Arriving in Finland
When planning your travels and when travelling to Finland, please keep checking the current instructions for border crossing with the Finnish border guard: https://raja.fi/en/frontpage (opens in a new tab).
Health security measures can be taken after the border control and they may include: checking certificates, Covid-19 tests, health checks, collection of contact information and quarantine. The health security measures are in force regardless the requirements of the border control.
For more information on health security measures on entering Finland (opens in a new window) please see the information by THL (Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare).
Having a Covid-19 certificate is the best way to make travel easy and effortless. If you don’t have a certificate, you should be prepared for Covid testing. For further information on the Covid certificates and testing on entering Finland (opens in a new window) see the information by THL.
Website for the Helsinki airport (opens in a new tab)
Covid-19 instructions at the Helsinki airport (opens in a new tab)
We recommend you to use FINENTRY (opens in a new tab) when arriving in Finland. It is a digital service for personalized instructions on arriving in Finland, reserving a Covid testing, and other instructions.
Travelling to your campus city
Both campus cities Joensuu (about 440 kilometres north-east from Helsinki) and Kuopio (about 380 kilometres north-east from Helsinki) are very accessible from Helsinki: several trains and buses daily to both of them.
Public transport from the Helsinki airport (opens in a new tab)
- VR, Finnish Railways (opens in a new tab). If you wish to travel by train from Helsinki to the campus town, you should first take a local train from the airport to Tikkurila and from Tikkurila you can take a train to Joensuu or to Kuopio.
- Matkahuolto, long distance bus services (opens in a new tab). The busses to Joensuu/Kuopio leave from the Helsinki city centre (Kamppi central bus station).
- Onnibus, long distance bus services (opens in a new tab). The Onnibus Busses leave from the Helsinki city centre (Kamppi central bus station).
- Finnair, international and domestic flights (opens in a new tab)
Please note that you are entitled to student discounts on Finnish trains and buses only if you have the Finnish student card. In order to receive one, you have to register as a UEF student and your tuition fee and the Student Union fee have to be paid. The electronic student card is ordered online. See the instructions how to join the Student Union (opens in a new tab).
Arriving to your campus town
- Inform your student tutor about your arrival as soon as you know your travel schedule.
- If you wish, your tutor will pick up your key and deliver it to you when meeting you.
Students coming to Joensuu Campus
The Joensuu airport is located about 11 km from the Joensuu city centre. There is usually a bus leaving after each flight from the airport to the city centre. Airport info (opens in a new tab).
City of Joensuu (opens in a new tab)
Public transport (local buses) in Joensuu (opens in a new tab)
Joensuu Campus map and Parking on Campus (opens in a new tab)
Lecture rooms on Joensuu Campus (opens in a new tab)
Joensuu Campus Facilities (pdf)
Students coming to Kuopio Campus
The Kuopio airport is located about 14 km from the Kuopio city centre. Airport info (opens in a new tab).
During Mon – Fri until 19.35 there is a bus but please note that there is no public transportation from the airport to the city during the weekends, nights, or evenings after 19.35 but you have to take a taxi which is a lot more expensive. If available we recommend trying to take an airport taxi (shared taxi). Make sure you check the fare from the taxi driver beforehand.
City of Kuopio (opens in a new tab)
Public transport (local buses) in Kuopio (opens in a new tab)
Kuopio Campus map and Parking on Campus (opens in a new tab)
Lecture rooms on Kuopio Campus (opens in a new tab)
Kuopio Campus Facilities (pdf)
Any symptoms after your arrival
If you get any flue or stomach flue symptoms after your arrival, remember the safety instructions (avoid meeting anybody, keep the distance, hand and coughing hygiene) and contact the health care services by phone. Do not try and go to make an appointment directly but contact the health care first by phone and follow their instructions.
Health care in Joensuu: Siun Sote (opens in a new tab)
Health care in Kuopio (opens in a new tab)
You can also complete a symptom assessment at omaolo.fi (opens in a new tab). If you meet certain criteria, the Omaolo service will instruct you to call the emergency help support number at 116 117 available 24/7.
Useful links
Check these before arriving at the airport (opens in a new tab)
UEF information on the coronavirus (opens in a new tab)