Tampere, favorite city in Finland, and how to get there

 First things first: when Finns were asked which is their favorite place in Finland, they answer Tampere! And that is, in my opinion, quite right. 

Depending where you are travelling from, you are propably arriving to Finland in Helsinki, Turku or perhaps some Northern border crossing point if you are coming from North. When writing this, the border between Finland and Russia is closed. Here are some tips how to get to Tampere and how to get around while you are here. 

picture: Visit Tampere / Laura Vanzo

Fly to Tampere

Some smaller companies use Tampere-Pirkkala airport, so do check if that could be an option for you,

Tampere-Pirkkala airport is about 17 km from city centre. The city buss number 103 operates between Tampere-Pirkkala airport and city centre. There is also a taxi rank if you prefer using taxi.

To Tampere by train

If you are arriving to Helsinki or Turku or if you are staying in Finland longer and maybe travelling around, train is propably best choice for you. Train between Helsinki and Tampere takes about 1,5 - 2 h and there are several stops in smaller towns. Train from Turku takes about 1h45min. 

You can also take train from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Tampere. Then you will hop into train in Tikkurila train station.

Please note, you are not able to buy tickets from train! You can use a ticket machine in train stations or buy your tickets online. More information from VR Ltd Finnish Railways .

To Tampere by bus

There are many bus connections to Tampere. It also may be cheaper to use long distance busses than train. All bus companies operate via Tampere bus station. 

Ways to buy a ticket varies between bus companies, so do check from their website if it's possible to buy a ticket directly from bus or do you need to buy your ticket online. 

More information from Matkahuolto

More information from Onnibus

Pro tip: Onnibus and Matkahuolto co-operate some bus routes and they both sell tickets to same busses. So if you are traveling with budget, you might want to check them both when buying a ticket! Same ticket to same bus might be cheaper from other!

Getting around in Tampere

After all Tampere is quite compact and "small" city, so (depending on weather) often it's quicker and nicer to go by foot. Anyhow, there is also a very functional public transport. 

You can check local bus and tram routes, timetables and ticket prices from Nysse.

If you are getting around by car, do remember there is no free parking in Tampere centre! Always check how to pay your parking, or prepare to pay a parking fine. Parking control in Tampere is cruel and gives no mercy. Frenckel parking is closest to our venue but Hämppi is bigger and more convenient and not that far away. More information from Tampere parking areas.