Airplane: Finnair is the main domestic airline and operates from Helsinki and some regional airports have a comprehensive network of connections. There are domestic flights, for example, between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, as well as from Helsinki to Kuopio, Oulu and Vaasa, among others. Other providers for domestic flights are Blue1 and European Executive Express.
The regular prices for domestic flights are relatively high. However, there are always special offers, for example happy hour flights at Finnair which can be booked up to a week in advance.
Ship: ferries operate on Finland’s many lakes and rivers during the summer months. They are more than just a means of transport and traveling with them is an experience. Apart from two-hour trips from places like Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Savolinna, Tampere or Mikkeli, you can also book longer trips and travel halfway through Finland by ferry. The most popular routes are Tampere-Hämeenlinna, Savonlinna-Kuopio, Lahti-Jyväskylä and Joensuu-Koli-Nurmes.
Ferries also run between the coastal cities and the individual islands – mainly in Turku and in the Åland province. Multiple cruise lines offer trips with speedboats to the most interesting islands off the coast, especially in the south of Finland. From Helsinki, for example, the short trip to Suomenlinna is popular. Summer cruises are also offered on board historic steamships. Popular routes are Turku-Naantali and Helsinki-Porvoo.
Rail: the trains of the Finnish State Railways – Valtion Rautatiet (VR) – are clean and reliable. They are fast and the best way to travel by public transport between larger cities such as Helsinki, Tampere, Kuopio, Oulu, or Rovaniemi.
The passenger trains are in first and second class cars divided. Trains for longer distances are equipped with sleeping cars and special car wagons. Ticket prices vary depending on the train and carriage class. Various discount offers can be requested.
There are three railway lines in Finland. The Pohjanmaa line connects Helsinki, Oulu and Kemijärvi in Lapland. The Karelian route runs from Helsinki via Joensuu to Nurmes. The Savonian route eventually connects Kouvola, Kuopio, Iisalmi and Kajaani together.
VR Ltd Finnish Railways has travel agencies in the main train stations. Timetables and tickets are available there. Further information can also be found on the company’s website.
Car: Driving in Finland is relaxed and local drivers are usually very considerate. There are few motorways in Finland; however, the road network is excellent. There are only unpaved roads in the forests and in rural areas.
For departures around cities, the street sign with the inscription Keskusta indicates the city center. There is also parking in the centers.
Petrol is relatively expensive in Finland compared to other European countries.
Rental car
Rental cars are quite expensive in Finland. However, some car rental companies also offer cars at reasonable prices. The main larger companies are Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Avis. There are offices in many Finnish cities.
Bus: the Finnish long-distance bus system is efficient and covers about 90 percent of the country’s roads. The buses are comfortable and run according to a timetable. Compared to Finnish trains, the buses are great for traveling from village to village, while trains are a convenient and inexpensive connection between major centers.
There are two types of intercity bus. The Vakiovuorot – public buses – often stop in towns and villages. The Pikavuorot – Express buses – travel between cities quickly and without major stops. The frequency of the trips offered varies depending on the season and day of the week. Services are often limited on weekends, public holidays and in the summer months.
The sale of tickets for long-distance and express buses is carried out by the company Matkahuolto. Its homepage provides information on all timetables. Tickets are also available from the bus driver. Every city and community center has a bus station – Linja-Autoasema – where the local timetables are posted.
Local transport: There is a bus service in all Finnish cities and municipalities. In all larger cities the buses run every ten to 15 minutes, in smaller cities every 30 minutes. Tickest is available from the driver. The only tram and metro network inFinland is in Helsinki.
Bike: Finland is mostly flat and a bike -friendly country with many bike paths. For long tours, the bicycles can also be taken on trains, buses and ferries. Åland is particularly suitable for cycling. Wearing helmets is a legal requirement in Finland.
Best travel time for Finland
The tourist season in southern Finland and in the Lakeland is between the beginning of June and the end of August. At this time, all sights and accommodations are open, steamboats and ferries operate on the lakes and rivers and numerous festivals take place. Most of the travelers are in Finnish summer holidays on the go, usually from the end of June to the end of July. At this time the nights are particularly short and bright. Visit cellphoneexplorer for Finland Travel Overview.
The tourist season in northern Finland, including Lapland, is different from the south. The mosquitos can be annoying and unbearable in July, but September is lovely with its fall colors. October and February / March are good times to visit Lapland to enjoy the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) or to practice winter sports like skiing or dog sledding. The Christmas holidays are a popular travel time in Lapland – after all, the region is home to Santa Claus.
You can travel to Helsinki all year round.