Helsinki Plans Two-Year Renovation of Rautatientori Metro Station with Major Disruption for Passengers

Helsinki’s Rautatientori metro station at the Central Railway Station is set for a major renovation starting in 2027, kicking off the second phase of a long-term refurbishment project at one of the capital’s busiest transport hubs. The works are expected to continue until 2029 and will have a noticeable impact on daily commuters and pedestrians moving through the underground complex.

The city and transport authorities say the focus of the renovation will be on critical infrastructure that supports metro operations and overall station safety. Systems due for renewal include electrical distribution, water and sewage lines, lighting, ventilation, smoke extraction and cooling. Parts of the station’s underground commercial premises on the so-called compass and mezzanine levels will also be updated.

Despite the scale of the project, metro services will continue to operate through the station for most of the work. However, the period when long escalators are replaced is expected to cause the most disruption. During that phase, the platform area will be closed for an estimated two to three months, and trains will only pass through without passengers being able to board or exit.

Rautatientori is one of Finland’s busiest metro stations, with around 52,000 people passing through daily, including metro users and people moving between shops and underground connections. The renovation aims to improve safety and functionality while extending the station’s lifespan, as parts of the infrastructure date back to the early 1980s and earlier.

This upcoming work follows an earlier closure in summer 2024, when the station was shut for three months for fire safety upgrades and signage improvements as part of the project’s first phase.

Transport planners are also coordinating the metro renovation with other changes in the city centre, including the broader Kaivokatu street renewal that will affect access and pedestrian flows around the station in future years.

Passengers are advised to monitor updates from Helsinki Regional Transport (HSL) and plan travel accordingly as detailed schedules and replacement arrangements are confirmed closer to the start of the works.