So frustrating to get a ticket!
As of Feb 1, 2018, Helsinki…read moreMetro has stopped selling tickets on board the trams or buses. You either need to get a RFID chip card, set up your phone with NFS and the app, or buy a paper ticket. Since I was a foreigner in Helsinki, my phone crawled when trying to download the app. So I was forced to find paper tickets from one of the automated kiosks at only a few of the stops. Some of the ticket machines malfunctioned, making it difficult to legally ride the trams. At most stops, there are no ticket machines, only at the major stations. These few ticket machines accept credit cards, and have a very limited English vocabulary. Most of the time, I was forced to ride without a ticket, while keeping a watchful eye out for anyone that seemed to be checking tickets. Someone told me that you can also buy tickets from the parking meters, but I couldn't figure that one out- there was no mention on the meters about a bus, tram, streetcar, etc. On the side of the streetcars, there's a small sticker that has a drawing of tickets, with a "NO" symbol over it- looks like a ticket is not required, if you ask me...
Once you're on board the tram, it rides smoothly upon the rails, sailing through traffic. Stop names are clearly displayed as they're reached. It's a wonderful way to go around town- it's clean, swift, safe and reliable. The tram stops have the time until arrival clearly posted on electronic boards, and most stops have shelter from the elements, a bench, and a map. The transportation schedules are all on Google Maps so you can have the Transit Directions option guide you seamlessly to your destination.
At one stop, I had to jump off quickly, as I saw uniformed Helsinki Metro people who appeared to be checking tickets! There's an eighty Euro fee if you get caught without a ticket.
The tram is such an iconic sight in Helsinki- you've gotta give it a spin!