Driving in Finland

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Driving in Finland

To many people from other European countries, driving on traffic-free roads is a holiday in itself. Roads in Finland are generally in a good condition and empty, with only the evening sunshine to keep drivers company.

Traffic jams on the same scale as central Europe are uncommon in Finland. You might hear complaints about the traffic from Finns, but never from visitors. Their attitude is completely different to that of big-city residents: to a Finn, a delay of a couple of minutes is equivalent to ‘heavy traffic’. There are car hire companies in all major towns and cities, and at airports. It’s worth booking in advance, and you must have a credit card. As long as you have an EU or Swiss driving licence, you can get on the road in Finland straight away.

About Finland

Full of interesting contrasts, such as the four seasons, the Midnight Sun and winter darkness, urban and rural, East and West.

About Finland

Traffic jams are rare

Traffic jams on the same scale as in central Europe are unknown in Finland. In Lapland you might sometimes have to stop for other road users.

Beautiful scenery along the way

Finnish roads are generally in good condition and there is plenty of beautiful, peaceful scenery along the way for you to enjoy.

About speed limitations

The general speed limit in Finland is 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside. Both limits are in force as long as no other speed limit is signposted. On major highways you can drive 100 km/h in the summer and 120 km/h on motorways.

In the winter months, all vehicles must have winter tyres – preferably studded. Roads are generally not gritted. Instead, they are maintained by snowploughs. In winter the general speed limit is reduced everywhere to 80 km/h.

Lights on!

If an oncoming vehicle flashes its high beams at you, this may mean one of a few things in Finland: there is a moose or an accident ahead, or you do not have your headlights on. It is a legal requirement to have your headlights on, whether in summer or winter, in sunlight or darkness, even under the Midnight Sun.

How can you recognise foreign tourists at Finnish petrol stations? They’re the ones who leave their cars by the pump. People in Finland move their cars off to the side after filling their tank and then go in to pay.

Culture

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Driving in Finland