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Parking and traffic
Street parking in downtown Helsinki is subject to a charge on nearly every street during weekdays and on Saturdays. Parking is allowed only on marked parking spaces. The streets are divided into three parking zones. Charges apply in all zones from Monday to Friday 09:00–19:00. On Saturdays, parking is usually subject to a charge in Zone 1. The chargeable parking hours are marked on each ticket machine and parking meter.
Park and Ride is a convenient way to avoid traffic jams in the city centre. The areas reserved for parking are situated near public transport stops and stations. Parking is usually free of charge.
Residents of the inner city can apply for resident parking permits and park without charge in resident parking zones. In suburban areas, parking on the sides of streets is free of charge.
Helsinki has a number of private parking garages (site in Finnish), most of them underground.
Find out more about parking in Helsinki here.
Payment, parking tickets and permits
Parking fees can be paid with coins, with credit and debit cards, and by mobile phone. Two mobile-phone payment systems are used in Helsinki, with different payments methods.
Parking violations in Helsinki carries a parking fine of 60 euro. In central Helsinki, the parking fine is 80 euro.
All temporary traffic arrangements on streets and in parks require a permit.
Traffic control and planning
There are about 430 signalized junctions or mid-block pedestrian signals in Helsinki. BEPOLITE is a unique concept for controlling bicycles at traffic signals. There are two real-time parking guidance systems, one for the City Center and the other in Pasila, which guide drivers with real-time variable message signs informing them of free parking spaces. The Helsinki Public Transport Telematics HeLMI (“Pearl”) tells us when the next tram and bus is approaching.
Traffic planning is part of city planning in Helsinki.
Faults
Reports on faults in streets and traffic signs can be made to the City of Helsinki Public Works Department.
National road information
National travel and traffic information is provided by the Finnish Transport Agency including real-time information on weather conditions on roads.
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