Finland is a country in northern Europe and it is known for its over 188,000 lakes and multiple islands. It’s extreme northern location produces extremely long days in the summer and very little sunlight in the winter.
Finland has a cold climate and it has cold, dark winters and mild summers. Expect below zero temperatures during the winter and 70s in the summer months. October-December is normally rainy and really dreary so it’s not a great time to visit.
Finland is a large country and transportation is generally fairly expensive.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (near Helsinki) is Finland’s main international airport and it serves many major and budget airlines . Tampere (central Finland) and Lappeenranta (near the Russian border) are also served by Ryanair. There are a few other airports that cater to budget airlines, like Wizz Air.
Finland has an extensive rail network and the trains tend to be modern and comfortable. Although, like most of northern Europe, trains tend to be expensive. Expect delays after major snowfall.
There are bus routes to most cities in Finland but bus travel is generally more expensive (and slower) than train travel… but this isn’t always true. Routes that compete directly with trains are often a little cheaper. You can also buy a 7 or 14 day bus pass if you plan on traveling a lot.
Renting a car is expensive and winter driving can be very dangerous.
Finland has been voted the most expensive country so it isn’t a great place for travelers on a tight budget.
Alcohol is expensive so a night out will cost quite a bit. Alcohol is more affordable in stores but be aware that stores stop serving alcohol at 9pm. You’ll find a few Finnish beer brands and plenty of imported options. Wine and vodka are also available is most shops.
