• Introduction
• Reports (3)
• Useful information

  Identity card

  Know before you go

  Driving in Finland

  Practical A to Z

  Sport and leisure activities

• Eating out
• Electricity
• Embassies and consulates
• Getting around
• Health
• Money
• Post
• Public holidays
• Shopping
• Telephone

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Eating out

The Scandinavians enjoy their food and tend to consume large quantities of alcohol during meals, the times of which vary according to each person’s individual timetable. As a result, the country is well stocked in snack bars and shops selling take-away meals.

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Electricity

The voltage is predominantly 220V and sockets are for circular two-pronged plugs. Take an adaptor.

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Embassies and consulates

British Embassy – Itäinen Puistotie 17 - 00140 Helsinki - t 09 2286 5100 - http://ukinfinland.fco.gov.uk/

Irish Embassy – Erottajankatu 7 A - 00130 Helsinki - t 09 646 006 - http://www.embassyofireland.fi/

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Getting around

By ferry

Ferries are an essential means of transport around Finland’s straits and sounds, seas, coastlines, islands, inland lakes and waterways.

By coach

The network is dense and coaches go to the entire country.

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Health

Inconveniences

The centre and the north of the country are infested with mosquitoes from June to August. Adequate protection includes long-sleeves, trousers, mosquito nets and a repellent.

Emergencies

Emergencies and ambulances - t 112

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Money

Currency

The currency of Finland is the Euro (€), subdivided into 100 centimes.

Banks

Banks are generally open Monday-Friday from 9.15am-4.15pm.

Credit Cards

Hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies, department stores and shops accept the main credit cards.

Traveller’s cheques

Traveller’s cheques are widely accepted.

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Post

Post offices are open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

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Public holidays

1 January

6 January - Epiphany

Good Friday

Easter Sunday

Easter Monday

1 May – Labour Day

Ascension Day

Whit Sunday

Late June – Day before Saint John’s Day

Late June – Saint John’s Day

All Saint’s Day

24 December – Christmas Eve

25 December – Christmas Day

26 December – Boxing Day

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Shopping

Opening Times

Most shops are open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or 6pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.

Souvenirs

Visitors to Finland are spoilt for choice in terms of souvenirs: delicate glassware (Nuutajärvi, Iittala and Riihimäki), ceramics and chinaware (Arabia), jewellery (Lapponia and Kalevala Koru), textiles (Marimekko), “ryijy” carpets, “raanu” wall hangings, fur and leather goods.

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Telephone

To call Finland from abroad

Dial 00 + 358 + area code without the first 0 + number of the person.

To call home from Finland

Dial 00 + country code (UK 44, Ireland 353) + number of the person (without the first 0).

National calls

Within the same region – Dial the number of the person.

Another region – Dial the area code + the number of the person.