Flying to Finland has always intrigued me. The promise of Nordic charm, pristine nature, and quiet sophistication drew me in. But instead of heading straight to Helsinki like most travelers, I wanted something different — something smaller, more local, more immersive. That’s when I set my sights on Turku.
Turku isn’t Finland’s capital, but it’s the country’s oldest city and a deeply underrated gem. And perhaps because it’s not a major international hub, finding a high-value flight there can seem like a challenge at first glance. But with some careful strategy and a little flexibility, I managed to land a great deal — and I’ve since helped friends do the same.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how I searched for and booked a great flight to Turku without breaking the bank, sharing my favorite platforms, tips, and what I learned from the process. If you’re planning a trip and wondering how to score an affordable ticket to Turku, this might just help you save a few hundred euros.
1. Start with Flight Search Engines, But Use Them Smartly
My flight-hunting process always begins with a couple of metasearch engines: Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo. Each has its strengths, but when it comes to flying into a secondary city like Turku, flexibility and comparative tools become your best allies.
On Google Flights, I began by searching flights from my home city (in this case, Amsterdam) to Turku. Prices looked steep. Instead of being discouraged, I toggled on the “flexible dates” and “nearby airports” options. Immediately, a few cheaper flights to Helsinki popped up.
That’s when I remembered an important trick: combine nearby major hubs with regional connections. Many travelers don’t realize this, but flying into a bigger airport — and then using a short domestic flight, train, or even bus — can save you hundreds.
Turku is just a short domestic hop or two-hour train ride from Helsinki. So I started checking for flights into Helsinki instead, then compared the added cost of a local connection.
In one instance, a direct flight to Turku was €490. A flight to Helsinki, paired with a connecting train and a coffee during the ride, cost me €287 in total. Easy decision.
2. Use Multi-City and “Build Your Own Trip” Tools
Another tactic that worked well for me was using the “multi-city” search function on both Skyscanner and Momondo.
For example:
- Leg 1: Amsterdam → Helsinki
- Leg 2: Helsinki → Turku (train or domestic flight)
- Leg 3: Turku → Amsterdam (direct if available, or via a layover)
This approach opened up creative combinations that standard one-way or round-trip searches wouldn’t reveal. Sometimes, airlines price multi-leg trips more competitively to fill seats, especially when the return route involves regional airports like Turku’s.
One of the best perks? I discovered a Helsinki–Turku domestic flight bundled with my return trip that cost less than booking them separately.
3. Low-Cost Airlines + Smart Connections
I’m not usually a huge fan of low-cost carriers — too many hidden fees and stress. But when flying to a city like Turku, where direct international flights can be limited, low-cost airlines become a valuable piece of the puzzle.
Here’s what I did:
- Used Ryanair and Norwegian Air to find base-level fares into Helsinki, Stockholm, and Tallinn.
- Then, I checked local airlines like Finnair and AirBaltic for regional connections to Turku.
Once, I booked a Ryanair flight to Stockholm for just €35, spent the night at a hostel in the city (which was a bonus experience), and then caught a short Finnair flight into Turku the next morning. Not only did I save money, but I also got to enjoy an extra city along the way.
Pro tip: check baggage rules with budget airlines. One flight might look cheaper, but after adding a carry-on, it might be more expensive than a standard airline.
4. Leverage Flight Alerts and Price Tracking
When I started watching prices for flights to Turku, I wasn’t in a rush. I had a flexible departure window and about a month to make my decision. That’s where price alerts became my secret weapon.
On both Google Flights and Skyscanner, I set up alerts for:
- Amsterdam → Turku
- Amsterdam → Helsinki
- Amsterdam → Stockholm / Tallinn (for creative connections)
Every morning, I’d check my inbox for price drops. On the third week, I noticed a sudden €80 dip in Helsinki flights on Finnair — and I jumped on it. It was a weekday flight, slightly inconvenient for work, but I saved enough to justify the rearrangement.
Sometimes it’s not about finding the perfect day — it’s about watching the price trends and grabbing your opportunity.
5. Search in Incognito Mode & Clear Cookies
This is one of those controversial hacks — and I’m not saying it always works — but I’ve seen prices spike on routes I’ve searched multiple times from the same browser. Maybe it’s coincidence, maybe not.
So now, when I’m seriously price-hunting:
- I use incognito/private mode on my browser.
- I search on both my phone and laptop.
- I clear cookies if I notice price jumps.
And yes, sometimes, I find the flight for €20–30 cheaper on a fresh device.
6. Be Flexible With Departure Airports and Days
The more flexible you are, the more power you have over pricing.
I tried flying from not just my home airport (AMS), but also nearby ones like Brussels and Düsseldorf. One time, I found a flight to Turku via Riga from Brussels for €160 less than anything from Amsterdam. Adding a quick train ride to Brussels was totally worth it.
Also, flying midweek — especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays — consistently brought better prices than weekends.
7. Understand the Layover Game
Turku may not have an abundance of direct flights, but that doesn’t mean the layover options are all bad. In fact, I’ve turned layovers into mini travel bonuses.
Here’s what I look for:
- Long layovers (6+ hours) in cities I’ve never been to — a chance to explore a new place.
- Short layovers (under 2 hours) in efficient airports like Copenhagen, Oslo, or Helsinki.
My favorite experience? A 9-hour layover in Riga, where I walked the Old Town, had a local meal, and still made it back for my onward flight to Turku.
So, don’t shy away from layovers — they might enhance your trip.
8. Don’t Forget Local Transportation to Turku
Even if you can’t find a cheap flight directly into Turku, don’t worry. Getting from Helsinki to Turku is incredibly easy and affordable.
I used the VR train, which takes about 2 hours and costs roughly €10–20 depending on the ticket class. Buses are even cheaper, and they run frequently.
Booking the domestic transport in advance on the official sites saved me from surge pricing and ensured a smooth, no-stress transition.
9. Check Regional Promotions and Tourism Offers
Occasionally, airlines or tourism boards offer seasonal promotions for travelers heading to less-touristed cities like Turku.
I found out through a Finnish travel forum that Finnair was running a limited-time offer on domestic flights from Helsinki to Turku. I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t explored local sources and Reddit threads.
So, don’t just rely on global search engines. Look into Finland’s official tourism board, local blogs, and regional flight carriers for hidden gems.
Yes, booking a flight to Turku isn’t always as straightforward as flying into a capital city. It takes a little more research, a bit of flexibility, and a willingness to think outside the usual travel routes. But to me, that was part of the fun — the planning became a mini adventure in itself. Piecing together flights, comparing transit options, and navigating layovers turned the journey into a personal challenge, and I found it incredibly rewarding.
And once I finally arrived in Turku, I knew I had made the right decision.
The moment I stepped out of the train station, the atmosphere shifted. The city was quiet in a way that felt peaceful, not deserted. The Aura River flowed gently through the center, lined with cozy cafés, moored boats turned into restaurants, and locals going about their day without a trace of hurry. I strolled along the riverbank with a coffee in hand, letting the calm soak in.
A short walk brought me to Turku Castle, standing proudly as it has for over 700 years. I wandered its stone halls in near silence, marveling at how such history could remain so intact and yet so underrated on the global travel radar.
Turku wasn’t loud, flashy, or overcrowded — and that’s exactly what made it so special. It felt like a well-kept secret I had earned through my planning.
So if you’re like me — curious, flexible, and a little bit of a travel puzzle-solver — flying to Turku might just be the kind of rewarding experience you’re looking for. Embrace the process, enjoy the unexpected, and discover a side of Finland that most people overlook.
Be patient, be smart, and happy travels! ✈️
