Finland Travel Tips & Useful InfoNavigate Finland like a local with expert tips and essential advice

Planning a visit to Finland or Lapland and looking to cross your T's and dot your I's before you go? Not sure if you should ask for a discount when shopping for goods or whether you'll find WiFi easily enough? You've come to the right place as our Top Travel Tips cover all manner of practicalities best known in advance.

What vaccinations do I need for Finland?

There are no specific vaccinations required for Finland but it is recommended that you are up to date with all jabs and boosters required for life in your home country. The medical facilities in Finland are good and available for free to European Union citizens with a valid EHIC form or its replacement ID card.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Finland?

Yes. In fact, Finland's tap water actually ranks as some of the best in the world so there is no need to waste money and time buying bottled water.

What's the food like in Finland?

Unsurprising for a nation surrounded by water, fish plays a very prevalent role in Finnish cuisine with salmon and herring often playing a starring role. Meat is also widely eaten with delicacies including reindeer, elk and bear. More commonly found is the HK Sininen Lenkki sausage. Many main meals are served with potatoes, berry sauce and gherkins/pickles and rye bread is often the bread of choice. Arctic wild berries are often used to add further flavour to dishes.

Karelian pasties are eaten across Finland and are delicious parcels of rye crust filled with rice and topped with butter and boiled egg. They make for filling snacks. Desserts in Finland tend also to be quite filling affairs with principal ingredients including oats and sweet-flavoured bread served with berries or eaten with a cup of coffee.

Alcohol is fairly expensive in Finland (compared to continental Europe), however, it is very easy to find. Local beers like Lapin Kulta, Karjala and Olvi are easily found in local supermarket, they are branded by their alcohol content though. The weakest and cheapest is labelled I whereas IV is the strongest and no doubt the most expensive. Anything stronger than beer needs to be bought at Alko, a government-run chain of supermarkets. They hold the monopoly on where you can buy anything pretty much over 4.7% in Finland

Safe eating while travelling in Finland

Finland has excellent hygiene standards so travellers need not worry about getting sick while on holiday. Nevertheless, basic precautions still apply and you should avoid anything that looks old or like it might not have been cooked thoroughly (especially meat and fish).

Is it standard to tip in Finland?

Tipping exists in Finland but there is no hard and fast rule as to where, when and how much. In many restaurants, service is included in the total bill and it is therefore at the discretion of the customer as to whether or not they would like to add a little extra. Hotel staff is rarely tipped except by long-term guests and taxi drivers will not expect anything, although rounding up a fare certainly never goes amiss.

Helsinki Waterfront

Finland is generally considered a safe destination for tourists. However, like in any popular travel destination, it’s important to stay vigilant, especially in crowded places like train stations, markets, and tourist sites, where pickpockets may operate.

Emergency Numbers:

Police, Fire, and Medical: 112 (This is the emergency number for all EU countries, including Finland). Tip: It’s advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport and store it separately from the original in case of loss or theft.

Staying Safe and Navigating Finland

While Finland is a relatively safe country, it’s always good to take precautions, especially in busy tourist spots. Keep your belongings secure, be cautious of strangers offering unsolicited help, and make sure to stay in well-lit and populated areas at night.

It would be a mighty shame to travel through Finland and not bring anything home to remind you of your journey. A popular and beautiful purchase is a couple of marimekko fabrics, which are known for their kooky designs and bold colours. They are often used as wall hangings and really jazz up a room. Another great souvenir, although a little tricky to transport safely, is a piece of glassware from Iittala. The brand is known for its intricate craftsmanship and its pieces make excellent dining rooms statements.

There are over two million saunas in Finland with a population of just over five million so you can see how important these steamy rooms are to the nation. As such, sauna buckets and ladles can be found throughout the country and while you might not have your own sauna back home to us it in, it can be used simply as a decoration. For something a bit more practical, seek out a traditional Lapp hat, as worn by the Sami people. Finland is also an excellent place to pick up Christmas decorations.

Is bargaining acceptable in Finland?

Bargaining is not part of daily life in Finland and travellers will be hard-pressed to find somewhere that will accept anything other than the price that has been marked on the item. Occasionally market vendors will do deals with customers who are buying multiple items but that is usually as far as haggling goes.

The official currency of Finland is the Euro. However, please note the 1 and 2 cent coins are not used in Finland and everything will be rounded up to the nearest 5 cents. All major credit and debit cards are accepted in Finland. ATMs are found in every city, major town or resort and even some small villages.

Finland is not known as a cheap holiday destination. If visiting from the West, prices are likely to cost a similar amount to what you are used to in your home country, if not a little bit more. A decent meal in a standard restaurant will usually cost around USD $20 whereas a three course meal in a fancier establishment could easily come to USD $50. Accommodation can be found for around USD $70-100 per night in mid-range hotels and upwards of USD $150 in high-end hotels. Public transport can be quite pricey and a two hour bus or train journey can set you back roughly USD $35.

Standard voltage is 230 volts, 50 Hz. Primary sockets generally require Continental or European plugs, of the two round pin variety. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances

Tip:

It’s always a good idea to purchase a universal travel adapter before leaving home to avoid any last-minute issues with charging your devices.

Connectivity and Wi-Fi

In Finland, staying connected is easy. Most hotels, cafes, restaurants, and even public spaces offer free Wi-Fi, although the quality can vary. Major cities such as Helsinki generally have reliable internet access, making it easy to communicate with friends or use online maps and travel guides during your trip.

If you plan to stay for an extended period or need data on the go, consider purchasing a local SIM card, Finland has several mobile providers who offer competitive prices on prepaid SIM cards for tourists.

Finland works on GMT + 2 hours. It observes daylight saving with clocks going forward at the end of March and back again at the end of October.

Tip:

Be mindful of the time change, especially when you are coordinating travel schedules, as it can affect your flight or train reservations.