The Paddle-Wheel Ship to Korkeasaari Zoo – the Island of Animals

The best way to reach Korkeasaari Zoo is to take an authentic paddle-wheel ship operating scheduled departures from Helsinki Market Square! JT-Line’s paddle wheel vessel Vispilä will operate scheduled departures from Helsinki Market Square to Korkeasaari Zoo daily from 27.5.-31.8.2023. In addition, M/s Hymy will operate the route during the weekends (Sat-Sun) in May 6.-21.5.2023 and September 2.-24.9.2023.

On the way to the zoo, you get to experience the wonderful archipelago of Helsinki, with a few sights on the way, such as the Finnish fleet of icebreakers. There is also a cute little cafeteria and ice cream bar onboard.

Korkeasaari is a unique zoo located on an island, a 15-minute ferry journey away from Helsinki Market Square. It was founded in 1889 and is one of the world’s oldest zoos. The zoo is home to 150 animal species and the zoo’s mission is to conserve biodiversity. Korkeasaari keeps and breeds endangered animals together with other zoos to secure a future for the species. Korkeasaari is a popular travel destination and the island also holds a souvenir shop, two restaurants and kiosks, as well as places where you can enjoy your own lunch, for example the barbecuing huts.

Both the zoo and the vessel are easily baby carriage and wheelchair accessible.