On this page your find information about how to travel to Turku and Vaasa and how to get around in the cities. Both cities are very walkable, and generally students do not need a car of their own since public transport is both available and reliable.
Do note, that the campuses are located approximately 350 kilometers from each other, and daily commuting between the two campuses are not possible. We recommend that you plan to live in the same city where your campus is located, since the distances between Finnish cities often are long.
Aim to not arrive during public holidays and weekends, because the university, housing offices as well as many businesses and shops will be closed. 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. If renting privately, communicate your arrival date with your landlord.
Unsure where you are studying?
Your admission letter should tell you where your campus is located. Here is a list of programmes per campus:
Turku:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Governance of Digitalization
- Information Technology: Computer Engineering Turku (check your admissions letter, the programme is also available in Vaasa!)
- Information Technology: Computer Science
- International Law and Human Rights
- Social Exclusion
- Sustainable Chemical and Process Engineering
Vaasa:
- Advanced Practice Nursing
- Information Technology: Computer Engineering Vaasa (check your admissions letter, the programme is also available in Turku!)
- Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research
- Teaching and Learning
By Air
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 or by local bus number 1. 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.
By Bus
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.
By Train
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 is closed due to the renovations for 2 years from 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.
There is a train connection from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Kupittaa.
Usually you get the tickets cheaper if purchased in advance.
By Ferry
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.
Walking or Biking
Turku city center is very walkable and the campus area is centrally located around the Cathedral. Walking or biking in public spaces in Finland is both safe and common, also in the evenings.
Depending on where you live, you might be able to walk most places. Turku is also a good city for biking, the local bus system offers city bikes called ““Föli-fillarit” for public use and the bikes 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 all year round and in winter they are equipped with winter tyres.
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.
If you want to buy your own bike, you can get affordable second hand bikes from i.e., the second hand shop Turkun Ekotori. See also the TYS blog post on buying a bike in Turku.
Local bus – FÖLI
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.
Taxi
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€.
By Air
The closest airport to Vaasa is the Vaasa Airport located approximately 9 kilometers from the city center. To get from the airport to the city center you can take bus number 4 or a taxi. See here for further information.
If you arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport you arrive 400 kilometers from Vaasa. You can either book a connecting flight to Vaasa, or take the train.
By Train
The national train company VR departs from the local railway stations all throughout Finland. There is one railway station in Vaasa, Vaasa railway station. The station is located at the edge of the city center.
There is a train connection from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Vaasa, but note that the connection contains one or more changes in train.
Usually you get the tickets cheaper if purchased in advance.
By Ferry
If travelling from Sweden, you can take the Wasaline ferry route between Umeå and Vaasa. Read more on their web page.
Walking or Biking
Vaasa city center is compact and very walkable and the campus area is centrally located at the waterfront. Walking or biking in public spaces in Finland is both safe and common, also in the evenings.
Biking is also a great option! You can usually get a nice working bike from second hand shops and online buying groups.
Local bus – Lifti
Local bus connections are efficient and safe and it is an easy and economical way to transprt your self in the city. The local public transport system Lifti offers eight regular commuter routes and a couple of other routes as well, for example to and from the airport and harbour.
You can find out more about the bus ticket prices here, a 30-day bus pass costs 29 euro for students.
Local buses run approximately at 6.00 – 23.00. See the Lifti webpage for timetables.
The City of Vaasa also offers Mini-Lifti shared cars for hire at a reasonable price.
Taxi
Taxis are available at specific taxi waiting points or by calling or pre-booking a taxi. You should know the adress of where you want to be picked up and where you want to go, before ordering the taxi.If you wish to order a taxi, call +358600 300 11 or use the Taxi Vaasa app.
You can calculate the approximate taxi fare on the Taxi Vaasa webpage.