Currency and Paying
Finland uses the Euro (€). Cards are accepted almost everywhere — Finland is one of the most cashless societies in Europe. You can go days without needing physical money in cities, though a small amount of cash is useful in very rural areas or small island ferry kiosks.
Tipping is not customary. Service is included in all bills. Rounding up or leaving a euro or two at a restaurant is appreciated but never expected.
Language
Finnish is famously one of the hardest languages in Europe for an English speaker to learn. Fortunately, English is almost universally spoken — you'll have no trouble in cities, tourist areas, or most of the country. Swedish is an official co-language, and the coastal towns (Turku, Vaasa, Jakobstad) and the Åland Islands have significant Swedish-speaking populations.
A few useful Finnish words: kiitos (thank you), anteeksi (sorry/excuse me), hei (hello), hei hei (goodbye).
Visa
Finland is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU, EEA, and many other countries (including the US, Canada, Australia, and UK) can enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days. Check the requirements for your nationality before travel.
Climate and Clothing
Finland has four very distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are warm and can be genuinely hot, with temperatures in Helsinki reaching 25–30°C on good days. Winters are cold, dark, and snowy — temperatures in Helsinki drop well below freezing, and Lapland regularly sees –20°C or colder. Layering is essential in any shoulder season. Bring mosquito repellent if visiting lakes or forests in summer, especially in the north — the insects can be relentless.
Health and Safety
Finland is extremely safe. Crime rates are low, tap water is excellent and safe to drink throughout the country. The standard EU emergency number 112 works for all emergencies.
Sauna
Sauna is not a tourist attraction — it is genuinely central to Finnish life. There are around two million saunas in a country of 5.5 million people. If a Finn invites you to their sauna, accept. In public saunas, nudity is normal in single-sex facilities; mixed saunas usually allow swimwear. The correct etiquette is to sit quietly, sweat, and leave when you feel like it. Jumping in a lake or rolling in snow afterward is recommended.
Opening Hours
Most shops are open Monday to Saturday, roughly 9:00–18:00 or later. Larger supermarkets often open until 21:00 or 22:00, and Helsinki's S-market chain has some 24-hour branches. Museums typically close on Mondays. Note that public holidays (including Midsummer) see widespread closures — plan food shopping in advance.
Public Holidays
Key dates: New Year's Day (Jan 1), Epiphany (Jan 6), Good Friday and Easter, May Day/Vappu (May 1, a major street party), Ascension, Midsummer's Eve and Day (late June — the country essentially shuts down), All Saints' Day (early November), Independence Day (Dec 6), Christmas (Dec 24–26).
Internet and Mobile
Mobile coverage is excellent across most of the country, though you may lose signal in very remote Lapland wilderness. Free Wi-Fi is available in most cafes, libraries, and hotels.