Cycling from mainland Finland to Åland

Getting to Åland by bicycle is easy, and there are several different options. We have travelled to Åland ourselves by both bicycle and car using all of these routes, so here are our tips for the different alternatives.

One useful thing to know when cycling in Åland is that buses take bicycles if there is enough space. Bicycle spaces cannot be reserved in advance, but this is a convenient and fast way to get around the main island, for example if you start feeling that the cycling distance is getting too long.

Åland is almost always reached by ferry. From mainland Finland, there are four main routes.

1. Turku–Mariehamn

The route between Turku and Mariehamn is probably the most popular way to arrive in Åland. Viking Line and Tallink Silja operate this route.

We always use Viking Line ourselves, as the company is based in Åland and its ships are very comfortable. The ferries leave Turku in the morning and arrive in Mariehamn at around 2 pm.

We recommend booking a cabin for the journey. It is nice to enjoy the sea views in peace and quiet and, if you are tired, take a short nap before continuing your cycling.

From Mariehamn to Sottunga, you travel via Långnäs harbour. From Mariehamn's Western Harbour, it is approximately 30 kilometres to Långnäs. We recommend allowing around 1.5 hours for the journey, as there is a bridge over a canal in Lemland that opens for passing boats. This can delay the journey by around 10–15 minutes.

Ferries from Långnäs to Sottunga run approximately every two hours in the afternoon. If you cycle quickly, you may be able to catch the 4 pm ferry, for example, but we recommend allowing a little more time and aiming for the 6 pm ferry.

The ferry journey from Långnäs to Sottunga takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Strandhugget Bed & Breakfast is located right next to the ferry quay in Sottunga.

Exact timetables and ticket bookings are available through Ålandstrafiken's website or customer service.

2. Naantali–Långnäs

Finnlines operates a route between Naantali and Långnäs. This is a particularly convenient option if you are travelling to Sottunga, as the harbour in Långnäs is located right next to the ferry connection to Sottunga.

The ferry leaves Naantali at around 10:45 am and arrives in Långnäs at around 4 pm. From the harbour, it takes only about two minutes by bicycle to reach the quay for the Sottunga ferry.

This is therefore a very straightforward option if Sottunga is your destination.

3. Galtby (Korpo)–Sottunga

This is the southern route to Åland and the one we use most often. When travelling by car from Espoo, this is the fastest way for us to reach Sottunga.

For cyclists, we think this is an excellent option if you want to start cycling already on the mainland. Part of the route is also part of the Archipelago Trail.

The cycling route between Kaarina and Galtby is very beautiful. A large part of the journey can be cycled on dedicated cycle paths separated from car traffic. The distance from Kaarina to Galtby is approximately 70 kilometres and the terrain is slightly hilly.

There are two ferry crossings along the way: Parainen–Nauvo and Nauvo–Korppoo.

We recommend allowing around five hours for the Kaarina–Galtby journey, including breaks.

4. Kustavi (Vuosnainen)–Brändö–Kumlinge–Enklinge–Vårdö–Prästö

This is the northern route to Åland. We have also tried this route ourselves.

It is a fast way to reach the Åland archipelago: the ferry journey from Vuosnainen to northern Brändö takes only about one hour.

Important note for cyclists travelling from Kustavi

If you choose this route, we recommend avoiding road 192 to Kustavi if possible. The road is narrow and the shoulders are extremely limited. There is quite a lot of traffic, including tractors and other heavy vehicles.

Cycling through Brändö to the harbour at Torsholma takes approximately 1.5 hours from north to south without breaks. One of the highlights of the route is the many causeway bridges connecting the different islands.

From Torsholma, the ferry first stops at Lappo and then continues to northern Kumlinge.

Kumlinge–Sottunga

From Kumlinge, there is also a slightly different way to reach Sottunga.

Cycle to Seglinge guest harbour and take a water taxi from there to Sottunga harbour. The water taxi costs approximately €240 per trip, the boat can accommodate 5–6 passengers as well as bicycles.

Cycling across Kumlinge takes about one hour. There is one ferry crossing between Snäckö and Seglinge along the way. The boat journey from Seglinge to Sottunga takes approximately half an hour.

This route can save up to around eight hours compared with travelling via the main island.

If you continue to the main island

If you continue by ferry from Kumlinge, you will first arrive at Enklinge. The same ferry then continues to Hummelvik harbour on Vårdö.

From Hummelvik, continue by bicycle to the ferry terminal at Töftö. The distance is approximately 10 kilometres and takes around half an hour. The ferry between Töftö and Prästö takes only a few minutes.

You have now reached the main island of Åland.

From Prästö to Långnäs, the distance is just under 60 kilometres. We recommend allowing around 4.5–5 hours, depending on the number and length of your breaks.

From Långnäs, the journey continues once again by ferry to Sottunga – and to Strandhugget Bed & Breakfast.

Feel free to ask us for tips!

If you have any questions about travelling to Åland or about the different routes, please feel free to contact us. Ålandstrafiken and Viking Line customer service can also help with routes and timetables.

Welcome to Åland and Sottunga by bicycle!