We've put together 10 tips for you that will work for all travelers to Finland:
- Stores start at 09:00-10:00 and are open until 17:00-18:00. Larger department stores may be open until 20:00. On Saturdays, small stores close at 14:00, larger ones at 16:00. In the summertime, stores and department stores may also be open on Sundays.
- Tourists are obliged to observe laws, norms of behavior, respect traditions, cultural and religious customs. Finland is considered a safe country, but make sure your property and documents are safe. Keep valuables in the hotel safe, make a photocopy of your passport and visa. Familiarize yourself with the terms of insurance specified in the insurance policy!
- Finish hotels don't have traditional stars. There are local "chains" of hotels, each with its own internal standards. Even a two-star hotel can be quite decent, and there is always a sauna. Rooms are usually simple, clean, comfortable. Some hotels have water parks with tropical pools.
- It is not customary to bargain in Finland, but in some stores and markets you can bargain quite successfully, especially in Kauppahalli. There is a whole system of seasonal discounts and sales.
- In the forests and especially on the Åland There are ticks in the forests and especially on the Åland Islands. We recommend taking pants and long sleeve sweaters, and cover your head. If you intend to spend many days in the forest, then for you can get an encephalitis vaccination as a precaution. Red ring around the bite - symptom Lyme disease, seek medical attention immediately.
- Currency can be exchanged at banks, some Postipankki post offices, hotels, seaports and Helsinki Airport (the most favorable rate at bank branches), often you need to show your passport to exchange. Cash can be obtained at ATMs. Credit cards of the world's leading credit card systems are widespread, you can use them to pay in most hotels, stores, restaurants, car rental stores and even in some cabs. In most banks you can cash tourist checks. Banks are usually open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:15, weekends are Saturday and Sunday. On public holidays all banks are closed.
- Service charges are automatically included in the hotel room rates and restaurant bills, so tipping is not accepted, but it is customary to leave up to 1 EUR for checkroom attendants and doormen in restaurants and hotels are usually left up to 1 EUR.
- The country has a network of campgrounds. The fee for parking in a campsite ranges from 7 to 20 EUR, accommodation in a lodge from 26 to 60 EUR. You need a camping card, which you can buy at the campsite for 5 EUR. The international CCI card and other tourist cards are valid here.
- In 2007, a law prohibiting smoking in all public areas came into force in Finland. The law applies to public transportation. Smoking indoors is allowed only in some restaurants or clubs equipped with a special smoking room, where you can not bring drinks and food. And there are very few such places in Finland. Smoking goes outside. Rooms are equipped with devices that catch tobacco smoke. If the room is for non-smokers, then for violation of the rules of smoking will face a fine.
- Finland is quite a cold country. But do not take a lot of things with you. It is enough to take a warm sweater, waterproof jacket (especially for skiing, sledding, outdoor activities), warm waterproof pants and comfortable shoes. Holiday attire will come in handy if you are going to go to a concert or visit the theater, do not forget to take also a hat and scarf. Try to take only those things in which you feel most comfortable. No one in Finland cares how you are dressed, so you won't get any stares.
