How to get to Turku & move around in the city
Here are some tips on how to get to Turku and information about the transport possibilites in the city.
How to get to Turku
It is quite convenient to arrive in Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. There are long distance bus connections and a train connection leaving approximately every hour from the airport to Turku. The traveling time between Helsinki-Vantaa airport and the Turku bus station is about two and a half hours. Please check the connections to Turku from By bus or By train section below
There are several international flights arriving directly in Turku Airport. The airport is 8 kilometres from the city centre, which can be reached by taxi (approximately €20-25) or by local bus number 1 (3€). If your arrival time to Turku Airport is after the last bus and there is no taxi to be found, you can order one by using the service phone which is located near the exit on the arrivals level of the terminal.
The national long distance bus service Matkahuolto departs from local bus stations all throughout Finland and also from Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The final stop in Turku for long distance buses is at the Turku Bus Station (linja-autoasema) which is located at the city centre.
There may be a change of bus in Espoo during the trip from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Turku. The bus personnel will inform you about the change and your luggage will be transferred by the bus personnel.
Another possibility is to use the bus service Onnibus.
Both bus services have online offers on tickets. Usually you get the tickets cheaper if purchased in advance.
The national train company VR departs from the local railway stations all throughout Finland. There are two railway stations in Turku: The main railway station (rautatieasema) which is at the city centre at Ratapihankatu 37, but it will be closed due to the renovation for 2 years in August 2022.
Kupittaa railway station locates about 1.5 kilometres from the city centre and 0.5 kilometres from the university campus. Only the trains coming from the direction of Helsinki stop at Kupittaa, and Kupittaa Railway station will be the final station from Helsinki starting on August 15 2022 onwards.
When arriving to Helsinki Vantaa Airport and you want to travel to Turku by train - your destination is Kupittaa Railway Station until the end of 2024..
Usually you get the tickets cheaper if purchased in advance.
There are two cruise lines which have regular connections between Stockholm and Turku:
The Port of Turku (Turun Satama) is approximately two kilometres from the city centre and can be reached by local bus number 1.
If you are travelling from Europe, consider choosing a green travel option. Travelling by train, bus or even by carpooling you have the chance to travel in a climate-friendly fashion and enjoy the changing sceneries during your journey.
Train is by far the most ecological means of transport but by choosing a bus or even by carpooling you will have travelled to your destination in a more sustainable way compared to flying. When choosing a train or a bus as a means of transport, you also do not need to worry about baggage weight restrictions.
For example, you can first travel by train to Stockholm (tip! you can find a direct train connection from Berlin to Stockholm), and then continue with the ferry from Stockholm to Turku.
Useful links:
Rome2rio: discover how to get anywhere
Interrail - travel through Europe by Train
You should avoid arriving during public holidays and weekends because the university, housing offices as well as most businesses and shops will be closed.
You should also be aware that the lease on student apartments always starts on the first weekday (never on a weekend day) of the month and you normally cannot get the keys for your apartment before that.
Getting around in Turku
Local bus connections are efficient and safe and it is an easy and economical way to get to your apartment or to the university campus area. The local bus network covers also the Turku airport, harbour, railway station and bus station with frequent connections.
A single bus ticket costs 3€ and is valid for transfers on all local buses for up to two hours. Students can purchase discount bus passes from the local transportation office.
Local buses run approximately at 6.00 - 23.00. There are also few night connections. The ticket for the night time busses is 1€ more expensive.
Please see the Turku Local Transport website for timetables and prices.
Navigating Turku Using Föli Buses - Beginners Guide for Students (A blog post written by our student Esther)
Taxis are available at specific taxi waiting points (e.g. around the Market Square). You can also order a taxi by calling 02 10041. Depending on the length of the trip and time of the day, a taxi from e.g. the Market Square to the Student Village can cost around 8 - 10€ and a taxi from e.g. Turku Airport to the Student Village may cost around 20-25€.
A city bike-share system started in Turku on May 1st 2018. The system consists of bikes that are for public use and which can be picked up and dropped off at bike stations. It is also possible to leave the bike locked for a short time at a place other than a bike station—for example, when visiting a store.
The “Föli-fillarit” city bikes provide a quick and easy way of getting around the city centre and are meant mainly for short-term use. The bikes will be available from Easter until October 31.
The station network expands from Kupittaa along the city centre to the port of Turku and there is a bike station in the Skanssi area as well. More information here.
On your bikes, students! There's lots to see here in Turku (A blog post written by our student Mostafa)
