Driving directions and transport connections

400 km from Helsinki, 500 km from Turku, 100 km from Kuopio, 120 km from Savonlinna, 65 km from Joensuu, 65 km from Varkaus, 45 km from Outokumpu, 40 km from the center of Heinävesi.

When coming from Varkaus, take road number 23 towards Joensuu. 61 km before Joensuu, turn left at the Valamo junction, from which it is 4 km to the monastery.

The shortest road from Kuopio to the monastery is Tuusniemi road (road 542). From Kuopio, you start on Joensuuntie Road and about 50 km from Kuopio, turn right (the signs say Heinävesi, Valamo Monastery, Lintula Monastery) and drive about 40 km to the Varistaipale Canal, where you turn left immediately after crossing the canal. From there, it is a 9 km paved road to the monastery.

From Savonlinna, drive north, towards Enonkoski (road 471) and continue through Pölläkä, Sapu and Kerma, past the center of Heinävesi. According to the sign, you are heading to Varkaus. 5 kilometers after passing the center of Heinävesi, turn right onto Viitalahdentie. Viitalahdentie joins the Varkaus-Joensuu road. Drive on highway 23 towards Joensuu. After the Karvio Canal, follow the signs for Valamo.

Those coming from Helsinki should drive either via Lahti (VT4) or Kouvola and further via Mikkelin-Juva (VT5) and Varkaus (VT23).

Map of the monastery area as a pdf file

Communications

Valamo Monastery is located in Heinävesi, along highway 23 from Varkaus to Joensuu, in the middle of the most beautiful Lakeland Finland.

The nearest train station is located in Heinävesi, about 40 km from Valamo.

VALAMO TAXI SERVICE

Valamo Monastery Taxi offers transportation to Valamo every day if needed. The service focuses on connecting transport to and from Valamo, and cannot be used for occasional trips made on site, for example.

The service is aimed at all guests arriving in Valamo, such as guests staying at the hotel, course participants and volunteers.

A taxi ride must be booked in advance and can be made at the time of booking, but no later than the day before the day of arrival.

Trip reservations are accepted by phone at tel. 017 570 111 or by email at valamo@valamo.fi

The taxi has room for eight passengers, so it is worth booking a ride in advance. Please inform us if the person booking the taxi is travelling with a child under three years old or a pet.

The connecting shuttle, which is tailored to the schedules of trains and buses arriving and departing from Joensuu, departs from Joensuu at approximately 15:00. The shuttle will wait for the arrival of the Helsinki-Joensuu IC3 train. Arrival at the monastery is approximately 16:00.

The return shuttle to Joensuu departs from the monastery at 14:00

The price of the shuttle from Joensuu is 25 euros/person.

Payment is made directly to the driver at the end of the journey in cash or with most common payment cards. Normal luggage is included in the price, the taxi is not accessible.

It is worth checking the timetables in advance, as they may change with the summer and winter seasons.

Welcome aboard the unique monastery taxi!

Monastery taxi

Valamo Monastery - Joensuu Railway Station

departure from Valamo at 14:00, price 25€

Joensuu Railway Station - Valamo Monastery

departure from Joensuu at 15:00, price 25€

Karvion Taxi Service, tel. 0400 276 224

Homework Turunen Taxis (Heinävesi): car 1: 040 5246330, car 2: 040 5299 712, car 3: 0405299722

Timetables

Bus and train connections: route search, matkahuolto, VR

Flight connections to Joensuu: Finnair

A great ride to North Karelia

How do you get there without your own car or a travel companion? With the Reissukyyti online application, you can conveniently offer or request a ride for the price of fuel costs. You can share a ride for only part of the journey or pick up a ride along the way.

Read more at: https://reissukyyti.fi/