The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
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The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
29.04.2026 - 29.04.2026 |Joensuu
Savo-Karjala Excursion is one of the most famous and popular May Day celebration traditions of the Student Union (ISYY). The first Savo-Karjala Excursion was organized in 1990 and the event is held every year in Joensuu and Kuopio on 29th April despite the day of the week. During the Savo-Karjala Excursion, students circle around Eastern Finland (North Savo and North Karelia regions) on buses on a predetermined route, which will remain a secret until the buses start their journey, and enjoy refreshments in different bars and restaurants along the way (please note that the event is intended for adults only). The buses will stop at different locations giving students a chance to enjoy some refreshments and at one location food (the refreshments/food are not included in the price of the tour).
The stops during the Excursion last around 30 minutes each and there is one longer stop in the middle of the trip so that participants can eat. The whole event lasts for approximately ten hours after which there is an official afterparty at Bepop. The price of the ticket includes the official overall badge of the event, the bus trip and the afterparty. You can get to the after-party by showing the event's overall badge!
Campus ticket sales will take place on Thursday 9 April from 8am to 10 am in the Carelia lobby (Yliopistokatu 4, 80100 Joensuu). The remaining tickets, if there are any, will go on sale on Kide.app on the same day at 1pm. Tickets cannot be purchased from the ISYY office, but only from campus ticket sales or Kide.app. At the campus ticket sales, you can pay for your ticket by card or cash (please bring the exact amount).
There is not an organised queuing and queuing is only allowed on the morning of the ticket sales day.
The ticket price is 20 €. There is a limit of two tickets per person so you can register yourself and one friend. You need to inform your (and your friend’s) name, phone number, e-mail address, major subject/student association and UEF study right number as you register. The tickets cannot be returned, but tickets bought in Kide.app can be sent to another user.
All tickets are sold per bus and the bus departure times are listed below. The student associations mentioned in connection with the bus do not mean that the bus is only for students of that student association; all buses are open to all ISYY members.
On the event day 29 April, you must be in front of Carelia no later than 10 minutes before the departure time of your own bus. Buses don't wait for latecomers.
You can buy advance tickets for Excursion’s buffet dining at the Carelia campus ticket sales and on kide.app. Discounted meal tickets are available for 8€ only at Carelia between 8 am and 10 am on 9 April. After this, meal tickets can be purchased from kide.app for 9.50€ and you can buy them until the evening of the trip. It is also possible to pay your meal directly to the restaurant when you arrive, but we highly recommend buying the meal ticket in advance to minimize queues at the restaurant.
This year’s Excursion’s menu includes for example black beans, kidney beans, a creamy mushroom stew, cauliflower curry, potatoes, rice, a nutritious vegan salad, vegetables, and a salad buffet. Water, juice, home-brewed beer and coffee will be available to drink with the meal. All special dietary needs will be taken into consideration for those who buy the meal ticket by 12 pm (noon) on 15 April. Even though you can pay for your meal at the restaurant, we recommend buying the meal ticket by 12 pm (noon) on 15 April to make sure there will be enough food.
Eveliina Scharin, Community Coordinator, Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), yk(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 44 576 8408
Sofia Lindström, Executive Board member, Recreation and International Affairs, Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), sofia.lindstrom(at)isyy.fi