Travelling

To Finland

You usually need to organise your travel to Finland independently. Please remember to reserve enough time for travel preparations, so that you can compare different alternatives and the required costs.

Most international flights to Finland arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, an international airport with good international and domestic connections. From Finnish airports there usually is an airport bus service or local bus to the centre of the local town, and sometimes also to other nearby towns. There are also taxis available, including some special Airport Taxis or Yellow Taxis, which have cheaper rates for groups of clients going in the same direction.

There are international train links to Helsinki from Moscow and St. Petersburg. There is no direct train connection from neighbouring Sweden, however, due to the difference in railway track gauge. But it is of course possible to arrive by sea from Sweden, as well as from Germany or Estonia. The main harbour towns are Helsinki, Turku and Maarianhamina (Åland islands).

In Finland

Public transport is well organised in Finland. Most towns and cities have local bus services. Helsinki has buses, trams, local trains and a metro. Please contact the international advisory service at your host institution in Finland for information about the local public transport and your eligibility for student discounts.

Finland has a nationwide network of train, bus and air services. There are also a variety of interesting tours, from adventure holidays to escorted luxury tours on offer. For more information contact the Finnish Tourist Board (VisitFinland.com) or the local city tourist office when you arrive at your Finnish destination.

In Finland timetables are usually reliable, and trains and coaches leave on time. Timetables vary slightly on public holidays, weekends and during the summer.

In Neighbouring Countries

Finland’s northern location, next to Sweden, Norway, Russia and Estonia, offers excellent and exciting travel opportunities. There are good air connections to all the neighbouring countries, daily ferry connection to Sweden and Estonia as well as to Russia in summertime. Russia can also be reached by coach and by train. Remember to check the visa and other possible permit requirements before travelling.