See what the experts are saying about Finland. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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When to go
Climate -- Spring arrives in May, and the summers are short. A standing joke is that in Helsinki, summer lasts from Tuesday through Thursday. July is the warmest month, with temperatures averaging around 59°F (15°C). The coldest months are Ja... Continue reading »
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Calendar of events
The dates given in this calendar can vary from year to year. Check with the Scandinavian Tourist Board for the exact dates and contact information. February Finlandia Ski Race-Ski Marathon, Hämeenlinna-Lahti. With almost 80km (50 miles)... Continue reading »
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Getting there
By Plane With more flights to Helsinki from more parts of the world (including Europe, Asia, and North America) than any other airline, Finnair (tel. 800/950-9000 in the U.S.; www.finnair.com) is the only airline flying nonstop from North... Continue reading »
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Escorted & package tours
Package Tours The best tours of Finland are offered by Finnair (tel. 800/950-9000 in the U.S.; www.finnair.com), including its most popular, the Midnight Sun Flight (Helsinki-Rovaniemi-Helsinki). Any Finnair office around the world can pro... Continue reading »
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Health & insurance
Finland's national health plan does not cover U.S. or Canadian visitors. Any medical expenses that arise must be paid in cash. (Medical costs in Finland, however, are generally more reasonable than elsewhere in western Europe.) British and ot... Continue reading »
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Entry requirements & customs
Entry Requirements Documents -- American, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens need only a valid passport to enter Finland. Members of E.U. countries (except Greece), Liechtenstein, San Marino, and Switzerland are allowed entry w... Continue reading »
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Getting around
By Plane Finnair (tel. 800/950-9000 in the U.S.), along with its domestic subsidiaries, Karair and Finnaviation, offers reasonably priced air transportation to virtually every settlement of any size in Finland, including some that are not... Continue reading »
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Money
Currency -- The euro, the new single European currency, became the official currency of Finland and 11 other participating countries on January 1, 1999. However, the euro didn't go into general circulation until early 2002. The old currenc... Continue reading »
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Regions in brief
Helsinki & the Southern Coast -- The capital city and its environs comprise the most industrialized area of the country, and have the densest population. More than 25% of Finland's people live here. Helsinki is the capital of the country and... Continue reading »
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Tips for families
On Finnair flights, one parent pays the full one-way or round-trip adult fare, the spouse pays 75% of the fare, children 12 to 23 are charged 50%, and children 2 to 11 are charged 25%. One child under 2 is free. On the Finnish national rai... Continue reading »
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Tips for gay and lesbian travelers
SETA ry, Hietalahdenkatu 2B, FIN-00180 Helsinki (tel. 09/681-2580; www.seta.fi), is a good source of information about gay life in the capital and Finland as a whole. The office is open Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm. Continue reading »
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Tips for senior travelers
In Finland, passengers age 65 and over are entitled to a 50% reduction on many Finnair flights. The domestic route system is divided into blue, black, and red flights; seniors cannot get reductions on blue flights since they are in the greate... Continue reading »
