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 at 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. For more information about the connections to Turku in the By Bus or By Train section below.
There are also several international flights arriving directly at Turku Airport. The airport is 8 kilometres from the city centre, which can be reached by taxi (approximately €25–30) or by the local bus, line number 1 (€3,15). If you arrive at the Turku Airport 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 in the city centre.
There may be a transfer to another bus in Espoo during the trip from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Turku. The bus personnel will inform you about the transfer and your luggage will be handled by the bus personnel.
Another possibility is to use the bus service Onnibus.
Both bus services have online offers on tickets. Usually the price of the tickets is lower if bought 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 Turku (City Centre, Logomo) (rautatieasema) which is at the city centre at Logomo Bridge.
Kupittaa Station is located 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.
If your new home is in the Student Village or in Varissuo, this is your station.
When arriving to Helsinki Vantaa Airport and you want to travel to Turku by train, your destination is either Kupittaa Station or Turku (City Centre, Logomo).
Usually the price of the tickets is lower if bought in advance. In order to get the student discount, you need to download Tuudo App.
For buying the train tickets please download VR Matkalla app or visit their website.
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: There is a direct train connection between Berlin and 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 during the weekend) of the month, and you normally cannot get the keys for your apartment before that.
Getting around in Turku
Local bus connections are efficient, safe and 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 €3.15 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. NB! The ticket price is €4.50 when paying cash – having a bus pass or paying with a contactless payment method is recommended.
Local buses run approximately 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 or downloading an app. 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. the 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 located around the city. 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 bikes or "fölläri" city bikes provide a quick and easy way of getting around the city centre and are meant mainly for short-term use. The bikes are unavailable during winter due to the weather. The available period for the bikes during the year 2026 was from 1 April to 22 December.
On your bikes, students! There's lots to see here in Turku (A blog post written by our student Mostafa)
