Helsinki, January 31, 2026 — The Europe Today: Rautatientori metro station, one of Helsinki’s busiest transport hubs, will enter a two-year renovation period beginning in 2027 as part of the second phase of a major refurbishment project aimed at upgrading critical infrastructure and improving passenger safety and functionality.
The works are scheduled to continue until 2029 and are expected to cause significant disruption for metro users and pedestrians navigating the underground station complex. Despite the масштаб of the project, metro services will continue to operate through the station throughout the renovation period.
The most disruptive phase is anticipated during a two- to three-month closure of the platform area, when the long escalators leading to the platforms are replaced. During this time, trains will continue to stop at Rautatientori for timetable reasons; however, passengers will not be able to board or disembark. Trains are expected to remain at the station for approximately one minute even while the platforms are inaccessible.
The renovation will focus on upgrading technical systems essential to metro operations and station safety. Electrical distribution, water and sewage systems, lighting, ventilation, smoke extraction, and cooling systems will all be renewed. In addition, commercial premises on the so-called compass and mezzanine levels will undergo refurbishment.
The project aims to enhance safety and usability while extending the lifespan of the station’s infrastructure. Although Rautatientori station opened in August 1982, parts of its structure date back earlier, with some waterproofing beneath Kaivokatu originating from the 1960s.
Rautatientori was last closed for renovation in the summer of 2024, when the station shut for three months to carry out fire safety upgrades and improve signage. The broader refurbishment was divided into two phases to avoid a complete suspension of metro services and to prioritize urgent technical works.
During the upcoming phase, renovation efforts will extend from the platform level toward street level at Kaivokatu, where technical systems have reached the end of their service life, according to Metropolitan Area Transport Oy. The project is also being coordinated with other construction activities in the area, including the ongoing renovation of Kaivokatu.
Rautatientori is among the busiest metro stations in Finland, with approximately 52,000 people passing through daily, including metro passengers and users of nearby shops and underground connections. The current cost estimate for the technical contract is around 80 million euros.
