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Questions and answers regarding discounts, tickets and payment

What should I do if my City Ticket, Regional Ticket or Annual Ticket is lost or stolen?

Lost or stolen Travel Cards containing a valid ticket can be investigated. Customers can submit an investigation request at any of Matkahuolto's service outlets.

What should I do if I lose the Travel Card containing my Subsidised School Trip Ticket?

Go to the same Matkahuolto outlet where you purchased your ticket and submitted your purchase voucher from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution Kela. There is no need for the student to apply for a new purchase voucher from their educational institution. Any valid trips or travel time left on the lost Travel Card containing the School Trip Ticket will not be transferred to the new Travel Card. The new Travel Card that is issued will be subject to an initial processing free.

Is there a special night supplement when travelling during night time?

Some bus companies take an extra night supplement when journey starts between 11 p.m and 4 a.m. The night supplement charge varies between bus companies and depends on length of the journey. Night supplement is not included in Matkahuolto's bus ticket's price and it's always paid to bus driver.

I am 14 years old. Can I purchase a children's ticket or do I have to pay the adult fare?

Young people between the ages of 12 and 16 are entitled to a youth discount for single trips exceeding 80 km. The youth discount is either 30% or 50%, dependent on the route in question.

Can I get a student discount with my ISIC Card?

Matkahuolto does not grant student discounts to International Student Identity Card bearers. Matkahuolto student discounts are only available upon presentation of a student organization membership card with the Matkahuolto logo or a Matkahuolto/VR Student Identity Card. For more details about the criteria required to receive a Matkahuolto student discount, see Discounts.

Is it necessary to book a seat on the bus in advance and what does a seat reservation cost?

While it is not obligatory to reserve a seat on the bus, it is advisable to do so, particularly during weekends and holidays. The charge for a seat reservation is €2.50 per person or group. More information about seat reservations

Is a person using a youth/student/conscript/pensioner ticket to travel also entitled to the return trip discount?

Passengers are entitled to only one discount at a time. Therefore, no return fare discount is granted for prices that have already been reduced.

Can I get the same discounts if I purchase the ticket on the bus from the driver?

Normally, coach transport companies grant the same discounts as Matkahuolto. So many discount tickets can also be purchased onboard the bus. However, the Matkahuolto discount terms only apply to tickets that are purchased in advance.

I bought a voyage on the Viking Line/Silja Line cruise ships. Can I buy a BusShop ticket afterwards?

The Matkahuolto BusShip ticket can be purchased afterwards if you are able to present your Viking Line reservation confirmation. More information on BusShip tickets and sales locations.
The money-saving BusShip connection ticket cannot be bought for use with the Viking Line shipping company only.

I am planning a trip from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, Can I book the ticket by phone or on the Internet?

Tickets between Finland and Russia cannot be booked by phone or online. They must be purchased from a Matkahuolto service outlet. It is advisable to get your ticket in advance.

Bus tickets are priced according to the distance travelled. Where can I find information about the length of the journey?

The timetables for all routes include information about the trip's total distance. For route details, go to the timetable search page and click the link for your bus shown under the heading “Service”.

Is a person accompanying a handicapped or sight-impaired person entitled to a discount or free bus ride?

Companions are obliged to pay the standard fare for the trip.

Is a youth/student/conscript/member of the press entitled to a discount for a single trip shorter than 80 km?

The full discount is granted when the distance travelled is at least 80 km. A discount ticket for 80 km is sold for the trip if the price is lower than the standard fare for the distance actually travelled.

Can I purchase an empty Travel Card?

Travel Cards cannot be purchased on their own. Each Travel Card must have some kind of ticket or stored value loaded on to it.

Can I top up my Travel Card onboard the bus?

Adding value to a Travel Card is usually possible onboard the bus, with a few exceptions.

What is the VAT tax included in bus fares?

All domestic bus tickets include a 10% value added tax.

The receipt reading 0.00 is issued by the bus company to record completion of the trip. It does not indicate the journey’s price or VAT.

What methods of payment are acceptable at Matkahuolto?

Matkahuolto service outlets accept payments in cash, with Finnish debit/credit cards, Luottokunta-issued credit cards, Visa Electron and the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard and Eurocard. Methods of payment accepted by Matkahuolto’s agents vary according to the agent.

What means of payment can I use onboard the bus?

All busses accept cash, but the acceptability of other means of payment varies from one company to another. Visa Electron cannot be used for payment on the bus because it requires online verification, which is currently unavailable on busses.

For payment of individual tickets, it is advisable to use exact change or banknotes no bigger than €20.

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