Exchange students apply for housing themselves. Remember to start applying for housing in time! When applying for housing you should read your e-mail daily in order to be able to confirm the accommodation offer in time. If you fail to confirm the accommodation offer in time, your housing offer will be cancelled. None of these housing options are run by the university – we are only affiliated with them.
Below we have listed some possible options:
Student housing
The Student Village Foundation – TYS
Housing for exchange students is offered in single or shared apartments. All rooms are single rooms. Most exchange students live in shared apartments since there are not enough single apartments. All apartments have bathrooms and access to kitchen facilities. There is only furniture in the apartments, for textiles like pillows and kitchen equipment etc. you can rent a Starting package from the Student Union, or you can choose to buy things yourself.
Apply for housing on the TYS website. You can submit your application for housing 3 months before arrival (1 May and 1 October respectively). The earlier you are able to send the application the better, preferably immediately when their application opens – you don’t have to be accepted by then. We will send them information about whom has been accepted. Just apply immediately when the application opens.
Rooms are rented for the whole term, 1.8-31.12 or 1.1-30.6. Enquiries regarding housing should be directed to info@tys.fi.
Rooms are rented from the first day of each month which means that the key is available for you from the first day of the rent agreement. Depending on your agreement with the Student Village Foundation you have to check with them that the key to your room is available via phone +358 2 2750200 or e-mail info@tys.fi.
Housing options on the private market
Flatta
Flatta is a private housing actor, helping local residents find guests for temporary stays. The service is well suited for matching outgoing exchange students and their apartments with incoming exchange students in need of accommodation during their semester abroad. Flatta offer a range of accommodation options, from compact furnished studios to multi-bedroom apartments available also in the Turku area.
Forenom
Forenom is a private agency specializing in offering temporary accommodation for shorter periods. Forenom can offer a lot of different options, but the rents are also higher. Forenom is flexible with the starting and ending dates of the lease.
Naantali City Apartments
Naantali City Apartments offers temporary accommodation and monthly rentals.
2 room apartment: 1365 €/month/apartment for 1-4 persons
3 room apartment: 1905 €/month/apartment for 1-6 persons
Prices include water and electric. A cleaning service fee is charged once per week. Breakfast and access to the spa, gym, and laundry can be accessed for an extra fee.
Booking: +358 (0) 2 4455100 or info@naantalicityapartments.fi
Hiisi temporary student housing
Hiisi Homes & Hotels offers fully furnished and equipped temporary accommodation also for students.
- Studios 806 – 1333 € / month
- 1-bedroom apartments 1364 – 1643 € / month
- 2-bedroom apartments 1674 – 1953 € / month
- 3-bedroom apartments or larger 1984 – 2263 € / month
Please note a minimum stay of 3 months apply and valid student ID is required. Please find more information here.
West Side Hotel
West Side Hotel offers hotel accommodation for exchange students starting at 795€ per month. West Side Hotel is perfect for exchange students, they can invite parents, friends etc. to visit them and still have their room as their own.
Other websites to find private accommodation
When finding accommodation on your own, it is important to start well in advance. Finding private accommodation may be tedious and hard work and is more expensive than traditional student housing. Be aware that there might be scam activity. Never transfer money without physically confirming the place, and signing the contract upon arrival, in person. Please take a look at the following sites:
Websites in Swedish or Finnish:
We will send out information to the accepted exchange students, if information about any available rooms has come to our attention. For tips on how to sign a rental agreement and what you should consider when renting an apartment on the private market, please see for example the information provided by vuokraovi.com at the ABC of renting.
You can also take a look at the Facebook page of the International Office of Åbo Akademi University if you for example want to find a room mate or ask fellow students for tips. There are also other Facebook groups dealing with accommodation in the Turku area, for example Turku New Students Accommodation & Orientation, Vuokra-asunnot Turku and Turun omatoiminen asuntovälitys.
Temporary accommodation options in Åbo
Guesthouses
Ask for longer renting options!
- Tapulitalo Guesthouse
- Bed and breakfast Tuure
- The Bridgettine Guesthouse (only for women)
Hotels and hostels
- Omena Hotel Turku at Humalistonkatu 7 and Kauppiaskatu 4
- Hostel Linnasmäki
- Hotel Forum and West Side Hotel
- Prices vary from 600€ – 900€/ month or 340€/week. Reservation code: TYS
- These special rates are valid only for students and without breakfast. Rooms are cosy, spacious and with private bathroom. We expect you to keep your room clean by yourself, but we offer clean linen every two weeks.
- Included services: Common kitchen, laundry room, common living room, WIFI, electricity and water.
- Visit the tourist information for more hostel and hotel options at VisitTurku.
Other alternatives
Problems finding accommodation and other support services
If you face lots of challenges finding accommodation in Åbo, or would like other support in regards to housing such as terminology, laws, rights in Finland, please contact Ote Säätiö at asumisneuvonta@otesaatio.fi for advice.