| Finland has a
good network of railways: all big cities and many smaller ones can be reached by train. As
a student (i.e. members of the Finnish Student Unions, including exchange students), you
will get a 50 % discount on train fares with a valid student card. Buy your tickets in
advance at the railway station ticket office or with a credit card from the ticket machine
(JUNAMAATTI). Return tickets are valid for one month after purchase. Seat and sleeper
reservations are available for an extra fee. Trains marked with 'R' and/or 'IC' in the
timetables require a special seat reservation, the price for a seat is depending on the
distance and the type of the train, price varying between 2-6 euros. Timetables can be obtained at the railway station ticket office. Savonlinna Main Railway station (RAUTATIEASEMA, asema-aukio)
Tel. +358-(0)15-573 4220.
Savonlinna/Kauppatori (=market place): No office, most of the trains stop also here
Coaches run frequently to most corners of Finland. For coaches you
can get a special student discount if your travel is at least 50 km. You will need your
Finnish student card to get the discount. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office or on
board the bus. Coaches leave from the Savonlinna coach/bus station (LINJA-AUTOASEMA/
MATKAHUOLTO, tel. (in Finland) 0200 4057 -timetables/enquiries).
The easiest way to get around in Savonlinna is either to walk or to
cycle. You can buy a second-hand bike from two shops (below) or from fellow students, and
re-sell it when you leave.
FINNAIR (Finnish national airline company) has a discount price for
youth under 25 yrs. The student price from Helsinki to Savonlinna is approximately 79 euros. The ticket must be booked at least one day before the departure. You can
also wait for the so called stand-by tickets, that are sold only two hours before the
departure if there are seats available in the plane, the price appr. 49 euros
Bicycle Repairs/ Hires / Second-hand bikes
Intersport, Olavinkatu 44, tel. 517 6850
Polkupyöräkorjaamo Kosonen, Olavinkatu 42, tel. 533 977
To call a taxi, dial 10041 or 0100 4157 if you call from a mobile
phone. Taxis are quite expensive but reliable in Finland, so try to share the taxi with
someone if you have to use one. NOTE: taxis charge an extra fee during the weekends and
night time!
Travel Agencies (MATKATOIMISTO)
Matkatoimisto Matkapojat, Kirkkokatu 5, Tel. 272 321
Matkatoimisto Oy Matka-Vekka, Kauppatori 2, Tel. (0)15 576990
Kilroy Travels (discount flights for students/ young people) Office in Helsinki: Tel. (09)
680 7811 or 9800 99080 http://www.kilroytravels.com
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