Arriving in Turku
If flying in, you can arrive in either Turku or Helsinki. Turku Airport (TKU) is small and has only a few daily connections (Stockholm, Gdansk, Rome). Helsinki Airport (HEL), known also as Helsinki-Vantaa, is the main airport.
Turku Airport
From Turku Airport you can take a bus or taxi to the city centre. Travel time with bus is around 30-40 minutes, with taxi 15 minutes. The easiest way to pay in bus is with a debit/credit card using contactless payment (3€) or cash (4€). More information about local transportation here.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
From Helsinki, you can take a train or bus straight from the airport to Turku.
If you choose train, go to the railway station below the terminal. Here you can hop on the local train, which takes you to Pasila station where you will change trains. This is easy and quick. Travel time from Helsinki to Turku is around 2 to 2,5 hours.
In Turku, trains currently stop at Kupittaa railway station, which is closest to the university and close to some hotels as well. If you are staying in the city centre, you can take a bus from Kupittaa station to Kauppatori (e.g. bus number 32 or 42) or take a taxi.
NOTE! If you book train tickets at vr.fi and choose destination “Turku”, the website will offer you a longer route to Turku via Tampere (Toijala). If you travel this route, the train will not stop at Kupittaa, but at a temporary station next to Logomo. Depending on the location of your hotel, this option might work for you. To avoid taking this one, choose as your destination “Kupittaa (Turku)”.
If you choose bus, you can see bus schedules and platforms on the airport terminal monitors. Busses leave from in front of the terminal. In Turku, it is easiest to get off the bus BEFORE the main bus station. E.g. Tuomiokirkko (Turku Cathedral), one stop before bus station, is close to the city centre and its hotels (distance is less than 1 km).
Getting around in Turku
In Turku it is easy to move around using local bus connections (known as “Föli”). Single ticket costs 3-4€ and it includes 2 hour transfer time. You can find recommended routes using Googlemaps or Föli’s own journey planner. If you plan to use bus more frequently, consider getting a daily ticket for 1-7 days (8-26 €).
There is also a city bike system, “Fölläri”. Many bike stations are located in the campus area. See more information here.
More information
You can find more information about different ways of travel and how to book your tickets also from University of Turku’s website here. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact local project coordinator Suvi.