FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Finnish Archipelago

Welcome to our archipelago FAQ!
In this FAQ, we will answer the most common questions about the archipelago, including information about ferries, reservations, timetables and more. Our goal is to make your experience as smooth and pleasant as possible.

Ferries and connecting vessels

The archipelago’s inhabited islands are linked by ferries and connecting vessels. They are available to everyone and several of them are free of charge. FinFerries mainly operate in Pargas, while traffic on the Åland side (with departures from Korpo) is operated by Ålandstrafiken. At Saaristolautat.fi you will find the routes of the ferries and connecting vessels.

FinFerries

Ålandstrafiken

Saaristolautat

Bus schedules

You can find the bus timetables on Seutu+, where you can also buy tickets. When you’re on the move, we highly recommend downloading the Seutu+ app, with it you can easily buy tickets from anywhere.

Seutu+

Taxis

There is a taxi service on the main islands of Pargas, Nagu, Korpo, Houtskär and Iniö.
Around the archipelago there are also several that offer taxi boat service.

How long are the archipelago trails?

The Archipelago Trail is 250 km long, of which 220 km is on land and the rest by ferry/connecting vessel. The Small Archipelago Trail is 120 km long, of which 100 km is on land and the rest by ferry/connecting vessel.

How much do the ferries / connecting vessels cost?

– Most ferries and connecting vessels 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 years). Vehicle charges vary depending on the type of vehicle. Antonia only operates during the summer season.
– The ferry m/s Östern also charges a fee, where adult tickets cost 8 EUR and children’s tickets cost 4 EUR. Again, the vehicle fee varies depending on the type of vehicle. Östern operates only during the summer season.

Do you need to make reservations for the ferries?

No, it is not possible to make reservations for the ferries that are free of charge. If you are traveling to the Outer Archipelago by ferry/connecting vessel, during off-season you may often need to notify the ferry in advance of your travel plans. These are marked with x and y in the timetables, and there you will also find the telephone number of the skipper!

How often do the ferries go?

How often the ferries run varies depending on the route and the time of day and year. There are frequent departures on most routes, with some departing every 15-20 minutes during rush hour.

How are the restaurants and accommodation open?

– The archipelago is open all year round, with services such as grocery stores and restaurants on all the larger islands.
– We recommend that you always book your accommodation in advance, especially during the summer period when there are more visitors in the area. During the winter months, there is also accommodation, but they open up to the visitor according to advance booking.

Do I need to take my car to the outer archipelago?

No, it is not necessary to bring the car to the outer archipelago, and to a majority of these islands it’s also forbidden for visitors since there is no need for a car to get around. Island hopping and cycling routes are popular ways to explore the area.

How do I go to the island of Seili?

During the winter months, it is the connecting vessel m/s Innamo that operates to Själö. During the summer months, there are the ferries m/s Östern, m/s Sommarskär or m/s Vidskär, which charge a fee. Please note that it is not permitted to take the car ashore to Själö.

Where can I rent a bicycle?

You can rent a bike from several places in the archipelago. Check out Carfield / Frank Tuominen at www.carfield.fi. Please note that there are only a few parts of the archipelago that have bicycle paths, mostly you will be biking on the road itself.

How do I go to Åland?

In addition to the larger cruise ships, there are two routes to get to Åland through the Finnish archipelago region:
– The southern route (Korpo, Galtby – Kökar – Sottunga – Föglö – Långnäs)
– The northern route (Gustavs, Vuosnainen (Osnäs) – Brändö, Åva – Brändö, Torsholma – Kumlinge – Lappo – Enklinge – Vårdö).
We recommend that you contact Visit Åland when you need help planning your route through Åland.

Can I take a ferry from Turku to the archipelago?

Yes, you can take the boat m/s Norrskär from the Aura river in Turku, to Seili and/or Nauvo centre. For the timetable and more information, check www.saaristolinja.fi.

Where can I fish and what permits do I need?

To fish in Finland, adults must pay a fishing management fee for gear fishing with a rod. Fishing licenses can be bought at the “R-Kioski” kiosks (closest one is located in the centre of Pargas) or paid via the internet bank or mobile phone. People who are under 18 years of age or have reached the age of 65 do not have to pay the fishing management fee. You don’t need a permit to bobber fish. You can pay the fishing management fee as well as get additional information about fishing licenses and fishing areas on the Eräluvat.fi service.

Do I need to worry about ticks?

Ticks are common in tall grass and moist vegetation, also in the archipelago. Although you are less likely to be bit by a tick if you stick to trails and paths, we recommend that you always carry out a tick check in the evening, especially if you have been in areas with lush vegetation. Take tick tweezers with you on your trip to remove a possible tick as quickly as possible. During late fall, winter and early spring, you don’t have to worry about ticks to the same extent.

According to the everyman’s right, what can I do in nature?

The everyman’s right gives you the opportunity to move freely outdoors, but also the obligation to show consideration for nature as well as landowners.
It is permitted to:
– Hike, ski and bicycle freely
– Stay in places in nature where it is legal to be, for example setting up a tent at a sufficient distance from the nearest settlement
– Pick wild berries, mushrooms and non-protected flowers
– Bobber fish
It is prohibited to:
– Litter
– Light a fire without the landowner’s permission
– Disturb or cause inconvenience or damage to other people or nature
– Disturb wild animals or nesting birds