Eurostat and Statistics Finland International Conference
on "Comparative EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions:
Issues and Challenges" and EU-SILC methodological workshop
(Helsinki, 6-8 November 2006)

Information on practical arrangements

Hotel Information

Statistics Finland has booked a quota at the hotels Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Sokos Hotel Presidentti, Hotel Helka and at the Hotel Arthur. The reservations have been made under the reservation code "EU SILC". If you decide to use these hotels please confirm your reservation with the hotel direct by 4 October 2006 at the latest.

Please remember to mention the code "EU SILC" when booking your accommodation. These special prices are only available when using the quotas under the reservation code and between the 4th and the 8th of November 2006.

Hotel and Address	Rate/night (single room)	Distance from City Centre (approximately)	Distance from Statistics Finland (approximately)	Booking
Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Asema-aukio 2 FI-00100 HELSINKI.	EUR 109 (breakfast included)	0 km	3,5 km	E-mail: vaakuna.helsinki@sokoshotels.fi tel. +358 (0)20 1234 610 fax +358 (0)9 433 77 100 http://www.sokoshotels.fi/english/
Sokos Hotel Presidentti Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 4 FI-00100 Helsinki	EUR 99 (breakfast included)	0 km	4 km	E-mail: presidentti.helsinki@sokoshotels.fi tel. +358 20 1234 608 fax +358 9 6947 886 http://www.sokoshotels.fi/english/
Helka Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 23 FI-00100 Helsinki	EUR 92 (breakfast and morning sauna included)	0 km	4 km	E-mail: reservations@helka.fi Tel. +358 800 169 069 Fax +358 9 441 087 http://www.helka.fi/
Hotel Arthur Vuorikatu 19 FI-00100 Helsinki	EUR 85 (breakfast included)	0 km	3,5 km	E-mail: reception@hotelarthur.fi Tel. +358 9 173 441 Fax. +358 9 626 880 http://www.hotelarthur.fi/

 

Transportation

From airport to city centre

Helsinki-Vantaa airport is located some 20 kilometres north of Helsinki. A frequent bus service called Finnair Citybus operates between Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and Finnair City Terminal beside the central railway station. The fare (payable to driver) is EURO 5,20 and the drive takes around 35 minutes. Taxis are also available. A regular private taxi ride to the city costs EURO 30-35. The Airport Taxis (which take a group of persons heading in the same direction) are slightly cheaper. Taxi drivers accept major credit cards and do not expect tips. Bus and taxi stands are situated directly outside the Arrivals Hall.

Transportation from city centre to Statistics Finland

Statistics Finland is located about 4 kilometres north-east of the main Helsinki railway station (map). The cost of a taxi from the city centre to our office is EUR 15-20.

If you use public transport, the easiest way to get to Statistics Finland is to take bus number 68 from the square outside the main railway station (the Railway Station Square, platform 6). A single bus ticket, bought from the driver, costs EUR 2.20. The bus departs in the morning at 8:01, 8:12, 8:23, 8:35 and 8:48. It takes some10 minutes to get to Statistics Finland.

For further information, see
http://www.hel.fi/wps/portal/HKL_en/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/en/Helsinki+City+transport/

Equipment at the conference

Conference room

The conference room is equipped with a desktop PC linked to a data projection system as well as with a standard overhead projector. If you need any other special equipment, please contact the host organiser by e-mail at raija.lofgren@stat.fi.

The PCs currently run Windows XP with PowerPoint 2003 and Internet Explorer 6. You can also bring with you a USB memory stick or a floppy disk.

Laptops

Speakers can use their own laptops. Laptops can be plugged direct into the data projection system.

Consulting e-mails

There is no wireless LAN at Statistics Finland for using own laptops, so three computers will be available for participants for their checking e-mail messages.

Meals during the conference

Breakfast is included in the room rate at every hotel. Statistics Finland will provide morning and afternoon coffee. Lunch will be serving at the restaurant of Statistics Finland at the price of EUR 8.

Time, currency

Local time in Finland is GMT +3 (+2 in summer time).
The Finnish currency is the Euro.

Local information

Weather

The average day temperature of November is between +5 -4 in the southern Finland.

Please go to http://www.fmi.fi/weather/local.html?kunta=Helsinki for information on the weather in Helsinki

Water

Tap water is safe to drink in Finland.

Money

Credit cards are widely accepted in Finland. There are many cash machines (OTTO in Finnish) where you can withdraw out money with your credit card.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Finland. Service charges are included in prices.

If you have any question on practical arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact Statistics Finland by e-mail: raija.lofgren@stat.fi

If you would like to find out further information about Finland and Helsinki, please consult the web sites
http://virtual.finland.fi/
http://www.hel.fi/tourism/

Map of Helsinki is to be found http://kartta.hel.fi/opas/en/

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Last updated 2.11.2006