Getting Around, Tampere Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Western Finland, Finland)

Within Tampere, the main mode of public transport is buses, which cover the city well and are a particularly cheap way to travel. If you intend to use the city's bus network extensively, then do think about buying a Tampere Tourist Card, which provides unlimited travel within the city boundaries and therefore can offer exceptional value for money.

Taxi transport is readily available in Tampere and offers an unsurpassable level of freedom for short trips, if you wish to quickly travel between sights or shops. Taxis can either be hailed by the side of the road, or found at one of the main central taxi ranks.

Tampere-Pirkkala Airport (TMP) / Arriving by Air

Address: Varikontie 14, Pirkkala, FI-33960, Finland, FI
Tel: +358 03 283 5311
Finland's number three airport in terms of volume, Tampere-Pirkkala Airport sees annual passengers figures approaching 650,000 per annum. Pirkkala Airport lies to the south-west of the city centre and is around 17 km / 11 miles away. Two terminals serve around six different airports, including Finncomm, Ryanair and Scandinavian Airlines. The many transport options include public buses operated by Paunu, which travel to the centrally locally Pyynikintori Square, and Ryanair Tokke buses, linking Tampere train station. Ryanair also operates Mobus buses, which travel daily to Rautatientori Square in Helsinki, with a journey time of approximately two and a half hours.

Car Rental

Many travel agencies in central Tampere offer car rental, although most passengers flying into Pirkkala Airport choose to rent their cars upon arrival, often making arrangements for this in advance. Driving around the city centre itself tends to be relatively straightforward and painless, although during the cold Finnish winter months, road conditions are frequently extremely hazardous and extra care should always be taken when driving at this time of the year. Renting a car in Tampere allows you great independence and comes highly recommended, should you wish to pay a visit to Helvetinjärvi National Park, the Marttinen Holiday Island, or Pirkkala, or head to the ski resorts at either Himosvuori or Salmentaka. However, do be aware the wild moose are known to regularly stray onto the roads.

Book your Tampere Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

The city's bus network is extensive and offers a good coverage all over Tampere, both around the heart of the city and throughout the suburban areas. Most bus transport runs along the Hämeenkatu, the main central boulevard, close to the actual bus station, stopping at clearly defined points along the way. A single bus ticket provides a total of one hours' unlimited bus travel. Bus timetables are available from the bus station and tourist office.

Trains

Home to an excellent Finnish rail network, Tampere's trains provide a much used and extremely quick way to reach many nearby cities, such as Turku and Finland's Helsinki. The train station is easy to locate and stands in the very city centre, along the Hämeenkatu and close to numerous hotels and shops.

Taxis

The majority of all taxis in Tampere are quite reliable and safe, although the sheer convenience of this mode of transport is generally outweighed by the actual price. However, if you just intend to use taxis to travel short distances around the city centre, day or night, then the cost is not generally too prohibitive or off-putting.