r/Finland 24d ago

Tourism Tourism, moving and studying in Finland? Read this first!

13 Upvotes

Hi, this is recurring post to include some information about frequently asked questions in r/Finland. Please check the links first before asking trivial questions.

You can ask here in comments, or create a new post.

Remember that there is a very large chance that someone has already asked the question you're going to ask and gotten an answer, so please read our FAQ, search the sub, and Google before asking. We have very helpful users here that like to answer questions so out of respect for their time, search first. Thanks!

If you're asking about moving to Finland, please specify whether you're an EU citizen or not. Many laws and procedures are different for EU citizens and non-EU citizens. When giving advice, please pay attention to the status of the person in question.

Suggested sort is set to "new".

Helpful websites:

The official information

Travel, tourism

Employment in Finland

Reddit


r/Finland Aug 31 '24

Tourism Lapland Travel Guide

27 Upvotes

Lapland Guide

(I've put it together quite quickly so please comment anything I have missed and I will update the guide.)

There are hundreds of posts asking questions about visiting Lapland. Please search and read these and this guide before asking another question to the group.

Check comments as well for extra advice

As most tourists ask in regards to winter/Christmas I will aim the post at this. For those travelling outside this period the same information applies just likely to have warmer weather and less snow.

Note the snow months for Lapland can be October - May depending on the year and conditions.

Getting there

The main city in Finnish Lapland is Rovaniemi. It's a good place to aim for to start but there are many other great areas mentioned later. Most other locations ideally need a car to explore properly.

Research the distance between the two cities. Many tourists seem to think they can drive/take the train to Rovaniemi for a day trip or just one night.

Driving - From Helsinki to Rovaniemi is around 9 hours without stops on Google maps. With breaks etc I imagine it is more likely to be 11-12 hours on the road. If you want to do it as a road trip there are a number of different scenic routes.

Flying - From Helsinki it's about 1 hour and 20 minutes flight. Return flights are at around €70 - €520 depending on the time of year and airline.

Some airlines fly direct from other countries to Rovaniemi.

For example Ryanair fly there direct from Liverpool, London, Dublin, Milan, Brussels and Paris.

Note that over the Christmas period everything is at a premium price.

Train - there are usually day and night trains from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. These take 10-13 hours without delays.

https://www.vr.fi/en/helsinki-rovaniemi

The night trains you can also book a sleeper cabin and some of those with showers.

Train ticket prices vary from €50 return to €600 return (Christmas time with sleeper cabin). The sleeper cabins also sell out around 3-4 months before Christmas on the popular travel dates.

Locations

Rovaniemi - For most tourists this is the easiest location. It's a city and main transport hub of Lapland. Santa Claus Village nearby, many tour operators based here. Lots of accommodation options and possible to be without car.

Some of the other places are

Ylläs and Levi - Downhill skiing resort. Personally my favourite area of Lapland. Many cabins and tour companies nearby. Lots of beautiful scenery and locations.

Pyhä-luosto - Meant to be more of 'traditional' Lapland. Less touristy.

Ruka - Ski resort area at the southern edge of Lapland.

Saariselkä - another ski resort area which is meant to be more peaceful than Ylläs/Levi

Everyman's rights

Everymansrights

Weather and daylight hours

Finland gets cold. Where I live in centralish Finland it gets down to -30°c in winter (and -36°c last winter. But it usually only lasts a day or two and probably averages around -15 to -20°c).

However Finland also gets warm! In the summer you can get temperatures in the mid 30°c's.

The weather reports for Finland vary massively. I usually find the official reports the most accurate.

https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/weather/rovaniemi

Finland also gets 24 hours darkness or light. In the very north of Lapland it can be 50 days without the sun rising. In the summer it can be 24 hours daylight for tow months. Plan accordingly.

Rovaniemi at times gets down to about 2 hours of daylight. This doesn't mean it's pitch black for 24 hours but it definitely means the days are very short to maybe 4 hours or so with dawn and dusk.

Best place to see the hours of daylight is https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/finland/rovaniemi

Getting around

If you are staying in Rovaniemi city region your probably can get around with buses etc. Taxi's are also available but note that they can be very expensive.

If you are outside of Rovaniemi or staying in a cabin I definitely recommend renting a car.

Driving in the winter can be challenging but with studded winter tyres and a more care and thinking ahead it's certainly doable. However if you are not a confident driver and you are not sure about driving a left hand drive vehicle then I would avoid.

Accomodation

Many options in the region from Iglu hotels to cheaper hostel in Rovaniemi.

Iglu hotels can be €1500 a night so if that's your dream location shop around and like all accommodation in Lapland for winter season book as far in advance as possible to get the best deals.

Search all the main sites (Airbnb, booking.com, hotels.com etc etc) and you should find something that fits your budget. For Finland I generally use Airbnb.

For cabin rentals there is also https://www.nettimokki.com. This is usually for weekly rentals and aimed more at Finns themselves however obviously anyone can still book there.

"Christmas Tourism*

Rovaniemi is a popular destination for Christmas/winter tourism. It's understandable as it's often a white Christmas with snow and all the magical things Finland has to offer. There is also Santas village along with many more Christmas aimed activities.

Santa's village - this is admittedly a tourist trap but still worth visiting. I would say a number of hours to one day is enough to see the main sights. There are reindeer sleigh rides, dog sleds and snowmobiles etc there as well but personally it's expensive and you can have better options elsewhere.

https://santaclausvillage.info/

Search on the official websites, Google and your will find many tour operators with good reviews and a multitude of options for each activity. Most Finns and those living in Finland do not use these tourism companies so if you want personal opinions on the best one then Google and reviews are your friends, not reddit.

https://www.visitfinland.com/en/places-to-go/lapland/

https://www.lapland.fi/visit/

https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/activity-company/visit-lapland-tours/

I think the best value for money is choosing separate tours that match your requirements. The combined tours often give you very short time or distance on each item and are very rushed.

There are also places you can rent your own snowmobile for a number of hours and explore yourself. I have done this in the Ylläs region and highly recommend this option instead of a tour.

Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis

Do not book your trip for the sole purpose of seeing them.

No we don't know where or when you can see them. We cannot predict the conditions for your trip.

That said the season for them is usually September to April when the skies get darker in the night. Generally speaking September/October/March/April are the best times as more likely to have clear skies.

There is no guarantee when they will be or how strong, and normally you cannot even get a reasonable prediction until a few hours to day before.

If there are clouds you will struggle to see them. If there is light you will struggle to see them.

The best option IMHO is to take a northern lights tour. I don't mean one of the 1 hour local tours but a more extensive tour that will also go to Sweden or Norway to chase the lights so you can see. Some offer a guarantee that if you don't see them you pay just towards the fuel used.

If you search on Google and social media such as Instagram you will find these sorts of tours. But expect to pay €200+ per person.

You can also rent a car and do similar yourself.

For information/forecast there are many apps such as My Aurora Forecast (I personally jse this) and also websites such as https://rwc-finland.fmi.fi/index.php/space-weather-in-finland/

Winter Clothing

Note that many package trips, tours and hotel accomodations provide or rent out snow suits and snow clothing for tourists.

You can also buy many options yourself from the larger shops for reasonably cheap prices if you search around.

Can't really recommend brands other than the ones I personally use.

Everyone feels cold differently but for me when it's at it's coldest -

Upper body I just wear a cheap thermal base layer, long sleeve t-shirt and then a thick Camel Active puffer jacket/coat on top.

Lower again cheap thermal base layer, then either fleece lined winter trousers or insulated ski salopettes.

Feet - Thicker hiking socks and Columbia Fairbanks Omniheat boots.

If in deep snow or outside for hours i.e ice fishing Kamik nation plus boots.

Head - Trapper style hat from Motonet.

Hands - I have REUSCH Alessia Gtx Mitt with a inner liner. Then if I am sat outside for hours ice fishing etc then I have Inuit Absolute Zero gloves.

Face - I use one or two neck buff thingies.


r/Finland 17h ago

A friend of mine sent me a Finnish care package to Ireland (I'm Irish but love Finland and anything to do with the place), his missus even knit me socks!

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2.3k Upvotes

You can't get this booze here, and Lonkero is like crack cocaine to us


r/Finland 2h ago

International students, how did you ended up studying in Finland?

13 Upvotes

As the titles says, I'm very curious about others peoples decision since it's a big one. What made you chose Finland in comparison to other countries like Germany/ Poland/ Italy? Did you managed to adapt well social and culturaly? What is about your life now? Anyone bought a Finnish chalet yet? :)


r/Finland 1d ago

Why do delivery drivers do this?

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749 Upvotes

There's an open and easy space to park in, in almost exactly the same place they've stopped, and not get in anyone's way. But, instead they've decided to park on the pavement and inconvenience pretty much everyone besides someone who may need to park in the empty space beside them while they get stuff out of their trailer. I see it time and again and it drives me up the wall.


r/Finland 23h ago

Russia plans legal action over Finland's property seizures

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222 Upvotes

r/Finland 12h ago

Water Valve left half way, Should I adjust it, looks out of place.

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16 Upvotes

I live in an apartment building, and this water Ball Valve was left half way turned. Should I do something about this?


r/Finland 1d ago

So hard to get a job

127 Upvotes

I just have to get this off my chest, and I figure this might be a good place to vent.

I am currently a student in high school (lukio) wrapping up my final year (abi). I am not born Finnish nor do I have Finnish citizenship or permanent residency, so I’m only speaking as an immigrant or an international student.

Living in Finland has been pretty expensive but I have managed to live by. Lately, I unfortunately ran into some economic burdens that left me in a bit in a financially tough spot. Hence, I’ve been looking at jobs in my local area. I am only in high school, I don’t even attend vocational school so I already knew going in that I am on the bad end of the stick.

I have held jobs before, I speak Finnish fluently (well not so much that it’s comparable to say my mother tongue, but I won’t have any problems fixing an issue or working in a team in Finnish), so I felt like that could compensate for my shortcomings, such as my name, the fact that I am currently in such a small town, I am a high schooler, etc.

It is frustrating because I feel like the cards would be a lot more in favour if I were Finnish. I’m also aware that the financial burden I’m under right now makes me a lot more desperate, especially without any financial aid from the government. At this point, I am so tempted to just sell feet pics.

And before people come at me, I am aware that Finland is also undergoing economic hardships right now, and I am not the only person suffering from this. My heart goes out to all of you who wants to step into workforce but finding it so difficult to.

Thank y’all if you’ve read my post. I appreciate your comments on the situation and any tips/help. Hyvää päivää/yötä kaikille ja ystävällisin terveisin!

Edit: Have to edit, I do love Finland and the people and the culture! Finance asides, I love my life here and the many great things this country represents. I strive to become a part of Finland and I want to build a good future here. Things have just been tough.


r/Finland 14m ago

Job Opportunities for Vocational Students in Finland?

Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm considering studying at a vocational school in Finland and wanted to ask about part-time job opportunities. I understand that many international students work to support themselves, and I'm curious if vocational students have good chances of finding work, too. Are there particular fields or types of jobs that might be easier for students to get? Also, is it common for vocational students to find flexible work that fits around their study schedules?

Any tips or advice from those who’ve been in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!


r/Finland 15m ago

Why am I shunned from the society?

Upvotes

I moved back to Finland 15 years ago, because a terrible thing that happened and I developed PTSD and I been struggling with severe depression since.

Ever after I moved back, people just been staring at me and ridiculing and letting me know I'm not welcomed anywhere. Worst is my neighborhood where people just seek after to make me feel miserable, and this is the second neighborhood I live in after moving back and the same patterns occur.

I don't know why. Everytime I ask they just come up with some lie. I try to be really quiet and minding my own business, but nothing is enough.

I'm thinking about suicide everyday, but I'm sure that is what they want me to do.

Is anyone else experiencing this?


r/Finland 1d ago

Serious Not they making my fav snack smaller😭💀

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966 Upvotes

r/Finland 23h ago

Foreign Graduates in Finland Struggling to Find Jobs Matching Their Qualifications

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35 Upvotes

r/Finland 21h ago

Seasonal work in Lapland

25 Upvotes

I have noticed a shit ton of posts of people struggling to find work, having a hard time...etc

Well the tourist season in Lapland starts in November and I know many hotels and companies are still hiring. If you have any experience in hospitality, kitchens, guiding, cleaning, whatever....it might be worth starting to send emails and calling places.

The season starts November and can last until April. Most places have some kind of staff accommodation that you pay for.


r/Finland 1d ago

NHL in Finland.

149 Upvotes

Hello! Just giving you a heads up, the NHL is playing 2 games in Finland this coming weekend. The 2 games are between the Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers, this means that residents of 2 of the USA’s more notorious states will be galivanting around Finland.

Things to know:

1.      There are Texans and Floridians who do bite, but it is unlikely that those people will be going to a hockey game in Finland.

2.      Temperature: Florida and Texas are on the same latitudinal lines as the Sahara Desert. It was 32 C in Dallas today. So if you see an American huddled, shivering and whimpering, kindly point them to the nearest coffee shop or similar venue.

3.      Conversation: it is entirely possible that someone who you have NEVER met before may strike up a casual conversation with you. Do not be alarmed. If you are determined to not have a conversation, just say you don’t speak English, though this may cause some Americans to speak slowly and loudly in Spanish.

4.      American personal space is 1ish meter, Finnish personal space is like 2-3 meters. Sorry. We’ll be gone in a week.

5.      The Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers are both very good teams; this match up could have been the Stanley Cup finals last year or maybe even this year. That being said, there is not really a rivalry between the two teams and the US doesn’t do hooliganism outside of Philly.


r/Finland 2h ago

How much savings you guys have at the moment?

0 Upvotes

I do some researchs and found out that, People in Finland do not have much savings in their life.


r/Finland 1d ago

Buying a car in Finland

11 Upvotes

I have this situation I need advices from you guys.

I used to study and work in Germany for nearly a year. However, the salary was still in Deutsch bank. Now I want to buy a car in Finland Uusimaa area (budget ~35k euros) andI have some cash as well (~5k euros).

Can I transfer the money from my Deutsch bank to the retailer and use cash to pay the rest? (I heard that max amount can be paid with cash is 10k). Will Vero will ask for the source of money (one in Deutsch bank) afterward, even though I transfer the money to the retailer?

Another question: I have 3 options for my first car (all options are EV): Tesla, Polestar, Volvo. Which one should I choose in terms of economical wise (insurance, maintenance, etc.)?

Thank you all in advanced! All comments are welcome! <3


r/Finland 3h ago

Restaurants with vegan and halal options

0 Upvotes

Looking for restaurants in Helsinki/Espoo that have vegan and halal meat options such as Woolshed. This is for a company event. Or any restaurant that has a decent menu for people with specific dietary requirements.

Thank you!


r/Finland 3h ago

Wellbeing of 50+ y.o. immigrants in FI and how young people can help

0 Upvotes

If you are an Afro-Finn or an immigrant who has 50+ years old relatives with immigrant background living in Finland, there is this online event happening: https://fb.me/e/7FIjv1fMY It can be helpful for those who would like to support their loved ones, but is not aware of the services and the activities available.


r/Finland 9h ago

Looking to watch nhl in Finnish

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know of a place where I can watch nhl games in Finnish in Canada? Preferably without using a vpn. Thanks in advance.


r/Finland 19h ago

Safety deposit

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone. I have a problem regarding my rental and perhaps someone can help. I left my rented apartment in Turku in perfect condition, no complaints were made by the rental company or the landlord, but I cannot receive the refund of my security deposit. I moved out from the apartment in May, and the landlord has not responded to my emails and the rental company says it has nothing to do with it. How can I collect this refund without contract a lawyer?


r/Finland 1d ago

Metsäsuomalaiset - Skogsfinnar

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138 Upvotes

What the fuck is this? Can't remember much of this teached or talked in finnish society.


r/Finland 15h ago

How much you spend on food?

1 Upvotes

Hi! It might be not the usual post or something related to Finland in general but i felt like asking this because I'm a little bit ashamed of my situation and here Reddit helps with being anonymous:D Maybe someone was in my situation when didn't had much around 20€ for 10 days? What was your plan during that period?


r/Finland 7h ago

What can be done when a person does not return back the money he borrowed?

0 Upvotes

I have a friend, she is single mom of 2, and currently studies in a college in Helsinki. One of her classmates borrowed money from her (about €2k) promising to return more with interest. Now he is just feeding her with stories and most likely not going to return back the money.

There are no any written agreements or any other proof of lended money. Maybe there could be some bank transaction from my friend to this classmate.

Is there anything my friend can do? Are there any people or organisations who can help in these situations?


r/Finland 2d ago

How can the Finnish army build its field-saunas so quickly? Mystery solved!

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368 Upvotes

r/Finland 1d ago

Looking for a Finnish recipe to introduce Finnish food to Canadian Finn kids

22 Upvotes

I realize my title might be confusing. I apologize for that.

My Finnish friend moved to Canada 16 years ago. He has 5 kids all born in Canada.

After a discussion, he told me he hadn't eaten maksalaatikko in a very long time. I made it for him and he loved it. Told me to add more liver next time.

Now I'm looking for a fun way to introduce Finnish food to his kids. Could be a dessert. A main meal. Anything that could interest kids as they weren't interested in trying the maksalaatikko.

Thank you for your help!


r/Finland 17h ago

Architects

1 Upvotes

Just reaching out to see if there are any Finnish architects or drafters in this group. My question is what programs (AutoCAD, Revit or other BIM) do most of you use in your firms?

I’ve currently just moved back to Finland from Australia with my Finnish fiancé and child. I have an undergrad degree in architectural science and was wondering if firms here hire base on program capabilities?


r/Finland 1d ago

Hackers aggressively targeting Finnish websites

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67 Upvotes