Transportation
Bicycle
A bicycle is a very practical and popular form of transportation in Joensuu and also a good way to familiarise yourself with the town. There are plenty of paved cycle tracks in Joensuu.
Safety and biking
- When parked or not in use, your bicycle should always be locked and preferably fastened to a bicycle rack or some other solid structure!
- Please note that it is compulsory to use a head light and a red backlight on the bike when cycling in the dark. Using a helmet is also highly recommended.
Bikes for rent: Community Resource Centre (Kansalaistalo, kansalaistalo.jns.fi), Torikatu 30.
Where to get a bike of your own?
- Bicycle repair shops, flea markets and other students sometimes sell cheap second-hand bikes.
- Check the FB group "Buy and sell crap in Joensuu" https://www.facebook.com/groups/475918412482705/
- New bikes from e.g. Intersport (Kauppakatu street), Carlson (Nurmeksentie), Joensuun Sportman (Torikatu 37)
A few times a year there is an auction of lost and found items organized by the Joensuu Police, where you may find a decent bicycle at a reasonable price. Since the auction is carried out in Finnish, please ask a fellow Finnish student to accompany you.
Local buses
https://www.joensuu.fi/en/web/english/public-transport
https://jojo.joensuu.fi/en/web/jojo-english
https://jojo.joensuu.fi/en/web/jojo-english/contacts
Routeplanner Joensuun public transport
Students using bus on a regular basis are recommended to get a Waltti card from Carelicum. Waltti seasonal ticket is valid for 30 days and allows unlimited travel within one zone, which is normally sufficient for students in Joensuu. If you don't need bus that often, buying a Waltti value card is recommended. It is possible to upload value on the card, and this way a single fare is substantially cheaper than buying a single ticket by cash.
It is also possible to pay by mobile app PayiQ which is available for Android and iOS devices.
In order to purchase a Waltti ard for young persons (17-24 years of age) or students, take your official ID document and a student certificate from Karelia with you.
Train
It is best to buy tickets online. Price of the tickets varies and prices are cheaper if you can book early. There are also ticket machines at the train stations where you can purchase a ticket.
Please note that you are eligible for student discounts only with a Finnish student union card or a special certificate that you can get from Karelia after you have arrived and registered as a student. The conductor on the train checks always these documents!
Flights
The airport of Joensuu is located in Onttola, approximately 11 km from the city centre. The flight time between Joensuu and Helsinki is about 1 hour. There are, however, no flights between Joensuu and Helsinki from 8 August to 31 October 2022.
Joensuu airport
Taxi
Taksi Itä-Suomi (Taxi Eastern Finland): tel: +358 601 10100
Taksi ykkönen https://taksi1.fi/en/home/ Tel. +358 300 301 111
Please note that taking a taxi is expensive in Finland. If you need one, it is a good idea to share it with your friends whenever possible.
Renting a car (to be updated)
By renting a car and making independent trips outside Joensuu, you can gain a broader perspective of Finland. There are four car rental companies in Joensuu. In order to rent a car, you naturally need a driving licence and preferably at least one year of driving experience. The rental companies require the driver to be at least 20 years of age for passenger cars and 24 years old for jeeps and minibuses. Europcar requires a credit card, while other companies accept cash payment from students although a credit card is preferred. Also, be prepared to show proof of your identity when renting a car - take a passport with you.
Avis tel. 013 122 222
Budget tel. 020 746 6652
Europcar (Autotalo Laakkonen) tel. 040 306 2852
Hertz (Autovuokraamo Autorent) tel. 020 555 2690
Scandia Rent tel. 010 239 1911
Driving in Finland
Please familiarise yourself with tips for Driving in Finland.
Please keep in mind that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden. There is an exact permissible limit of 0.5 per mil for alcohol in the blood. Infringement of this rule nearly always means a penalty in the form of a fine or imprisonment. 1.2 per mil is the limit before heavier penalties are imposed.