Welcome to Turku – Quick Guide for Visitors
If you are planning to read just one travel guide to Turku, Finland, let it be this one.
You can find the Tourist Information Office at the Service Point Monitori by the Market Square at Aurakatu 8, 20100 Turku, Finland.
Getting to Turku is a piece of cake. The city has an airport, harbour, bus depot, and three railway stations, so you’re bound to find an option that’s just right for you. Remember to consider eco-friendly alternatives when planning your journey and do your part to keep our planet green.
Read more about the ways to travel to Turku: Travelling to Turku.
Please note! Railway work by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will cause interruptions in train travel between Helsinki and Turku Kupittaa from June 24 to July 28, 2024. According to VR, all trains on the Helsinki–Kupittaa route will be replaced by bus services during this period.
All buses will continue from Kupittaa to Turku Central Railway Station and also to Turku Harbor during ship schedules, and vice versa.
You can find the routes and departure and stop locations of the replacement buses on VR's website.
By bus
Föli organises the public transport in the Turku region. You can purchase single tickets (€3) with contactless payment on the buses. The buses also accept cash, but please note that a single ticket is €4 when paying in cash. The selection also includes day tickets (€8), among other things. By downloading the Föli app, you can buy tickets on mobile.
Bus lines 6 and 7 operate from Turku to Naantali.
Bus line 8 operates from Turku to Ruissalo Island.
By bike
In summer, exploring Turku and the surrounding areas is convenient with Föli rental bikes. It is also affordable: €2/hour and €12/day.
How to rent:
- Download the Donkey Republic application and create an account.
- Find a bike station (there are over 70 in Turku) and use the app to activate a bike.
- Enjoy biking.
- Return the bike to a station of your choosing and end the rent on the app.
By boat
In summer, Föli water buses m/s Ruissalo and m/s Jaarli run from Martinsilta Bridge to the nearby archipelago in Ruissalo and Pikisaari. You can hop aboard for the price of a public transport ticket.
Låna boats are electric picnic boats that can be rented from Vähätori Square by Aura River. The boats can accommodate up to 8 people.
During the summer months, steamship s/s Ukkopekka sails from Turku to Naantali on day cruises, and in the evenings, it offers romantic dinner cruises to the island of Loistokari.
M/s Rudolfina cruises to the Turku Archipelago from the Archipelago Ship Harbour of Turku (Turun Saaristolaivasatama).
M/s Lily offers trips from Aura River to the recreational island of Vepsä.
From the Port of Turku, you can take a ferry to Mariehamn or Stockholm or a 11-hour cruise to the archipelago. More information and tickets: Viking Line or Tallink Silja.
Experience the Finnish Archipelago - the world's largest island labyrith »
Ruissalo Island
The island of Ruissalo, which is known for its lush forests and ornate wooden villas, is located off the coast of Turku. Bus line 8 from Turku city centre or a Föli water bus from Aura River will take you there.
Destinations:
- the Botanical Garden of the University of Turku
- Ruissalo Boatyard
- Saaronniemi camping area
- Ruissalo National Park (home of the Ruisrock Festival)
- cultural exercise routes
- pilgrimage route Tapio’s path (Tapion polku)
The Archipelago Trail
The Archipelago Trail is a 250-kilometre-long ring road perfect for exploring the Finnish archipelago whether you travel by bike, car or on foot. Bridges and ferries will take you between islands, and there are a great number of destinations and tourist services along the way.
Guides and tips for the Archipelago Trail and other routes as well as ferry bookings: Visit Parainen.
Museums
Old Town
The Old Town of Turku covers the historical Turku Cathedral and Old Great Square areas as well as the Vähätori area on the other side of Aura River. The picturesque surroundings have a lot to offer with a great selection of restaurants, galleries and museums. In summer, Kirkkopuisto Terrace brings many of the local restaurants and their delicacies together.
Rooftop bars
Walo Rooftop Bar covers the top floor of the Original Sokos Hotel Wiklund and offers a 10th floor view over the downtown of Turku and the Turku Market Square.
Kuppis Rooftop Bar in turn crowns the Original Sokos Hotel Kupittaa. When you get to the top, the view opens to the city centre, all the way from the University campus to Turku Cathedral.
Börs Katto is located by the Market Square, on the 9th floor of the Scandic Hamburger Börs, and it has a great view over the renovated market area and the city centre rooftops.
Turku Tourist Information
You can find Visit Turku’s Tourist Information at the Service Point Monitori by the Market Square at Aurakatu 8, 20100 Turku, Finland.
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