Which to do on our own -- Helsinki or Stockholm.

[Regguy]

One of our party has mobility issues. Our cruise has low impact boat and coach excursions in both Helsinki and Stockholm. We want to do one and do the other city on our own. Which is the better city for doing on our own? Reasonably compact and somewhat accessible is what we would like. We don't need to see everything. Just some key sites and soaking up the atmosphere.

Edited May 7, 2014 by Regguy

[LondonTowner]

I took a manual wheelchair on a Baltic cruise last September. We did our own thing in all ports of call except St Petersberg, where we used the Alla Comfort Tour and Gdynia. We didn't have a lot of time, so we did the ship's excursion to Gdansk which was lovely.

 

In Stockholm I think it depends where your ship docks, but we docked in Frihamman. We had a 2 night stop so bought a 24 hour pass for public transport. You can use it on buses, trams, metro and ferries. We walked to the bus stop nearest the cruise terminal and bought a bus ticket from the machine at the bus stop.

 

We then took the bus to Gamla Stan where we bought our pass at the metro station. It was all very easy and we found the bus/tram drivers and members of the public all very helpful. Probably helped by the fact that almost all Scandinavians speak such excellent English.

 

I can't help you with Helsinki as I have never been there, but from what I have read it is also easy to get around on public transport.

[Giantfan13]

IMVHO, it would be Helsinki.

 

In Helsinki, once you get to market Square, (you will need some sort of public transportation, either taxi or city bus), many of the sites are within a few blocks of each other. Market Square is central, from here a couple of blocks one way is Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral. A block or so the other way is the Uspensky Cathedral. Also right by Market Square is the ferry to the Fortress, which, is nothing else, is a very pleasant ferry ride and you get some great views of Helsinki. From Market Square you can also board the tram, which will take you on a sort of figure 8 trip around the city.

 

Market Square, a wonderful place to browse around, shop and chat with the locals

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1133.jpg

 

Lutheran Cathedral in Senate Square

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1062.jpg

 

View from the Ferry to the Fortress

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1121.jpg

 

Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1135.jpg

 

In Market Square is a great place to have some lunch. They prepare these great dishes on these huge grills and woks.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1146.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1147_zps1527e204.jpg

 

Cheers

 

Len

Edited May 7, 2014 by Giantfan13

[CruisinKiki]

Not sure if this helps, but IMHO, there is much more to see and do in Stockholm. Helsinki was nice just to go to the market area and walk around on our own without worrying we were missing something.

[Regguy]

Thanks all. This is helpful -- the links are great.

 

Now I'm wondering whether we should just do both on our own. Stockholm has a hop/on hop/off boat the goes right near our pier, so it should be fairly easy, and the transportation itself serves as sightseeing.

[Jonza]

Thanks all. This is helpful -- the links are great.

 

Now I'm wondering whether we should just do both on our own. Stockholm has a hop/on hop/off boat the goes right near our pier, so it should be fairly easy, and the transportation itself serves as sightseeing.

 

Both should be easy to do on your own.

 

If your party member is in a wheelchair you might have a problem with the hop-on hop-off boats in Stockholm as they have a few stairs. Otherwise public transport and hop-on hop-off buses are almost completely wheelchair accessible.

 

As Giantfan13 pointed out, many Helsinki sights on cruise visitor's lists are in the vicinity of the Market Square. The only sight on most lists that is not within a couple of blocks is the Rock Church which is easily accessible by tram 2/3 (the figure 8 loop) from the Market Square. Getting from port to the sights depends on where you are docked, but all are served by either bus or tram.

[DanL]

Helsinki red HOHO bus http://www.redbuses.com/hop-on-hop-off-helsinki#the-tour

and HOHO boats in Stockholm http://www.stromma.se/en/Stockholm/Sightseeing/Sightseeing-by-boat/hop-on-hop-off-boat/

 

Check with them re mobility issues.

[Desdichado62]

Helsinki red HOHO bus http://www.redbuses.com/hop-on-hop-off-helsinki#the-tour

and HOHO boats in Stockholm http://www.stromma.se/en/Stockholm/Sightseeing/Sightseeing-by-boat/hop-on-hop-off-boat/

 

Check with them re mobility issues.

 

There is also red boat sightseeing http://www.redsightseeing.com/hop-on-hop-off-boat-stockholm/

 

and

 

Royal Sightseeing : http://www.royalsightseeing.se/

Im in a wheelchair / having difficulty walking, can I acces you boats?

 

No, unfortunally the boats have an old structure with narrow staircases and walks. If you are able to go past foredeck and a couple of steps in a staircase you will be fine.

 

However the public buses (not applicable for sightseeing buses), trams and subway in Stockholm is accessible for people in wheelchair. The same applies for Djurgårdfärjan.

 

Information is available here: http://sl.se/en/getting-around/

Edited May 7, 2014 by Desdichado62

[Alaskanb]

I would agree with GiantFan about Helsinki. http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/visitors_guide/how_to_get_there

The highlight for us in Stockholm was the Vassa museum -- breathtaking!

[Desdichado62]

I would agree with GiantFan about Helsinki. http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/visitors_guide/how_to_get_there

The highlight for us in Stockholm was the Vassa museum -- breathtaking!

 

The Vasa museum is also wheelchair friendly with elevators to all levels and all levels are flat.

 

http://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/Access/

[Regguy]

Thank you. She has a folding wheelchair and can walk shorter distances. Is there any advantage to purchasing tickets for the hop on/hop off bus in Stockholm in advance? Do they get overwhelmed when the ships show up?

[Regguy]

Sorry, I meant the hop on/hop off boat, not bus.

[LondonTowner]

If you visit the Vasa Museum you get 'carer goes free' concession. You need to ask at the desk when you purchase your ticket. There are also guided tours in English which are included in the entrance fee. The museum is well worth a visit.

[bubblesqueaker]

You could do both DIY. Stockholm is fab and there is so much to do. We had a 7am-7pm stop and in the morning we did our own thing. In the afternoon we had a tour booked, which we regretted as we could have easily explored on our own. Helsinki is also really good, you would just need to get the shuttle which was about €10 and available at the port.

 

 

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[bubblesqueaker]

Thank you. She has a folding wheelchair and can walk shorter distances. Is there any advantage to purchasing tickets for the hop on/hop off bus in Stockholm in advance? Do they get overwhelmed when the ships show up?

 

 

Hey we had no issue. It wasn't too difficult to get on and off the boat, access should be fine.

 

 

 

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