Getting Around in Finland

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Getting Around
in Finland

Finland is a large and sparsely populated country, but getting from point A to B is no hassle. Transport networks by air, rail, road and water are comprehensive and reliable.

When arriving in Finland, chances are you’ll be landing in Helsinki. Even if not, you’ll notice all corners of the country are connected. Whether you travel by plane, train or car – we ensure you will get where you were going.

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

BY TRAIN

Finnish trains are spacious, comfortable and clean. The rail network stretches all over the country from Helsinki to Kolari in Lapland.

Trains are well-maintained and the scenery along the rails is beautiful, especially in Eastern Finland with its many lakes. For longer distances, traveling overnight in a sleeping car is recommended. Car carriers are also available. Kids will be happy to travel in the train’s play area.

VR – Finnish Railways

BY AIR

There are 27 airports in Finland, five of which have regular international flight services. The main gateway is the Helsinki-Vantaa international airport.

The northernmost airport is in Ivalo in Lapland, approximately 250 kilometres above the Arctic Circle. The following airlines operate domestic flights in Finland:

Finnair, Norwegian, SAS

BY BOAT AND FERRY

There’s a plethora of charter and sightseeing cruises along local coastlines and inland waterways. Please see details with the tourist office of your destination.

Several ferry lines operate cruises to the autonomous Finnish islands of Åland and countries by the Baltic Sea:

Viking Line (Estonia, Sweden, Åland)

Tallink Silja (Estonia, Sweden, Åland)

Finnlines (Germany, Sweden, Åland)

St. Peter Line (Russia – St. Petersburg)

Eckerö Line (Estonia)

BY COACH

Finland’s coach route network is one of the most comprehensive in Europe covering more than 90 per cent of public roads. If the rail network doesn’t reach your chosen Finnish destination, coaches will take you there. Riding a coach is a good way to take in the scenery along smaller roads. See the following sites for coaches to your destination:

Matkahuolto, Onnibus, ExpressBus

BY CAR

Finland has right-handed traffic with a polite and stress-free driving culture. There’s a good network of petrol stations close to each other. Driving in Finland in the summer is a breeze, but can be tricky in the winter if you don’t have any experience. Roads get slippery and snow tires are legally required from December to February. Headlights must be used at all times. Motorists in Finland should remain alert for elk and reindeer which frequently wander onto roads and are most active at dusk.

Some of the car rentals operating in Finland:

Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Scandia Rent, Sixt

BY Boat

Almost all of Finland’s coastal and lakeside towns run boat services, as well as organized sightseeing and charter cruises. Lakeland and Archipelago cruises range from short expeditions to leisurely tours with cabin accommodation. Vessels vary from old-fashioned lake steamers to open-top motor cruisers ideal for sightseeing.

BY bike

Cycling is a great way to get around and do some local sightseeing. Roads and terrain all over Finland – not to mention the scenery – are terrific for pedalling.

why not pop to russia too?

While in Finland, popping to Russia is easy by train these days. The new Allegro takes passengers from Helsinki to St. Petersburg in only three hours. Don’t forget to have a valid Russian visa on your passport.

Culture

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Getting Around in Finland