Getting to Turku
By Air
There are many international flights which arrive directly to Turku Airport. The airport is 8 kilometres from the city centre, which can be reached by taxi (approximately €20) or by local bus number 1 (€2.50). You can check bus times from the timetables. 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.
If you come by air to Helsinki-Vantaa, there are long distance bus connections leaving approximately every hour from the airport to Turku. You can search for timetables by entering:
Place of departure: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Destination: Turku bus station
Please note that there may be a bus transfer in Espoo going between Helsinki-Vantaa airport and Turku. The bus will come to a complete stop where the transfer bus will be waiting for the passengers. Items stored in the luggage compartment of the bus will be transferred by the bus personnel. The traveling time between Helsinki-Vantaa airport and the Turku bus station is about two and a half hours.
By Bus
The national long distance bus service Matkahuolto departs from local bus stations all throughout Finland. The final stop in Turku for long distance busses is at the Turku bus station (linja-autoasema) which is located at the city centre.
By Train
The national train company VR departs from 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 and the Kupittaa railway station which is about 1.5 kilometres from the city centre and 0.5 kilometre from the university campus.
By Ferry
There are two cruise lines that have regular connections between Stockholm and Turku:
The Port of Turku (Turun Satama) is approxiamtely two kilometres from the city centre and can be reached by local bus number 1.
Arrival during public holidays and weekends
Please note that businesses will be closed on public holidays and on weekends. Also, most shops are closed on Sundays. Students should avoid arriving during these times because the Student Village housing office as well as other offices (e.g. university offices) will be closed. Students should 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 then.
Getting around Turku
Local Bus
The local bus network covers the Turku airport, harbour, railway station and bus station. A bus ticket costs €2.50 and is valid for transfers on all local busses for up to two hours. Local bus connections are efficient and it is an easy and economic way to get to your apartment (if your tutor has picked up the key form the Student Village housing office in advance) or to the university campus area. The busses that run between the Market Square (kauppatori) to e.g. the Student Village (ylioppilaskylä) are 50, 51, 53, 54 and 30. There are bus stops on Hämeenkatu across from the university Main Building and the Student Union. Local busses run approximately 6.00 - 23.00. After 23.00, local night busses cost €3.50 (until around 2.30 on Fridays and Saturdays). 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) or you can hail one if it is not occupied. You can also order a taxi by calling 02 10041 (please note that public telephones in Finland are near obsolete). Depending on the length of the trip and time of 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.