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Tr ave l and Tr an s po r t
8. Travel and
Transport
Both Åbo/Turku and Vasa/Vaasa are fairly
small cities and distances rarely get too long.
You can often get around on foot or by bike.
Note, however, that you should not walk in the
marked bicycler's lane, but in the lane marked for
pedestrians. For your own safety, cross the street
only when the light is green and definitely wear a
reflector tag when it is dark. For longer distances
the public transport systems are at your service.
8.1 Biking
By bike you can go almost anywhere in Åbo/Vasa,
and often much faster than by car. Remember
to install a light on your bike and use it when it's
dark, and also make sure your bike has reflectors.
Both are regulated by law and you can get fined if
you ignore these regulations. We also recommend
you wear a helmet and always lock your bike to
prevent it from being stolen. Note that bikers are
only allowed to bike on the sidewalk when it is
specifically marked that bikers are allowed (bike
lane or combined bike/pedestrian lane). At other
times bikers must keep to the road and follow
regular traffic rules. At the tourist information
offices you can ask for a map of the biking lanes
in the city:
Turku Touring
Auragatan 4
20100 Åbo
Phone: +358 (0)2 262 7444
/
(Åbo)
Vasa Tourist Information/Vaasan Seudun Matkailu
Rådhusgatan 30
65100 Vasa
Phone: +358 (0)6 325 1145
/
Most of the bicycle shops sell second hand bikes
as well as new ones. You can also find used bikes
at recycling centres. At least in Åbo, the police
also keeps an action in the autumn where they
sell unclaimed found/stolen bikes. If you only
wish to rent a bike for the day, contact the tourist
information.
8.2 Buses, Taxi, Car Rental and Trains
Åbo/Vasa city buses
Bus stops are marked by yellow/black or blue/
white signs. The yellow ones indicate bus stops
for the Åbo/Vasa City Transport Service and the
blue ones for long distance buses. The numbers
given at the bus stops with a yellow sign indicate
which buses stop there.
To get on a bus, wait at the right bus stop and be
prepared to signal, by waving your hand, to the
driver that you want to get on the bus. You must
always get on the bus through the doors closest
to the front.
To get off the bus, press the 'stop' button at a
reasonable distance beforehand to indicate to the
driver that you wish to get off. You should always
get off through the doors in the middle or back of
the bus.
Bus timetables are found online, in printed
form at the local transport service office, and
sometimes at the bus stops. The city of Åbo also
offers an online trip planner service: Brahe Trip
Planner
. For more
information about costs, timetables, routes etc.,
please visit the local transport service office or
their websites:
Åbo
Åbo Lokaltrafik
Auragatan 5
20100 Åbo
Open: Mon-Fri 8.00-18.00, Sat 9.00-14.00
Vasa
Vasa Lokaltrafik
Hovrättsesplanaden 11
65100 Vasa
Open: Mon-Fri 11.00-16.30
In order to get a student discount you have to
show proof of being a formal exchange or degree
student. This is either done by showing your
official student card or a signed and stamped
