Helsinki and Porvoo Tour with Private Car & Personal Guide
Helsinki, Finland
- 4 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Tour
- We occasionally merge groups to optimize tour operations.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Airport or airport-area hotel pickup: €60 one way. Free pickup and drop-off from hotels or locations around downtown Helsinki . Why take a public bus to Porvoo when you can enjoy a comfortable private ride with us? Reach out anytime we’ve got you covered ✨
Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 09/23/2023 - 07/07/2027
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Itinerary
Old Market Hall (Pass By)
Sea Fortress Suomenlinna (Pass By)
Kauppatori (Pass By)
1
Uspenski Cathedral
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Helsinki Central Railway Station (Pass By)
2
Senate Square
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Central Library Oodi (Pass By)
Parliament of Finland (Pass By)
3
Temppeliaukio Church
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Sibelius Monument
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Mall of Tripla (Pass By)
5
Porvoo
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Porvoo Old Town
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Brunberg Candy Factory Shop - Tehtaanmyymala
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
8
Cathedral of Porvoo
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Edward_K
Our guide Finn was excellent. He informed us of the history of Finland from the 12 century thru the present. The country that occupied Finland & their influence on the culture of Finance. The town of Provoo was interesting along with its history. We also visited a number of sites in Helsinki after Provoo. A great day with Finn. Do not miss this experience, highly recommend.
Reviews
4.1
based on 173 reviews
Heather_M, Jun 2026
We were in a small car with our party of 4 and another party of 2. It was very cramped. Our 4-5 hour tour ended at 3 hours and 40 minutes. Every stop we made was shorter than the itinerary and we were rushed. Porvoo was beautiful but we were supposed to have 45 minutes in old town and 30 minutes at the chocolate shop. We were given 20 minutes of time to look around the town. This was not enough time. Our guide seemed very rushed. This was not worth the money,
Angela_C, Jun 2026
I booked tour for 1:30 five months before my trip. Tour operator changed start time to 4:30 the evening before the tour so we could not cancel. Everything we were suppose to see on the tour closed at 4pm on a Sunday, we saw nothing. stone Church was closed and everything in Provoo was closed. There were 6 other people on our tour and they had also booked the 1:30.
They oversold the tour and then tried to fit in 2 tour times in, one at 1:30 and then one at 4:30. The first tour group did get to see things but had a shorted trip.
Tour guide tried telling us ‘everything is closed due to summer starting tomorrow’. Of course this was not true as we talked to people on the earlier tour and everything was opened.
Be aware if they will not confirm a tour time, which we all tried several times, be prepared to cancel.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
As the tour took place on a Sunday, many shops, attractions, and local businesses in Porvoo were either closed or operating on limited hours. While we strive to provide the best possible experience, opening times are determined by the individual venues and are outside of our control.
The schedule adjustment was communicated prior to departure, and the tour itself was operated as planned. Porvoo's historic streets, riverside area, and exterior landmarks remain accessible regardless of shop opening hours, and many visitors enjoy the town for its atmosphere and scenery even when some businesses are closed.
We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration when reviewing future tour scheduling and communication procedures
Seonaid_M, Jun 2026
The guide was an hour late picking us up even though she said she was on her way an hour before. We expected a private car however it was a small van with 2 fold down seats and we had to share it with another couple. We were meant to spend 2 hours in Porvoo but only had 30 minutes. Our last stop at the Rock Church in Helsinki was supposed to be 30 minutes. We were given 10 minutes but it was closed as we arrived after 5pm. The guide was totally unaware of the opening and closing times of the church.
The whole tour was dreadful and the driver did not know where he was going as the guide was directing him the whole trip. It felt as if the guide had just found a friend to act as a driver.
We would never use this company again. Dreadful does not cover our outrage of this mickey mouse outfit!!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
We would like to clarify a few points regarding your tour. Due to operational circumstances, the tour departure time was adjusted, and all affected guests were notified in advance. We understand that schedule changes can be inconvenient, and we regret the frustration this caused.
Porvoo is a historic town where some shops, attractions, and businesses may have limited opening hours on Sundays and during seasonal transitions. While the town itself remains accessible and enjoyable to explore, we understand that some locations you wished to visit were closed during your visit.
Regarding the Rock Church, opening hours are subject to church events and services and can occasionally vary. We apologize if this impacted your experience.
Our intention is always to provide guests with a comfortable and enjoyable tour experience, and we regret that we fell short of your expectations on this occasion. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us review our operations and improve the experience for future guests.
Susan_R, Jun 2026
We thought it was going to be a private tour but ended up being two cars with one guy and two drivers. Our tour felt rushed and our guide had terrible body odor which was not pleasant in the car.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We would like to clarify that this experience is advertised as a shared tour for up to 6 participants and is not listed as a private tour. This information is clearly stated in the tour description, booking details, and inclusions. We are sorry if there was any misunderstanding regarding the tour format.
Regarding your comment that the tour felt rushed, our itinerary is designed to cover all advertised highlights within the scheduled duration while allowing guests time at each stop. Nevertheless, we appreciate your feedback and will review it with our team.
We also take guest comfort seriously and appreciate your comments regarding the guide. While this concern was not raised during the tour, we will share your feedback internally and remind all team members of our professional standards.
bearfanrob, Jun 2026
Despite the overall rating of this company being 4 stars, don't make the mistake I did. The last 9 out of 27 reviews have been 1 or 2, not even including this one.
We booked a reservation on 12/5/25 for a tour on 5/31/26. We messaged Helsinki Tours to confirm the 12pm time since it is later than normal for a cruise ship to arrive. On 1/2/26 we received a confirmation from Bonita.
From 1/2/26 to 5/29/26 we received dozens of emails from Viator in general and Viator/Helsinki Tours specifically regarding the Porvoo tour.
On the evening of 5/30/26 they sent an email that we did not notice until the following morning, the day of arrival. The email requested a confirmation that we were taking the tour which we did.
As soon as our ship docked we went to find the tour van and found 4 others waiting for it. We all waited together and when the van pulled up we got in. While we were on the bus a group of 4 arrived making a total of 10, by the way the bus only holds 8. The driver then called our name and kicked us off telling us very rudely that we had been assigned a time of 4:30pm. Apparently embedded in the email that was sent late the prior evening was a departure time of 1630. We did not notice that until we reviewed the document after we were told to leave. That last email was sent after the payment date and after the 24 hour cancellation period had elapsed.
The entire time between Dec and the tour date, it was clear that our tour was to leave when the ship docked. In fact the day before, we received an email saying they were tracking our ship and everything would be on time.
No cancellation option was offered for the time change. We had prior arrangements on the cruise ship for that evening and immediately informed Bonita, in writing, that we could not accept their unilateral change in time for our tour and asked for a refund, which she promptly refused.
I want to believe that this is not a purposeful effort to bump a small group of two to fill out the tour van, however, even if it is not it is still a poor, harmful business practice. We probably missed our one and only opportunity to see the beautiful village of Porvoo.
Sheryll_A, Jun 2026
It was not what we were expecting… first, the schedule time was changed and we were informed the day of the tour. When I booked the tour it said 9 am, but the day of the tour I received a message that the tour will be at 2:20 pm. Good thing we didn’t plan anything else for that time. The only good thing was we were picked up from our hotel. But when we were picked up, the car had 2 other passengers/tourists that the tour guide needed to drop off to Helsinki airport. The couple had a lay over and just finished a tour with our tour guide. Needless to say we had to sit with the couple for 30 minutes and then after the drop off to the airport, our tour started. We only stayed about 50 minutes in Porvoo and we didn’t see all that was listed on itinerary, the car also didn’t have air conditioner and was uncomfortable. Tour guide kept apologizing , but if you know you will be doing a tour shouldn’t you check the condition of the car? Tour guide was nice but we didn’t enjoy the tour as much as we did other tours we did with Viator before.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We would like to clarify that this was a shared tour, as indicated in the tour description. Shared tours may involve coordinating transportation for multiple guests, including hotel pickups and drop-offs. On the date of your tour, we were also assisting guests who had completed their excursion and required transportation to the airport. While this added approximately 30 minutes before continuing toward Porvoo, every effort was made to accommodate all guests efficiently and safely.
Regarding the schedule change, operational circumstances occasionally require adjustments to departure times. As soon as the revised schedule was confirmed, all affected guests were notified. We understand that changes on the day of the tour can be inconvenient and appreciate your understanding.
We would also like to clarify that the tour itinerary was completed as planned. During the excursion, all major attractions and highlights in both Helsinki and Porvoo were visited and presented by the guide. the sightseeing program itself was carried out.
We regret that the vehicle's air conditioning did not meet your expectations. While the vehicle was fully operational and safe for service, we understand that comfort is an important part of the overall experience, and your comments have been noted for review.
We are pleased to hear that you found your guide friendly and professional. Our guide worked hard throughout the day to provide an informative experience and assist all guests despite the scheduling adjustments.
We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving our services, and we thank you for choosing our tour.
Paolo_B, Jun 2026
The guide loaded us into a 7-seater Ford along with four other visitors, even though we had booked a private tour. We were placed in the two back seats, which were makeshift, low, and extremely noisy. It was impossible to understand anything the guide was saying.
The guide—of indefinite nationality, not local, with a strong accent — did not follow the planned itinerary. He even took a long detour toward Helsinki Airport to pick up two customers. During the detour to the airport, the driver was tailed and then pulled over by the police for speeding. After a long delay and a lengthy discussion, he was issued a fine, causing us to waste even more time.Two members of the group abandoned the tour halfway through! As for us, we were dumped in the middle of the city, despite having explicitly requested in our booking to be dropped off at the Sixt office.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We would like to address several inaccuracies in your review.
The tour was operated using a licensed and insured vehicle within its approved passenger capacity, and the advertised itinerary was completed. Operational pickups may occur during shared tours and are part of normal tour logistics.
We are also disappointed by the references to our guide's nationality, background, and accent. Our guides are selected based on their professionalism, knowledge, and ability to provide quality experiences to guests from around the world. A guide's country of origin does not determine their qualifications or the value of the information they provide.
While we respect every guest's right to share their experience, we believe comments focused on a guide's nationality or accent are unfair and unrelated to the quality of the tour itself.
We regret that the experience did not meet your expectations, but we stand by our guide and the service provided on the day.
Samantha_S, May 2026
Lots of confusion about what time the tour was to begin. We had to initiate numerous conversations after 7 pm the night before. Then it was suggested we start the tour at 7:30 am after they had said that there was a 12 noon start option. The 6 seater car was way too squashy.. I couldn’t see out the right side of the car at all from the left rear seat. The final 2 people were in the back “ boot” area. Not sure how but we were told that no one had ever complained before! I am tall and petite and felt very crammed
Finbar had good content of information even though he has only been in Finland for 6-7 years..and he is soon to leave.. so not really a local Porvoo was an interesting touristy town
I think the company running the tours needs to be more organised and fill cars appropriately, not like sardines
Finbar we wish you all the best for your future plans
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Pickup times for cruise guests are coordinated around ship schedules and daily operations, which is why we communicated several available options before the tour.
Regarding the vehicle, it operated within its legal passenger capacity. While you felt uncomfortable with the seating arrangement, other guests on the same tour completed the experience comfortably and enjoyed the day in both Helsinki and Porvoo.
We appreciate your positive comments about Finbar's knowledge and commentary. Our guides are selected for their ability to provide informative and engaging experiences, and we are pleased that you found the information valuable.
We respect that comfort is subjective and understand that this aspect of the tour did not meet your expectations. Nevertheless, we believe the tour was delivered as described .
Sophie_C, May 2026
Omg, this was a terrible excursion. Started out not knowing what time the tour was starting until late the evening before. Woke at 6am to receive my message from tour company. The cruise ship was in port 7a-4:30p. The tour length was supposed to be 4-5 hrs. When I questioned our noon start time, I was given a long explanation of the unpredictability of the ship but the truth was they had a morning tour with 4 guests.
So they picked up our party of 4 and 2 additional guests into a too small vehicle. The other couple was quite dramatic and also not happy with the accommodations. It was difficult getting people out of the farthest seating with one member well over 6feet which impacted our stops looking like a clown car.
The tour guide was okay, not great, pointing out most of the tour as Russian architecture buildings. This was very anticlimactic tour. We had a nice drive to Porvoo. Enjoyed walking around the town and very much enjoying the chocolate shop samples and purchases.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that the experience did not meet your expectations.
We would like to clarify that pickup times for cruise guests are coordinated based on ship schedules, port logistics, traffic conditions, and operational requirements. For this reason, exact pickup times are not always finalized until shortly before the tour date. The information provided to you was consistent with the booking details and our communication process.
Regarding the vehicle, the tour is operated as a small-group experience and not as a private tour unless specifically booked as such. The number of guests on your tour was within the vehicle's legal passenger capacity and complied with all transportation regulations. While we understand that seating comfort can vary depending on individual preferences and group dynamics, the vehicle used was appropriate for the tour size.
We also note that your review mentions enjoying the drive to Porvoo, the town itself, and the local chocolate shops, which are highlights that many of our guests appreciate. Our guides aim to provide an overview of Helsinki's history and architecture, including the significant influence of various historical periods on the city's development.
While we respect your opinion of the tour content, we believe the experience delivered was consistent with the description provided at the time of booking. We appreciate your comments and will continue working to improve communication and guest experience wherever possible.
Marjean_B, May 2026
Be careful before you book this excursion. Read all the reviews, especially the ones involving FLAT TIRES. We had a similar experience:
(1) We paid for a 12:30 PM excursion on 5/21/26.
(2) Without asking for our approval, on 5/20 they changed the pickup time to 1:15 PM.
(3) While we were waiting in the rain, they notified us at 1:09 PM that they would be 30 minutes late due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
(4) When we had not heard from them by 2:30 PM, we made other arrangements to see Helsinki with the time remaining.
(5) The next time they contacted us was at 2:35 PM…after we had just boarded a Hop-On Hop-Off bus.
(6) **At 3:00 PM the driver offered to meet us somewhere to pick us up.** While we appreciated his offer, he was 2 hours behind schedule so we declined. Viator refused to refund our money.
(7) Because of their 2 hour “flat tire” delay, we were unable to tour Porvoo as promised.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We would like to clarify several important points regarding this situation.
First, the tour did not have a fixed 12:30 PM pickup time. As clearly stated in our listing and pre-tour communications, guests are required to contact the operator to confirm their pickup time, as pickup schedules may vary depending on cruise arrivals, traffic conditions, and daily operations.
On the day of your tour, our vehicle experienced an unexpected flat tire while returning from a previous tour. This occurred approximately 10 minutes from the drop-off location with guests already onboard. The issue was handled through the appropriate roadside assistance process, and all affected guests were informed of the situation and safely returned to their cruise ship.
Throughout the delay, we made repeated attempts to contact you with updates. Once the vehicle was operational, we offered multiple alternative pickup arrangements so that you could still participate in the tour. However, by that time you had chosen to board a Hop-On Hop-Off bus and declined our offers to continue with the experience.
While we understand that delays can be frustrating, the tour was never canceled. The delay was caused by an unforeseen mechanical issue outside of our control, and we continued to make every reasonable effort to provide the service you had booked. Unfortunately, despite our repeated attempts to reach an alternative solution, you chose not to join the tour.
We take guest satisfaction seriously, but we also believe it is important that reviews accurately reflect the circumstances. We regret the inconvenience caused by the flat tire, but we respectfully disagree with the characterization that we failed to provide assistance or abandoned the tour. Our records show that we remained in contact, offered several pickup options, and were prepared to operate the tour once the mechanical issue had been resolved
Michael_P, May 2026
Knowledgeable driver and fantastic way to see Helsinki and Porvoo! A great value for sure. I enjoyed seeing Porvoo and walking around and he brought us to some cool places in Helsinki too.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed both Helsinki and Porvoo and found the tour to be a great value. It's wonderful to know that our driver’s knowledge helped make the experience more enjoyable and that you appreciated the opportunity to explore Porvoo at your own pace while also discovering some of Helsinki's highlights.
Our goal is to provide guests with an informative, comfortable, and memorable introduction to the region, so it's rewarding to hear that the tour delivered on those expectations.
Logan_A, May 2026
A wonderful tour with a great historical overview of Finland, the people, and their culture. The guide through Porvoo was amazing we were given all the best spots to check out. Would definitely recommend as it's only a half day tour.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found the historical overview of Finland, its people, and culture both informative and engaging. Porvoo is one of our favorite destinations, and we're especially pleased that you appreciated the guide's local knowledge and recommendations for exploring the town.
Our goal is to provide guests with a meaningful introduction to Finland while making the most of the time available, so it's great to know that the half-day format worked well for you.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us and for recommending the experience to others. We hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future!
Lela_S, May 2026
The driver was late and picked us up in an old worn out van. We were supposed to be a private group of 4 but there 8 and another 4 following in a car behind us. The car behind us was tailgating the whole way. Out of the group of 8, 3 people sat backwards and couldn’t see what was being discussed. The driver was hard to understand and repeated allot of the same information.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations.
To clarify, this was advertised and sold as a shared group tour, not a private tour. The presence of other guests was therefore consistent with the product description. Group sizes can vary depending on bookings, and vehicle allocation is based on the number of participants on the day of the tour.
While our driver may have arrived slightly later than expected, all guests were collected and the tour operated as scheduled. The vehicle used for the tour was fully licensed, roadworthy, and suitable for the group size.
Regarding the seating arrangement, the vehicle configuration is standard for passenger transport and allows all guests to participate in the experience. We appreciate that some seating positions may be preferred over others, but all seats are considered valid passenger seats.
As for the commentary, our guides aim to provide information in a way that is accessible to a wide range of guests. Repetition can occur during tours as new topics are introduced, questions are answered, or key points are reinforced for the benefit of the entire group.
We also note that the actions of other road users are outside of our control. While another vehicle may have been traveling in the same direction, we cannot comment on individual driving behavior that was not part of our tour operation.
We appreciate your comments and will continue to review guest feedback as we work to provide enjoyable experiences for all participants.
Richard_S, May 2026
This is a very good value for a four hour semi-private driver tour, which included drive by around major Helsinki sites, stopping briefly for photos at a few he recommended and others whenever we asked to stop. Porvoo is a charming village and a contrast to the city and there was one hour to explore on our own after being provided a drive around orientation. Finba, our driver and guide, was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Finland and the locations we were visiting. He explained that the vehicle had been rented that morning due to the company’s van requiring service, but it was ample. Important note (particularly for Americans like me who generally don't use it) they rely on WhatsApp so I did not receive the day prior notification of pickup time and although all Viator emails come through to my Inbox, this tour operator’s email went to spam. We have discovered that in Europe WhatsApp is essential and have now turned on notifications from it. It was not a big issue because when I phoned the tour operator he answered immediately and confirmed our pickup time. Overall, this is a very nice relaxed semi-private tour at a reasonable price compared to what you would pay for exclusive and customized private guide services in most places.
Andrew_N, May 2026
Tour guide wasn’t very knowledgeable and sights we saw were really not worth the visit. Guide driver ran a red light and I had to stop her a second time from running a red light. Tour was a bust.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We take all comments seriously; however, we would like to clarify a few points regarding your experience.
During the tour, the guide provided commentary at designated stops and key locations. We did observe that you frequently walked away during these explanations, which may have impacted your experience and impression of the guide’s knowledge.
Regarding the driving concern, safety is our top priority. The situation at the traffic light occurred once and was the result of a momentary distraction when a guest addressed the driver. The situation was immediately corrected, and at no point was guest safety compromised.
We would also like to note that another guest traveling with you shared positive feedback about the same tour and guide, highlighting a different experience.
While we regret that the tour did not meet your expectations, we stand by the professionalism and competence of our team.
Tom_S, Apr 2026
Wonderful tour with an outstanding guide and driver. Highly recommend. We learned a great deal and were very impressed with Helsinki.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
It’s fantastic to know that both your guide and driver made a strong impression and helped make your tour informative and enjoyable. We’re especially glad you left with a deeper appreciation for the city.
Your recommendation truly means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again in the future for another memorable visit.
Parameswaran_R, Apr 2026
In 5 hrs the main attractiins of Helsinki and the Porvoo fully you can explore thru this tour.
Bobus is the Finnish History via an experienced Guiide Like FINBA . HE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING THROUGHLY LIKE A PROFESSOR. Really a knowledgeable good humanistic experience. Beautifully he explained the land, Economy , Human excellence of Finnish people like a story teller.
KEEP IT UP.
I RECOMMEND EVERY TRAVELLER THIS TRIP TO UNDERSTAND FINLAND IN A FANTASTIC MANNER.
FINBA DESERVES KUDOS ( THE GUIDE CUM DRIVER )
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring both Helsinki and Porvoo and that the tour gave you a meaningful understanding of Finland in such a short time. It’s especially rewarding to know that FINBA made such a strong impression his passion for sharing Finnish history, culture, and society is something we truly value.
Your kind words about his storytelling, knowledge, and human approach mean a great deal to our team. We’ll be sure to pass along your kudos to him he’ll be delighted to hear it!
Thank you again for your recommendation.
Matt_Q, Apr 2026
The day trip of Helsinki and Porvoo is well worth it. An amazing experience. Finde was our guide and his knowledge of the history of Finland and the numerous landmarks was exceptional. His great sense of humour made the trip even more enjoyable.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable day exploring Helsinki and Porvoo with us. It’s especially great to know that Finde made such a strong impression his passion for Finnish history and his sense of humour truly make every tour special.
timmie, Apr 2026
Overall a pleasant outing, nice to be in a private car with just the three of us and the tour guide. Porvoo was great and nice to be able to spend a little time there. Finnbar was great in letting us decide when we wanted to get out and walk around and when we didn't, with an older person in the car. Only a couple of minor issues, the app said the event was 8AM-10PM (but it's only 4-5 hours long), so we prepped for an 8AM departure and went to bed early and didn't see the 10:24PM whatsapp message saying we'd be picked up at 10AM. Then through no fault of his we get a message at 9:55AM saying pick up would be delayed half an hour (turned out due to a flat tire). Finnbar was also great in dropping us off at a different dropoff than our pickup.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback we’re very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time in Porvoo and appreciated the comfort and flexibility of your private tour. We will be sure to pass your kind comments on to Finnbar.
We would like to clarify the pickup time communication to avoid any misunderstanding. On the Viator platform, the listed time range reflects overall availability rather than the confirmed pickup time. As indicated in the booking details, guests are asked to contact the operator to reconfirm the exact pickup time prior to the tour. In addition, we sent a confirmation email the day before your tour with the scheduled 10:00 AM pickup time.
We understand how this may still have caused confusion, and we appreciate you highlighting it. We are continuously working with the platform to ensure instructions are as clear as possible for our guests.
Regarding the delay on the morning of the tour, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. The flat tire was an unexpected situation, but we communicated the delay as soon as we were aware and did our best to minimize disruption to your plans.
Thank you once again for your feedback. We’re glad that, despite these issues, you had an enjoyable experience, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Rita_L, Apr 2026
Our guide was excellent, so knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information.
On time, gave several options for us to customize the experience for ourselves.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with your guide. Providing knowledgeable, flexible, and personalized tours is exactly what we strive for, so it means a lot to know we delivered that for you. Thank you
Mary_B, Mar 2026
We spent more time to and from and in Porvoo than we expected. It is a small cute town with not much to do there. I would have preferred learning more about Helsinki and Finland in general. That being said, it was a pleasant 4 hours.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
We’re glad to hear that you found charming and that you had a pleasant overall experience. At the same time, we truly appreciate your perspective regarding the time spent traveling and your interest in learning more about and Finland more broadly.
Your comments are very valuable, and we will take them into account as we continue to refine our itineraries and ensure they strike the right balance between exploration, travel time, and in-depth cultural insights.
Thank you again for your feedback we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with an even more enriching experience in the future.
Edward_K, Mar 2026
Our guide Finn was excellent. He informed us of the history of Finland from the 12 century thru the present. The country that occupied Finland & their influence on the culture of Finance. The town of Provoo was interesting along with its history. We also visited a number of sites in Helsinki after Provoo. A great day with Finn. Do not miss this experience, highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience.
We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an enjoyable day with Finn. His passion for Finland’s rich history and culture truly makes each tour special, and it’s wonderful to know that his storytelling from the 12th century to modern times helped bring the country’s past to life for you.
We’re also glad you enjoyed your visit to Porvoo and exploring Helsinki’s highlights. It sounds like you made the most of your day.
Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to Finn.
Preetie_S, Mar 2026
This was a great tour of all the top sites in Helsinki and the beautiful, small, but important, town of Porvoo. Tour was efficient and the history was comprehensive, even funny at times. The stories were engaging, even for our small children who also greatly enjoyed the tour. Five stars.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review.
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour of Helsinki and Porvoo. It means a lot to us that the experience felt both efficient and engaging and even more so that the stories resonated with your whole family, including the little ones.
Our guides love bringing history to life with a touch of humor, so it’s great to know that came through and made the experience memorable.
We truly appreciate your kind words and five-star rating.
Cindi_W, Mar 2026
Interesting tour, learned a lot. The guide told us a lot about Finland history as well as culture. He answered all our questions.
Porvoo was interesting, we got to walk around and check out the shops. Because of the time of year and weather the shops were pretty quiet but I’m sure in the summer months they are packed.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that our guide was able to share meaningful insights about Finland’s history and culture while answering your questions. It’s great that you had time to explore Porvoo and wander through the charming streets and shops as well.
You’re absolutely right this time of year can be a bit quieter due to the weather, but it does give the town a peaceful atmosphere. In the warmer months, the streets and shops are much livelier, so we hope you might have the chance to experience that someday too.
Thank you again for joining our tour and for taking the time to share your experience.
Tracy_Q, Feb 2026
This tour was perfect in terms of time spent seeing highlights in Helsinki and time spent in Porvoo. Finnbar was an engaged, informed and enthusiastic guide. The time spent driving to and from Porvoo was time well spent as he regaled us with historical anecdotes and observations on Finnish culture and customs. Our group of four was combined with another group of two in a minivan, which worked out fine (although, do be aware that minivans in Finland often involve a third row that requires its occupants to have good knees and decent flexibility to get in and out). My only suggestion would be for the tour operator and/or Viator to improve the reservation process so that a specific pick-up/drop-off time can be confirmed at the time of reservation. That gave us a bit of heartburn at the outset, although all worked out perfectly, but I see it as a recurring theme in some of the comments. Finnbar is a wonderful guide who gives a lovely tour, so I’d like to see that logistical headache addressed for him.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your detailed review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed both Helsinki and Porvoo with Finnbar and appreciated his insights and enthusiasm. We also appreciate your feedback on the reservation process and will work on making pick-up times clearer for future guests. We hope to welcome you back on another Finnish adventure soon.
George_C, Feb 2026
We have wonderful and Excellent trip experience on Helsinki and Porvoo Tour
by Private Car with Personal Guide. Finba did such awesome job to show us the highlight of Porvoo and Helsinki. Highly recommend this trip.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had an excellent trip to Helsinki and Porvoo. It’s great to know that the private car tour and personal guiding made your experience comfortable and memorable. Finba will be especially happy to hear your kind words showcasing the highlights of Helsinki and Porvoo is something he truly enjoys.
Thank you for the strong recommendation. We truly appreciate your trust in us
Renee_T, Jan 2026
What a wonderful, charming city! Our guide was very knowledgeable and considerate. Would go to Provoo again
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the city and that your guide made the experience even more special with their knowledge and consideration. It truly means a lot to us that you’d choose Provoo again. We look forward to welcoming you back for another wonderful experience!
Dalane_C, Jan 2026
Finbar was a great tour guide. Very informative and entertaining. Definitely recommend him!! He was very accommodating to what we wanted to do
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with Finbar and that the tour was both informative and entertaining. We’re especially pleased that he was able to accommodate your interests and preferences. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Michael_W, Jan 2026
It was not a private tour or a private vehicle. There were 3 others (2 and 1 group) in the vehicle. I brought it to the attention of the driver before the tour, but he insisted it was his options.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
As a company that values transparency and ensures that our clients are happy with our services, Micheal was informed few days before the start of the tour that this particular tour date was going to be a merged tour giving him enough time for cancellation, him and 2 other paticipant, which was a total of 3 persons in a private mini van that usually carries upto 6 persons.
Unlike most tour companies on viator our booking includes private transportation which refers to transportation provided by our company specifically for tour participants and not public transit, yet quality and affordable.
As clearly stated in the booking inclusions, groups may occasionally be merged to optimize tour operations. This is standard practice and is disclosed in advance to ensure transparency.
On the day of the tour, the experience was operated exactly as described in the product details (we occationally merge groups to optimize tour operation). The vehicle and guide were dedicated to scheduled tour guests only, and the itinerary, duration, and services provided were not affected by the presence of other participants. Before the tour date when micheal was reached, he complained about paying for just himself and wanted self private tour, he was given an explanation and was advised to cancel with a full refund if needed but he agreed to proceed, on the tour day our driver mentioned that Micheal was seated in front, he still complained again about he paying for a private tour, which cost (85 euro) per person. After sometime during the tour he talked about how quality it was which he didnt mention on his review. we ensure all guests received the same level of service and access as advertised.
Our driver correctly followed company policy and operational guidelines. Thank you
Tom_M, Jan 2026
We did not have a great experience, and even requested a refund (which I don't remember ever doing) which was ignored. I generally write positive reviews.
The minibus was really a European minivan. I'm only 5'10" and my knees were cramped. We only went with one other couple but it was 1 in front and 3 of us in the middle.
We had already learned quite a bit about Helsinki as we had been there a couple days, but we were expecting more as we love to learn the history. In reality it was a bit of time driving around Helsinki and pointing out a few things...but nothing in-depth or new for us. "Look down that road, those are all Russian buildings". "Look there, that is the train station".
The travel there was ok, was raining and it felt like we hydroplaned a few times. When we go there we discovered it was a flat tire (which is why we slid a bit on the highway). So our guide explained a few minor things about Porvoo and let us wander on our own. We came back 45 minutes later and the driver advised he couldn't get a tire replacement and was waiting on a service truck, so we went back on our own for a bit. After we got back he said the service truck couldn't fix it because the hole was too large, but we could stop and pump the tire from time to time. He called his boss and other co-workers and none of them picked up their phones to help. It then took us almost 2.5 hours to get back to Helsinki as he road on the highway until the tire got squirrely and stopped at the side of the road to pump it up...which was about every 3-5km. We didn't feel safe and we asked to get to some public transportation and he disregarded that, saying they weren't running (but they were). He continued to call at several stops but didn't get any support, they just told him to keep going and didn't offer another car to get us or him.
All in all, we got a ho-hum tour of Helsinki, no real tour of Porvoo, and the ride home was sketchy and not fun at all.
The owner texted us the next day saying the driver advised we had a few minor issues and apologized. I texted back describing it in more detail and asking for a refund in the politest way possible...and it's been crickets since.
In hind sight...would have gotten one of the tours where you take public transportation as the public transportation is good and fast.
If there wasn't a flat tire issue, I'd likely still only rate this as a 3-star. Not as a pricey as some other tours but you get what you pay for. I'd either going higher quality/price or simple with the public transportation option.
We did like the town of Porvoo...not crazy exciting...but get yourself some chocolate truffles from Brunberg. Making chocolate since 1871 and even though many look like tootsie rolls they melt in your mouth...so good.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
This tour took place on December 6th, Finland’s Independence Day, a national holiday during which many services operate on limited schedules. When the flat tire occurred, no mechanics or repair shops were available nearby, and the driver immediately contacted the insurance company and company management. He followed the safest available guidance to ensure all guests returned to Helsinki.
We would also like to note that this was the only flat tire incident we experienced during all of 2025, and our vehicles are otherwise regularly maintained.
As a courtesy and because client satisfaction is important to us, we contacted both groups the following day to apologize for the inconvenience. The other group fully understood the situation and did not request a refund, as the tour was completed successfully before the flat tire incident and the guide did everything possible to return everyone safely to Helsinki. Due to the holiday, there were no taxi services available in Porvoo and public transportation was not operating, which the guests themselves observed. Aside from the flat tire which was managed carefully and professionally the situation was handled to the best possible standard under the circumstances.
We respectfully disagree that the tour was of low value. Our tours are designed to offer a high-quality, small-group experience at an affordable price, and the majority of our past guests have consistently shared positive feedback. we remain committed to providing excellent service.
From $105.68
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Helsinki and Porvoo Tour with Private Car & Personal Guide
173
5 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$105.68
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Water Tours
- Half-day Tours
- Shore Excursions
- Walking Tours
- Historical Tours
- Cruises & Sailing
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private and Luxury
- On the Ground
- Cultural Tours
- Helsinki
- Water Tours - Tallinn
- Half-day Tours - Tallinn
- Shore Excursions - Tallinn
- Walking Tours - Tallinn
- Historical Tours - Tallinn
- Walking Tours - Turku
- Historical Tours - Turku
- Walking Tours - Tampere
- Historical Tours - Tampere
Attractions in Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Zoo (Korkeasaari) Tours & Tickets
- National Library of Finland Tours & Tickets
- Helsinki Music Centre (Musiikkitalo) Tours & Tickets
- Linnanmaki Amusement Park Tours & Tickets
- Esplanadi Park Tours & Tickets
- Helsinki Central Library Oodi Tours & Tickets
- Market Square (Kauppatori) Tours & Tickets
- Kamppi Chapel (Chapel of Silence) Tours & Tickets
- Helsinki Swedish Theatre Tours & Tickets
- Suomenlinna Fortress Tours & Tickets
- Sibelius Monument Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Helsinki, Finland
- Suomenlinna Fortress Tours & Tickets
- Sibelius Monument Tours & Tickets
- Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko) Tours & Tickets
- Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Kirkko) Tours & Tickets
- Market Square (Kauppatori) Tours & Tickets
- Helsinki Senate Square (Senaatintori) Tours & Tickets
- Helsinki Central Library Oodi Tours & Tickets