ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
There are 22 Finnish domestic airports, 18 of which are serviced regularly – sometimes several times a day. Finnair’s domestic network (AY) (Internet: www.finnair.com) is excellent. Blue1 (SK) also flies inland.
Note on air travel
Special tariffs: Information about special offers and current special flight tariffs are available from the Tourist Office and Finnair agencies in
Germany (Tel: (01805) 01 04 66);
Austria (Tel: (0810) 81 02 90) and
Switzerland (Tel: (084) 800 02 94).
On the way by car / bus
According to youremailverifier, the road network in Finland covers 77,000 km. The main roads are passable all year round. There are weight restrictions for vehicles in the south between April and May and in the north between May and June. Horns are rarely used. Warning signs draw attention to elk, deer and reindeer. Anyone who drives into an elk or a reindeer must report this to the police.
The petrol stations are mostly open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., shorter on Sundays, and often around the clock in the high season. There are also automatic fuel pumps that are operated by inserting cash or credit cards. Many gas stations have a café (Baari, Kahvila) attached to them. The supply network for fuel and oil is seamless throughout the country.
Long-distance buses: Express buses operated by the bus company Matkahuolto (Internet: www.matkahuolto.fi) run on over 90% of the public roads. Even the most remote places are visited. Buses are the most important means of transport in Lapland. There are restaurants and shops in the bus stations. Luggage can be checked in even if the bus journey involves changing or continuing with another bus company. Children under 4 years of age travel free of charge (children between 4 and 11 years pay half price). Ticket sales in bus stations, travel agencies and on the buses. Seat reservations are chargeable. Timetables are available everywhere.
Fare discounts:Group tickets are valid for 3 or more paying people, a minimum distance of 80 km for a single ticket (25% discount). Student discounts with a valid student ID.
Taxis are available in every major town, at airports and in front of large hotels. But you can also order taxis by phone and stop on the street in big cities. Surcharges apply for night trips (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and on Sundays and Saturdays after 4 p.m. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. When the car is free, the yellow sign on the roof lights up.
Rental car can be found in Helsinki and other major cities. Different minimum ages (19-25 years), you have to have been holding a driver’s license for over a year. Oil, maintenance, liability and insurance are usually included in the price. Caravans can also be rented here and there.
Documents:
Insurance coverage and national driver’s license or international driver’s license. EU driving licenses are valid in Finland without any time limit. Driving licenses issued by the signatory states to the Geneva and Vienna Conventions entitle you to drive vehicles in Finland for one year from the date of entry. For nationals of EU and EFTA countries, the car registration number is used as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to use the International Green Insurance Cardtake with you in order to benefit from full insurance coverage in the event of any damage. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance cover applies. The green card can also make it easier to record accidents. All drivers require full insurance coverage.
Information from the Finnish Automobile Club: Autoliitto, Hämeentie 105A, FI-00550 Helsinki. Tel: (09) 77 47 64 00 (24 hours). Internet: www.autoliitto.fi). Anyone involved in an accident must inform the Liikennevakuutuskeskus auto insurance office immediately. Address: Bulevardi 28, FI-00120 Helsinki. Tel: (09) 68 04 01. Internet: www.liikennevakuutuskeskus.fi).
Traffic regulations:
– If seat belts are present, their use is compulsory, including on the rear seats.
– Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 â?? °.
– Children under 12 must sit in the back seat.
– Car drivers and motorcyclists must wear fluorescent safety vests or reflectors when they leave their vehicle outside of built-up areas and are on the road, e.g. in the event of a breakdown or an accident.
– Drivers must drive with dipped headlights around the clock, all year round.
– The car and trailer must have the same tires.
– Winter tires are permitted from October 1st to April 30th (longer depending on the weather) and mandatory between December 1st and the end of February.
– Snow chains for vehicles under 3.5 tons are recommended in December and January. Winter tires and snow chains can be borrowed.
Speed limits:
In built-up areas: 50 km / h;
on country roads: 80-100 km / h;
on motorways in summer: 120 km / h;
Cars with camping trailers are not allowed to drive over 80 km / h.
If there is no signage, you must not drive faster than 80 km / h.
Traveling in the city
Helsinki has a well-coordinated transport network with buses (Internet: www.hkl.fi), trams, metro and suburban trains, as well as ferries to the Suomenlinna Islands. Fares are calculated zonally. Collective tickets and season tickets must be purchased before starting the journey. A trip on tram line 3 takes you past most of the city’s attractions. There is a free brochure accompanying this sightseeing tour.
Helsinki Card: This ticket is available for 1, 2 or 3 days, is valid for unlimited travel on public transport in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa and gives free entry to 50 museums and other attractions. The Helsinki Card is sold in the Helsinki Expert Hotel Center,at the main train station, at the airport, in many hotels, some ferry terminals and in many other places in Helsinki. Details from the Tourist Office (see addresses) or online at www.helsinkiexpert.fi.