The Finnish are a practical people and tourists can expect the local information services to be both accurate and helpful. Finland's main cities are all served by an efficient railroad system and regular, inexpensive internal flights. The capital, Helsinki, is easy to navigate on foot, by bicycle, or using public transportation.
Tourist Information
For general and location-specific information, get in touch with the Finnish Tourist Board, which has offices in major cities all over the world. The Finnish Tourist Board office in Helsinki has information about different parts of Finland in several languages. Helsinki, Turku, and Savonlinna all have a local tourist office.
The best time to visit Finland is between May and September, but winter in northern Finland has its own special, snow-laden charm. Many tourist attractions in Finland close on Mondays, and some have seasonal opening hours.
The Climate
In northern Finland (beyond the Arctic Circle), the sun remains above the horizon for a month in summer. This gives Finland its sobriquet "Land of the Midnight Sun". Even in Helsinki, there are almost 20 hours of daylight in summer. In winter, the average temperature falls well below O C (32 F), but low humidity makes the extreme cold less raw.
Banking and Currency
The Finnish currency unit was the markka until 2002, when it was replaced by the euro, the common currency of the European Union. Banks usually open from 9:15am to 4:15pm Monday to Friday. Most international credit cards are accepted in many places all over Finland.
Communications
Post offices in Finland usually open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, although the main post office in Helsinki operates longer hours. You can buy stamps from kiosks and bookstores, as well as at post offices. Public telephones are found in thousands of locations, and are usually always well maintained. Many take phonecards, available at kiosks and post offices.
Flying to Finland
Most international flights arrive at Helsinki's Vantaa Airport, which is 19 km (12 miles) north of Helsinki. Finnair and British Airways both operate daily scheduled services from London Heathrow to Helsinki. Some special "visit Father Christmas" winter flights fly direct from the UK to Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. KLM and SAS operate regular flights form Amsterdam and Copenhagen respectively to Helsinki. Travel form North America to Helsinki usually involves connecting flights (changing in Greenland or in Europe) but Finnair flies direct from New York to Helsinki.
Arriving by Sea
The luxury ferries that ply the waters between Stockholm in Sweden and the Finnish ports of Helsinki and Turku have a reputation for offering a state-of-the-art cruising experience. The superliners - operated by Silja Line and Viking Line - take about 13 hours to make the crossing, which allows plenty of time to enjoy shopping, entertainment, and the celebrated smorgasbord buffets.
Rail Travel
Finland's national rail network is run by the State Railroads of Finland. Finnish trains are reliable and clean. Advance reservations are recommended for long-distance, intercity, and some express trains. In Helsinki tickets can be bought either at Helsinki Central Station or from TourShop, which is located at the Helsinki City Tourist Office.
Traveling by Bus
Buses in rural areas are infrequent (but reliable), while intercity buses are fast and efficient. Long-distance journeys are very time-consuming, so it is worth considering the relatively inexpensive domestic flights.
Traveling by Car
Car rental has come down in cost since Finland joined the EU. Even so, car hire using the main international agencies is still pricey.
Laws about driving under the influence of alcohol are strict and rigidly enforced, as are speed restrictions. Elk and reindeer are a serious road danger, so do pay attention to animal hazard signs.
Tags: countries, finland, travel, helsinki, trips, destinations
