How to get to the Finnish archipelago

Did you know that an international 1200km hiking route runs through the archipelago? St. Olav Waterway is an official Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and will lead you from Turku, through the archipelago, to the Åland Islands and onwards towards Sweden and Norway. The route is well marked with digital maps and navigation apps.

Distances in the archipelago are relatively short and travelling on foot gives you the flexibility to take some interesting smaller ferry routes, exploring some of the smaller islands, many of which have places to stay. For example, you can stay on the following small islands: Björkholm, Pensar, Brännskär, Själö, Nötö, Aspö, Jurmo, Utö.

If you follow the main islands of Pargas, Nagu, Korpo and Houtskär, you can make use of the local buses on the longer stages to give yourself more time to explore the local village roads and nature paths. Iniö, in the north, is likewise connected to Turku by a bus route to the ferry terminal at Heponiemi.

All the public ferries are free for foot passengers, but you will need to buy a ticket for tourist ferries or taxi boats. The main car ferries have frequent hourly departure whilst the smaller routes may only have one departure per day and call at different ports on different departures. Check the timetables carefully and call the ferry or our tourist information office if in doubt. The public ferries are not bookable.

The tourist passenger ferry from Turku to Själö and Nagu will take you directly from the city to the heart of the archipelago. It is easy to then combine a return trip to Turku by bus after your archipelago island hopping ramble has ended.

There are also several unique islands in the Archipelago National Park that are accessible by public ferry for the adventurous campers. You will find a basic camp site with fireplaces and outdoor toilets in wonderful surroundings, but you may need to carry your own supplies and water on most of these islands as there are no services or shops and the ferries do not arrive every day, also some departures need to be booked with the ferry operator in advance. The national park website has full details.

Nature paths and other walking trails are found on our digital maps here.

St. Olav Waterway is part of a network of pilgrimage trails to Trondheim, Norway and a prefect route for hikers wishing to walk onwards to the Åland Islands. Start your adventure at the St. Olav’s milestone in front of Turku Cathedral and start on a journey back in time.

- Most ferries and connection ships are free of charge and operate in all seasons.
- However, there are some exceptions, such as the ferry m/s Antonia, which costs 10 EUR for adults and 5 EUR for children (4-11 y). Vehicle fares vary depending on the type of vehicle.
- The ferry m/s Östern also charges a fee, with adult tickets costing 8 EUR and child tickets costing 4 EUR. Again, vehicle fares vary depending on the type of vehicle.

There are plenty of options for getting around and exploring the stunning archipelago of Finland. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to get from Turku to Pargas or further out into the archipelago, there are many daily connections available. For longer routes, you can check out Matkahuolto.

The archipelago bus (nr. 901-904) is a frequent and convenient option for traveling between Turku, Pargas, Nagu, Korpo, and Houtskär. The timetables for this service change seasonally and are available in Swedish or Finnish. Additionally, the local bus (nr. 801) runs between Turku and Pargas, and you can easily spot these buses as they're yellow.

If you're coming from other parts of Finland, there are regular direct bus connections to Turku, as well as a direct bus route from Helsinki Airport that can take as little as 2 hours. So, no matter where you're coming from, getting to and around the beautiful Finnish archipelago is easy and hassle-free

Turku is the nearest train station to the stunning archipelago, and you can easily get there by train from any major city in Finland or from Helsinki airport. Once you arrive at the train station, you'll need to take a short walk to either the Turku bus station or the market square to catch a bus (buses 901-904 or 801) that will take you to the archipelago. It's a simple journey that's sure to be filled with breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences.

The Finnish archipelago is made up of several islands, including Pargas, Nagu, Korpo, Houtskär, and Iniö. To get to Pargas from Turku or Helsinki, you can drive for around 30 minutes or 1.5 hours, respectively. From Pargas, you can take a ferry to Nagu, which is a 10-minute ride and does not require booking. Similarly, you can take a ferry from Nagu to Korpo, which is a 5-minute ride and also does not require booking. To get to Houtskär from Korpo, you'll need to take a 40-minute ferry ride, but you only need to book if you're traveling at night. Finally, to get to Iniö from Houtskär, you'll need to take three ferries, the last of which has a fee that depends on your vehicle. It takes about 1 hour to reach Iniö by ferry from Houtskär.

One of the best ways to experience the archipelago is by boat, as it allows you to easily navigate through the islands and take in the beautiful scenery. The Finnish archipelago, located in the Baltic Sea, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. The archipelago consists of over 40,000 islands, making it a unique and beautiful place to explore.

Remember to respect the environment and laws of the sea. Always be aware of the weather and sea conditions, and make sure to follow the laws and regulations that apply to boating in the archipelago. By taking the time to plan your trip and following your plan, you can ensure that your boating adventure through the Finnish archipelago is safe and enjoyable.

Guest harbours
There are many guest harbours in the archipelago of Pargas, of which many are easily accessible from both land and sea. Some of the harbours found on the map are natural harbours. These harbours are naturally shaped and do not have any guest harbour services.

Service stations and grocery stores
There are service stations and access to fuel on all main islands in Pargas, Nagu, Korpo, Houtskär and Iniö. There are grocery stores on the islands in Pargas, Nagu, Korpo, Houtskär and Iniö. In the outer archipelago and on smaller islands, there may be small stores or kiosks, but it is not a guarantee.

The closest airport is Turku Airport, which is only 7 km from Turku city center. You can easily fly directly to Turku from Stockholm or Helsinki, and there are also flights from other cities such as Riga, Gdansk, Kaunas, Kraków, London and Skopje. If you arrive at Helsinki or Tampere Airport, no worries, there are several daily bus and train connections to Turku.

From Turku, you can then take a short bus ride to your chosen island in the Finnish archipelago. Don't hesitate to get in touch, we'll gladly help you plan your trip.