European Countryside
Spend a day hiking along the trails and picking berries, mushrooms, and wild herbs at Sipoonkorpi National Park, or rent a log cabin and spend the nights sitting around a fire under the stars.
Vantaa is a young city with an old soul. From the beautiful countryside to the artsy city centre, Vantaa is ready to show you its heart. Vantaa is the fourth most populated city in Finland with a population of just over 200,000 people. Popular attractions include Heureka Science Centre and Planetarium, Sipoonkorpi National Park, and Serena Water Park.
Get ready to experience serene Finnish beauty with cheap flights to Vantaa. The city is served by Helsinki Airport (HEL), which is a 10-minute drive or 15-minute train ride from the city. Helsinki Airport serves a number of airlines, including Finnair, Air France, and Lufthansa. Popular international flights to Vantaa depart from Johannesburg and Cape Town. The flight duration from Johannesburg is approximately 14 hours and 45 minutes.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Spend a day hiking along the trails and picking berries, mushrooms, and wild herbs at Sipoonkorpi National Park, or rent a log cabin and spend the nights sitting around a fire under the stars.
The Finnish are passionate about food. Traditional country fare, haute cuisine, and contemporary cooking come together to create the unique cuisine of Finland. Be sure to try kaalikääryleet and lohikeitto.
When the snow falls, head outside and try winter activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and skiing. Or take it easy and relax in the famous Kuusijärvi smoke sauna.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Country | Finland |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro |
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 0.06 EUR |
| Language | Finnish / Swedish |
| Hub Airport | Helsinki Airport (HEL) |
| Airline | Finnair |
| Time Zone | GMT+2 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type F |
The best time to visit Vantaa depends on what you want to do. If you want to experience a European winter and spend your trip trying out winter activities, then winter (November to March) is the best time to go. If you want to go when the weather is mild and the city is bustling with activity, then summer (June to August) is the best time to go. If you want to go when it isn’t too cold and the landscapes are at their most beautiful, then spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) is the best time to visit Vantaa.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | -9°C | -9°C | -6°C | 0°C | 6°C | 11°C | 13°C | 12°C | 7°C | 3°C | -2°C | -6°C |
| High °C | -3°C | -4°C | 1°C | 7°C | 14°C | 19°C | 21°C | 19°C | 13°C | 8°C | 3°C | -1°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 44 | 34 | 34 | 38 | 36 | 46 | 72 | 78 | 71 | 72 | 70 | 57 |
Vantaa is a young city in southern Finland.
Situated next to Helsinki, it is still trying to find its feet and escape the shadow of the capital city, but it is proving to be a place of great charm and authentic Finnish experiences.
Wander through the streets of Vantaa and you will be soothed by the serene sound of Scandinavia and captivated by the sweet scent of trees. But beyond the tranquility and tree-lined streets is a blossoming art scene and unique winter experiences that will captivate your senses and relax your body.
Artsi Vantaa Art Museum is a new age museum that celebrates graffiti, street art, and performance art. But the real artistic magic can be found on the buildings and walls of the city, particularly the train station in Myyrmäki, which is covered in colourful murals.
But if art isn’t really your thing and you want to relax and experience something authentically European, head to Lake Kuusijärvi and try out the outdoor smoke saunas. The Finnish love their saunas and taking a dip will help you understand what all the fuss is about and give your body some TLC.
Vantaa may not be big and bustling, but what it lacks in size and activity it makes up for in easygoing charm and authenticity. And sometimes that is so much better.
Compare several airlines and book your cheap flights to Vantaa online at Travelstart!
South African passport holders will need a Schengen visa to visit Vantaa and the rest of Finland. Passports may not be older than 10 years, must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen state.
The Embassy of Finland is situated in Pretoria.
Address: 628 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002
Phone: (+27) 012 343 0276
Vantaa is a safe city, but there are seedy areas in every city. You should avoid hanging around the stations, shopping malls, and woods at night. Unruly youngsters are known to gather around the Dixi Shopping Centre after dark and cause trouble. You should also familiarise yourself with the local laws and customs before arriving.
You will need proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are travelling from an infected country. The only other routine vaccinations that are recommended are hepatitis B, rabies, MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, meningitis, varicella, polio, and influenza.
| Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Vantaa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | R 120.00 | R 130.00 | R 179.85 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | R 30.00 | R 30.00 | R 89.92 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | R 25.00 | R 26.44 | R 54.21 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | R 10.00 | R 15.00 | R 25.02 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 40.00 | R 45.00 | R 109.47 |
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