Finland Travel Facts & Tips

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Captial City	Helsinki

Dialing Code	(00) 358

Emergency Numbers	Ambulance, policem and fire: 112

Weather	The main influence on the climate in Finland is the country's geographical position which means that (depending on the direction of the air flow at the time) it displays signs of a continental climate as well as a maritime one. The temperature in Finland is much higher on average than in other comparable areas such as Greenland or Siberia. This higher temparature is attributable to the warming effect of the Baltic Sea, and the warm winds which come from the Atlantic. On the whole, Finland experiences cold, wet winters, with average temperatures no lower than 10°C in the warmest months but equally never going above an average of -3°C in the colder months. The country experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year.

Tourist Board website	http://www.visitfinland.com

Most Famous For	Saunas, reindeer, Nokia, Tove Jansson’s Moominland children stories

Useful Phrases	Hei (hello); kiitos (thank you); anteeksi (excuse me); kippis (cheers)

Accommodation	Even if you normally only stay in hotels – once you’re in Finland, try one of their hostels as they are said to be amazing as well as being well priced. The Finnish Youth Hostel Association's hostel chain (Hostelling International Finland) comprises 88 hostels, including youth hostels, and family hostels, as well as Finnhostels and summer hotels. Half of all the hostels listed there are open all year round, the other half is only open during summer. The hostels vary in their standard and type, as well as in the minimum and maximum length of your stay.

Business Hours	Normal opening hours for banks are 09.15 - 16.15 Monday to Friday. For most shops they are 09.00 - 18.00 during the week and 09.00 - 15.00 on Saturdays. Only a very limited number of shops are open on Sundays including those at major rail stations and some petrol stations. Larger stores' opening hours are likely to be longer than this and they will not shut at lunch time which smaller shops often do do. Larger stores are also normally open on Sundays.

Visas	Citizens of the EU (as well as citizens of the EEA countries - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) do not need a visa to stay in Finland, as long as they do not intend to stay longer than 3 months. Proof of identity will always be required, a passport would be best since it is the most common and most recognized form of identification. Citizens from countries other than EU, EEA or Nordic countries must get a visa before entering Finland.

Tipping	Tips are not expected, not even in restaurants, since the service is always included. If you’d like to show your appreciation of excellent service, feel free to tip -the recipient is normally pleased. Be warned however that sometimes tips are declined since they can be viewed as insulting, as if the waiter/barperson only helped to get tipped in return!

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