Touring in Finland
Tour Finland at your own pace!
Touring is one of the best ways to get to know a country and to see what it has to offer. There are plenty of possible routes to choose from and a whole range of different accommodation options. We have selected various points of interest, accommodation available, local events and charming roads that are easily missed if you don’t know about them beforehand. You can combine these routes and make your holiday a real grand tour of Finland.
Have a great trip!
Useful Information
| Gateways to Finland | The main gateways to Finland from Western Europe by sea are Helsinki and Turku in the south and by road via Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa and Imatra from Russia. Plenty of direct flights are available from Europe to Helsinki and good connections and flight rates also to other towns in Finland, if you prefer fly and drive packages. |
| Driving in Finland | The minimum age for drivers is 18. Driving licences issued in Geneva and Vienna Road Convention countries are valid for driving in Finland up to one year from the date of entry. Driving licences issued in EU countries are valid without any time restrictions. The blood alcohol legal limit is 0.5 ‰. |
Elk and Reindeer Warning
 | Elk and reindeer often cross the roads. Warning signs showing approximate length of the danger zones are posted in these areas. |
Finncheque
 | Finncheque is a convenient means of payment at Finnish hotelsEach Finncheque is worth € 37 or € 46 (prices in 2007) and includes accommodation per person in double room, breakfast and service in selected Finncheque hotels of the following hotel chains: Best Western Finland, Finlandia Hotels, Fontana Hotels, Private Hotels, Restel Hotel Group, Sokos Hotels, Scandic Hotels and Solaris Hotels. The hotels are located throughout Finland, so whatever your plans, you can be sure there is a Finncheque hotel on your route.
We have listed the Finncheque Hotels located along the routes presented in this brochure in the information column at the end of each tour. |
| Emergency tel. 112 | If you have a car accident, report it to Finnish Motor Insurance Centre, Liikennevakuutuskeskus, Bulevardi 28, FI-00120 Helsinki, tel. +358 (0)9 680 401, fax +358 (0)9 6804 0391. |
| Fuel | Petrol stations are usually open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, shorter hours at weekends. Some petrol stations are open 24 hours. There are automatic pumps that operate upon the insertion of bank notes or credit cards.
Unleaded petrol: Regular (95 octane) and Super (98 octane) available, pump legend “lyijytön polttoaine”.
Diesel is available, there is “summer” and “winter” quality. LPG is not available.
Spare fuel: Both from EU and non-EU countries only 10 litres allowed. |
| Lighting | All motor vehicles must use dipped headlights at all times of the day regardless of time or weather conditions. This rule applies to built-up and other areas alike. |
| Maps | Maps are available from Karttakeskus (Map Center), Vuorikatu 26-28, FI-00100 Helsinki.
tel. +358 (0)205 777 580. www.karttakeskus.fi |
Road Signs
Touristic Road | Most signs conform to the international pattern. However, you should know that a black sign notifies that different local services, e.g. accommodation, berries, B&B, are available.
The official travel routes are marked with a brown signpost. |
| Seat Belts | If fitted, compulsory use in all seats, front and back. |
| Speed Limits | Built-up areas: 31 mph/50 km/h
Outside built-up areas: 50–62 mph/80–100 km/h
Motorways: 74 mph/120 km/h
Cars towing a caravan or trailer are limited to
50 mph/80 km/h. |
| Traffic Offences | Police are empowered to impose instant fines, but not authorised to collect them. Fines should be paid at banks. |
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