Day tickets are valid for 1-13 days of your choice. You can load a minimum of €5 and a maximum of €400 in value (money) onto the card.
You can purchase a season or day ticket or value for your HSL card in the online HSL card service. Tickets and value purchased online must be transferred to the HSL card using a card reader before you can use them for travel.
You can also load season or day tickets or value onto your HSL card at all HSL sales and service points and at some HSL ticket machines.
Checking Balance and Information
You can check your HSL card balance and ticket information from a card reader or the HSL card service online. The reader alternately shows the card balance, season ticket validity period, and remaining time for value tickets.
- You can check here whether you have a cardholder-specific or personal HSL card.
- You can also see your HSL card information in the online HSL card service and at HSL’s large ticket machines.
Refunds and Complaints
If your card doesn’t work properly or you have a complaint, you can contact HSL service points and municipalities. Refunds can be requested within two months of the grounds for refund. Refunds only apply to personal cards or cardholder-specific cards personalized with a personal identity number or company tax identification number.
For more information on refunding periods and values charged from the card, see here.
Lost HSL Card
If you lose your HSL card, you can get a new card from a service point. A new card costs €5, and transferring the balance and tickets from the lost card to the new card costs €8.
You can inquire about your lost HSL card after 4 PM on the business day following the loss from HSL customer service or service points. You can also report your card’s loss in the HSL card service.
HSL Customer Service
Phone: 09 4766 4000 (local network charge)
Open: Mon-Fri 7:30-19:00
Sat-Sun 9:30-17:00
Buy with one card all trips and enjoy easy travel in the Helsinki region. Whether you’re a student, employee, or tourist, the HSL card is your key to hassle-free travel and adventure. Traveling with one card is easy, and season, day, and value tickets offer flexibility according to your travel needs.
Key Benefits of HSL Card
- One card for all transport – buses, trams, metro, trains, and ferries
- Flexible pricing options – single tickets, multi-journey, season, and day tickets
- Significant discounts for students, seniors, and children
- Easy to load via app, ticket machines, or service points
- Contactless payment with fast and secure card readers