FIN: Vantaa Airport

Lentoasemantie, Vantaa, Finland

Vantaa Airport is the main gateway to Helsinki, Finland, which is located in the city of Vantaa that's approximately 17 km from the capital city. Originally built for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, the airport is the largest in the country and the fourth busiest in the Nordic countries in terms of passenger count.

My BFF and I took a train from Helsinki Central Railway Station to reach the airport. As previously mentioned in one of the earlier posts, a regional ticket costs €5.00 (~S$7.65) one-way.

Upon reaching the airport, we immediately made our way to the departure hall and completed our check-in using one of the self-service machines before dropping off our luggage.

Welcome to hell! I mean HEL, which is the 3-letter IATA code for Vantaa Airport.

The Moomins are considered special customers. xD

Following security clearance, we had to go through the duty free shop to reach the Schengen area of the transit mall.

You can find instant bilberry drink powder at the duty free shop. :D

We visited Finnair Lounge at the Schengen area at the beginning of the trip.

No time to visit one of the Moomin Cafés in town? Fret not! You can still get something you like from the shop at the airport.

The same goes for Marimekko, a popular local design brand.

We continued walking to the non-Schengen area.

Was there supposed to be a water dispenser there?

Pier Zero is a deli, bar and a la carte restaurant near Gate 28 of the Schengen area.

Some adorable deer and Siberian Husky soft toys! :3

After immigration clearance, we explored the non-Schengen area of the transit mall.

The first Starbucks came to Finland in 2012.

So... Where exactly does Santa Claus live? :P

We had to pass through another strategically placed duty free shop shown in the photo above before advancing. As you can see, the airport was quite empty that evening.

Fine Food sells the highly acclaimed Rossini caviar.

The history of Lindroos Watches & Jewellery goes back to 1890.

More of The Moomins! :)

Sunset! <3

The Finnair Lounge there looks more stylish than the one in the Schengen area.

We saw two art installation along the way. One of them showcases a log cabin in a forest, I presume.

The other one expresses the "internal movement of the forces of nature, sunset, the rugged fell landscape of Lapland with slopes in shadow, and crusted snow shaped by wind".

After a long walk, we finally reached the area where the boarding gates are.

Minute by minute, I could fell my heart growing heavier as my holiday was coming to an end.