Riihimäki

Contents

Riihimäki is in Tavastia Proper, about 70 km north of Helsinki. The most notable attractions in the city are museums, such as the Glass Museum hosted in the former glass factory of Riihimäen Lasi, and while Riihimäki isn't exactly a prime tourist destination, quite a number of travellers pass through every day. An industrial town of about 29,000 inhabitants (2021), Riihimäki is an important railway junction.

Understand

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Riihimäki isn't an old city, even compared with other Finnish cities. The first railway in the country (at the time a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire) was opened between Helsinki and Hämeenlinna in 1862, and the small station of Riihimäki was built pretty much in the middle of nowhere. A few years later a railway from Lahti and eventually all the way from the imperial capital St. Petersburg was opened, joining the first railway in Riihimäki and thus it became an important railway junction, which it remains, and a town started to grow around it. In 1960 Riihimäki received city status.

Today Riihimäki is an industrial city, also home to some governmental functions like a garrison and Riihimäki Prison with the highest security level in Finland.

Tourist information

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Get in

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View from a train window at Riihimäki railway station

By train

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  • 60.73527824.7808331 Riihimäki railway station. Riihimäki is on the Finnish main north–south train line between Helsinki and Tampere and further all the way to Northern Finland. Most trains stop here. In addition, there are some trains from Lahti. Commuter train lines R, T and D come in from Helsinki (about every half hour during daytime), R from Tampere, and G from Lahti (about hourly). Coming from Helsinki airport, take train P to Tikkurila and switch to one of the trains from Helsinki. Riihimäki railway station on Wikipedia Riihimäki railway station (Q3493838) on Wikidata OSM directions 

By bus

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The railway station doubles as bus station. You can get in by bus from nearby major cities, see Matkahuolto for schedules. As the centre is quite far from the motorway (3 km to the bus station), many of the buses between Helsinki and Tampere don't stop in Riihimäki centre but instead use the highway stop, called Riihimäki liittymä 19.

By car

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Highway 3 (E12) from Helsinki to Hämeenlinna, Tampere and Vaasa passes near Riihimäki. E12 continues from Vaasa to Umeå and Norway as the Blue Highway. In the east–west direction there's highway 54 between Lahti and Forssa.

Get around

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Map
60°44′17″N 24°46′51″E
Map of Riihimäki

By car

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Traffic isn't busy and vacant parking lots are easily found.

By bus

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Riihimäki has 7 local bus lines and a service line. Line #1 goes once an hour, other lines even less frequently. A single bus ticket costs €3.30 for adults and €1.70 for children. There is a route planner for local trips. The Opas.matka.fi[dead link] route planner has information about regional routes. Matkahuolto's smartphone app Matkat has address based routing and also a ticket purchase option directly from the app.

By dial-a-ride

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R-kyyti is Riihimäki's dial-a-ride service, which operates according to customers' own routes and schedules.

Order an R-ride with Matkahuolto's Matkat application or by calling +358 20-614-4400 (ppm, M–F 07:00–17:00).

You can order a ride within the service area and operating time, which is M–F 05:00–23:00, Sa Su 07:00–17:00. You can place an order immediately or in advance. Routes are created based on customer orders. The timetable is announced as a flexible interval so that passengers travelling in the same direction can be combined on the same routes.

In the summer, you can also order a ride to the beaches of Hirvijärvi and Paalijärvi, when you book an arrival at the beach at the following times (departure from the beach must also be ordered during these times):

  • M–F 10:00, 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00
  • Sa Su 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00

By foot

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As the town is small, pretty much everything is within walking distance – although for the western sights you need to walk 2.5 km and for Lempivaara 4–5 km.

By bike

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There is a bike sharing system using Bluetooth and the Donkey Republic. Prices: about €1.50/1 hr, €4/5 hr, €12/24 hr. For longer stays becoming a member is cheaper: €9 or €18/month covers all trips of less than 1 hr respectively 12 hr, also in other towns using Donkey Republic – but you need to register as member in the country of your card (available: most countries in western Europe and USA). Customer service , ☏ +358 44-716-0644 daily 09:00–21:00. Several towns in south-east Finland use the same system, which is in use also elsewhere in Finland and abroad.

By scooter

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See also: Finland § By motorised scooter

You can rent electric kick scooters for use in the centre from Finnish Swup.

By taxi

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  • Taksi Häme, iTaksi: see Tavastia_Proper#By_taxi
  • Lähitaksi, ☏ +358 100 7300 (extra charge: €1.92+€2.5/min+pvm). Traditionally the main taxi dispatch service in the capital region outside of Helsinki. Smartphone app: Taksini Daytime M–Sa €3.90+€1/1.45/km+0.90/min, nights and holidays €7.90+1.05/1.55/km+0.99/min; prebooking €7/14; the lower km and prebooking fees for 1–4 persons. (updated Jul 2020)
  • Menevä Riihimäki, ☏ +358 50-471-0470 (head of office), toll-free: 0800-02120 (booking). Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €4, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €0.90/km + €0.90/min, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (March 2021). (updated Mar 2021)
  • Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

See

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Exhibits at the glass museum

Do

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Buy

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  • 60.732624.77961 [dead link] Shopping center Atomi, Etelän Viertotie 2. Mon-Sat 08:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-21:00. OSM directions (updated Oct 2026)
  • 60.722624.73462 Merkos shopping area, Merkoksenkatu 5. Several big stores next to each other, including Citymarket, Gigantti and Biltema. OSM directions 
  • 60.73330824.7756933 Femmatori, Etelän Viertotie 1, ☏ +358 50 4306 510. Large flea market. OSM directions (updated Jun 2021)
  • Flow Cosmetics Factory Outlet, Kylänraitti 7, ☏ +358 10 567 5190, . Mo 10:00–16:00, Tu–We 10:00–18:00, Th 10:00–18:00, Fr 10:00–16:00, Sa 10:00–15:00. Factory outlet selling Finnish natural cosmetics, including handmade soaps and skincare and haircare products. Discounted and discontinued items are also available. 
  • Havi Outlet, Kynttilätie 6, ☏ +358 10 843 4246. Factory outlet selling Finnish-made candles, tableware, napkins and home decoration products. 
  • Joutsen Factory Shop, Pakkaskatu 6, ☏ +358 20 749 5228. Mo–Fr 10:00–18:00, Sa 10:00–15:00. Factory shop of a Finnish manufacturer of down products. Sells down jackets, duvets and pillows. 
  • Iittala Outlet Riihimäki, Kinturintie 2 (At ABC-Riihimäenportti.), ☏ +358 20 439 3542. Check the website.. Outlet selling Finnish design glassware, tableware and home accessories from Iittala and other brands. 
  • Lasismi, Lasitehtaanaukio 2 (At the Old Glass Factory, near the Finnish Glass Museum.), ☏ +358 44 349 3400. Glassblowing studio and shop selling handmade glassware by Finnish glass artists. A good place to find locally made souvenirs. 

Eat

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Hämeenkatu, the main street
  • Hesburger (Branches in Merkos, Atomi shopping centre and at the ABC service station.). Finnish hamburger chain with several locations in Riihimäki. €5-15. 
  • 60.733624.77921 Subway, Etelän Viertotie 2 (At Atomi shopping centre.), ☏ +358 50 566 4582. Mo-Th 10:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 10:00-22:00, Su 11:00-21:00. International sandwich chain serving made-to-order sandwiches, salads and wraps. €5-15. OSM directions 
  • Ristorante La Fresco, Hämeenkatu 25 (In the Majakka shopping centre in the town centre.), ☏ +358 20 730 6780. Mo-Th 10:30-21:00, Fr 10:30-22:00, Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 11:00-21:00. Italian-style restaurant serving a varied menu, including grilled dishes. Weekday lunch is available. €15-30. 
  • Naa's Thai Cuisine, Valtakatu 4 (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 45 245 2644, . Tu-Fr 10:30-20:30, Sa-Su 12:00-20:30; closed Mo. Thai restaurant serving traditional Thai dishes, with a weekday lunch buffet and an à la carte menu. €10-25. 
  • Papa's Smokery BBQ, Tehtaankatu 1 (In the industrial area.), ☏ +358 50 553 8225, . Mo-We 10:00-15:00, Th-Fr 10:00-20:00, Sa 12:00-20:00; closed Su. Check current opening hours online.. American-style barbecue restaurant specialising in slowly smoked meat and street food. €10-25. 
  • Ravintola Darshan, Hämeenkatu 25-27 (In the courtyard of Majakka shopping centre.), ☏ +358 50 364 2330, . Mo-Th 10:30-20:00, Fr 10:30-21:00, Sa 12:00-21:00; closed Su. Indian restaurant serving traditional dishes prepared in a tandoor oven. Offers weekday lunch, a late lunch menu and à la carte dining. €10-25. 
  • Ravintola Obelix, Hämeenkatu 21 (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 19 417 113, . Mo-Th 10:30-22:00, Fr 10:30-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00; closed Su. Restaurant serving classic dishes with a modern twist. Offers a weekday buffet lunch and an à la carte menu. €15-30. 
  • Taco4Wine Street Gastro (At Hotel Seurahuone, near the railway station.), ☏ +358 50 441 2027, . Weekday lunch 11:00-14:00; check the website for other service times.. Casual street-food restaurant offering familiar flavours with a creative twist. Weekday lunch is available. €10-20. 
  • Teatterihotelli Riihimäki restaurant, Hämeenaukio 1 (In the town centre, next to Riihimäki Theatre.), ☏ +358 100 7721, . Breakfast daily; weekday lunch 10:30-13:30. Evening dining by advance booking.. Hotel restaurant serving breakfast and weekday buffet lunch with Finnish home-style food and European classics. Evening meals and private dining are available for groups by reservation. €10-25. 

Drink

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Cafés

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Bars and pubs

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  • 60.733624.78153 Bulldog Bar, Eteläinen asemakatu 2, ☏ +358 50-517-7002. Sun Mon 11:00–23:00, Tue–Thu 11:00-00:00, Fri Sat 11:00–02:00. OSM directions 
  • 60.738924.77474 Riihimäen Poolbar, Eteläinen asemakatu 2, ☏ +358 440-766-527, . Mon 16:00–22:00, Tue–Thu 16:00–00:00, Fri 16:00–02:00, Sat 14:00–02:00, Sun 14:00–22:00. Pool bar, that has pool equipment for sale as well. OSM directions 

Nightclubs

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Sleep

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Budget

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Mid-range

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  • 60.7352424.767972 Teatterihotelli Riihimäki (Formerly Scandic Riihimäki), Hämeenaukio 1 (In the town centre, next to Riihimäki Theatre.), ☏ +358 100 7721, . Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Central hotel with 83 rooms, meeting facilities and a restaurant serving weekday lunch. Facilities include free Wi-Fi, complimentary outdoor parking, a sauna, a fitness room and a lounge bar. Breakfast is available, and room service is offered. OSM directions (updated Oct 2026)
  • 60.739624.77513 Hotel Seurahuone, Hämeenkatu 29 (In the town centre, about 800 m from the railway station.), ☏ +358 19 716 270, . Traditional central hotel with around 50 rooms. Facilities have included free Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking and a sauna, as well as a pub and nightclub in the same building. Ask about current restaurant services and request a quiet room if sensitive to nightlife noise. OSM directions 

Splurge

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Stay healthy

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Pharmacies

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Stay safe

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  • 60.7365824.767355 Riihimäen poliisiasema, Temppelikatu 8, ☏ +358 295 430 311. Mon–Fri 08:00–16:15. Police station. OSM directions 

Connect

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Go next

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Routes through Riihimäki
Hämeenlinna ← Janakkala ←  N  S  → Hyvinkää → Helsinki
Tammela ← Loppi ←  W  E  → Hausjärvi → Hollola


This city travel guide to Riihimäki is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.