Turku · Exchange students & visiting researchers
A practical housing guide for exchange students and visiting researchers in Turku
How to compare your options, plan the timing and choose a home that makes the first weeks in Finland feel manageable.
Electricity, water and internet included
Last reviewed 11 September 2026. Housing policies and availability can change; check the official links before making a decision.
The short version
Start early, compare the total cost and keep a good alternative ready.
Apply for student housing first.
It is usually the most affordable route, but an offer is not guaranteed.
Compare like with like.
Furniture, utilities, internet, contract length and flexibility all affect the real cost.
Plan your backup before arrival.
A ready furnished home can remove several practical tasks at once.
01 · Your options
Compare the whole arrangement, not only the advertised rent.
For most exchange students, Turku Student Village Foundation (TYS) is the natural first application. It offers furnished student housing at a subsidised price. The University of Turku also notes that demand can exceed the exchange-student quota, particularly for the autumn semester, so it is sensible to understand the alternatives before you travel.
| Option | Often suits | Cost & inclusions | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| TYS student housing | Students prioritising the lowest monthly cost and a student community. | Usually the lowest-cost choice. Exchange-student rent includes basic furniture, water, electricity and internet. | Apply on time; availability is not guaranteed and contracts follow TYS terms. |
| General rental market | People staying longer who are ready to furnish a home and manage separate contracts. | The rent may appear lower, but furniture, electricity, internet, insurance and deposits may be separate. | Minimum term, deposit, notice period, furniture and the landlord’s identity. |
| Mera furnished home | Exchange students and researchers who value quality, privacy and a ready everyday setup. | A higher-quality option that may cost more, with a discounted student and researcher rate. Electricity, water and internet are included. | Available home, dates, final offer and the property-specific arrangements. |
Be alert to rental scams. Confirm who you are dealing with, read the agreement and do not let artificial urgency push you into a payment.
02 · Timing
When should you start looking?
- As soon as you are accepted
Map your everyday route.
Note your campus, faculty, laboratory or research institute, expected arrival date and realistic monthly budget.
- Three months before arrival
Follow the TYS application window.
TYS currently states that exchange-student applications begin three months before arrival: 1 May for the autumn semester and 1 October for the spring semester. Apply as soon as the relevant application opens and check the current instructions on the TYS website.
- After applying
Keep a backup route active.
The University of Turku cannot guarantee housing. If you would prefer a furnished private home, request Mera options early enough to compare the complete offer without rushing.
- Before travelling
Confirm the practical details in writing.
Save the agreement, payment details, exact address, arrival instructions and the contact you will use if your journey changes.
03 · Location
Choose for your daily journey, not for a pin in the centre.
Turku is compact, but your best location depends on where your days begin. Check the route to your faculty, hospital, laboratory or office at the times you will actually travel. Include the walk to the stop, evening connections and winter conditions—not only the distance to the Market Square.
Mera’s Turku homes offer different starting points: Lonttinen, the edge of Port Arthur, Pohjola near Logomo and Kakola hill. Use the Föli journey planner to compare the route from each home to your destination.
04 · Before signing
Seven details worth confirming.
- Total monthly cost. Ask what is included and what you must arrange separately.
- Exact contract dates. Check whether you pay for a full semester, a fixed minimum period or only the agreed dates.
- Deposit and payment schedule. Confirm the recipient and due dates before transferring money.
- Furniture and household basics. A furnished room and a home prepared for daily cooking, laundry and rest are not the same thing.
- Laundry and cleaning. Check whether the washer is in the home or shared, and what the final-cleaning arrangement is.
- Arrival and support. Know how you receive access, what happens after a delayed flight and whom to contact.
- Changes and extensions. Ask early how a later departure or changing research schedule would be handled.
05 · Why Mera
A considered home can make the move itself lighter.
Mera homes are designed as complete places to live, not simply rooms with furniture added. They are a higher-quality option and can be slightly more expensive than student housing. For exchange students and visiting researchers, Mera offers a discounted rate that makes the option competitive when you compare furnished homes with flexible arrangements.
One predictable price.
Electricity, water and internet are included in every Mera home, so these essential monthly costs do not arrive as separate surprises.
Ready for ordinary days.
A proper bed, a practical kitchen, a place to work or eat, storage and laundry arrangements support more than the first night.
A reliable local operator.
Mera has experience arranging the practical details for people moving to a new country. Clear arrival information and one point of contact make it easier to settle in.
Your own space.
You have the whole home to yourself. Choose a compact studio, a separate bedroom or a two-bedroom home to match the way you will actually live.
06 · Suitable homes
Mera homes to consider in Turku.
This is a curated, static list of homes suited to semester and research stays—not a live availability feed. Explore the details, then ask Mera which homes are available for your dates.
An old wooden house in Lonttinen
The Green Atelier
Best for one person who wants a compact home with a fixed work surface, a private entrance and an in-home washer-dryer.
Explore the home
Calm Port Arthur
Sofiankatu
Best for one or two people who value a permanent 160 cm bed, a practical kitchen and a calm base near Port Arthur.
Explore the home
A light-filled home by the centre
Paratiisintie
Best for one or two people who want more living space, or for a small family using the separate bedroom and sofa bed.
Explore the home
Historic Kakola hill
Kakolan Torni
Best for colleagues, a family or two researchers sharing: two bedrooms provide both common space and privacy.
Explore the home07 · Your first days
Turn the new address into a routine.
Before departure, save your arrival instructions offline and send your travel update if the schedule changes. Once in Turku, test the route to campus before the first morning, identify your nearest grocery shop and learn how laundry works in your home.
For public services, registrations and multilingual guidance, International House Turku is a useful official starting point. Your university’s orientation and student or staff services remain the right place for study- and employment-specific questions.
08 · Questions
What people often want to know.
Is a Mera home cheaper than student housing?
Usually not. Subsidised student housing is generally the lowest-cost option. Mera is a higher-quality furnished alternative and may cost more, but the discounted student and researcher rate makes it competitive among flexible, move-in-ready homes. Electricity, water and internet are included, so the total is easier to compare and plan for.
What is included in the Mera price?
Every Mera home is furnished, and electricity, water and internet are included in the agreed price. The offer confirms the dates, home, price, terms and any property-specific services before you book.
Can a visiting researcher request the special rate?
Yes. The rate is intended for exchange students and visiting researchers. Mention your university or research visit and your estimated dates when you request options, and Mera will confirm the available home and offer.
Can I stay for one semester or only part of it?
Ask for the dates you actually need. Availability and terms are confirmed case by case, so it is worth sharing whether your arrival or departure date is still flexible.
Can Mera help when I am arranging the move from abroad?
Yes. Mera is an experienced and reliable local operator accustomed to arranging the practical details of a stay for people moving to a new country. You receive clear arrival information and one place to ask about the home and agreed arrangements.