£1 €1.16
Today
5:55 am
+2h from you
Weather in Finland
Finland
7°
Dense drizzle
Wed
4
7
Thu
4
7
Fri
1
7
Sat
-1
6
Sun
1
4
SPF level in Finland
Recommended: SPF 30
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 30
Autumn
SPF 15
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Getting around Finland
Languages in Finland
Tipping in Finland
Tipping is not as common in Finland as it is in some other countries. Service charges are usually included in the bill, so tipping is not expected but is always appreciated for exceptional service.
Restaurant
5-10% for exceptional service
Bar/Café
Rounding up or a small tip for good service
Taxi
Rounding up the fare
Hotel Porter
1-2 EUR per bag
Hotel Housekeeper
1-2 EUR per night for exceptional service
Tour Guide
5-10 EUR for a good tour
Safety in Finland
Tips for British travellers
Finland is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Pickpockets may target tourists in crowded areas, so keep your belongings, passport and money safe.
Illegal drugs, including cannabis, are prohibited and possession can lead to long prison sentences of up to 10 years and heavy fines.
The drink-drive limit in Finland is significantly lower than in England and drink-driving can result in a prison sentence.
You need a UK driving licence to drive in Finland, but hire car companies often have stricter requirements like a minimum age.
Check if you need a UK sticker to drive your car in Finland.
Bonus tips:
Airports in Finland have excellent technology for detecting illegal items, which is also used on transiting passengers' baggage.
In Arctic parts of Finland, emergency medical assistance and search and rescue are limited in remote areas.
Driving in Finland
A valid UK driving license is required. An International Driving Permit is not legally required for stays shorter than one year.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
120 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: Finland drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Electrical in Finland
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F
UK adapter needed?
Yes
Finland uses 230V electricity at 50Hz. Plug types are Type C and Type F. British travellers need an adapter.
Cards & payments
Cards are widely accepted in Finland, especially in larger establishments and cities. However, it's always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments or rural areas.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096
ATMs in Finland
ATMs are widely available in cities and towns, but may be less common in rural areas.
Local name
Pankkiautomaatti
Chip & PIN required?
Yes
ATMs are readily accessible throughout Finland, especially in urban centers. Chip and PIN is required for transactions. Ensure your bank card is enabled for international use before traveling.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the guarantee of EU-wide free roaming for UK mobile customers no longer applies. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges in Finland. Some providers may still offer inclusive roaming packages.
Local SIM data package
10 GB for 20 EUR (~£17)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Local carriers
Elisa, Telia, DNA
WiFi & internet
WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public areas, especially in cities.
Average speed
50 Mbps
Finland has a well-developed internet infrastructure with good WiFi coverage in most urban areas and decent mobile data speeds. Many public places offer free WiFi.
Health & vaccinations in Finland
If you're visiting Finland, it's advisable to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses. UK residents can use their UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Finland. However, these cards may not cover all costs, so travel insurance is still recommended.
Vaccinations required?
No
Recommended
Generally, Finland has high standards of public health. No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but it's always wise to ensure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Finland.
Calling Finland
Country code
+358
To call Finland from the UK, dial 00 358 followed by the Finnish phone number (omitting the leading zero if there is one).
To call the British Embassy in Helsinki dial 00 358 9 2286 5100
To call Finland from the UK, you need to dial the exit code (00), then the country code for Finland (358), and finally the local number. Remove the first zero from the local area code.
UK Embassy in Finland
British Embassy Helsinki
Itäinen Puistotie 13, 00140 Helsinki, Finland
Airports in Finland
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.