Practical Information

Where to change your money, where to buy your maps, when the shops are open (and closed), how much you should expect to pay for a taxi, restaurant opening times, what clothes to wear at different times of the year: a wealth of practical information for day-to-day survival in Finland.




Ancestry Information on where and how to look for your roots is available from these organisations: Institute of Migration Linnankatu 61, 20100 Turku, tel. +3 Read more			Food and Drink Finland’s range of restaurants and dining options has expanded significantly in recent years, and in addition to excellent menus comprising fresh, in- Read more


Banking Finnish banks are open on weekdays from 09.00 am to 16.15. All banking services are available at branches of banks such as Sampo, Nordea Bank Finland, Read more			Foreign Exchange All banks are open from Monday to Friday 09.00 - 16.30 (office hours may vary regionally), closed on Saturdays and Sundays. In Helsinki foreign curre Read more


Churches The first Sunday morning service (in Finnish or Swedish) in Lutheran churches is usually held at 10.00. (The Evangelial Lutheran church is Finland’s b Read more			Lost Property In Helsinki the Lost Property Service (Löytötavarapalvelu) is at Mäkelänkatu 56, 00160 Helsinki, tel. +358-(0)600 41006 (service number euro 1.67/min Read more


Clothing If you are planning a winter visit, it’s good idea to be prepared for some chilly weather. Finnish buildings are so well heated you’ll want to shed so Read more			Maps Basic road and city maps are available in bookstores all over Finland. Sea and boating charts are for sale in the main ports, in most large bookshops Read more


Courses in Finnish Language Finnish courses for the public are held at Helsinki University Language Centre in Helsinki. Summer courses open to everyone are held by The Associati Read more			Mosquitoes During the summer, mosquitoes are a nuisance in the countryside, especially in the north of Finland. In cities there are almost no mosquitoes. Finnis Read more


Credit Cards American Express, Diner's Club, Eurocard, Access, Master Card and Visa are accepted in hotels, restaurants, larger shops, and department stores. Visa Read more			Postal Services Post Offices are open 09.00 - 18.00 from Monday to Friday. There are also franchised post offices, managed by groceries and petrol service stations, f Read more


Disabled Visitors Finland caters well for disabled people, and legislation ensures that this is the case. Public amenities and transport take relatively good account of Read more			Public and National Holidays There are a dozen official holidays in Finland, 10 church holidays and only two other national holidays, May Day on May 1st, also known as Vappu, and Read more


Distances between Towns and Cities in Finland Distances in kilometres between some cities and municipalities in Finland City/ Municipality Hel- sinki Jyväs- kylä Kilpis- järvi Kuusa- mo Nuo Read more			Shopping Hours Numerous Finnish products such as food, hides, skins, leather, undressed and dressed fur, yarns, fabrics, footwear, furniture, toys, sports goods and Read more


Drinking Water Eighty per cent of the water in Finland is classed as being exceptionally clean. Improved water protection has resulted in an improvement in the quali Read more			Smoking Smoking is not permitted indoors in public buildings and other places open to the public, except in designated smoking zones. These zones are not avai Read more


Driving in Finland The Finnish drive on the right and overtake on the left. Driving in Finland is a relatively stress-free and enjoyable experience but can in winter mon Read more			Tax-free Shopping and Export Service Anyone permanently resident outside the EU and Norway can shop tax free in Finland, thus saving about 12 (max. 16) per cent on purchases of over 40 eu Read more


Electricity The electric current in Finland is 220 V (230 V), 50 Hz. A two-pin plug system, familiar throughout Europe, is used. Adapters are available in airport Read more			Taxis Taxis can be obtained by telephone (see telephone directory under Taksi) or from taxi ranks. The central taxi reservation number in Helsinki is 0100 0 Read more


Emergencies and Medical Services In case of emergency dial 112. Information about health care available in Helsinki round the clock: tel. +358 -(0)9 10 023. For details of dental se Read more			Telephone Calls from Finland By direct dialling: 1. dial the international prefix (00, 990, 994 or 999) 2. the country code (without the general prefix 0) 3. Read more


Entertainment Music lovers can select from a variety of concerts and operas. There are over 1500 events across the country during the summer months, ensuring entert Read more			Time Zone Time in Finland is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The time difference between Eastern U.S. Standard Time and Finnish Standard Time is 7 h Read more


Everyman's Rights Finland's forests, lakes and rivers present incomparable surroundings in which to relax and enjoy the fresh air and unspoilt natural environment. Than Read more			Tipping Tipping culture is almost non-existent in Finland, although it has become more common recently. Service charges are included in hotel room rates, rest Read more