You can see a lot of Åland if you choose to travel by public transport. On the main island, rural buses operate, while archipelago ferries connect the islands in the archipelago municipalities.
On mainland Åland, there are four main roads running in different directions. Along these, rural buses operate on five routes, and buses on routes 4 and 5 are coordinated with a couple of ferry arrivals and departures. A bus ticket is valid for two hours, and you can change buses freely during that time.
There are also local bus services in the rural municipalities if you want to explore Åland along smaller roads. On most archipelago islands, you can also book a local taxi that picks you up at the ferry. In and around Mariehamn, there are urban buses.
Take the archipelago ferry
Where the roads end, the archipelago ferries take over. Ferries depart from Hummelvik in Vårdö to Osnäs in Gustavs and from Långnäs in Lumparland to Galtby in Korpo several times daily.
To reach Vårdö, follow main road 2 – a short cable ferry crossing is included. The cable ferry runs frequently and does not need to be booked. From Hummelvik harbour, you can continue east in the archipelago to Kumlinge and Brändö via the Northern Line.
To visit Sottunga and Kökar in the southern archipelago, travel from the harbour in Långnäs at the end of main road 3.
The easiest way to reach Föglö is from Svinö in Lumparland via main road 3. The Föglö ferry runs many times daily and cannot be booked. However, remember to book a vehicle space on ferries operating the Northern and Southern lines.
Remember to book in advance
A good tip is to book your journey in advance. You’ll get a discount when you book and pay for your ferry ticket online. The same online price applies when purchasing an open ticket online before departure from Svinö on the Föglö line. Open tickets can also be purchased for departures from Hummelvik, Långnäs, Osnäs and Galtby.
The vehicle ticket price is the same regardless of the length of the ferry crossing. Show your QR code when boarding so your annual pass, tourist card or booking can be scanned smoothly.
You do not need to pay a ticket fee for travel between intermediate ports – perfect if you want to explore more archipelago municipalities.
If your plans change, remember to cancel your booking – you avoid extra charges and make the space available for others.
