# HSL — Tickets, route planner & news

> Helsinki public transport planner, ticket purchase, and real-time information app. (iPhone/iPad app by Helsingin seudun liikenne.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsl/id1340229182 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Helsingin seudun liikenne](https://appshunter.io/developer/1078409528)
- Category: Travel
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 476 App Store ratings · 160 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.4 · 92 MB
- Languages: American English, Finnish, Swedish
- Released: 2018-06-25
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsl/id1340229182/reviews.md

## What is HSL?

Buses, trains, the Metro, trams and ferry – all in one app.  The HSL app allows you to buy public transport tickets for the Helsinki region, find the best routes using the Journey Planner, view all timetables, and receive personalized transport information.

You can buy single, day and season tickets for both adults and children via the HSL app. Adult multi-journey tickets and discounted tickets for students and passengers aged 70 and over are also available via the app. You can pay using the most popular payment methods, including debit/credit cards, MobilePay, phone bill and commuter benefits.

The HSL app's Journey Planner helps you find routes and informs you about the ticket needed for your journey. You can view real-time stop-specific departure and arrival times and track vehicles in real time. The app also displays any service changes and disruptions, and you can choose to receive notifications about these updates directly on your phone.

More information about Helsinki region public transport: hsl.fi

## Key features

- Public transport ticket purchase
- Journey planner
- Real-time timetables
- Vehicle tracking
- Service disruption alerts
- Multiple payment options

## What do users think of HSL?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Excellent app for travel in Helsinki
- 👍 Convenient and worked very well
- 🚀 Great experience, nice UI

**Cons**

- 🐛 Buggy and annoying
- 🐛 Doesn't work with international numbers
- 🐛 Kept coming with error triangle or claiming no internet connection
- 🐛 App doesn't function, unable to purchase tickets

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Version 4.2.0 does not work on iPhone6 (iOS 12.5.5)
- Routes go blank, nothing to go back
- Login problems, like a scam
- Unable to create account, login, or purchase tickets

**Most requested features**

- Allow buying multiple tickets in a single purchase
- Add maps showing all routes
- Provide email verification option instead of just SMS

## Recent user reviews (10 of 160)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsl/id1340229182/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Fix the bug

*2026-07-14*

I just ran into the same bug as another user. I tried to buy tickets for me and my kids, I was running into a payment failed message. So I went to create an account wondering if it would work that way. Instead, because foreign phone number verification doesn’t work (it never sends a text) I am now stuck on the page that says “verify your phone number.” So totally stuck and now going to need to take an Uber to the theme park. What a bummer for tourists.

**Developer response:** Hi. Thank you for your feedback. I apologize for the issue with registration. We still have problems delivering the verification SMS to some foreign operators. The workaround is to delete app and after fresh install please select the "proceed as a guest" option. This way HSL ID is not created and no phone number verification is required. Single tickets and daily tickets can be bought with this guest mode. Kind regards, Joona/HSL

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2026-04-29*

To purchase monthly or package tickets you need to create an account. To create an account it sends you an sms to verify your phone number. FOREIGN PHONE NUMBERS WON’T WORK. Once you attempted to create an account, the app is locked and you can’t even purchase a single ticket as a guest. You need to delete the app and download it again. Contacting support from the app doesn’t work. Search sales locations that sell physical cards ( at $5!) doesn’t work. Didn’t expect that from a major European capital city

**Developer response:** Hi. Thank you for your feedback. I apologize for the issue with registration. We do have problems with SMS verification to some foreign operators, especially US based ones. The workaround for season tickets is a physical HSL card you can purchase from a service point at Tripla, Pasila. The price category will vary depending on whether you are a permanent resident with a Finnish ID number. Our customer support can help with the best available options if you have a moment to contact them via phone: +358 9 4766 4000. Kind regards, Joona/HSL

### 1/5 — None existent

*2026-04-25, version 7.1.0*

Downloaded the app and cannot even get a verification code sent to my phone.

### 1/5 — SMS Verification

*2025-12-27, version 6.13.0*

Cannot receive verification code to purchase a ticket

### 1/5 — Rubbish for tourists

*2025-12-20, version 6.13.0*

Do not log out of you are not from Finland you will not be able to authenticate and retrieve your tickets. This app is a nightmare.

### 1/5 — Worst experience

*2025-12-16*

My ticket magically disappeared while it was scanned. I had proof that i paid for the ticket but the ticket was absolutely nowhere to be found. This has left me with a penalty fine, even though I had purchased the correct ticket. I am beyond angry

**Developer response:** Hi. Thank you for your feedback. I would recommend filing an appeal in this case. You can find instructions on the penalty fare. Kind regards, Joona/HSL

### 1/5 — Frustrated

*2025-12-04, version 6.13.0*

How such a great transport system can have such an utterly useless app is beyond me. 
This is beyond a joke.

### 1/5 — If I could give it no stars I would

*2025-11-16, version 6.13.0*

The app will not download and start. Just crashes. I have no issues with other apps just this one. Been trying for a couple of days as I am going to Finland for business.

### 1/5 — Very poor functionality

*2025-11-03, version 6.12.0*

After the latest update the app no longer displays maps properly. You get a blank background which is completely unhelpful. Also the ability to buy tickets using mobile payment has gone. This is not a good way to promote travel to Helsinki by other EU citizens and foreign tourists. Perhaps Helsinki doesn't need or want any visitors and the revenue they contribute to its economy?

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work for non-Finnish mobile numbers

*2025-10-08, version 6.12.0*

It used to work because I have an account but now it won’t make one for my husband. The SMS messages it claims to send never arrive. I tried three numbers that I have in two countries.

## Frequently asked questions about HSL

### What does the HSL app do?

The HSL app allows you to plan public transport journeys in the Helsinki region, buy tickets for buses, trains, metro, trams, and ferries, and receive real-time information about departures, arrivals, and service disruptions.

### What types of tickets can I buy with the HSL app?

You can purchase single, day, and season tickets for both adults and children. The app also offers adult multi-journey tickets and discounted tickets for students and passengers aged 70 and over.

### How can I pay for tickets in the HSL app?

The app supports popular payment methods including debit/credit cards, MobilePay, phone bill, and commuter benefits, making it convenient to purchase your tickets.

### Can I see real-time information about my journey?

Yes, the app provides real-time stop-specific departure and arrival times, and you can track vehicles live. It also displays any service changes or disruptions, with options to receive notifications.

### Is the HSL app free to use?

The app itself is free to download and use for planning and accessing information. However, you will need to purchase tickets through the app for your journeys, which incurs a cost.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 7.4.0 — 2026-06-17

Thanks for traveling with us! We made the app a little better. Most of the changes in this version happened under the hood, but we hope you enjoy traveling with the app.

### 7.3.0 — 2026-06-02

Thanks for traveling with us! We made the app a little better:

* E-zone is here
* Student flow got renewed 
* Worked behind-the-curtain to ensure stability and performance

### 7.2.0 — 2026-05-04

Thanks for traveling with us! Most of the changes in this version happened under the hood, but we hope you enjoy traveling with the app.

### 7.1.0 — 2026-03-23

Thanks for traveling with us!
We made the app a little better:

* You can see which zone you're in while purchasing a ticket
* Changes in backend and other small improvements and bug fixes

### 7.0.0 — 2026-02-05

Thanks for traveling with us! We made the app a little better:

* Freshed-up look for home tab
* Worked behind-the-curtain to ensure stability and performance

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*