Mastering Finland’s Public Transport: A Sustainable Traveler’s Guide

Welcome to Finland…

…where reindeer roam, saunas soothe, and the public transport system runs like a dream! We at Adventure Apes know that the best way to travel in Finland is actually by a public transport – we’ve done hundreds and hundreds of travels with trains, buses and trams, and now we share our local knowledge with you! 

Whether you're wandering through Southern cities like Helsinki or Tampere, or venturing into the wilds of Lapland, maybe to Rovaniemi to meet Santa, Finland’s transport network makes it easy to get around.

Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate Finland’s public transport like a pro—without the stress!

Watch the 1:00 minute video OVERVIEW: How public transport works in Finland

City Travel Made Simple – Local transport in Finland

Most Finnish cities, including Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä, Oulu or Rovaniemi offer a comprehensive public transport system with trains, buses or trams, and, in Helsinki’s case, a metro. The best part? In many cities the ticket covers all types of transport in the city. No need to juggle multiple apps or tickets!

To get your ticket, you can use local apps like the HSL app in Helsinki or OSL app in Oulu, buy from kiosks, vending machines or even on board. And don't worry—route information is easily accessible in English. Just search for your travel destination’s public transport service, and you’re good to go! We’ve gathered some, but not all, of the links straight below to give you a kickstart for sustainable travel in Finland.

Some local transport sites

  • HSL.fi (Helsinki region)

  • OSL.fi (Oulu city)

  • Foli.fi (Turku region)

  • Nysse.fi (Tampere region)

  • Tip: Search for your destination + paikallisliikenne, if you have troubles to find local transport information

Some local transport apps

Get app by searching from your devices app store

  • HSL app (Helsinki)

  • OSL app (Oulu)

  • Föli app (Turku)

  • Nysse Mobiili (Tampere)

  • Waltti Mobiili (Hämeenlinna, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kajaani, Kotka, Kouvola, Kuopio, Kymenlaakso, Lahti, Mikkeli, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Salo, Vaasa, Pori, Raasepori)

Tip! Look for a local app by searching from your devices app store.

Exploring Beyond the Cities – Long distance travel in Finland

Finland’s trains aren’t just for commuting; they’re your gateway to the breathtaking countryside. Whether you’re traveling between cities or heading north to see aurora borealis, revontulet, northern lights, the trains here are clean, comfortable, and punctual. 

And guess what! We actually recommend considering taking a night train if traveling for a longer distance. Did you know that long distance trains have sleeper cars, in which you can get a cabin for 1–4 people. The cabin is always just for you and your travel companions, and you actually can even pick up a luxury cabin with your ensuite shower and toilet. 

If you're visiting towns without a train station, regional buses have you covered. Both train and bus schedules can be found on the VR website or Matkahuolto for long-distance bus routes. Some prefer comfy buses over trains, as you can see the beautiful countryside from the bus while you travel!

Long–distance transport sites

Long–distance transport apps

  • VR Matkalla (for trains)

  • Matkahuolto (for buses)

Difficulties While Planning a Trip? Route Planner Apps and Websites in Finland

Traveling through Finland is getting a whole lot easier day by day, thanks to handy route planner apps and websites that combine information from multiple transport sources. These services help you plan your journey across different modes of transport, making it effortless to switch from a train to a bus, tram, or even a ferry, all in one seamless trip.

One of the most popular options is of course Google Maps, which offers route planning that integrates various forms of public transport across Finland. Even if it now includes mainly trains and some local options, it helps you to figure out which cities are on the route to check possible routes with long distance buses. And it helps to find your way to your destination while on foot or traveling by bike.

Then, there is a quite new service Perille.fi, which combines multiple transportation providers and makes suggestions for possible routes – and also allows you to purchase necessary tickets straight away! Just give the address where you want to start and the address or city which you want to achieve, and let the service do the planning. What is nice, that this service also shows how much CO2 your trip creates, so you can choose the route which is the most environmentally friendly. 

Another powerful tool is reittiopas, which means a Journey Planner. Many cities have their own. These services pull together information from multiple transport operators, including local buses, trams, ferries, and even walking routes, giving you a comprehensive overview of how to get from point A to point B with ease.

These services are all available in English, and they make navigating Finland’s public transport system effortless. Just input your starting point and destination, and let the app or website find the best route for you—no need to check multiple schedules or worry about transfers.

Useful links

Why don’t you recommend cars – Why Sustainable Travel Matters?

Yes, we also offer private car rentals, and Finland has an extensive car rental network. Also, we need cars to work. However... 

Sustainability in travel is more important now than ever. As travelers, the choices we make can have a significant impact on the environment. With the world’s natural beauty increasingly under threat from climate change and over-tourism, traveling in a way that minimizes our carbon footprint helps protect the very destinations we love to visit.

In Finland, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s woven into everyday life. We have lot’s of systems that are aiming for a more sustainable life, like recycling. By making conscious travel choices, like using public transport, you can play your part in reducing emissions, conserving energy, and supporting a cleaner future for generations to come. After all, if we want to keep enjoying those pristine landscapes and fresh, snowy winters, we need to make sure we’re doing our part. 

And please note, that it might actually be a much easier and more comfortable way to travel with the public transport in Finland. And, it is way cheaper, too. 

How Finland’s Public Transport Supports Sustainability

Finland’s public transport system is a great example of how eco-friendly travel is possible without sacrificing convenience. The country has invested heavily in developing a transport network that not only connects cities and remote areas but does so in a way that minimizes environmental impact.

Here’s how:

  • Energy-efficient vehicles: Many buses and trains in Finland run on renewable energy or are hybrid models, drastically reducing emissions.

  • Reducing traffic congestion: Public transport encourages fewer private cars on the road, cutting down on both traffic and pollution in cities.

  • Biking and walking integration: In many Finnish cities, public transport systems work in harmony with bike and electric scooter sharing services and pedestrian-friendly routes, making it easy to choose low-impact ways to get around.

  • Commitment to electric transport: Finland is heading more and more to expanding the use of electric buses and trams, making the system even greener.

So when you choose public transport in Finland, you're not only making your trip easier but also supporting sustainable travel practices. It's a win-win!

How to get to the Adventure Apes Lodge?

If you are heading in our direction, we’ve gathered some example routes for you, and of course we are here to help you if you need. The Adventure Apes Lodge lies in Kuusamo, Finland and as the adventurous name suggests, is not the easiest point to achieve (although it is not hard). So, this is how you come to our Adventure Apes Lodge!

Arrival from Helsinki (approximately 10 hours)

Arriving from the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport or Port of Helsinki? The easiest way to get to the Kuusamo and Adventure Apes Lodge from Helsinki is by train and a bus! 

You can easily get from the airport to the central railway station. Airport is directly connected with the train network and we recommend using local train connections. If you arrive to the Port of Helsinki, we recommend you take a tram to the Helsinki Railway Station. 

  • Tram tickets can be purchased from HSL.fi or HSL app. 

The train trip from Helsinki to Oulu takes almost 6–7 hours, so you might want to consider a night train and a sleeper car to enjoy a good night's sleep and a breakfast on the train.

You can purchase a ticket from the “Helsinki Airport” straight to “Oulu” (local train + long distance train), or if you wish to visit Helsinki first, then purchase a ticket from “Helsinki Airport” to “Helsinki”, Helsinki standing for a Helsinki Central Railway Station.

  • Train schedules and tickets can be purchased from VR.fi or in the VR Matkalla app.

When you arrive in Oulu, the Oulu Train Station and Oulu Bus Station are in the same Travel Central, so it is easy to get to the bus with your luggage.

From Oulu you can take a long distance bus to get to Kuusamo. The trip takes about 3 hours.  There are several buses a day.

  • Bus schedules and tickets at Matkahuolto.fi

The address of the Adventure Apes lodge is Rovaniementie 227E, Kuusamo 93800 Finland. Give us a notice when you’ll arrive at Kuusamo downtown and we will pick you up from there!

Arrival from Rovaniemi (APPROXIMATELY 4 hours)

Arriving from the Rovaniemi Airport? The easiest way to get to the Kuusamo and Adventure Apes Lodge from Rovaniemi is by bus! 

You can easily get from Rovaniemi Airport to the Rovaniemi Railway Station with either a Santa Claus bus (winter) or with an Airport Express bus (summer). Rovaniemi Bus Station is located a few minutes walk from the Railway Station.

Please note that there is only limited bus service available from Rovaniemi to Kuusamo (one or two departures a day). Please check in advance that the departure fits your traveling plans or schedule a stay in Rovaniemi.

  • Bus schedules and tickets at Matkahuolto.fi

  • Some departures that are not on Matkahuolto can be purchased at Onnibus.com

The address of the Adventure Apes lodge is Rovaniementie 227E, Kuusamo 93800 Finland. You don’t need to go all the way to Kuusamo and you need a ticket only until Vasaraperä. The bus stop is just in front of the Adventure Apes Lodge and our guides are welcoming you upon arrival. 

Arrival from Oulu (APPROXIMATELY 3,5 hours)

When you arrive in Oulu Airport, the first thing is to head to the Oulu Bus Station. The easiest way to get there is with a local bus line 8 or 9.

From Oulu you can take a long distance bus to get to Kuusamo. The trip takes about 3 hours. There are several buses a day.

  • Bus schedules and tickets at Matkahuolto.fi

The address of the Adventure Apes lodge is Rovaniementie 227E, Kuusamo 93800 Finland. Give us a notice when you’ll arrive at Kuusamo downtown and we will pick you up from there!

The author: Heidi Savolainen, adventure guide & entrepreneur

This article is written by Heidi Savolainen, the first Ape and the entrepreneur of the company Adventure Apes. Heidi is an educated and well-known sustainable travel professional, with loads of information regarding accessible nature activities, responsible trips and CSR-events.

Heidi SavolainenComment