This page contains frequently asked questions and answers about our guided tours in general, as well as some specific questions regarding Turku and Tampere.
If you cannot find the answer to your question below, please contact us.
General Information
What is the maximum number of participants on a guided tour?
– Each walking tour is limited to 25 people per guide. Multiple tours can be scheduled at the same time for groups larger than 25. Please let us know well in advance if your group needs an additional guide. For public tours, we will try to get an additional guide if the need arises early enough.
– We limit the number of participants for everyone’s comfort and safety. In a group too large, audibility and visibility will be reduced, even if the guide uses a sound amplifier. Stopping points can become crowded and the group’s movement will slow down, especially on narrow sidewalks or if there are several road crossings along the way. We aim to keep group sizes at a level that allows for a high-quality experience, with a comfortable walking pace and plenty of time for stories, insights, and interaction at each stop.
By when do you need the final participant count?
– A walking tour can accommodate 25 people. If the group size is less than this, there is no need to notify us separately before arriving. If you need an additional guide for a larger group, please notify us as soon as possible, but no later than a week before the tour. If you are unsure about the size of your group, it is better to book more guides than too few. Additional guides can be cancelled free of charge by notifying us in advance, usually no later than 3 business days in advance.
Inclement weather? Can the tour be canceled due to pouring rain or freezing cold?
– Our tours are never cancelled due to weather – rain or shine or anything in between. Wear appropriate seasonal clothing and comfortable shoes. In hot weather, it’s a good idea to bring a water bottle and a hat. In cold weather, please dress warmly as the tour is not a sporting activity and there will be stops when you are standing still. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Our group includes people with impaired mobility. Is it possible to sit during the walking tour and is the walking pace fast?
– The walking pace depends on the walking pace of each of the participants. The guide always waits for the entire group to arrive before starting to talk at each of the stops, so there is no pressure to walk fast. The total walking distance will be between 1–2 km, depending on the tour.
– On some of our tours, we stop near benches, which makes it possible to sit. However, this depends on the content of the tour; some of our themed tours run on street sections without benches. If possible, please bring your own seat, e.g. a rollator/walker, with you on the tour.
Is the tour accessible?
– Most of our walking tours are accessible to those using a rollator/walker or a wheelchair. Many of our guides can also instruct visually impaired participants to safely move in the group. Some of the tours show visual material, so they are not completely accessible to the visually impaired. You can find accessibility information on our website for each tour.
– Some of the accessible tours can easily be converted to accessible if necessary, please contact us!
Can I bring my dog with me to the tour?
– If it is an outdoors only tour, you can bring a well-behaved dog along. Dogs may not be taken indoors. We ask that you be considerate of other participants and leave your dog at home if s/he does not get along with other dogs or is too eager to jump on strangers, etc. The purpose of the tour is to focus on the stories told by the guide, not a dog’s actions.
How can I cancel my tour?
– If you purchased a ticket for a public tour or a private group tour from our online store, you can cancel your purchase either via the link in the order confirmation, from our cancellation page, or by contacting us by email or phone. Cancellation terms are stated in each booking confirmation. For example, you can cancel a public tour free of charge 23 hours before the event. For a private group tour, the cancellation deadline is usually 3 business days. If you cancel closer to departure, unfortunately we cannot refund the payment, but please cancel anyway so that the guide does not wait in vain.
– If you ordered a ticket for a public tour or a private group tour by email or phone, send us an email at least 3 business days before the event and we will cancel the tour free of charge. We appreciate you notifying us of a cancellation even at the last minute, so that the tour spot or the guide’s working hours are freed up for another customer.
– If your package includes other services besides the guided tour, it may affect the cancellation terms. For example, transportation and meals can be canceled without charge, usually 1-2 weeks before the event. Cancellation policy is stated when booking.
Turku
What is the starting point of the tour?
– The starting point is stated in the description of each tour on our website. The starting points vary according to the theme of the tour, but are located in the center of Turku or at the cemetery gates. The most common starting point is in front of the cathedral. All starting points are easy to reach by public transport. Your preferred starting point for a private tour for your own group can be discussed with us.
What is the end point of the tour?
– On theme tours, the content determines the end point of the tour. It will be located in the city center of Turku. On some tours, the end point is close to the starting point, on other tours the tour goes to the other side of the city center. In this case, the end point will be 1-1.5 km from the starting point.
– On general tours introducing Turku, the end point can be decided together with the customer who has made a group reservation, for example at a desired restaurant in the city center.
How do I get to the starting point?
– It is easy to get to the center of Turku by public transport from different parts of Turku and by train from Tampere and Helsinki. You can find local transport routes and schedules at foli.fi. We recommend parking your car in a free parking area outside the center and continuing your journey to the center by local bus. This way you will save on parking fees and the hassle of finding a parking space. If you want to come to the center by car, you can park in the Hansakortteli, Louhi, or Toriparkki parking garages, for example.
Tampere
Can we go to the Pyynikki observation tower?
– Yes, you can. Tickets cost €3/person. We can reserve and invoice them on behalf of your group, in which case an invoicing surcharge will be added to the invoice. Tickets can also be purchased on site at the Pyynikki Munkkikahvila cash desk. Please note that purchasing individual tickets takes 10-20 minutes of the guided tour time, depending on the size of the group.
What is the starting point of the tour?
– The starting point is stated in the description of each tour on our website. The starting points vary according to the tour theme. They are located in the Tampere city center, in the middle of the relevant district, or at the cemetery gates. The most common starting point is in front of the old church by the Central Square. All starting points are easy to reach by public transport. The starting point for a tour booked for your own group can be discussed.
Where does the tour end?
– On theme tours, the content determines the end point of the tour. It will be located in the Tampere city center. On some tours, the end point is close to the starting point, on other tours the tour goes to the other side of the city center. In that case, the ending point will be 1-1.5 km from the starting point.
– On general tours introducing Tampere, for example, by the Kohisevan rapids, the end point can be decided together with the customer who makes the group reservation, for example at a desired restaurant near the Tammerkoski rapids.
How do I arrive to the starting point of my tour?
– It is easy to get to the center of Tampere by public transport from different parts of Tampere and by train from all over Finland. You can find local transport routes and timetables at nysse.fi. We recommend parking your car in a free parking area outside the center and continuing your journey to the center by tram. This way you will save on parking fees and the hassle of finding a parking space. If you want to come to the center by car, you can park it, for example, in Frenckellinaukio or in the Hämppi parking garage.
