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IASSIST/IFDO 2009: Tampere, Finland May 26th-May 29th, 2009

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latest update 2009-05-09

Arrival Instructions

By Air

There are excellent flight connections to Finland from all parts of the world. Over 20 international airlines offer regular flights to the Finnish capital Helsinki. From Helsinki, there are 7 daily connecting flights on week days to Tampere. SAS/Blue1 has regular flights directly to Tampere through the main hubs of Copenhagen* and Stockholm.

SAS Group offers a special conference discount for IASSIST delegates. SAS logo

* SAS to cancel flight route from Copenhagen to Tampere

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has announced that starting April 1st, 2009, it will cancel its daily flights from Copenhagen to Tampere until further notice. Cancellation is said to be due to weakening demand on that route because of general macroeconomic situation. Please check if this cancellation will affect your travel plans for IASSIST/IFDO 2009.


Via Tampere-Pirkkala Airport

The easiest way to reach the city centre from Tampere-Pirkkala Airport is to take an Airport taxi which will take travellers straight to their requested hotel in Tampere. The fare of this service is 15 euros. You can also catch a taxi from the taxi rank in the front of the terminal; a regular taxi costs about 30 euros and the journey takes about 20 minutes.

Public transport Bus number 61 operates between terminal 1 and Tampere city centre (journey time 40 minutes, fare 4,10 euros). A Tokeen Liikenne Bus especially designed to suit Ryanair flight schedules, operates between terminal 2 and the Railway Station (journey time 30 minutes, fare 6 euros).

Via Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

It takes about 2 to 2,5 hours to reach Tampere by train or bus from the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
By bus: Use the Paunu express bus service which operates directly from the International Flights Terminal (platform 13) to Tampere (journey time about 2.5 hours, fare 22.50 euros).
By train: Take a taxi or a bus (route 61 or 61V) to Tikkurila railway station (Tikkurilan asema), where you can catch a VR long-distance train to Tampere. The taxi journey to Tikkurila takes about 15 minutes and costs about 15 euros, and the fastest connections to Tampere from Tikkurila are by Pendolino and Inter City trains (journey time about 1 hour and 15-30 minutes, fare about 25-30 euros). Consider buying the ticket online or reserve enough time to purchase it at the station because a ticket bought aboard is more expensive and does not guarantee you a seat.

See also the Tampere-Pirkkala Airport site and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport site for further information about transport and connections.

By Sea

Finland is easily reached by sea from Stockholm, Travemünde, Rostock, Gdansk, Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Ferry services from Sweden and Germany are provided on luxurious liners with first-class restaurants. There are good bus connections to Tampere directly from the ferry terminals.

By Bus, Train and Car

Finland is also accessible by car from Eastern Europe through Via Baltica (E67). You can search places, routes and services using the Dynamic Map of Finland.

Tampere is served by superb rail and road connections from Helsinki. Trains leave once an hour from Helsinki to Tampere; the trip takes one hour and a half. Frequent bus connections to Tampere are available from Helsinki city centre and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Tampere is also within easy reach of Moscow and St. Petersburg by train.

Getting Around

Getting around in Tampere is easy, too. Most hotels, conference venues and other interesting attractions are located within walking distance of each other. The public transportation system of Tampere includes bus and taxi services. The blue and white buses of Tampere City Transport offer an extensive service network covering almost the entire city. A single ticket of 2 euros is valid for one hour inside the Tampere city limits. A Tourist Bus Card provides a simple and convenient way of paying the fare.

Taxis can be hired from taxi stands, booked by telephone or hailed on streets. There's a meter indicating the fare and tips aren't expected. Tampere area local cab Ltd.

Passport and Visa

Citizens of Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway) and citizens of Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland and Schengen Agreement countries can enter Finland with a valid passport or a valid identity card. All other nationalities require a valid passport. Visa is generally not required. Check the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs site for further details: Travel documents accepted by Finland by country.

Participants planning a trip across the border to Russia must have a visa. It is advisable to get it at the Embassy of Russia in your own country, because it takes at least eight weekdays to obtain a visa in Helsinki.