Helsinki to Los Angeles Flights (HEL-LAX)

Your Finnair flight from Helsinki will depart from Helsinki Airport (HEL). Experience a world of in-flight entertainment at your fingertips on your flights from Helsinki with Finnair!

Helsinki Airport is located within the city of Vantaa, just 18 km north of the city centre. Helsinki is conveniently linked to the airport by the westbound ‘I’ and the eastbound ‘P’ train lines, with the journey taking around 30 minutes and trains running at 10-minute intervals. Taxis are also readily available from the city centre to the airport. Another option is the 615 bus, which runs frequently throughout the day and provides service to the airport.

Departing from Helsinki with Finnair

• Upgrade to a Finnair Gold or Platinum membership to take advantage of our Nordic lounges located at both Gate 22 and Gate 50.
• Finnair service desks are located in the departure hall of Terminal 2, to provide assistance when you need it.

Nicknamed the City of Angels and famous for being the heart of the USA’s movie industry and home to many celebrities, Los Angeles attracts diverse tourists all throughout the year. Whether you’re hoping to spot a star or two, want to explore the diverse sights, are taking the family for a fun vacation to remember or are visiting on business, this Finnair travel guide to Los Angeles shows you how to make the most of your time in one of California’s most dazzling destinations.

Sights in Los Angeles

Stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and visit the historic Chinese Theatre before snapping a picture of the iconic Hollywood sign high up in the hills. Enter the inner workings of the big screen at Universal Studios Hollywood, complete with rides big and small, film sets and other movie- and TV-themed attractions. There are many film sites to visit all around the city and you’ll likely get strong senses of déjà vu as you explore. People of all ages love Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, while Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm offer even more theme park fun. Bohemian Venice Beach is a top place for relaxing on the sands, surfing and strolling along the boardwalk, and the sands of Hermosa Beach and Santa Monica Beach offer more fun in the sun. The enormous Griffith Park offers plenty of space to unwind or practice sports. Turn your gaze to the stars at the Griffith Observatory and watch children’s faces light up at the merry-go-round, zoo and play areas. Other LA parks include Grand Park, Macarthur Park, Tongva Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park with its historic ranch.

Art enthusiasts are sure to love the Getty Center, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art. There are myriad museums around Los Angeles too, catering to diverse interests. Favourites include the Museum of Jurassic Technology, the Museum of Tolerance, The Broad and the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. La Brea Tar Pits provides a fascinating glimpse back to the Ice Age. Some of LA’s most intriguing architectural creations are the striking Watts Towers, built from scrap metal, trash and discarded objects. Sports games, concerts and performances are plentiful, and the city’s diverse night scene includes everything from comedy shows and fine dining to laid-back bars, live music venues and electric nightclubs.

Things to See and Do Near Los Angeles

• Malibu – Head to Malibu for gorgeous beaches, lush wineries and soaring mountains.
• Palm Springs – This desert city provides a great blend of active adventures and relaxation.
• San Diego – Accessible in around a three-hour drive, San Diego is another Californian jewel with a plethora of attractions and activities. Highlights include the world-famous San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park and the sandy beaches.

Shopping in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is known for its fantastic shopping; with designer goods aplenty, vintage finds, quirky gems and an enormous array of souvenirs, there are so many places to shop in LA!

• Larchmont Boulevard – If you have plenty of cash to spare, the unique boutiques along this exclusive road have many one-of-a-kind items to tempt you. Shop like a celebrity and, you never know, you may even end up standing in a queue next to one of your favourite stars.
• Rodeo Drive – One of the most famous shopping streets in Los Angeles, luxury designers can be found here.
• Department stores – There are numerous department stores in Los Angeles; listing each individually would be futile. Major examples include Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Kohl’s and JCPenney.
• Malls – Numerous malls featuring global brands are scattered around the city. Some of the most popular include the Grove, the Beverly Center, Westside Pavilion and Hollywood and Highland.
• Broadway – Many second-hand market stalls, discount stores and everyday shops can be found here, catering to locals and visitors who want to maintain a more modest budget.
• Gallery Row – This is one of the best places in Los Angeles to source interesting and original artwork.
• Original Farmers Market – Dating back to 1934, this market sells fresh produce in addition to a global selection of ready-to-eat dishes.

Food and Drink 

• Dodger Dog – An iconic snack that was born in the city’s Dodger Stadium, the Dodger Dog is a 25-cm-long (10-inch-long) frankfurter sausage, grilled and topped with mustard or tomato ketchup. 
• California-style pizza – With a regular base covered with cheese and tomato sauce, local pizzas tend to be topped with a variety of unconventional items, including barbecued meats and locally-grown vegetables.
• Wine – Californian wines are globally renowned, and you’ll find the finest wines from across the state in LA’s diverse eateries.
• Fusion cuisine – Californian dishes generally focus on fresh local produce and seasonal ingredients. Twists are given to popular international dishes using ingredients readily available in the state. 

Transport in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a huge city. Travellers will, invariably, need transportation to get around.

• By foot – While walking around major shopping areas is the norm, planning to sightsee in Los Angeles on foot is all but impossible.
• By bicycle – Several parts of the city are especially cycle-friendly, including around the beach areas of Hermosa and Santa Monica. Cycling in other parts of the busy city can be frantic, although guided cycling tours provide a safer way to pedal around the city with confidence.
• Buses – Numerous bus services operate around Los Angeles, though some routes have more frequent services than others. The central part of the city is generally well served by public buses. In addition to single-journey tickets, passengers can purchase day passes, weekly passes and monthly passes. Day passes and single tickets can be bought in stations and onboard the vehicle, whereas weekly and monthly tickets must be bought either at designated outlets or online. Do note that longer routes may mean changing operators, which can incur extra costs: different bus companies do not share ticketing systems.
• Metro – Los Angeles’s metro system, including the light rail and subway, runs between many places of interest and neighbourhoods around the city. It connects places like Chinatown, Koreatown, Hollywood, Long Beach and Pasadena. Passes for a day, a week and a month can be obtained in addition to single-ride tickets.
• Trains – A commuter rail network connects the city centre with suburban areas during the week; weekend and evening services are limited.
• Taxis – Taxis cannot be hailed on the streets; you must call and book a ride. Using taxis can quickly work out to be a pricey transportation option, and bad traffic can mean that the journey is slow.