Airport? Russia or Finland?

A few days ago I travelled to Helsinki and during the trip was told a funny story by a driver.

Note. As I wrote there are a few ways to get to Finland from St. Petersburg, since the distance is not great. The most popular way is regular taxis which depart every day from the Vosstanya Square. Usually these taxis take you not just to Helsinki, but to Vantaa, an airport near the city. Many Russians prefer travelling to Europe not directly, but through Finland since from Vantaa and Tampere there are many cheap flights.

And as you remember or may guess there is also airport in St. Petersburg, Pulkovo.

So, one Italian woman came to the taxi station and asked: “airport?”

–Yes, told a driver.

– How much?

– 25 euros for one-way ticket.

– Oh, fine! How long will it take?

– We’re arriving in a few hours, it’s about next early morning, told the driver.

– ??? Which way do you take to get to the airport? My flight is in three hours!

– Hm. But Finland is not very close! It’s about a few hundreds km from here!

– ??? Finland? Do you go to Finland or to Pulkovo?

– Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa.

– Ah! Mama mia! I thought you go to Pulkovo! But is it serious you go to Finland for just 25 euros? It’s just incredible!

– Yes, really. Just for 25 euros. Believe me.

You may really believe him. I tried. Though it was about a seven-hour trip including an one-and-a-half-hour stop at a border crossing.