Traveling within Finland is generally simple and headache-free. Public transportation like buses and trains usually run on time, although this is not always the case in bad winter weather. Traffic laws are strict, and Finns tend to follow them to the letter.
Finns keep to themselves when traveling and do not generally make small talk with the person sitting next to them. In fact, if they can help it, they prefer not to sit next to anyone at all. This leaves lots of time to gaze out the window and enjoy Finland’s modern cityscapes and lush, green forests in quiet contemplation.
Finland is one of the mutually insured “green card” countries, and if you are driving yourself you will need an internationally recognized driver’s license. Traffic drives on the right, and passes on the left. Seat belts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers, and all motor vehicles must use headlights at all times, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions.
Most traffic signs are similar to those in continental Europe. Roads are kept in good condition all year-round—snow clearing, sanding, and gritting of roads are efficient, with fleets of snowplows out in the early hours during the winter. Only very rarely, when there is an exceptionally heavy snowfall or a sudden frost, do roads become impassable. You need to be cautious and drive at slowly if you are not used to winter driving. Special winter tires are obligatory from December to February, though they are permitted from the beginning of November until after Easter and at other times when the weather conditions require their use.
The Finns are good drivers. They have produced several world champions in rally driving and in Formula 1, and they sometimes get carried away speeding on minor roads. There is a potential rally champion inside every Finnish driver. Speed restrictions are clearly marked, however, and fines for speeding are high. In fact, fines incurred for speeding are determined as a percentage of your income, and the more you make, the more you pay. Drivers going over the speed limit are usually caught by cameras on the expressway, and the legal implications and associated fines will be posted to you.
When someone asked Ari Vatanen—the many times world rally champion, and former member of the European Parliament—what makes a good rally driver, he answered, “A heavy foot and an empty head!” If you want to give it a go, there are a number of rally-driving centers around the country.
You can find gas stations all over the country, and you can obtain free maps showing their locations. When traveling in remote areas, however, ensure that you have enough gas to complete your journey. Most stations have automatic gas dispensers that take cash or credit cards and are open twenty-four hours a day.
Drinking and driving laws are very strict. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is forbidden. The limit of alcohol allowed in the blood is 0.5 milligrams per milliliter, and infringement of this rule nearly always incurs a penalty in the form of a fine or imprisonment. When Finns go out to dinner or to a restaurant, they use taxis or public transportation to get home. Many people keep a personal breathalyser to check that they are safe to drive after a party. Police frequently use roadblocks, especially on Saturday or Sunday mornings, to check drivers for alcohol. Heavy drinking the night before can mean that you are still over the limit the following morning. Young Finns take turns being the designated driver on evenings out—“I’ll drive this Saturday, and you drive next Saturday”—people don’t take risks. Though expensive, taxi services are robust and available 24 hours in most areas.
One of the main hazards is the presence of animals such as elk and reindeer on the road, particularly at dusk and dawn. Watch out for warning road signs. A collision with one of these heavy animals can be very serious. In areas where the elk population is high, there are special fences to keep them off the road.
Be careful on summer evenings, as the low sun can seriously affect visibility. Most serious accidents are caused by careless driving. In case of an accident, call the general emergency number, 112, or local police on 10022. Police, ambulances, and rescue services are well organized and efficient.
Taxi stands are usually situated near major railway stations, shopping centers, airports, and, in smaller towns, by the main market square. Every taxi has a yellow sign (taksi) that, when lit, shows it’s available for hire. Of course, all the information you’ll need about ordering a taxi in your town can be found online. Cameras have been installed in most taxis to protect the driver.
Many Finns own a bicycle and use it all year-round. There are cycle routes, and in towns there are special marked areas of sidewalks intended for cyclists.
Children often cycle to school, and you see schoolyards with hundreds of bikes parked in special shelters. City bikes in Helsinki are free for use around town, on payment of a small deposit, and you can return them to any of the twenty-five bicycle ports in the town. Helmets are recommended, and you can rent one from the Helsinki city tourist office. Other towns run similar schemes—check locally for details. If you want to take your bicycle on a bus or a train, you should check with the carrier; there may be a fee.
There is a network of cycling routes around Finland, marked by brown signs with a bicycle on them, or you can find special cycling maps that show the routes. Cycling is a good way to see the country in the summer. Most of Finland, with its gentle slopes, is ideal for cycling. In Lapland and in eastern Finland there are some demanding hills, and you need to be fit to manage them. The most popular area for cycling tours is the Åland Islands, where you can island-hop on ferries. Bicycle rental is widely available. Check local tourist offices for details. Remember a helmet, a cell phone, a raincoat, and some spares, including a pump, before you go on a longer trek. In-line skaters and roller skiers also use cycle routes.
Cyclists and pedestrians should watch out for snow falling from roofs in the spring. Slipping on icy roads and sidewalks results in some 40,000 injuries a year, so be careful, and whether cycling or walking wear shoes with good grip. In particularly icy weather, studded shoes are advisable.
Public transportation is well organized in Finland. Buses are the main form of local public transportation in cities. Helsinki is the only city in Finland with a metro network, and it also has trams. All public transportation timetables are available online. Popular apps to help you plan and purchase tickets for travel inside Finland include Moovit for navigation and transport options, VR Mobile for train tickets, and HSL Mobiililippu for all Greater Helsinki area travel.
Finland is well connected to the rest of the world by air. Most major airlines fly to Helsinki, and some international carriers fly to Tampere, Turku, and Rovaniemi. There are also many charter flights, particularly to Lapland.
The domestic airline network is one of the densest in Europe. Helsinki-Vantaa airport has excellent facilities, including duty-free shopping, Wi-Fi, and lots of charging stations for mobile devices. The main operator on internal routes is Finnair, and there are some other, smaller carriers.
Passenger trains serve most of the country except northern Lapland. Most towns are connected by rail, but traveling from east to west is more difficult than from north to south. All the main railway lines lead to Helsinki. Trains have special carriages for people traveling with pets, and storage for bikes, skis, and other large items. All intercity trains have restaurants on board, and many have conference facilities. Sleeper services are available on all longdistance trains.
Helsinki’s electric tram network is one of the oldest in the world and a great way to explore the city.
Coach services cover more than 90 percent of public roads, and the timetables usually tie in with rail, air, and ship services. If you’re unable to find a train that travels from one city to another, you can most likely find a coach that covers the route. You can buy tickets as you board, on the coach service’s Website, or via ticket apps such as those provided by Omnibus.
In addition to road travel, there are lake traffic routes in the summer, and boats to Sweden, Estonia, Poland, and Germany all year-round. Taking inland lake and river trips is a wonderful way to see the country. There is a coastal tourist route from Helsinki to Porvoo, and boats also go to some of the islands off the coast of Helsinki. The Åland Islands have a connecting network of shipping routes and ferries. You can also travel from Lappeenranta through the Saimaa Canal to Viipuri, in Russia.
Hotels are generally of a good standard, but this is almost always reflected in the price. Most have a sauna (it is Finland, after all) and many have a swimming pool as well. Hotels are plentiful, but the vast majority are run and owned by the same three chains: Sokos, Cumulus, and Scandic. If quality and comfort is your primary concern, Finnish hotels don’t usually disappoint.
Other types of accommodation include spas, youth hostels, holiday villages, log cabins, and campsites. There is also a wide choice of bed and breakfast accommodation and farmhouse vacations. You can also rent summerhouses and ski chalets. In Lapland, along the main hiking routes, you will find free wilderness huts you can sleep in.
Finland has a good and efficient health service, with modern hospitals and health centers. The healthcare system is a mixture of national and private care. Maternity care is among the best in the world, and the infant mortality rate is the lowest in the world. Dental care is good, but expensive as it is usually private. If you are staying in Finland for a while, it’s a good idea to either ensure that your health care costs will be covered by Kela (the system handling all government benefits) or by your own private insurance. Although there are few serious health problems in Finland, the long dark winters can cause depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can be treated by special lights.
EU citizens have a right to health care under the EU agreements, and most Finnish doctors speak English. Most common remedies can be bought at supermarkets and pharmacies, where trained pharmacists also give advice on common ailments.
Finland is a very safe country. Crime rates are low. Bank robberies and burglaries are rare, though are unfortunately on the rise. Though pickpockets are few, it pays to be streetwise. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how safe and secure Finland is.
The clothes you take to Finland will, of course, depend on the time of your visit. Windows are triple-glazed, and it is always warm indoors.
The winter is cold, and you will need a warm, windproof coat, hat, and gloves. Most important of all is footwear. Make sure you have shoes with a good grip, because slipping on the ice and snow causes tens of thousands of broken ankles and wrists in Finland every year. If you are going on a snow safari in Lapland, the tour operators will supply you with appropriate clothing. At ski centers you can rent all the equipment you need. Summers can be hot, but they can also be rainy and chilly, so be prepared for both possibilities.
As previously mentioned, Finns tend to dress casually, so there aren’t too many reasons to pack especially formal clothing.