If you are planning a vacation to Finland, you will almost certainly be flying during the winter to experience the northern lights. However, many tourists visit Finland during the summer, which is also worthwhile. In this article, we are creating a checklist for visiting Finland. This checklist will let you know the things you should consider while planning your trip and the things you should carry while traveling to Finland.
Also, read – Our Finland tour package
Checklist to visit Finland
Things you should consider while planning Finland tour with a checklist to visit Finland
- Before Booking Finland tour package one has to consider checking visa requirement as per the nationality. Finland comes under Schengen countries. Depending on passport one should see if they need to apply for Schengen visa or not.
- It is also very important to have clarity about the tour expectation. Many people visit Finland to experience norther lights and that is only possible during winters.
- The particular activities and experiences you are interested in will determine the ideal time to visit Finland. The summer months of June, July, and August, when the climate is warm and the days are long, are typically the most favored times of year to travel to Finland. This is the ideal time to go trekking, fishing, and engaging in other outdoor activities because the temperature at this time can range from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.
- A popular season to travel to Finland is during the winter months of December, January, and February, when the country is transformed into a winter wonderland with snow-covered landscapes, the Northern Lights, and popular winter activities like skiing and snowmobiling. During this time, the temperature might range from -10 to -30 degrees Celsius.
- Consider traveling to Finland between May and September, when the weather is still beautiful and prices are lower, if you want to avoid the crowds and high season rates.
- It’s important to keep in mind that Finland’s weather may be erratic, so it’s always a good idea to check the forecast before leaving and pack appropriately.
- Overall, your travel plans will determine the best time to visit Finland. Every season has its own appeal, and depending on the season of the year, you can enjoy a variety of experiences.
- You should also consider booking arrival and departure from Helsinki airport, instead of paying 100’s of dollars extra to fly from from other smaller airports of Finland. Many times, internal transfers back to Helsinki airport in Finland is cost effective.
- It is also important to recognise preferred transportation medium while on your tour. For example you can consider using train or flights to switch between different regions of Finland. Some times train Journey is more beautiful and cost effective if compared to flights. On the other hand, flights sometimes helps to quickly reach out to the destination.
- Trains in Finland though is a good medium of transportation, however sometimes it gets tricky to reach out to your destination. One should get guidance and do self study before booking train Journeys.
- In some regions of Finland like in Lapland, many people consider hiring a self- drive car. It becomes cost effective and gives more flexibility.
- In Finland, usually driving licenses issued by maximum countries are valid for first 6 months. After that one is required to go for international driving license or local Finish driving license. The license should be in English otherwise IDP has to be applied.
- You should choose your accommodation wisely depending on your desire. If the motive is to search for Northern lights, there is no point staying in a normal building hotel in Rovaniemi. You should look for an open air glass accommodation in Lapland where there is no light pollution. This ways you will have more chances of experiencing northern lights.
- In the main cities of Finland food will never become a problem be it Japanese, Chinese, Continental or Indian. Food might be a bit expensive, however someone visiting Finland should prepare themselve for high cost of living.
- In the winter, it is critical to dress warmly in layers to keep yourself warm. The following are some winter apparel items that are recommended:
- Thermal underwear is lightweight and breathable, and it traps heat close to your body to keep you warm.
- Sweaters and fleeces are warm and can be worn over thermal underwear.
- Jackets with down or synthetic insulation: These give extra warmth and are ideal for outdoor activities.
- Waterproof and Windproof Outerwear: To defend against snow and wind, a winter coat, jacket, or parka constructed of waterproof and windproof material is essential.
- Hats, scarves, and gloves: To keep the cold off your head, hands, and neck.
- Warm Socks and Boots: Insulated boots and thick socks will keep your feet warm and dry.
- For activities in deep snow, snow pants and/or snow bibs are recommended.
- It’s also worth noting that synthetic textiles that wick away moisture, like polyester, will keep you dry and warm in chilly weather. Furthermore, cotton garments can trap moisture and make you feel cold.
- Things to consider while buying Jackets for Finland tour in Winters
- When buying a jacket for a tour in Finland during the winter, it is important to consider the type of activities you will be doing and the temperatures you will be facing. A jacket that is well-insulated, waterproof, and windproof is recommended.
- A down jacket is a good option as it is extremely warm and lightweight. A parka or a ski jacket can also be a good choice as they often have a waterproof and windproof outer layer, as well as a warm insulation layer.
- Another important factor is to look for a jacket that is breathable, so that sweat and moisture can escape, and you stay dry and comfortable. A jacket with a hood or a jacket that can be worn with a hat, is also a good idea to keep your head and ears warm.
- It is critical to wear in lightweight, breathable clothing in the summer to stay cool and comfortable in hot weather. The following clothing articles are recommended for summer wear:
- Lightweight T-shirts and Tank Tops: Made of cotton or synthetic fabrics that drain moisture away, these garments will keep you cool and dry.
- Shorts: Lightweight cotton or synthetic shorts are comfy and cool.
- Sun protection clothing: Long-sleeved cotton shirts and slacks can help protect your skin from the sun.
- In hot weather, lightweight and breathable pants, such as linen or cotton pants, are comfortable and cool.
- Sunhat: To keep the sun off your face and head.
- Sunglasses: To shield your eyes from the sun’s rays.
- Sandals, flip-flops, and canvas shoes are lightweight and breathable, and will keep your feet cool and comfy.
- Sunscreen: Use a high-SPF sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn and skin cancer.
- It’s crucial to remember that if you’re going to be outside for an extended amount of time, you should dress in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that reflects sunlight and keeps you cool. Natural fiber materials, such as cotton and linen, are also more breathable than synthetic fabrics, such as polyester.
- The currency used in Finland is the Euro (EUR). The Euro is the official currency of the European Union and is used by many countries in the EU.
- Banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. Coins come in denominations of 1 and 2 Euros and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
- It’s easy to find ATMs, currency exchange offices and banks in Finland where you can withdraw cash or exchange currency.
- Some shops, restaurants, and hotels may accept credit cards, but it’s always a good idea to have cash on hand for small purchases and for places that don’t accept credit cards.
- UPI’s wont work in Finland
- Finland has both Finnish and Swedish as its official languages. About 90% of the population speaks Finnish as their native tongue, whereas just about 5% speak Swedish.
- Finnish is a Uralic language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics system; it is not connected to the Scandinavian languages or to Russian. In addition to Finland, it is also spoken in some regions of Sweden, Norway, and Russia.
- Swedish, on the other hand, belongs to the Germanic family of languages and is connected to Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic, among others. In addition to being an official language in Finland, Swedish is also spoken there, especially in the western and southern coastal regions.
- You should not have any issue speaking with people if you speak English, as it is widely spoken throughout Finland, especially among the younger population and in the business sector. There are also many bilingual signs and announcements around Finland.
Checklist of Documents required to visit Finland
- To enter Finland, you will need a valid passport or a national ID card (if you are a citizen of the European Union or the European Economic Area). If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Finland, you will need a valid visa as well.
- Your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date of arrival in Finland
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended
- You will also need to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in Finland.
- You should also have a return ticket or an onward journey ticket.
- Accommodation proof is required to travel to Finland.
- In addition to the above, Finland has implemented a digital pre-arrival registration for travelers arriving from certain countries, you will have to fill out an online form before arriving to Finland.
Summary of Checklist to Visit Finland
Checklist to visit Finland: Things you should consider while planning your trip and the things you should carry while traveling to Finland. A popular season to travel to Finland is during the winter months of December, January, and February when the country is transformed into a winter wonderland with snow-covered landscapes, the Northern Lights, and popular winter activities like skiing and snowmobiling. The summer months of June, July, and August, when the climate is warm and the days are long, are typically the most favored times of year to tour Finland. Finland’s weather may be erratic, so it’s always a good idea to check the forecast before leaving and pack appropriately. It is important to recognise preferred transportation medium while on your tour of Finland.
In some regions of Finland like in Lapland, many people consider hiring a self-drive car. If the motive is to search for the northern lights, there is no point staying in a normal building hotel in Rovaniemi. For activities in deep snow, snow pants and/or snow bibs are recommended. Synthetic textiles that wick away moisture, like polyester, will keep you dry and warm in chilly weather. Cotton garments can trap moisture and make you feel cold.
In hot weather, lightweight and breathable pants, such as linen or cotton pants, are comfortable and cool. Finland has both Finnish and Swedish as its official languages. The currency used in Finland is the Euro (EUR). The Euro is the official currency of the European Union and is used by many countries in the EU. Natural fiber materials, such as cotton and linen, are also more breathable than synthetic fabrics.
