Helsinki Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Helsinki Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

75 Helsinki trips. Tours from 34 tour companies. 345 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

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Small Ship Cruise
Norwegian Coastal Voyage & Nordic Capitals Tour
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5/5 Excellent
53 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
As a regional tour operator with a mostly Scandinavian staff, they are deeply familiar with the northern landscape.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Bergen, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Honningsvåg, Oslo, Stockholm, Trondheim

Highlights

  • Discover Norway's entire coastal route with 34 ports of call, sailing past more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains.
  • Cross the Arctic Circle and search for the Northern Lights in winter, or enjoy 24 hours of daylight and midnight sun in summer.
  • Overnight ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo in an outside cabin
  • Experience the famous Flåm Railway
  • Discover the cities of Copenhagen, Bergen, Oslo and Helsinki with city passes

Themes

Train & Rail Journeys

What travelers are saying

"My wife and I did the six day Lofoten Islands tour offered by 50 Degrees North. The tour is simple, they provided us a rental car, accommodations for two nights each at three Rorbuer hotels scattered across the islands, and a couple of scheduled day tours. Most of the time, we were on our own to see the islands at our own pace. The islands are stunningly beautiful, and the tour planning made our travels hassle free. They even scheduled lunch for us at an organic goat farm, which may sound a little strange for a vacation like this, but that is only because you haven't tasted the cheese. (Best lunch ever!) At our request, they altered the tour slightly so that we could begin the tour in Svolvaer and end it six days later at the airport in Leknes. We can't imagine a more complete tour of the islands in six short days."

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Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Helsinki, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Highlights

  • Uncover the incredible landscape of Spitsbergen, from the quirky northernmost city of Longyearbyen and brilliantly blue glaciers like the ‘14th July Glacier’, to stunning fjords and towering mountains and cliffs
  • Experience the unique and memorable sensation of 24 hours of sunlight
  • Scour sheets of ice and hopefully be rewarded with unforgettable sightings of the ruler of the Arctic – the Polar Bear
  • With endless daylight there are also endless wildlife-viewing opportunities – elusive Arctic foxes, breaching whales, lounging masses of walruses, and enchanting seabirds dotted along the cliffs of Alkefjellet
  • Choose to get even closer to this amazing environment with optional activities like snowshoeing, hiking, and gliding along pristine waters between icebergs in a sea kayak

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Cathedrals & Capitals: Scandinavia by Sea
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Copenhagen, Gdańsk, Helsinki, London, Stockholm, St. Petersburg

Highlights

  • An extended discovery of Saint Petersburg allows you to see the spectacular cathedrals, fortresses and palaces built under Peter the Great.
  • Discover fascinating cities including Karlskrona, Klaipeda, Mariehamm and Helsinki.
  • Explore Copenhagen, an elegant Scandinavian city of expansive parks and plazas.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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St. Petersburg & the Baltic Sea - Southbound 2021
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, St. Petersburg

Highlights

  • Take in the sweep of history from Scandinavian and Baltic capitals to glorious St. Petersburg aboard your Explorer-Series yacht... walk down the cobblestone streets in ancient Tallinn... gaze at the treasures museums
  • royal summer retreats and a palatial venue for ballet and opera...Enjoy a guided visit to The State Hermitage Museum; a choice between a tour of the Peterhof in St. Petersburg or Catherine Palace (the Summer Palace) in Pushkin; walking tours of Helsinki and Tallinn; and guided sightseeing during two-night stays at top hotels in Copenhagen and Stockholm!

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

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St. Petersburg & the Baltic Sea - Northbound 2021
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, St. Petersburg

Highlights

  • Take in the sweep of history from Scandinavian and Baltic capitals to glorious St. Petersburg aboard your Explorer-Series yacht... walk down the cobblestone streets in ancient Tallinn... gaze at the treasures museums
  • royal summer retreats and a palatial venue for ballet and opera...Enjoy a guided visit to The State Hermitage Museum; a choice between a tour of the Peterhof in St. Petersburg or Catherine Palace (the Summer Palace) in Pushkin; walking tours of Helsinki and Tallinn; and guided sightseeing during two-night stays at top hotels in Copenhagen and Stockholm!

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

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Cultural Cities of Northern Europe
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn

Highlights

  • Get captivated by a plethora of world-famous wonders in St. Petersburg
  • Enjoy seeing world’s busiest artificial waterway
  • Discover the many highlights of the delightful Danish capital
  • Enjoy a relaxing glide along the scenic Kiel Canal

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"everything is perfect from start to finish just back from Baltic cruise on Braemar , it was amazing."

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Arctic Voyage to the North Pole
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By ElderTreks
preferred
4.4/5 Great
14 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Witness the frozen sea and immense polar landscapes from the air on board a helicopter
  • Stand at the top of the world the Geographic North Pole
  • All meals on board included

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family booked a tour Nov 2018 and paid the balance in full Jan 2020. Mar 2020 rec'd an email saying that the tour is cancelled-COVID. ONLY choice is a 50% refund or 100% credit towards a NEW booking until Oct 31/2022. Credit can NOT be put towards our already booked tour in Jan 2021. VERY unhappy and unsatisfied traveller."

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Scandinavian Capitals by rail & ferry - Independent
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5/5 Excellent
53 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
As a regional tour operator with a mostly Scandinavian staff, they are deeply familiar with the northern landscape.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Bergen, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm

Themes

Train & Rail Journeys

What travelers are saying

"My wife and I did the six day Lofoten Islands tour offered by 50 Degrees North. The tour is simple, they provided us a rental car, accommodations for two nights each at three Rorbuer hotels scattered across the islands, and a couple of scheduled day tours. Most of the time, we were on our own to see the islands at our own pace. The islands are stunningly beautiful, and the tour planning made our travels hassle free. They even scheduled lunch for us at an organic goat farm, which may sound a little strange for a vacation like this, but that is only because you haven't tasted the cheese. (Best lunch ever!) At our request, they altered the tour slightly so that we could begin the tour in Svolvaer and end it six days later at the airport in Leknes. We can't imagine a more complete tour of the islands in six short days."

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Scandinavia Explorer
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bergen, Helsinki, Oslo, Scandinavia, Stockholm

Highlights

  • Norway's fjords feature some of the most stunning scenery on Earth. Cruise past waterfalls and snow-capped peaks through the narrow Naeroyfjord.
  • Visit Dalarna County, nestled in middle Sweden and often referred as “Sweden in miniature” for the abundance of lakes, forests, and local traditions.
  • Follow your local guide along the narrow, winding roads through genuine villages, past the typical red painted cottages and explore unique sights around Siljan lake rural settlements. You'll even get a chance to meet and mingle with the locals living in these villages.
  • Discover Stockholm's maritime history at the Vasa Museum, which houses an original wooden war ship from 1628. This impressive vessel gives you a rare glimpse into the naval power Sweden was once famous for.
  • Wind up your adventure in Helsinki for a Scandinavian culture binge. Senate Square, the market hall, the sea fortress of Suomenlinna and the Design Museum are just some of the highlights of this amazing city
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Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Baltic Adventure
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Helsinki, Paris, Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius

Highlights

  • Explore the charming and enigmatic baltic countries
  • Ride a bike around the coastal dunes of lithuania's curonian spit
  • Picnic in beautiful riga
  • Live like a local on a farm in estonia
  • Wander the charming streets of helsinki

Themes

Cultural, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

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Baltic Capital Cities
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Visits

Bar, Bath, Helsinki, Riga, Scandinavia, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Vilnius

Highlights

  • Great introduction to the Baltic States and its three capitals; Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn
  • Uncover a fascinating history from Medieval to Soviet times
  • Spend the night at historic manor house and enjoy traditional regional cuisine

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Great itinerary, great guide (Luis) and great group - would highly recommend!"

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The Northern Lights of Finland  - 2024
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Helsinki

Highlights

  • Indulge in Finnish and Lappish cuisine.
  • Sip warm berry juice, a Finnish winter tradition.
  • Introduce yourself to majestic Lappish reindeer and meet Santa Claus himself.
  • Lead your very own dog sled team.
  • Spend the night in a glass igloo amid the Lappish wilderness.
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Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary about this trip! My Diary about our trip to South Dakota shorturl.at/efoX1"

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7 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise

Helsinki Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
345  Reviews
See all Helsinki tour reviews
Excellent
31
Great
10
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
M

Michael

Sep 2015

Written on

No reason not to

No reason not to

j

joanne

Sep 2015

Written on

Well organised and interesting however I felt

Well organised and interesting however I felt the itinerary let the leader and trip down when we visited the Aland Islands, where everything was closed and we wander...

P

Phil

Sep 2015

Written on

Most of the trip was very nice

Most of the trip was very nice, however Lillihammer and Mora were questionable stops and Åland was a total bust. I realize Lillihammer and Mora are somewhat dictate...

L

Lachlan

Aug 2016

Provided byG Adventures

Holey Dooley I Loved it

Holey Dooley I Loved it. The baltics have their own special attraction and i think people will either love it or unfortunately hate it for want of a slightly less ha...

J

Joan

Aug 2016

Provided byG Adventures

One of my best group travel experiences ever

One of my best group travel experiences ever.

Write a Review

Helsinki Tour Selection Trips

  • Consider a Helsinki tour company with multilingual guides - usually tours in Finland are given in both English and Finnish, but often private tour companies can also accommodate speakers of Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese, French, Italian and more.
  • If sustainable tourism is dear to your heart, consider asking about your Helsinki tour company’s commitment to treading lightly on the region you’re visiting. Typically this means your tour will showcase Helsinki using public transportation, walking and biking.
  • Consider the time of year of your Helsinki vacation. In May, June and September, the temperatures are warmer and the days longer. Peak months (the busiest) are July and August.
  • Helsinki food tours are taking off as the city makes it mark on the world’s culinary stage. Ask your Helsinki tour guide for recommendations and advance reservations at their favorite eateries.

Additional details

Weather in Helsinki

Similar to other areas of Finland, the weather in Helsinki can be fickle. Depending on how much of your Finland tour you would like to spend indoors or outside in nature, consider these average temperatures when making plans.

For most of the year, temperatures feel relatively cool, with the warmest temperatures in July, August and then June. In late July, you can expect highs around 75 degrees F and lows of 60 degrees F.

Getting Around Helsinki

While your Helsinki tour operator will likely have the insider connections on the best way to get around the Finnish capital, here’s a quick look at the city’s great public transportation options:

The Ring Rail Line runs every 10 minutes during the day between the airport and city center, about a half-hour ride. A taxi from the Helsinki airport into the city will cost about EUR 50. Another option is the FinnAir bus - complete with WiFi.

Helsinki travelers may purchase a standard ticket from Helsinki Region Transport, which can be used for trams, buses, metro, local trains and the Suomenlinna ferry. Go one step further and purchase a Helsinki Card, perfect for one-, three- and five-day Helsinki tours.

Hop on a leisurely green-and-yellow tram to move about Helsinki on your tour - tickets are EUR 2.50 each.

The Helsinki metro system provides service from Ruoholahti to Mellunmäki and Vuosaari.

Three main Helsinki train lines departs throughout the day from the Helsinki central railway station.

If you prefer to get around by taxi, you’re in luck - the taxis in Finland are luxurious automobiles. Now’s your chance to arrive at your Helsinki destination in style - typically in a comfortable Mercedes or something similar. Be forewarned, however, that Helsinki taxis are not permitted to pick up passengers off the street. Look for the taxi signs at designated pick-up spots.

Get around on your Helsinki tour by your own pedal power. There are excellent bike routes throughout the Finnish capital and bikes are easily rented at several locations throughout the city. There is also a shared-use bicycle program.

How Many Days Should I Plan for a Helsinki Tour?

Most Helsinki tours - on their own- are two or three days, giving one ample time to hit the city’s highlights and get a feel for its character. We recommend adding a Tallinn day trip to your Helsinki visit - it’s a two-hour ferry ride away and well worth the additional time.

What Languages Are Spoken in Helsinki?

You will hear Finnish and Swedish spoken throughout your Helsinki vacation - 12.2% of the population also speaks a second language. Most residents are fluent in English.

Always Find the Best

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