Travel to Finland from the UK is easy by direct flights to Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo and Kuusamo. Some of the flights to Lapland are seasonal and mainly around the winter holidays. It is also possible to travel to Helsinki via ferry from Tallinn, Estonia. That was a short and pretty cruise, however it is also known as the booze cruise. Many people from Finland travel to buy cheaper alcohol from Estonia, as I found out on the boat!
Finland is relatively sparsely populated, and much of the population in the city regions. The nature is stunning, even near the cities such as Helsinki. And of course, many people know about Lapland, the home of Santa Claus. A lesser known destination Mariehamn in the Åland islands, and I highly recommend it for the beautiful and peaceful nature.
Highlights
- Lapland and the home of Santa Claus, best visited in the wintertime along with doing winter activities such as dog sledding
- Ice Hotel near Rovaniemi, a very unique place to stay only in the winter
- Helsinki, the beautiful capital city with its many nearby islands including Suomenlinna Fortress
- Turku, Finland’s oldest city
- National Parks
- Saimaa lake district
- Tampere, an artsy city located between Näsijärvi Lake and Pyhäjärvi Lake
- Try a sauna, which is part of the Finnish culture
- Visit the beautiful Åland islands to enjoy the peaceful nature
- Parkrun in Finland!
Before you go
- Finnish language is similar to Estonian and Karelian, and distantly related to Hungarian. It sounds very different from the other Nordic countries
- Both Finnish and Swedish are official languages, and the autonomous Åland islands are owned by Finland but the official language is Swedish
- Weather varies between the seasons and between regions, so check the weather report for how to pack
- Daylight hours also vary a lot from midnight sun in the summer to mostly darkness in winter
- Bring mosquito repellent in summer months
- Tipping is generally not expected
- Alcohol laws restrict when and where you can buy so check opening times; also taxes make alcohol relatively expensive
- Budget appropriately as Finland is expensive overall
Transport
- There are a number of international airports, with Helsinki being the largest
- Cruise ships and ferries stop in Helsinki, Turku and several other coastal cities. I booked from Tallinn to Helsinki on Tallink Ferries. And I cruised from Helsinki to Åland islands on Viking
- Finland has an extensive rail network and trains can be booked on the official website
- Within the cities, such as Helsinki there are also trams, metro and/or buses
Accommodation
- I’ve only stayed in Helsinki in Hotel Katajanokka, a former prison, and Hotel Fabian. Both were very comfortable, central hotels, and a good base for seeing the city
- As usual I recommend checking reviews on Google Reviews or using AirBnB
Currency
The official currency in Finland is the Euro. As of October 2026, one British pound is equal to 1.18 euros.
I recommend to check the currency conversion just before you leave as this fluctuates
Food
When I think of Finnish food, I recall having a lot of fish and game, including reindeer. However, there are restaurants with many different cuisines in the larger cities.
One of my favourite dishes is Lohikeitto, a creamy salmon soup made with chunks of salmon, potatoes, leeks, and fresh dill. In Helsinki, you can find delicious versions of this soup in the Old Market Hall. Dried and smoked fish are popular foods. Meat stews and other soups are also typical and are especially tasty and warming in colder weather.
In addition to the stews and soups, the breads are a must try. The dark rye bread, Ruisleipä, is very popular at any time of day. You should also search for Karjalanpiirakka, oblong, savoury pastries with a thin rye crust filled with rice porridge and often topped with egg butter. And for sweeter tastes, the cinnamon and/or cardamom rolls are a delicious treat. Licorice is very popular with many varieties available, but I must admit it is a bit too strong for my taste.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: No, not generally as it is safe and easy to visit the main cities in Finland. However, for more rural areas, you may either need a car or a tour/guide.
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Yes, many people speak English.
Q: Can I travel solo?
A: Yes, it is safe and easy to travel solo.
Q: How easy is it to send postcards?
A: It is easy to find postcards and stamps in the larger cities. See Sending Postcards from Abroad for details on cost and the time it took to reach the USA.
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