Kajaani

Kajaani (Swedish Kajana) is a town and municipality in Finland and the administrative capital of the Kainuu region. It is southeast of Oulujärvi (Lake Oulu), which drains to the Gulf of Bothnia along the Oulujoki (river Oulu).

Understand
Kajaani is a typical small and quiescent former industrial city. For many visitors, Kajaani is a stop on their way to the Vuokatti skiing centre, 40 km east of the city. As Kajaani is the largest city (36,000 inhabitants in 2020) in Kainuu, there are more shopping opportunities than in Vuokatti. Before 2022, Russian tourists staying in Vuokatti were a common sight in the shops of Kajaani in the winter.

Talk
As in most of Finland, the English language is widely understood, as is Swedish to some extent, since both are compulsory languages in Finnish comprehensive schools. Since the Kainuu region borders Russia, that language holds an important position as residents from both countries visit the other for business and pleasure. Some residents can also speak German and French.

The locally strong Finnish accent adds extra vowels to words. Even if you're capable of speaking and understanding Finnish at a basic level, you may find it hard to understand some elderly people. For the same reason, English spoken by the locals may in some cases be hard to understand.

By car
Highway 5, one of the major roads between northern and southern Finland passes through Kajaani, highway 6 links the city with Joensuu, highways 22 and 28 links Kajaani to Oulu and Kokkola respectively on the west coast. Roads are well maintained and taken good care of overall.

In the Kainuu region (and Finland generally) driving is a very practical way to get around and that's not only because of the long distances (and the weaker public transport). Landscapes are magnificent and it's so relaxing to drive around in almost empty roads. Just remember those few common things (see article Finland and get around by Car section) and you'll enjoy driving!

Moose alert! If you are continuing your trip towards north or east from Kajaani, watch out for elks and reindeers that may run out of nowhere to the road. Be cautious particularly in dusk and dawn when driving trough vastly uninhabited areas.

By train
There are many trains every day from Helsinki via Kuopio or Oulu. Kajaani train station is near the centre within walking distance. See VR.

By bus
There is a daily bus from Helsinki (needs bus change), 3-4 buses a day from Oulu and Joensuu and even more frequent bus traffic from Kuopio. Bus services are available also to Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä and Kuusamo. For more information Matkahuolto and Onnibus

By foot
City centre and main attractions, like the castle, can be easily reached by foot.

Maps and more information about the city and Kainuu region can be found from Kajaani-Info. Info is next to the town hall (address Pohjolankatu 13). Tourist information is also available in the VisitKajaani website.

By car
Driving everywhere in the town area is easy, as the city government continually improves driving conditions by building roudabouts, improving intersections and streets in general. There are minor weekday rushes in the mornings and afternoons, when residents head to work and home from there, however they usually don't last long. Finding parking space is not usually a problem, but you may have to search little longer during those "rush moments".



By bus
The only mode of public transportation is the bus. The routes are operated by the city of Kajaani, timetables are available on the website of the city. You can use matka.fi or Nysse mobile app to seek local bus routes between given locations and addresses. Waltti mobile app can be used for ticket purchase. Local transport operates during weekdays and Saturdays but not on Sundays.

You can also use long-distance bus lines of Matkahuolto for travelling inside Kajaani. During Sundays long-distance buses are the only form of public transport inside Kajaani. Buses from Kajaani bus station to Sotkamo for south direction, to Oulu, Rovaniemi and Kuhmo for northeast direction, to Kokkola and Oulu for southwest direction.

Electric kick scooters
Finnish Move on East rents electric kick scooters for use in the centre.

By taxi

 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksini
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksini
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksini

Do




Eat
There is a list of lunch offers for each day.



Stay safe
Kajaani is a very safe city. The area between Kauppakatu and Välikatu may be a little restless during weekend nights when bars close their doors at 02:00 or 03:00 and drunken local people wander out.