Our congress venue Holiday Club Saimaa is located in Rauha, a beautiful lakeshore area of Lappeenranta. The nearest airport is in Helsinki, and the closest railway station in Imatra, 7 km from the venue. The second closest railway station is in Lappeenranta, 35 km from the venue. Connections are good, and there are no traffic jams in our “small big” city.
It’s easy to come to Holiday Club Saimaa. Here is what we suggest:
By Plane and train
Arrive by plane in Helsinki, then take a train to Imatra.
You can fly to Helsinki and take one of ten daily trains to Imatra, of which you can find the timetables here. Plan your trip and buy a train ticket to Imatra by using the VR online service.
The distance between Helsinki and Imatra is approximately 250 km (a little over two hours by train). Around 200 international flights a day arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, which is situated 19 km from the centre of Helsinki. Take the Commuter Train P (track 1) from the airport and change trains at the Tikkurila railway station. It is a small station, and the change is easy to make (trains to Imatra normally leave on track 2). You don’t have to come all the way to Helsinki main railway station. But if you do, the change is easy to make there as well. Please note that a ticket is only valid for the train you bought it for and the ticket includes a reservation for the train from Tikkurila to Imatra.
By Plane and car
Arrive by plane in Helsinki, then rent a car to drive to Lappeenranta.
For small groups of people, the most convenient way of travelling from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Lappeenranta may be renting a car. Hertz Rent A Car is the official partner of IMWA 2017 Congress. Hertz provides car rental services for all congress participants with special discount program. When making a reservation please quote the discount code CDP 843488, please click here to make a reservation.
Other car rental options at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Holiday Club Saimaa is easily accessible via Highway 6 through Vesivalo interchange (Number 62).
Shuttle bus
We will organize a shuttle bus from the Helsinki airport to the congress venue on Sunday, June 25. Departure time from the airport is at 14:00. The shuttle bus stop is by the terminal 2. Exit the terminal building, turn right and walk 100 m towards a glass building with a Finnair sign on the rooftop. If you arrive at the terminal 1, an IMWA congress assistant with a sign waits for you in the lobby by exit door. The Return trip is on Saturday, July 1. The planned departure time from the congress hotel is at 8:00. Also earlier or later departure time is possible, if needed. The driving time is three hours. All shuttle bus registrants will be contacted by e-mail before the trip.
By Train
Arrive from Russia by train in Imatra.
When you are arriving in Imatra from Russia, taking a train is a viable option. Allegro train has several daily connections from St. Petersburg to Vainikkala station which is 58 km from the Holiday Club Saimaa. From the Vainikkala Rail Station you can take a taxi to the venue.
By Ferry and car
Arrive by ferry in Helsinki from Estonia, Sweden and Germany
There are daily ferry services to Helsinki from Estonia, Sweden and Germany. All the ferry companies offer an opportunity to take a car with you. Ferry trips are popular in summer, so book your trip early.
Welcome!