Helsinki car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Helsinki
The best car rental companies in Helsinki are Sixt, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from €36/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Helsinki
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€39/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€41/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€38/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€37/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€40/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€35/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€42/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Helsinki
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €36 | VW up! | 4 |
| Compact | €42 | Škoda Fabia | 4 |
| SUV (AWD available) | €64 | VW Tiguan 4Motion | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €80 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €108 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Helsinki
Airport — Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
HEL sits about 19km north of central Helsinki, linked by a direct rail line, with rental desks grouped in the terminal's ground-transport area.
Downtown — Helsinki city center (near Helsinki Central Station)
Downtown desks near Central Station suit visitors arriving by train or ferry who want a car mainly for day trips beyond the compact, walkable capital.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | HEL airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €12–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–10/day | Per extra driver |
| Winter tire fitment | Included in rental, no separate charge | Winter-season rentals |
| Refundable deposit | €250–450 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Helsinki
- Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) sits about 19km north of downtown, connected by a direct rail line as well as the ring roads.
- Finland has no road tolls and no motorway vignette — driving anywhere in the country, including out of Helsinki, comes with no toll charges.
- Winter tires are legally required in Finland during the winter months, and rental fleets are fitted accordingly for the season.
- Helsinki's compact city center is easy to explore on foot or by tram, so a rental car is most useful for day trips to Porvoo, Tampere, or the Finnish lakeland.
- Watch for elk and reindeer warning signs on rural highways outside Helsinki, especially around dawn and dusk.
- Finland's long winter nights mean daylight hours are short from November to February, worth factoring into road-trip planning.
- Helsinki has good ferry connections to Tallinn and Stockholm, but those crossings are not drivable — a rental car is for exploring mainland Finland by road.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Helsinki
Do you need a car in Helsinki?
Not for the compact, walkable city center, which is well served by trams and the metro. A car is most useful for day trips to Porvoo, Tampere, or the Finnish lakeland.
How far is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport from downtown?
About 19km, roughly 25–30 minutes by car, or a quick ride on the direct rail line.
Are there road tolls in Finland?
No, Finland has no road tolls and no motorway vignette — driving is toll-free nationwide.
Do I need a vignette to drive in Finland?
No, Finland has no vignette system at all, unlike several other European countries.
Are winter tires required in Finland?
Yes, winter tires are legally required during the winter months, and rental cars are automatically fitted for the season.
Can I drive from Helsinki to Tallinn or Stockholm?
No, those routes are ferry crossings, not drivable. A rental car in Helsinki is best used for exploring mainland Finland by road.
What is the cheapest car type in Helsinki?
Economy cars like a VW up! start around €36/day. An AWD SUV for lakeland or winter routes starts around €64/day.
