Finland Travel Guide

Finland — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

Shaking hands is customary as a greeting and guests are expected to refrain from drinking until the host or hostess toasts their health with kippis or skol (cheers). Most Finns prefer practical, casual clothing, except for special occasions. Many younger Finns rebel against this social norm through body piercing, dressing in 'Gothic' clothes and listening to heavy rock bands such as Lordi. Although renowned for their liberal attitudes, Finns can appear to be rather reserved with strangers, so do not be alarmed if conversations start slowly. Shoes should be removed when entering someone's home.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

Finland's national airline is Finnair (AY) (www.finnair.com), or there are flights with many other European airlines. Budget airline Blue 1 (KF) (www.blue1.com) operates as part of the SAS Group, with international connections to neighboring Nordic countries and airports across Europe.

Departure Tax

Included in ticket price.

Main Airports

Helsinki (HEL) (Helsinki-Vantaa) (tel: 0200 14636; www.helsinki-vantaa.fi) is Finland's principal international airport, 19km (12 miles) north of the city (journey time - 25 minutes). To/from the airport:Finnair City Bus and the airport bus operate to the city regularly (journey time - 30 minutes). Taxis are readily available but much more expensive. Some Helsinki hotels run courtesy coaches. Facilities: Banks/bureau de change, duty-free shops, hair salon, car hire, hotel reservation service, VIP lounge, a multimedia center, conference rooms, restaurants, cafes and bars.

Other international airports:
International flights also land at Turku (TKU), 7km (4 miles) north of Turku city center; Tampere (TMP), 15km (9 miles) from Tampere; Vaasa (VAA), 12km (7 miles) from Vaasa; and Rovaniemi (RVN), 10km (6 miles) from Rovaniemi. More information on Finland's airports is available at www.finavia.fi.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Helsinki (www.portofhelsinki.fi), Turku (www.port.turku.fi), Mariehamn (Åland; www.visitaland.com) and Vaasa (www.vaasa.fi/port). Car ferries sail daily to Finland from Stockholm and other Swedish ports, as well as from Tallinn (Estonia). International ferry companies include Viking Line (tel: 0600 41577; www.vikingline.fi) and Silja Line (tel: 0600 174 552; www.tallinksilja.com). Note that many locals use the international ferries for overnight 'booze cruises' and they can be noisy and crowded at weekends. There are also ferry services to Finland from Rostockand Travemünde (Germany). Several major international cruise lines call at Finnish ports.

Getting There By Rail

There are rail-sea links to Finland via Copenhagen and Stockholm and several trains run daily from Helsinki to St Petersburg and Moscow. Contact VR (tel: 0600 41902, within Finland only or (9) 2319 2902 from elsewhere; www.vr.fi) or visit www.seat61.com/finland.htm.

Rail Passes

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for travelers who have been residents of Europe for more than six months. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction, but you cannot buy a pass for your home nation. Children get a discount of around 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Interrail (www.interrailnet.com).

Eurailpass: There are four types of Eurailpass offering unlimited first-class train travel within the countries of Europe. The Eurail Global pass allows continuous travel for 15 days to three months, or 10 to 15 days in one two month period, in 21 European countries. The Eurail Select pass is valid in three, four or five bordering countries and allows five, six, eight or 10 travel days (or 15 for five countries) in a two-month period. The Eurail Regional pass allows three to 10 travel days in a two-month period in one of nine regions - the Scandinavia Pass covers Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Children aged 4 to 11 receive a 50% reduction; there are also discounts for under-25s. Eurail passes cannot be sold to residents of Europe and some other nations. Available from The Eurail Group (www.eurail.com).

Getting There By Road

There are eight official border crossings between Finland and Russia, six between Finland and Norway and 10 between Finland and Sweden. The most frequented borders are at Vaalimaa (from Russia), Karigasniemi (from Norway) and Tornio (from Sweden), providing a scenic alternative to the shorter sea-crossing from Turku to Stockholm.

Coach/bus: There are long-distance coach services to Finland from many European cities, though you may have to travel by ferry from Stockholm (Sweden) or Tallinn (Estonia). Eurolines (www.eurolines.com) is the main operator of international bus services in Europe. There are also slow but economical bus services between Helsinki and St Petersburg (Russia).

Duty Free

Overview

Finland is within the European Union. If you are traveling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

If you are arriving from a non-EU country (and from the Åland Islands), the following goods may be imported into Finland without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or 100 cigarillos.
• 2L of alcoholic beverages of less than 22% by volume or 1L of alcoholic beverages of more than 22% by volume, 2L of sparkling wine and 16L of beer.
• 50g of perfume and 250mL of eau de toilette.
• 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract and essence and 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract or essence.

Note: If you are entering Finland from one of the nations that acceded to the EU in May 2004, note the following restrictions on the import of tobacco-based products:
Czech Republic: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia: 200 cigarettes; Estonia: 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco.

The import of alcoholic beverages over 22% is only allowed by persons aged 20 years or over; alcoholic beverages up to 22% may be imported by persons aged 18 years or over.

The import and export of certain foods, plants, medicines (must be accompanied by a doctor's note) and works of art are subject to certain restrictions and formalities. The import of drinks containing more than 60% alcohol by volume is prohibited. Firearms may be temporarily imported by hunters with a license from the Ministry of Interior, issued through the police service. Contact the Finnish Tourist Board for further details.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Finnair (AY) (www.finnair.com) and its subsidiaries run an excellent network of domestic services. Look out for discounted äkkilähdot (getaway) fares. Budget domestic flights are operated by Blue 1 (KF) (www.blue1.com). Children under 12 and seniors get a 70% discount and young people aged 17 to 24 get a 50% discount. Even cheaper youth standby fares are also available.

Getting Around By Water

Many of Finland's inland waterways are serviced by waterbuses and ferries. Popular routes include the Silver Line (www.hopealinja.fi), which operates between Hämeenlinna and Tampere and Tampere and Viikinsaari island, and the Poet's Way (www.runoilijantie.fi), which runs between Tampere and Virrat. Lake Päijänne Cruises (www.paijanne-risteilythilden.fi) runs services on the Päijänne Waterway, between Jyväskylä and Heinola, Lahti and Suolahti. Roll Cruises (www.roll.fi) offers cruises around Kuopio. There are also regular car ferry services around the Lake Pielinen area. All ferries have restaurants or canteens and accommodation on overnight trips is provided in small private cabins. For more detailed information on schedules and routes, contact the Finnish Tourist Board.

Getting Around By Rail

Finnish trains are spacious, comfortable, clean and quiet, thanks to special booths where people can make mobile phone calls. VR (tel: 0600 41902, within Finland only, or (9) 2319 2902; www.vr.fi) operates an extensive rail service around Finland. The main lines are Helsinki-Turku, Helsinki-Tampere-Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä-Kuopio and Helsinki-Seinäjoki-Oulu-Rovaniemi. Prices vary according to the standard of the train; regional trains are cheapest and fast Pendolino trains are the most expensive. Sleeping berths are available on night trains and seat reservations are compulsory on IC and Pendolino services. Children under six years of age travel free and children aged six to 16 pay half price, and special discounts are available for groups. To search for rail services in Finland, visit Destia Traffic (www.matka.fi).

Rail Passes

Finnrail Pass: gives unlimited travel for three, five or 10 days within a period of one month. There's a 50% discount for children under 17 years. See Getting There for multi-country railpasses valid in Finland.
Cheap fares: Discount tickets include: Group tickets - giving 15-20% discount (minimum of three people). Family tickets - allowing six to 16 year olds to travel free when traveling with one adult from the same household. Finnish Senior Citizens Rail Card - for persons over 65 years of age, entitling the holder to a 50% discount (passport has to be shown). Student Rail Discounts - entitling someone studying in Finland to 50% discounts.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the right in Finland and snow plows keep the main roads clear throughout the year. In forested areas, heed the signs warning of elk and reindeer crossing the carriageway - many drivers are injured in collisions with deer every year. Petrol stations are often unmanned but petrol pumps can be operated using banknotes and credit cards.

Coach/bus: Buses run everywhere but are usually slower than trains. Bus tickets are sold through Matkahuolto (tel: 0200 4000; www.matkahuolto.fi) and ticket prices depend on the distance traveled. Services are less frequent at weekends and in school holidays. Children aged four to 11 years pay half fare, children aged 12 to 16 pay 30% less, and groups of three or more adults get a 25% discount. Students should purchase a student discount card from any bus station (€6); this entitles the user to 50% off all bus travel.

Bicycle Hire: Bicycles can be hired in most towns from tourists offices or camping grounds.

Car hire: Car hire is available in larger towns and cities from a variety of local and international firms. The minimum age varies from 20 to 25 years depending on the company, but all firms require a minimum of one year's driving experience.

Regulations: Seat belts must be worn by all passengers and headlights must be kept on at all times. Traffic entering from the right has right of way, even when joining a major road from a minor road. Cars towing caravans may not exceed 80kph (50mph). From 1 December until 31 March, snow tires are a legal requirement; they can be hired from rental firms. Further information can be obtained from Autoliitto (Automobile and Touring Club of Finland) (tel: (9) 7258 4400; www.autoliitto.fi).

Documentation: National driving license or International Driving Permit and insurance required.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Larger towns have efficient and integrated bus services, and Helsinki also has a metro and tram service, suburban rail lines and ferry services to the Suomenlinna Islands. Local transport in Helsinki (including the ferries) is covered by a single ticket system with a zonal flat fare and free transfers between services. Multi-trip tickets are sold in advance, as are various passes. Tickets can be purchased from the driver, ticket machine or via mobile phone text message (Finnish service providers only). Tramline 3T runs past most of the main tourist attractions - a free brochure in English is available covering the stops along the route.

Helsinki Card: This handy discount card (www.helsinkicard.fi) is available for one, two or three days. Once purchased, it allows unlimited free travel on public transport (including the Suomenlinna ferry) and free entry to about 50 museums and other sights in the city. Visit the website or contact the Finnish Tourist Board for prices and further details. Several other large cities offer similar transport cards.

Taxi: Available in every city and from airports and major hotels. Taxis have a yellow taksi sign that is lit when the taxi is vacant. They can be booked at taxi ranks or signalled from the street. In Helsinki, you can call 0100 0700. Fares are more expensive at night and at weekends; tipping is not customary. Shared taxis run by Yellow Taxis (tel: 0600 555 555) operate to and from Helsinki airport.