The one-hour Turku rail link shortens the journey between Helsinki and Turku by train, as well as linking localities along the route to the Helsinki metropolitan area. It will also help develop commuter traffic in Southwest Finland.
The Finnish national railway company, Valtion Rautatiet (VR), operates trains to all major cities in Finland. The current train service between Helsinki and Turku takes around 2 hours.
Trains
There are several direct trains a day between Helsinki and Turku, with the journey taking about five hours. If you’re travelling on a weekend or holiday, though, the number of direct routes can decrease.
Finland’s long-distance trains are spacious and comfortable. Look out for high-speed Pendolino trips between major cities and faster Intercity rides, and head upstairs to upgrade to Ekstra class to get comfy airplane-style seats or cosy sleeping berths (at a higher price).
The beautiful main train station in Helsinki is worth a visit on its own and features ticket counters, left luggage, newsagents and restaurants. Trains on longer routes also transport restaurant cars where you can order food to your seat.
With 12 departures daily, the train from Turku to Helsinki offers plenty of opportunities to relax and admire the beautiful scenery. Just make sure you book your tickets in advance, as Scandinavian train tickets sell out quickly.
Buses
The city’s extensive bus network is operated by Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsingin seudun liikenne, or HSL) and covers Helsinki, Espoo, Kaunas, Vantaa and outlying areas of Kerava, Kirkkonummi and Sipoo. The metro reaches east and west of central Helsinki, and commuter rail links the airport and towns as far north as Riihimaki and as far northwest as Lahti.
Trains are run with typical Finnish efficiency by Valtion Rautatiet, or VR, and include high-speed Pendolino trips between the major hubs of Helsinki and Tampere. Local, Express and InterCity trains stop at plenty of tiny stations, while sleeper services offer comfy airplane-style seats or berths in upstairs or downstairs cabins.
You can book your tickets online with companies like OnniBus or FlixBus. The cheapest fares are usually for travel during the week, when buses are emptier than on the weekend. If possible, avoid travelling during peak hours – eg Sunday is the busiest day for connections from Helsinki to Turku.
Ferries
Ferry connections to the Baltic port of Tallinn, Sweden’s Stockholm or Aland’s Mariehamn and Langnas are active all year. The ferries run by Viking Line, Tallink Silja and Eckero and depending on the ferry type travel times vary from a couple of hours to three and a half.
Buses are the main backbone of the nation’s intercity transport system, though without motorways, they move at a rather ponderous pace. Regular vakiovuoro buses serve towns and villages, while the pricier pikavuoro express buses are quick between cities.
If you’re on a tight schedule, consider the train between Turku and Helsinki (or Espoo). Several trains operate per day, with journeys taking just over two hours. Alternatively, you can fly between the two cities with Finnair, Nordic Regional Airlines or Yolink. Check schedules and book tickets on the VR website. For a more relaxed and environmentally friendly trip, consider cycling between the two cities. There are a number of dedicated bicycle tracks, and the local councils also run municipal bike-sharing systems.
Cars
Driving on Finland’s uncrowded roads is a treat – no traffic lights, immaculately maintained road surfaces and miles of beautiful landscape. International ferry companies offer services from the country to Sweden, Germany and Russia while lake ferries serve domestic routes between towns such as Helsinki and Turku, Tampere and Hameenlinna, and Savonlinna and Kuopio.
The state-owned VR operates an extensive network of passenger trains on 9,216 km (5,727 mi) of tracks with a broad 1,524 mm (5 ft) gauge that serves most cities and rural areas. High-speed Pendolino trips connect major hubs while slower InterCity and Express trains stop at tiny stations between the main centers.
Long-distance sleeper trains are a great option for multicity journeys. Opt for upstairs cabins with comfortable airplane-style seats or sleeping berths (with a fee). Rome2Rio’s door-to-door travel information and booking engine allows you to compare all the options for your trip from Helsinki to Turku, including schedules, routes and estimated fares from relevant transport operators.
