Taking several buses, trams or trains around Helsinki in one day? Your public transport journeys could now cost less than before.
Helsinki Regional Transport (HSL) has introduced a new 24-hour fare cap, allowing passengers who buy multiple single tickets using contactless payment to pay no more than the equivalent day-ticket price.
The change, which took effect on 2 November 2026, is designed to make public transport easier and more affordable for occasional passengers and visitors.
But there’s a catch: the new fare cap doesn’t currently apply to tickets bought through the HSL mobile app.
How Does Helsinki’s New 24-Hour Fare Cap Work?
Previously, passengers travelling several times in a day had to decide whether buying individual tickets or a day ticket would be cheaper.
Under the new system, that calculation is handled automatically for eligible contactless payments.
For example, imagine spending a day exploring Helsinki.
You take a tram to the city centre, a bus to visit a friend and another tram home.
Instead of worrying about how many tickets you need, you can buy each ticket normally using the same contactless payment card.
If the combined fares reach the relevant day-ticket price, HSL caps the total amount charged.
The 24-hour period begins when you purchase your first eligible ticket.
How Much Can You Pay in One Day?
The maximum amount depends on the HSL zones you travel through.
Under the current 2026 fares, the daily caps are:
| Travel zones | Maximum over 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Two zones, such as AB | €10.60 |
| Three zones, such as ABC | €12.80 |
| Four zones, such as ABCD | €13.80 |
| Five zones, ABCDE | €17.20 |
For someone travelling only within Helsinki’s AB zones, this means the total cost of eligible single tickets over 24 hours will not exceed €10.60.
If you travel farther, such as between Helsinki Airport and the city centre, the relevant fare cap is calculated using the zones needed for your journeys.
These are 2026 prices. HSL has separately announced fare changes for January 2027.
How Do You Get the Fare Cap?
The good news is that you don’t need to register or apply.
Simply buy your adult single tickets using contactless payment.
To benefit from the automatic cap:
- Use the same bank card or contactless payment method for every purchase.
- Select the correct zones for each journey.
- Continue buying a valid ticket for every journey, even after reaching the price cap.
- Keep using the same payment method throughout the 24-hour period.
A physical bank card and a phone payment linked to that card are treated as separate payment methods. Mixing them may prevent purchases from counting towards the same cap.
Does It Work With the HSL App?
Not yet.
The fare cap currently applies only to adult single tickets purchased using contactless payment.
It does not apply to tickets purchased through the HSL app or using stored value on an HSL card.
The cap is also personal. If one person uses a bank card to buy several adult tickets at once, only one ticket from that purchase counts towards their individual fare cap.
HSL says it is initially testing the system through contactless payments before considering whether to expand it to other ticket purchasing methods.
Are Helsinki Public Transport Prices Going Up in 2027?
Yes. While the new cap could save some passengers money, HSL has also approved an average 1.8% fare increase from 1 January 2027.
The prices of children’s single tickets and certain discounted single tickets will remain unchanged, while other fares will rise.
HSL says increasing operating and infrastructure costs are among the reasons for the changes.
What Does This Mean for Residents and Tourists?
For occasional passengers and tourists exploring Helsinki, the new system removes some of the guesswork involved in choosing between single tickets and day tickets.
It’s particularly useful for people making several journeys around the Helsinki region in one day.
Regular commuters with season tickets may still find their existing ticket options more suitable.
The new cap is available across eligible HSL journeys, but it does not cover public transport systems outside the HSL network.
For full instructions, visit HSL’s official contactless payment guide.
With the new fare cap already in place, visitors and residents can travel around the capital region with one less thing to calculate — as long as they use the right payment method.
Sources: HSL announcements dated 26 and 27 October 2026. Information checked 8 November 2026.
Author: Admin
Admin