Transportation in Finland

Public transportation

When traveling by long distance trains you will get a 30% student discount from the basic tickets by presenting a valid student card. Student discount is not granted with an ISIC card or any other international student cards.

Further information on discounts and how to plan your journey on the Finnish railways' (VR) website.

Students are granted a discount from long distance bus tickets. When purchasing and using student tickets you must show your Finnish student card, valid for the academic year.

Further information on Matkahuolto's website. You may also travel by Onnibus which is a low-cost bus operator. It is recommended to book the Onnibus tickets well in advance.

The green "Linkki" buses take care of the local bus transportation in Jyväskylä. 17 to 24 -year-olds can purchase youth priced Waltti ticket products. Master's and bachelor's students who are 25 or older are entitled to student priced tickets by presenting a valid Finnish student card or a certificate of registration from the University of Jyväskylä.

Linkki website with ticket prices and more information
Routes and timetables: Local Traffic Trip Planner
Linkki customer service: Asemakatu 7, 40100 Jyväskylä, tel. +358 14 266 0114, linkkipalvelupiste@jkl.fi

Cycling

An affordable and easy way to move around is by bike.

When riding a bike you should use the bicycle paths marked with a sign. In places where there is no special bicycle path, please use the right side of the roadway, not the sidewalk. You should follow the same traffic rules as motorists. According to the Finnish law, you must use lights on the bicycle when driving in the dark. The front light should be white and rear light red. Furthermore, we strongly recommend that you wear a helmet.

The following stores and repair workshops sell new and/or used bikes:

The following firms rent out bikes:

Driving in Finland

If you plan on driving in Finland please see theOrganisation for Traffic Safety'swebsite.

Driving license

Driving licenses issued in other EU or EEA countries are equally valid in Finland. Licenses granted in one of the signatory countries to the Geneva or Vienna International Road Traffic Convention are valid in Finland for one year. If you come from another country or if you need further information about driving in Finland, please see www.poliisi.fi.

Traffic regulations

Before driving in Finland, please familiarize yourself with the Finnish traffic regulations. Please remember that in Finland the car coming from the right has the right of way! There are GIVE WAY signs on some crossings, but it is best to be cautious and always check if there is somebody coming from the right.

According to the law, one must give way to buses when they are setting off from a bus stop in an area where the speed limit is less than 60 km/h. Pedestrians have the right of way at zebra crossings. You should always stop before the crossing, not on it.

Driving under influence

Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs is a crime in Finland. The driver of a motor vehicle is guilty of drunk driving if his or her blood alcohol level during driving or immediately after it is at least 0.05%. The penalty for driving under the influence is a fine or imprisonment for up to six months. Those guilty of gross drunken driving (blood alcohol level 0.12%) are sentenced to prison for up to two years or fined.

Already a low blood alcohol level has an impact on the driving ability and increases the likelihood of an accident. Also, driving with a hangover can be very hazardous.

Tyres

In Finland winter tyres must be used in December, January and February. At other times, the use of winter tyres is optional. Foreign-registered cars must also use winter tyres (or all-season tyres) in Finland. The tread groove of winter tyres must be at least 3 millimetres. Studded winter tyres may be used between the beginning of November and the end of March (or the Monday following Easter Monday if this is later than the end of March). At other times, they may be used only if the weather conditions so require. The period during which studded winter tyres may be used is restricted because they wear down the road surface.

Winter driving

Also note that winter conditions require a different kind of driving. You may loose control of your vehicle if your speed is too high, you brake suddenly, you accelerate too rapidly or you do not turn the steering wheel smoothly. Overtaking also requires special care in slippery winter conditions. Note also that your car might not start due to a cold weather. To avoid this you need to preheat the engine to ease starting. For this you need a parking space with an electrical outlet and a heater cable. Ask your landlord / housing office about the availability of parking spaces with an electrical outlet.

Transportation in Finland

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