Savonlinna Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Land

Bus

There are several express buses a day from Helsinki to Savonlinna (€46.70, five to six hours), and buses run almost hourly from Mikkeli (€18.90, 1½ hours). There are also regular services to Joensuu (€22.90, three hours), Kuopio (€22.90, three hours) and Jyväskylä (€32.30, 3½ hours).

Train

There are trains from Helsinki (€47.90, five hours) via Parikkala - note that you must change to a regional train or connecting bus service at Parikkala, otherwise you'll wind up in Joensuu (€24.90, 2½ hours). For Kuopio, you need to take a bus to Pieksämäki and a train from there. The main train station is a long walk from the centre of Savonlinna; get off at the kauppatori platform instead.

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Boat

In summer there are scheduled ferry services from the Savonlinna passenger harbour to Punkaharju and to Kuopio. The SS Heinävesi travels to the Retretti jetty in Punkaharju daily from mid-June to mid-August. It departs from Savonlinna at 11am and from Punkaharju at 3.40pm (adult one way/return €19/25, two hours).

In summer the ferry MS Puijo travels to Kuopio on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am (one way €75, 10½ hours), returning on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The boat passes through scenic waterways, canals and locks, and stops along the way at Oravi, Heinävesi, Karvio canal and Palokki, among others. Meals are available.

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Air

Finnair flies to Savonlinna from Helsinki, Mikkeli and Varkaus. The airport is 15km from the centre. There are night flights during the opera festival to return punters to Helsinki after the show.

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