11 Things to know before taking your family to Finland
Finland’s consistently named “the happiest country in the world” according to the United Nation’s Happiness Report. Aren’t you just a wee bit curious why those Finns are so blissfully happy? I wanted to know, so I recently made my second trip to Finland. And I have to say, Finland is pretty fabulous! From the cool Scandinavian vibe in Helsinki to the awe-inspiring beauty of Finland’s national parks to the magic of Santa’s Lapland, this country has more to offer families than could ever fit in a week-long vacation… or even two weeks.
Before you book your ticket, read these 11 things to know about traveling in Finland.
1. Flying to Finland from the USA is easy
Several airlines flew to Helsinki from the USA. Finnair, Iberia, and American Airlines have the most frequent flights. Finnair is Finland’s national airline and perhaps more importantly, the “official airline of Santa Claus.” It’s true. To date, I’ve flown eight flights on Finnair, and on each flight, whether I was in business class or economy, the service has been excellent. I will admit, with those lie-flat seats and really good food and drinks, business class was extra fabulous for a long-haul flight!
KidTripster Tip: Little-known secret here, Finnair has a free stopover program. Passengers flying through Helsinki can opt to spend up to five days in Finland at no additional cost.
2. Helsinki isn’t that big
While it’s the largest city in Finland, Helsinki is not an overwhelming place to visit. The entire population of the greater Helsinki metro area is about 1.5 million; that’s smaller than the population of metro Milwaukie. Most of the sights that you’ll want to see are easily accessible by walking or public transportation. There’s absolutely no need for a car while you’re exploring Helsinki. And yes, you easily can take public transportation to and from the airport.
KidTripster Tip: Talk about family-friendly! In Helsinki, all trams, buses, and some ferries are free of charge for a child in a stroller and the adult pushing that stroller.
3. Renting a car is simple
When you’re ready to explore the rest of Finland, you may decide to rent a car. Finland has an excellent system of highways, though some routes are indirect due to the numerous lakes. Like in the USA and Canada, Finns drive on the right. And know this, Finns do not break traffic laws. They do not speed. Period. Why? Because in Finland, fines are determined based on your income. So a minor traffic violation could end up costing thousands of dollars! So don’t speed in Finland; you’ll stick out like a sore thumb.
Depending on where you plan to travel and during what time of year, you may not want to drive a car. Click here to read 10 things that you should know before renting in Finland.
4. English is widely spoken
You’ll find that English is widely spoken across Finland. The only time that I encountered Finns who didn’t speak English is when I was interacting with folks of a much older generation.
By the way, Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. If you visit the southern and western regions of Finland, you’ll hear Swedish. The rest of the country favors Finnish. While you may think that the two languages are similar (like Spanish and Italian), we’re told that they’re completely different.
5. There’s no need for cash
As a member of the European Union, Finland operates on the Euro. However, all major credit cards are widely accepted. In fact, in two weeks of traveling in Finland, I never used cash.
6. Finland is clean
Breathe deeply when you’re visiting Finland. That’s some of the cleanest air in the world. And the tap water? Turns out, it’s cleaner than bottled water. So save yourself some money and fill your water bottle from the faucet.
And a note about Finland’s lakes: there are nearly 188,000 lakes in the country. Finns love their lakes and frequently vacation at lake cottages; it’s part of the culture. And they’ll swim in those lakes during the summer… and during the winter. Yes, ice swimming! To embrace the Finnish way, I took a dip in Lake Kaitlampi in late September. Let’s just say, I get the whole sauna thing now.
7. Finland is safe
According to the 2019 Travel & Tourism Competitive Report by the World Economic Forum, Finland tops the list for safest countries in the world for tourists to visit. I walked the streets of Helsinki both in the early morning and late evening and never felt unsafe.
8. Finns are punctual
This may be a strange thing to point out, but it’s true of every Finn that I met. They are extremely punctual. And when you’re not, they don’t like it. On one occasion, I was late to meet my 19-year-old canoeing guide. I spent the next half hour trying to get back on his good side. Luckily, I managed.
But really, don’t be late.
9. Finns are sauna-obsessed
Can you guess the only Finnish word that’s used regularly in the English language? Yep, sauna. To say that saunas are a part of Finnish culture doesn’t emphasize the point enough. In a country of 5.3 million people, there are approximately 2 million saunas! They’re places of cleanliness, purity, and wellness. Despite the fact that some Finns enjoy saunas in the nude – and tourists in towels – there’s nothing sexual about saunas for Finns. Apparently, Finns grow up being told to “behave in the sauna as you would behave in church.”
That’s not to say that Finns don’t have some fun with their saunas. There’s a Ferris wheel sauna, a gondola sauna, a giant floating duck sauna, stadium skybox saunas, and ice saunas (try to work that one out!). Needless to say, you can’t truly experience Finland without visiting a sauna.
To learn more about the different types of saunas and sauna etiquette before you arrive in Finland, read this primer from our Finnish friend, Varpu.
10. Lapland is cold… like really cold
When Santa decided to locate his headquarters in Finnish Lapland inside the Arctic Circle, I have to think he was betting that the frigid temperatures would cut down on visitors and ensure a certain degree of privacy. And while I highly recommend a visit to Lapland during the winter, go prepared.
When my family visited Finland during the holiday season, the temperature hovered right around -5°F. (Did you catch that negative sign?) I remember stepping outside and having the mucus in my nose instantly crystalize. At the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, we dressed in four layers just to make the 5-minute walk from our cabin to the main lodge. When we participated in outdoor activities – snowmobiling, dog sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, and ice fishing – we threw on an extra snowsuit (provided) over all of that.
KidTripster Tip: When choosing activities, only schedule between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Remember, the sun starts to set by 3 p.m. In the dark, the temperatures are unbearably.
KidTripster Tip: Invest in the warmest gloves or mittens, socks, and boots that you can find. They’ll be worth every penny that you spend.
Need suggestions for where to stay? Click here.
[ Related: 8 Reasons to Visit Finland in the Summer ]
11. Finns are deeply connected to nature
This is actually one of my favorite things about the Finnish people. Whether they live in Helsinki or Lapland, they’re very connected to nature. With thousands of lakes and 70-percent of the country covered by trees, Finns spend a lot of their free time on the water and in the forests. They canoe, kayak, and hike. They forage for food – wild blueberries, lingonberries, cranberries, and mushrooms. In fact, there’s a law in Finland called “Everyman’s Right.” It gives all Finns and visitors the right to roam in nature, regardless of whom may own the land. You can forage, fish, and recreate without permission and at no cost.
So when you go to Finland, make sure to get outside of Helsinki or some of the other heavily-touristed areas. My family’s most memorable moments were spent doing what Finns do – being Finnish.
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