Finland is known as the “Land of Lakes” because it has the lowest population density and the most lakes and forests. It’s also known as the home of the sauna, where you can soak away all your fatigue and stress with a sauna in a lake cottage.
Finland is known for its natural beauty, new culture, and unique activities. During your visit to Finland, you’ll have a great chance to see the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle in winter, and you can also get into the Christmas spirit and meet Santa Claus at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. The capital city of Finland, Helsinki, is both modern and traditional, offering beautiful architecture and a variety of cultural attractions.
1. Finland Quick Facts
Language Finnish , Swedish
Religion Lutheran Evangelical Church
Currency EURO (€, EUR)
Visa Free 90 day visa for 60 nationalities, Shengen Area rules apply
Power Plugs 220 V 50 Hz (C,F Type)
Capital Helsinki
ATM Banks (ATM) are located throughout the city, making it easy to withdraw money.
Use card Outside of luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, and large shopping malls, credit card use is limited.
APP
Google Maps
VR: The official app of the Finnish Railways, with information on train services and ticket booking.
Matkahuolto: Useful for finding information and buying tickets for long-distance buses in Finland. A good alternative to trains.
YR: A weather app created by the Norwegian Meteorological Service and the national broadcaster. It has the most accurate forecasts for Nordic weather.
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Finland is geographically bordered by Sweden, Norway, and Russia, and is a member of the European Union, making it very easy to travel to other European countries, including the three Baltic states. If you’re visiting the Schengen countries, you can move freely without immigration checks. In addition to air travel, you can also take a ferry to Stockholm, Sweden and Tallinn, Estonia.
Finland has a very well-developed public transport system, especially in the capital city of Helsinki, which is well designed to get you around the city. The capital city of Helsinki and the metropolitan areas of Espoo and Vantaa have a combined bus, metro, and tram system. All information on public transport in the metropolitan area can be found on HSL. By entering the address or destination name of your departure and arrival point, you will receive information on the departure and arrival times and times of day of the available public transport, as well as its location on the map.
As of 27 April 2019, the public transport system has changed, dividing Helsinki and the surrounding area into four zones based on the distance traveled. You can travel in and around Helsinki with a zone AB ticket, and if you’re travelling from Helsinki Airport to the city center, you’ll need to buy an ABC ticket. Even within the same city, different zones apply depending on the distance traveled within Helsinki, so be sure to check the zone before you set off.
Tickets for public transport in Helsinki can also be purchased via mobile apps, and a private integration service (Maas, Mobility as a Service) called Whim allows you to pay for all forms of public transport, including taxis. Except for taxis, public transport can also be purchased through the HSL app.
Public transport fares by zone (as of May 2023)
Zone AB/BC/D: €3.1 (80-minute journey)
Zone ABC: €4.1 (90-minute journey, airport)
CD zone: €3.1 (90-minute availability)
BCD zone: €4.1 (100 minutes available)
ABCD zone: €4.5 (110 minutes)
If you plan to do a lot of travelling in the city, a flat rate pass is a good idea. In zone AB, which covers all of Helsinki, passes range from a one-day pass (€9) to a 13-day pass (€63), making it a cheaper way to use public transport than buying tickets each time.
The fine for fareless travelers or those with invalid tickets is 80 euros, and if you wish to purchase a pass, you can do so in person at HSL, located in Helsinki Central Station, after entering your personal details.
Taxis
Taxis can be found at major hotels and taxi stands, but you can also book a taxi by phone or through an app. In Helsinki city center, a taxi will arrive within 10 minutes, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one. Taxi fares vary depending on the company, number of people, distance traveled, and time of day. For one to four people, Taksi Helsinki offers a base fare of €4.7 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, increasing by €0.95 per kilometer and €0.95 per minute. At other times, the base fare is €6.6, with an additional €1.05 per kilometer and €0.95 per minute.
4.Safety
Embassy of the Republic of Korea contact: +358 40 903 1021
Security is very good
However, due to the influx of Russian and Estonian migrants and refugees from Somalia and Syria, there are some dangerous areas.
After dark, the area around the central station, where drunks, delinquents and migrants congregate, or the Kallio neighbourhood near Sörnäinen station can be dangerous.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
Police 112,
Fire report 112
5. Climate
Northern Finland has a cool and humid semi-continental climate, while the south has a northern temperate climate.
The Nordic summer is a popular time for travelers due to the long days and pleasant temperatures.
Finnish summers are also relatively short and mild, with two months of white nights.
Winters are long and bitterly cold, with heavy snowfall and months of darkness with the spectacular Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.
The northern Finnish province of Lapland is partially within the Arctic Circle, with average lows of -10°C (14°F) in January and February, typically around 5°C colder than Helsinki in the south. In summer in Finland, average highs reach the early 20°C (68°F) in July and August.
6. price
Prices are generally twice as expensive as in Eastern Europe. Vegetables, fruits and dairy products are reasonably priced, but processed foods are a bit more expensive.
Petrol (1 liter) € 2.20
McDonald’s Combo Meal: € 9.00
Water (1.5 liters): € 1.50
Milk (1 liter): € 0.99
7. Travel precautions
The tap water is so clean that it’s safe to drink. It’s even said to be good for your skin.
Take advantage of free toilets in tourist areas and restaurants. At train stations, toilets are charged (€1), and the women’s toilets can be confusingly marked with an N (Naiset), unlike in other Nordic countries. There are also nappy changing tables in the men’s toilets, which is great for dads with toddlers.
Tax refunds (around 12-13%) are available for purchases of at least €40 on the same day in a single shop. Do not open sealed packages.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
Expensive gifts are not given or received in Finland except on special occasions.
Physical contact beyond a handshake is not common in Finland unless you have a special relationship. A handshake should be firm and short, with one hand, while looking the other person in the eye, and no other physical contact other than a tap on the shoulder. Maintain physical distance between people. Do not stand together in public places such as bus stops, and remove your hat inside the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In winter, some Finns shine their shoes on a brush by the front door or take them off before entering, so be sure to ask beforehand.
Tipping
Tipping is included in most bills, and you can expect to pay around 6-8 per cent when paying by card in fine dining establishments.
10. Holidays
The following are the national public holidays for 2024:
1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day
6 Jan Sat Epiphany
29 Mar Fri Good Friday
31 Mar Sun Easter Sunday
1 Apr Mon Easter Monday
1 May Wed May Day
9 May Thu Ascension Day
19 May Sun Whit Sunday
21 Jun Fri Midsummer’s Eve
22 Jun Sat Midsummer Day
2 Nov Sat All Saints’ Day
6 Dec Fri Independence Day
24 Dec Tue Christmas Eve
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day
26 Dec Thu 2nd Day of Christmas
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : New Year’s Day
Monday, 6 January : Epiphany
Friday, 18 April : Good Friday
Sunday, 20 April : Easter Sunday
Monday, 21April : Easter Monday
Thursday, 1 May : May Day
Thursday, 29 May : Ascension Day
Sunday, 8 June : Whit Sunday
Friday, 20 June : Midsummer’s Eve
Saturday, 21 June : Midsummer Day
Saturday, 1 November : All Saints’ Day
Saturday, 6 December: Independence Day
Wednesday, 24 December: Christmas Eve
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Friday, 26 December: 2nd Day of Christmas