Highway no.5 goes through Kajaani, highway no.6 comes to the town from Loviisa, highway no.22 comes to Kajaani from Oulu, and highway no.28 comes from Kokkola. Roads are well maintained and taken good care of overall. They are also quite safe and peaceful to drive. Within smaller local roads you are able to get to know the peaceful nature and easygoing atmosphere of the area.
Driving everywhere in the town area is easy, as the city government has tried and tries to ease traffic by building roundabouts, improving intersections and streets 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 park space is not usually a problem, but you may have to search little longer during those "rush moments".
Improving the town centre is starting sometime shortly, including a new bridge over the Kajaani River, converting some streets to pedestrian-oriented, possibly more underground parking and otherwise improving the downtown more comfortable.
Overall in the whole Kainuu region (and Finland generally) your own car is more than handy way to get to know the places, also because long distances (and the weaker public transport) but not just because of that. 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, be careful of elks and reindeers that may run out of nowhere to the road. Be cautious particularly in dusk and dawn, if you´re driving trough vastly inhabited areas
Finnair serves 3 flights a day from Helsinki. Kajaani airport (IATA:KAJ) locates 7 kilometers northwest from Kajaani city centre. There is local bus number 4
