Helsinki Central railway station

Helsinki
Helsingfors
VR long-distance train and HSL commuter rail interchange station
General information
LocationKaivokatu 1
Helsinki
Finland
Coordinates60°10′19″N 24°56′29″E / 60.17194°N 24.94139°E / 60.17194; 24.94139
Owned byFinnish Transport Agency
Operated byVR
Line(s)Helsinki–Riihimäki railway
Helsinki–Turku railway
Distance0 km
Platforms19
Tracks19
Train operatorsVR
Bus stands13 departure, 2 arrival
Connections M1   M2  Metro station
  Helsinki tram lines
from Rautatieasema  3   5   6   7   9 
from Lasipalatsi  1   2   4   10 

  Helsinki Buses
Construction
Structure typeGround station
Platform levels1
Other information
Station codeHKI
IATA codeHEC
Fare zoneA
History
Opened1862 (originally)
1919 (current building)
Rebuilt1909
ElectrifiedYes
Passengers
Passengers (2019)37,005,824 (Helsinki commuter)[1]

Helsinki Central Station is the main station for commuter rail and long-distance trains in Helsinki, Finland. The station is used by about 200,000 people per day[2] It is the terminus for all trains in the Helsinki commuter rail network, as well as for all Helsinki-bound long-distance trains in Finland. The Rautatientori (Central Railway Station) metro station is in the same building.

The railway tracks in Helsinki were built in the 1860s. The station building, clad in granite, was designed by Eliel Saarinen and opened in 1919. The building is known for its clock tower and the Lyhdynkantajat ("The Lantern Bearers") statues by Emil Wikström.[3] Helsinki Central was chosen as one of the world's most beautiful railway stations by BBC in 2013.[4] The Helsinki Central Station has become the symbol of the entire railway network in Finland. The VR Group uses the image of the station and the statues next to its main entrance in its advertising.[5]: 356 

References

  1. ↑ "Matkustajalaskenta - liikennepaikkojen matkustajamäärät - (summa)". tietopyynto.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Rautatieasema". Visit Helsinki : Helsingin kaupungin virallinen matkailusivusto (in Finnish). 8 November 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  3. ↑ Hissibongarin Helsinki-opas Archived 2014-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, Kone. Accessed on 6 January 2014.
  4. ↑ Jonathan Glancey (3 December 2013). "Ten of the world's most beautiful railway stations". BBC. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  5. ↑ Järvenpää, Eeva: Vanhinta Helsinkiä: kertomuksia Kluuvin ja Kruununhaan kortteleista. Helsinki: Helsingin Sanomat, 2007. ISBN 978-952-5557-15-2.