Ratikkamuseo
Free museum in the tram depot of Töölö, completed in 1900: the history of Helsinki’s tram traffic, old trams and a tram simulator.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is housed in the old tram depot in Töölö, completed in 1900 to designs by the architect Valdemar Aspelin. The brick hall has a low pitched roof and doors at both ends so that the trams could drive through the building. The building once also housed a forge for making horseshoes. Before the age of electric trams the site had horse stables, a tram shed and other outbuildings.
The hall has housed a museum since 1993. The Ratikkamuseo belongs to the Helsingin kaupunginmuseo (Helsinki City Museum), and the renewed museum opened to the public on 24 March 2022. It is located next to the Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamo (Korjaamo Culture Factory).
The exhibition tells the story of more than a hundred years of Helsinki’s tram and public transport. It is designed especially for children and families: visitors can sit in the old trams and travel to the Helsinki of the past on the tram simulator. The exhibition has five stops, six vehicles, and a section where the future of public transport is discussed.
Highlights
- Sisulaattori tram simulator, which takes you to Helsinki of the past
- Horse tram from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries
- Open trailer used at the Olympic Games
- German Kummer motor carriage from 1900–1901
- Children’s play area where children drive a tram along a map of Helsinki
Permanent exhibition
- Ratikkamuseo – The basic exhibition tells the history of Helsinki’s tram traffic through five stops, six vehicles and the Sisulaattori simulator.
- Founded
- 1993
- Operated by
- Helsingin kaupunginmuseo
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | free |
Admission to the museum is always free. Visits by day-care and school groups are free of charge.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: not available
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Visitors can move around the museum by wheelchair; a lift and a step-free toilet are available. There is no step-free parking. Pets may not enter the museum, but guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
The exhibition is designed especially for children: in the tram simulator you can sit in the driver’s or the conductor’s seat, and in the play area children drive a tram along a map of Helsinki and practise stamping tickets. The museum also has a space where you may eat your own packed food.
Getting there & parking
By car
- Accessible parking: not available
The museum is in Töölö, in connection with the Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamo, at Töölönkatu 51 A.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Lockers
The museum shop sells souvenirs and gifts, and the sales trolley carries, among other things, tram models and bags. There is a separate space for a snack break, and the Korjaamo restaurant is right next door.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visitors can explore the museum on their own during opening hours. A guided tour can be booked through the Helsinki City Museum. For groups of more than 10 people visiting on their own, please give advance notice at hkm.peda@hel.fi or by phone. Teaching materials for schools and day-care centres are available in Finnish and Swedish. |
