Finland Travel Guide

Some facts about Finland

People often call Finland the land of a thousand lakes, but that doesn't really do it justice. There are over 180,000 of them, which look just as beautiful surrounded by green forest in the summer as they do frozen over in the Lappish winter.

Speaking of Lapland, it's the 'official' home of Santa Claus himself, who you can meet at Santa Claus Village in the Lappish capital Rovaniemi. There are more reindeer than people in Finnish Lapland, so yes you'll feel very Christmassy if you visit in December. We headed there recently if you wanted a few tips and tricks on things to do while you're there.

Wherever you decide to visit in this wonderful country, you'll never be far from a sauna. There are over three million of them in Finland, after all. Saunas are an integral part of Finnish culture, and it's common for hardy locals to go from the intense heat of the sauna to diving into frozen lakes and rolling in the snow. Whether you choose to take the plunge or not, a stress-relieving sauna session is a must.

Practical Info

Culture and etiquette

Religion

Around two thirds of the Finnish population are Christian – the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the largest religion.

Tipping

A tip is always appreciated but not expected – a service charge is usually added to the bill at restaurants.

Smoking

Smoking is banned in most enclosed public places including bars, restaurants and public transport. Finland plans to ban tobacco completely by 2030.

Jabs, visas and other advice

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

In an emergency, call 112.

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Getting to Finland

The quickest way to get to Finland from the UK is to fly. Flights from London to Helsinki take around 2 hours 50 minutes, and it's 3 hours 20 minutes for Rovaniemi.

You'll love cruising there too. There are cruise ports all over the country, including Helsinki, and you'll get the chance to see other Nordic countries like Denmark, Norway and Sweden along the way.

Getting around Finland

Hiring a car is a great option in Finland. If you're driving in forested areas keep an eye out for elk and reindeer as they're often found crossing the road. Heading there in the winter? Take a look at our winter holiday tips that cover everything from what to pack to driving in the snow.

Finland's rail network is excellent too. Carriages are spacious and comfortable, and sleeper trains are available if you're travelling a long way. The route from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is particularly beautiful, taking you from the lively Finnish capital all the way to the home of Santa Claus in Lapland.

Most large towns and cities have efficient bus networks, and Helsinki has a metro, trams, trains and ferries that'll get you where you need to go.