It is hardly possible to say that the Helsinki cycling capital. These laurels have long been belonging to another city, if you understand what I mean. But, nevertheless, the bike is a fairly common way to move in Helsinki.
Just like other cities in Europe, in the capital of Finland, too, there are cycling paths, traffic lights and traffic rules for cyclists that should be followed.
Roads in Finland are generally good, there are special cycling highways almost 800 kilometers long, so lovers of ride will not be much difficulty reaching neighboring cities by bike.
If you are an amateur bike ride, you can use the route scheduler, very convenient: http://pk.reittiopas.fi/en/#mapcenter(point*2549164*683186) or here http://www.bikemap.net/ru/
So, where to rent a bike.
Rental "Greenbike" (Narinkka, 3 Next to the Sokos Hotel Albert and the Art Museum of Sinebrühov (though, it was closed last year, not aware, whether it was opened now) and on Bulevardi 32, the door from Albertinkatu).
At the box office you can take a variety of bicycles. The reservation is necessary only if you are in a group more than 10 people and if you want to rent a mountain bike. Reservation provides for a deposit of 50 €. You can book a day.
In the hire you will supply cards, helmets and different necessary pieces (this is free), including children's seats up to 15 kg (unlimited, and pledge 10 euros). Sometimes there can be a set of cycling tools (if a long check-in). In order to take a bike for rent, you need to have with you Passport or driver's license and cash (cards do not accept).
Rental of ordinary large for half a day (4 hours) costs 20 €, on day (from 10 am to 6 pm) - 25 €, full day - 30 €, week - 75 €.
For rental bike with three speeds, 5 euros is added to the rental cost. Plus 10 euros for cross bikes.
Baby bicycles and trailey bikes are 50% discount from a regular bike. For a family of three or more people there is a 10% discount on all bikes. Rental at Bulevardi also sells and repair bicycles.
Stores work from Wednesday to Friday 10: 00-17: 00 and on Saturday 10: 00-14: 00.
Another rental is called "Ecobike. "And it is located at Savilankatu 1, next to the Olympic Stadium (we are going there on trams 2 or 7a to the Kansaneläkelaitos station). Rental works on Wednesdays officially from 13:00 to 18:00, on other days you need to specify by phone. There are still repaired bicycles, as well as sell new and used great (you can talk even for 100 euros).
Some hotels also have bicycle rental, and, sometimes free (for example, at Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel and Hilton Helsinki Strand Hotel).
In short, as you can see, the main rental is "Greenbike", and that is not working every day.
Another important thing for a tourist in Helsinki is tourist information centers. They are needed if there are problems with the armor of the hotel, excursions, tickets home and in general, everyone will tell and tell. Useful thing! There are several such centers here.
"Helsinki Information Center" Pohjoisesplanadi 19 is one of the most popular in Helsinki.
There you can get advice, take cards, order tickets for the ferry, order guide services and much more. This center usually works from 9 am to 8 pm on weekdays and up to 6 on weekends. In winter, the center closes two hours earlier.
Information point at the railway station. (from 9.00 to 15.00 on weekdays, 10.00 - 14.00 - Saturday, Sunday -cake. Summer on weekdays works for two hours longer).
If you arrived in Helsinki by plane, look at Info Center at the airport . Consultations are held from May 1 to September 30 every day from 10 am to 10 pm, and brochures can be found around the clock.
The info center is located in the Arrival Hall of the Terminal 2.
Mobile Info Center There is a market near Esplanadi Park. It can be easily recognized on green decor.
This booth (between those, performed on the projects of the most fashionable architects of Finland) with vital cards open from 9.00 to 18.00 every day.
Another innovation - Assistants on the streets of the city . Straight as at the Olympics in Sochi. They can be found in Salad T-shirts and Badzhiks with the inscription "Helsinki Helpit".
And with them there will be such a green big monster!
Pickups stand on the central streets of the city from mid-July to the end of August. Young people talk in different languages, and you will be lucky if you get to Russian-speaking, and there will be three there, and they will wait for the guests on the railway station. By the way, you can stick the Helsinki Help booklet from young people, where you can find coupons for discounts in different stores. What a good thing! These assistants, by the way, generously finance the largest companies in Finland, contribute to, so to speak, the growth of tourism in the country. Here we would have so!
Since I grew up about discounts, the most basic thing in the capital is "Discount in Helsinki." This is such a mobile card that allows you to save on hikes in restaurants and cafes, shops, beauty centers, etc.
The main thing is not to forget to warn the waiter or the seller that such a card you have. In this application, it is also indicated on the locality map, the place where you can still save on this discount. There is a map of this dear penny - 10 euros, and how much benefit!
Very many institutions are signed in this program, more than 50. In many restaurants with this card, you can order two dishes at the price of one. About 20 clothing stores, underwear, shoes, fabrics and bags are also involved in this program (mainly these are the stores of Finnish and Swedish designers). Four beauty salons and favorite shop with "yummy" for the body and face- The Body Shop also offer to save. About 10 hotels are also "in the topic", including first-class hotels, for example, Radisson Blu Plaza. You can also safely save on excursions, cruises, visits to water parks ("Serena"), museums ("EMMA"), entertainment centers ("Linnanmäki", "Hop Lop", "Funpark", "Formula Center", "Flamingo SPA" etc.), and finally on car rental. Orders such a card on the Internet here: http://www.diskontvhelsinki.fi/product/diskont-v-helsinki/ Useful thing, definitely, and inexpensive!
These are small tips!