Finland travel guide: Helsinki, Lapland, the lakes and getting around
Finland is a country of forest, lakes and a long coast, with a calm, design-minded capital in the south and Lapland in the far north. It suits a city break with nature added on. The one thing to know is that the season decides the trip: bright nights in summer, snow and northern lights in winter.
The short answer
- First trip
- Spend three or four days in Helsinki, then add a night or two in the lakes, on the coast or in Lapland, depending on the season.
- How long
- Four days covers Helsinki and a trip out. A week lets you add Turku or the Lakeland. Lapland needs its own three or four days.
- Best time to go
- June to August for long light evenings and lake swimming. December to March for snow, huskies and a chance of northern lights.
- Getting around
- Trains link Helsinki with the main towns and run north to Lapland, with night trains on the longest routes. Helsinki is easy on foot and by tram.
- Money
- The euro. Cards and phone payments are taken almost everywhere, so most visitors carry little or no cash.
- Book ahead
- Lapland winter activities and rooms, night trains, and popular restaurants in Helsinki at weekends.
Best cities to visit in Finland
Helsinki
A waterfront capital of design shops, saunas, islands, markets and good coffee. It suits couples, families and anyone who wants a relaxed city with the sea close by.
Give it 3 to 4 days
Beyond the cities
Lapland
Fells, reindeer, huskies and, from late summer to spring, northern lights. Rovaniemi is the main gateway, reached by plane or train from Helsinki, and it is best with at least three days.
The Lakeland
Thousands of lakes and forest in the middle of the country, around towns such as Savonlinna, Kuopio and Tampere. Summer is the time for boats, cabins and saunas, and trains reach the larger towns.
Turku and the archipelago
Finland's oldest city, with a castle and a river, and a scatter of islands you can reach by road and ferry. Trains from Helsinki take about two hours.
Porvoo
A small town of wooden houses beside a river, east of Helsinki. It works as a half-day or a day trip by bus or boat, and the old town is easy to cover on foot.
Finland itineraries
- Five days: Helsinki and a day out
Four nights in Helsinki, with a sauna, the islands and the market hall. Spend one day in Porvoo or Turku and return to the city for the evening.
- Seven days: Helsinki and the lakes
Three nights in Helsinki, then a train to Tampere and on to a lakeside town for three nights. Rooms by the water are easiest to find if you book a few weeks ahead.
- Ten days: Helsinki and Lapland in winter
Three nights in Helsinki, then a night train or flight to Rovaniemi for four or five nights of snow activities and aurora watching. Add a night in Turku or Tampere on the way back.
Best time to visit Finland
June to August is the main season. Days are very long, and in the far north the sun barely sets around midsummer. It is the best time for lakes, islands and festivals, and Helsinki is lively outdoors.
December to March is the time for snow and northern lights in Lapland, and the south is cold and dark but quiet and cheaper. Late autumn and early spring are the weakest months for sightseeing, with gray weather and slush. Pack layers in every season.
How to get around Finland
- TrainsVR runs the national network, with fast services from Helsinki to Turku, Tampere and onward, and long routes north to Rovaniemi. Night trains with sleeping cabins run to Lapland. Eurail and Interrail passes are accepted, and some services charge a small seat reservation fee.
- BusesCoaches reach towns the trains do not, including many in the north and the lakes. They are often cheaper than the train, and tickets are sold online and in apps.
- City transportHelsinki has trams, a metro, buses, commuter trains and ferries on one ticket system. Buy a ticket in the HSL app or at machines, and check the zones for the airport.
- FlightsFor Lapland, a flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi takes about an hour and a half and saves a long day on the train. Trains are better if you like the journey.
- CarsA car helps in the Lakeland and Lapland, where distances are long. In winter, check whether your rental includes winter tyres and how to drive on ice.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Finland. Each city guide has its own list.
- Lapland rooms and activities2 to 6 months ahead
Winter sells out around Christmas and February, and husky, reindeer and aurora trips have limited places.
- Night trains and sleeper cabins1 to 2 months ahead
Sleeper berths on the Lapland routes are limited and go first.
- Popular restaurants in Helsinki1 to 3 weeks ahead
Well-known places fill up at weekends and in summer.
- Lakeside cabins in summer2 to 4 months ahead
Cabins are the main way to stay in the Lakeland, and July is the busiest month.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are taken almost everywhere, including small cafes and kiosks. Carry little cash.
- TippingService is included, so tipping is not expected. Rounding up the bill for good service is fine.
- Tourist taxesFinland has no national tourist tax. A law letting each municipality set its own charge on stays has been proposed, so check whether your booking mentions one.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type F sockets at 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- SaunasPublic saunas are part of everyday life. Some are mixed and use swimwear, others are separate for men and women, so check the rules before you go in.
What to skip in Finland
- Lapland on a single day trip
Distances are long, and a day trip leaves little time for the activities. Plan at least two nights, or choose Helsinki and its coast instead.
- Counting on the northern lights
They depend on clear skies and activity, and are never certain. Stay several nights and treat any sighting as a bonus.
- Late autumn and early spring for sightseeing
Weather is damp and gray, and some seasonal places close. Go in summer or deep winter, or choose indoor sights.
Finland: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Finland?
Four days is enough for Helsinki and a trip out. A week adds the Lakeland or Turku, and Lapland needs its own three or four days.
What are the best places to visit in Finland?
Helsinki comes first. Beyond it, Lapland, the Lakeland, Turku and its archipelago, and Porvoo are the most popular choices.
What is the best time to visit Finland?
June to August for long days and lakes, and December to March for snow and northern lights. Late autumn and early spring are the weakest months.
Is Finland expensive for tourists?
Yes, it costs more than much of Europe. Restaurant meals, hotels and Lapland activities add up, so cook some meals, book rooms early and use trains.
Can you see the northern lights in Finland?
Often in Lapland, from late summer to spring, on clear nights. They are never guaranteed, so stay several nights to improve your chances.
Is Finland easy to get around without a car?
Yes, for the main towns. Trains and coaches connect Helsinki with Turku, Tampere and Lapland, though a car helps in the Lakeland and the north.
Which currency does Finland use?
The euro. Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere, so you will rarely need cash.
What is a good Finland itinerary for 7 days?
Three nights in Helsinki, then Tampere and a lakeside town for the rest. In winter, swap the lakes for a few nights in Lapland.