Getting to Lake Saimaa in the open-water season
Lake Saimaa and the Savonlinna region sit in Finland’s southern lakeland, within easy reach of Helsinki. Travel time from the capital region is typically around 4 hours by train or car, or about 1 hour by domestic flight when connections are available.
In summer, driving in Finland is straightforward: roads are quiet, traffic is light and wayfinding is simple. Having your own car lets you follow your interests – stopping at viewpoints, farm shops or small villages whenever something catches your eye. It’s also the easiest way to combine several Saimaa highlights in one trip.
Once you arrive, distances between key areas are pleasantly short. Punkaharju, Savonlinna, Oravi and Rantasalmi form a compact cluster of lakeside villages and resorts, making it easy to build flexible itineraries, for example:
- Savonlinna – Punkaharju: around 30 minutes by car
- Savonlinna – Oravi / Kanava Resort: around 45–60 minutes by car
- Oravi – Rantasalmi / Järvisydän area: around 45–60 minutes by car
Summer driving & public transport
You can rent a car either directly at Helsinki Airport or in Savonlinna. It is also possible to travel by public transport from Helsinki Airport with the Finnish rail operator VR, and then continue your journey in the lakeland region.
Please note that many of the places featured here are best reached by car or organised transfer, as there is no continuous public transport connection between all partners. In summer, however, roads are easy to drive and scenery along the way is very much part of the experience.
If you have any questions, or would like a ready-made and tailor-made itinerary for your clients or group, please contact us at sales(at)saimaatravelfinland.fi.
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