Your Ultimate Guide to Tampere for the 2024 NHL Global Series
Each year the NHL Global Series is a tradition unlike any other and the 2024 NHL Global Series in Tampere, Finland is a much-anticipated event for Dallas Stars fans around the world. The Stars and Panthers will face off at the Nokia Arena in Tampere on November 1st and 2nd, marking a historic moment as it's the Stars' first appearance in regular-season games outside North America. With Tampere native Roope Hintz alongside Dallas' other star Finnish players Miro Heiskanen (Espoo), Esa Lindell (Vantaa), and Jani Hakanpää (Kirkkonummi) a touch of hometown and home country pride is added to the event, promising an unforgettable experience for fans and players alike, especially considering how central Finns have been in Dallas' success over the years.
As a lifelong Dallas Stars fan now residing in Tampere, Finland, I've accumulated a treasure trove of Finnish travel wisdom. With the NHL Global Series bringing our Stars to Nokia Arena, it's the perfect time for fans to venture to Finland and experience the beautiful country many of our top players call home. Drawing from my extensive travel experiences, here's everything you need to know.
Flight Information: Dallas to Finland
Embarking from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the heartland of American Airlines, Stars fans have a direct route to Finland with Finnair. Although American Airlines, whose headquartered out of DFW, doesn't fly directly to Finland, its One World alliance partner Finnair offers an exemplary service that connects Dallas with Helsinki. This route, established in early 2022, has proven its worth by seamlessly linking North America with the Nordic region.
Why Finnair? I can personally vouch for Finnair's Dallas-Helsinki route; it is perfect. Finnair's direct flights, Finnair 20 (Dallas to Helsinki) and Finnair 19 (Helsinki to Dallas), depart from Terminal D, offering a unique blend of convenience and Nordic hospitality. Flying over Canada, Greenland, and Iceland, passengers might catch the Northern Lights, making for an unforgettable journey. The Airbus A350-900 aircraft ensures comfort, with features designed to mitigate jet lag, such as lower cabin pressure. Recommendations include bringing a toothbrush and a change of clothes to feel refreshed upon arrival. Finnair's loyalty program is also a must for frequent travelers, offering benefits like discounted baggage and seat selection.
Additionally, the experience at passport control in Helsinki is notably smooth and efficient. The arrival time of Finnair 20 as of time of this post is one of the only larger arrivals from outside of the Schengen Area meaning generally you won't face long lines of passengers from other arriving flights when you arrive. Even as a non-EU citizen, the process is typically quick, allowing travelers to be out of the airport within an hour of landing, setting a positive tone for the beginning of your Finnish adventure.
Helsinki Airport Information
Navigating Finland: From Helsinki to Tampere
Upon arrival, Finland's stellar public transit system becomes your best friend. A rental car might be superfluous unless you're planing on venturing far into the rural Finnish countryside. From Helsinki Airport, a direct train takes you to Tikkurila Station (Specifically take the P train), where you can catch a high-speed VR train to Tampere. The entire journey is efficient, taking as little as 90 minutes.
Payment: I usually just pay for the local train from Helsinki Airport to Tikkurila Station at the machines in the Helsinki Airport Station at the bottom of the escalator. As for VR from Tikkurila to Tampere, if you're unsure about timing you can buy tickets at Tikkurila station but personally, using the VR mobile app for purchasing tickets and seat selection is highly recommended. It will also allow you to track trains and see time tables to choose your best option.
In Tampere, the public transit mirrors the convenience found in Dallas. The Tampereen Ratikka, akin to the DART system, offers easy navigation within the city. Payment can be made on board with a credit card, and the NYSSE Mobiili app enhances this convenience, although a credit card is necessary for its use.
Accommodations in Tampere
Lapland Hotels Arena: Nestled within Nokia Arena itself, an arena to which Tampereen Ilves Hockey team calls home (Roope Hintz's former Finnish Liiga team) you really can't get any closer than this. Some rooms even offer direct views of the ice, blending Nordic comfort with the excitement of the game. The hotel's design, inspired by Lapland, and amenities like the sauna with panoramic city views, ensure a memorable stay.
Hiisi Homes Tampere - Armonkallio: For a more extended stay or for larger groups, Hiisi Homes offers fully furnished apartments with all the comforts of home. Located near the serene shores of Näsijärvi and within walking distance of the city center, it provides a perfect base to explore both the natural and urban facets of Tampere.
Additional Tips
This guide focuses on logistics, covering flights, transportation, and accommodations. Future posts will delve into Tampere's attractions, the Nokia Arena experience, local cuisine, and day trips to enhance your NHL Global Series adventure!
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