Turku and Tampere are two of Finland's largest cities, about 150 km apart. The route is busy every day with students, business travellers, concert and ice hockey fans, and families visiting relatives. This guide compares the ways to make the trip and suggests what to do in Tampere once you arrive.
Distance and driving time
By road, Turku to Tampere is about 150 km. The drive takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, mostly on Highway 9 (E63), which runs north-east through farmland, forests and small towns. The road is good, with a mix of motorway and two-lane sections, so allow extra time in winter or in heavy traffic on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
Option 1: Train
VR runs direct trains between Turku and Tampere several times a day. The trip takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Tampere station is right in the city centre, so the train is a good choice when you travel light and are going centre to centre. Check vr.fi for timetables. Booking early is usually cheaper.
Option 2: Bus
Express buses run from Turku bus station to Tampere throughout the day, taking about 2 hours. They are usually the cheapest option, especially when booked in advance, but departures early in the morning and late at night are limited.
Option 3: Driving yourself
Driving gives you full freedom, and the route is easy. In Tampere, parking in the centre is paid and can be expensive near the arena and the main event venues. In winter, remember that winter tyres are compulsory from December to February.
Option 4: Private transfer
A private transfer picks you up at your door in Turku and drops you at your hotel, office, event venue or Tampere Airport, with no changes. With Aura Rides the fixed price from Turku to Tampere is €190 for 1–4 passengers. Shared by four, that is €47.50 each. Larger vans for 5–8 passengers are available for groups and teams.
Good for: groups and families, business travellers who want to work or rest on the way, people with lots of luggage or equipment, and early or late trips when trains and buses don't fit.
Included: free advance booking and cancellation, and standard luggage. Child seats are available for €10.
Quick comparison
Train: about 1 h 45 min – 2 h, city centre to city centre. Good for solo travellers.
Bus: about 2 h. Cheapest, with fewer departures at the edges of the day.
Own car: about 1 h 45 min, plus parking in Tampere.
Private transfer: about 1 h 45 min door to door. Fixed price, at any hour.
What to do in Tampere
Tampere is built between two large lakes, with the Tammerkoski rapids running through the centre. Its old red-brick factories have been turned into museums, restaurants and shops.
Moomin Museum: the world's only museum dedicated to Tove Jansson's Moomin art, with original illustrations and miniature scenes. It is in the Tampere Hall.
Särkänniemi: an amusement park on the lakeshore, with rides, an aquarium and the Näsinneula observation tower and its revolving restaurant.
Pyynikki Observation Tower: a stone tower on a forested ridge with views over both lakes. Its café is famous for doughnuts.
Finlayson area: a historic cotton mill district by the rapids, with museums, cafés and the Vapriikki museum centre nearby.
Sauna: Tampere calls itself the sauna capital of the world. Try a traditional public sauna, or a modern lakeside sauna with a dip in the lake.
Nokia Arena: the city's big arena for ice hockey and concerts, right next to the railway station.
Travelling for an event
Concerts and ice hockey games in Tampere often end late in the evening, after the last convenient trains and buses back to Turku. Booking a return transfer in advance means you won't have to rush out before the final song, or spend the night in Tampere.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Tampere from Turku?
About 150 km by road, around 1 hour 45 minutes by car.
How much is a taxi from Turku to Tampere?
With Aura Rides the fixed price is €190 for 1–4 passengers. See our prices page for vans and other routes.
Can you drive me to Tampere Airport?
Yes. Tell us your flight time when you book and we will suggest a pick-up time.
Book your Turku to Tampere ride
Book a fixed-price transfer from Turku to Tampere, door to door at any time. Going the other way, to the capital? See Turku to Helsinki.
