Finland Car Hire

Guide to Finland

Geography

Found in northern Europe, Finland is a Nordic country bordered to the east by Russia, to the west by Sweden, and to the north by Norway. Lakes, forests, and islands abound in Finland. The country's tremendous biodiversity makes it especially appealing to travellers. Finland is home to well-known creatures such as elk, grey wolves, and brown bears, as well as amazing bird species like the redwing, Eurasian eagle-owl, Western capercaillie, and others.

The majority of Finland is flat, but the Scandinavian Mountains can be found in the northwest. The nation is about two-thirds forested and is nicknamed the "land of a thousand lakes," but, in reality, it has about 200,000 of them.

Climate in Finland

Coastal and continental climates can be found in the country simultaneously. In the southern portion of Finland, winter lasts about 100 days. Winters are extremely cold in Northern Finland, although the summers are mild. Finland even has a portion that is located above the Arctic Circle.

The annual average temperature in the southern part of the country is relatively high (5.0 to 7.5 °C or 41.0 to 45.5 °F), with moderate winters and warm summers, when compared to the northeastern region of Lapland (0 to 4 °C or 32 to 25 °F).

Culture

The annual average temperature in the southern part of the country is relatively high (5.0 to 7.5 °C or 41.0 to 45.5 °F), with moderate winters and warm summers, when compared to the northeastern region of Lapland (0 to 4 °C or 32 to 25 °F).

Finland is well-known for its love of music festivals. Whether you like classical music or rap, you'll find something to your liking here and there’s always somewhere to go no matter when you go. We can't name all of them, but a few that stand out are Savonlinna Opera, Flow, Tuska Open-Air Metal, and Mikkeli Music Festival.

Skiing in Finland

It's tough to resist going skiing in Finland. In the town of Yläs, snow sports such as skiing, reindeer farm tours, and husky sleigh rides are some of the most popular activities drawing in tourists. Even if you are not a skier, you may still enjoy the stunning view of the Alps from a distance. Levi is a well-known hamlet with a world-class ski resort. If you visit in February, you must take advantage of the town's 43-kilometre skiable area. Tahko is another ski resort in Central Finland featuring beginner-friendly slopes. Aside from restaurants and rental shops, there are also free campfire spots on the mountain.

Visiting Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

The Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland's Lapland capital, is, without doubt, one of the most famous tourist attractions in the country. Santa Claus, the town’s most famous resident, is rumoured to be found here. The village is located 8 kilometres from downtown Rovaniemi and is easily accessible by bus or taxi. The village is open all year and boasts a variety of exciting activities such as snowmobile tours, and reindeer and husky rides. Don't forget to visit the Santa Claus Post Office if you're in the village. For any lover of the festive season, this is a dream come true.

Things to do in Finland

Be in awe at the Northern Lights

The spectacular Northern Lights landscapes are next on the agenda. Finns think that the Northern Lights are caused by a mythological Arctic Fox whose fur lights up the sky when it hits the mountains. The Northern Lights can be viewed from anywhere in the world, but they are best seen in Finland. While soaking in the sights, traditional BBQ and blueberry tea are usually available to savour. However, in order to witness this incredible happening, you must first go on the hunt. Keep in mind that your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights improve on clear starry nights, and the lights may appear unexpectedly, so don't give up hope easily.

Spend time in a traditional sauna

Saunas are an essential part of Finnish spa culture. Traditional Finnish spas are less common in Finland than public saunas. The Finnish Sauna Society, founded in the late 1930s to preserve Finland's unique sauna tradition, estimates that the country possesses roughly 3 million saunas, or one for every two citizens. Saunas were once used by everyone in an apartment building or neighbourhood, but now that hot running water is widely available, these communal places are becoming obsolete. Some of the best spas across the country are in the Arctic Forest Spa in Rovaniemi, including Rokua Health & Spa in the Rokua National Park, Hotel Kalevala in Central Finland, and Hotel & Spa Resort Järvisydän.

Hike through spectacular sceneries

Finland has a number of national parks scattered across the country, all of which include hiking paths, which is a must-do if you visit during the summer. Visit the Urho Kekkonen National Park in Finland, the country's second-largest national park with a total area of 2550 km. Hiking is made easier by clearly marked trails. Oulanka National Park is another well-known tourist destination in Finland, boasting some of the country's most magnificent landscapes. This park has been voted one of Europe's best on numerous occasions. The Bear Trail is 82 kilometres long, whereas the Little Bear Tour is only 12 kilometres. Visitors to Repovesi National Park in southern Finland should not pass up the chance to trek or mountain bike along the park's 26-kilometre-long wooded pathways, or to go kayaking. You can hire a cottage or secure one of the authorised campfire locations for a more luxurious experience.

Explore a charming wood-framed town

Finland has quaint wood towns that are ideal for visitors wishing for a peaceful stroll and a chance to admire the stunning local architecture. Loviisa, a little hamlet near Helsinki, boasts attractive wooden structures dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s. In August, visitors to Loviisa can participate in the Historical Houses of Loviisa event, which allows tourists to explore the area's spectacular wooden structures and even stay overnight. Alternatively, head to the island village of Pikisaari, home to some of the world's oldest wooden structures. You may visit the one that has been converted into a museum to view the work of some amazing artists. Another option is Porvoo, a little village in the countryside noted for its red wooden buildings. This town is ideal for a day trip because of its mediaeval architecture. Porvoo is a northern Finnish city about an hour's drive from Helsinki.

Go to the beach to unwind

If you drive to the southwest of Finland, you will reach Hanko, which offers 30 kilometres of beaches. The beach is a terrific spot to start, but then explore the city, which is rich with intriguing architecture, including the world-famous Hanko Casino. In the summer, visit this town to absorb the ambience and explore the small cafés, premium restaurants, and posh bars.

Discover castles straight out of a fairy tale

The charming village of Savonlinna should not be missed if you enjoy fairy tales. Several spectacular castles may be found in the village of Olavinlinna, which is perched on the shores of the Saimaa lake. Olavinlinna Castle, which was built in the 15th century, when knight Erik Axelsson Tott, a Dane born in the castle, decided that the strategic Savo region needed a powerful stronghold. This famous castle now holds an annual opera festival in July. After appreciating the splendour of the castle, visit the town's surrounding national parks or Kerimäki Church, the world's largest wooden church. There are also some modern cafes where you may eat.

Eating out in Finland

Finland's food is known for fusing traditional fare from the countryside with haute cuisine from around the world. In Finnish cuisine, potatoes, meat or fish, dairy items (such as milk or butter), and wholemeal grain bread (such as rye) are common ingredients. You'll also find lots of berries (such as bilberries, lingonberries, cloudberries, and sea buckthorn). Soups, particularly rich meat soups and pea soup, are quite popular as well.

In Finland, full-service restaurants are referred to as ravintola, while inexpensive fare can be found at kahvila and baari restaurants. In a baari, you will find light meals and perhaps a mild beer, although coffee is far more popular in these establishments. Some of our top restaurant recommendations across Finland are:

Santa's Salmon Place, located in Santa Claus Village, is a must-see stop for any holiday traveller. It's a busy spot, but the grilled salmon fillets are outstanding. If you enjoy fish, this is a must-try. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake as you wait for your fish. The Karl Fazer Café is a terrific place to go for breakfast and lunch while in Helsinki. Sandwiches, pastries, and cakes are all available, and they are all delicious. If you have a sweet tooth and prefer your breakfast to be sweet, this is the place for you.

Hella & Huone, Finland's most romantic restaurant, is located in the centre of Tampere and serves wonderful food in a cosy environment. This restaurant is popular with both residents and travellers. Customers rave about the food and service at the restaurant. Pour yourself a nice glass of wine to go along with your dinner. Visit Ravintola Olo in Helsinki for a superb dining experience with a view. For a romantic evening or simply some delectable fare, this is the place to go for a special occasion. If you're in Turku, a riverbank town, go to Smor. If you don't mind spending a little more money to appreciate the unusual meals, you might appreciate what they’ve got to offer.

Finland Transport

Airport

You can fly to Finland and land at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), the city's and country's main airport. Finnair and CityJet are two popular airlines that fly into Helsinki Airport. It will take you 30 minutes to get from the Helsinki airport to the city centre. From the airport, you can take the rail, tram, bus, or taxi to the city centre. Buses will depart from the airport every 20-30 minutes and connect to places like Turku, Tampere, Salo, and others.

Getting around Finland

The road is the most popular mode of transportation in Finland because railways do not serve the entire country, particularly the rural areas. Aside from taxi services, car rentals are becoming increasingly popular in Finland. Alamo, Global Rent A Car, Green Motion, Hertz, Avis, and other major rental businesses operate in Finland. Hiring a car allows you to travel to any area of the country without being constrained by the schedules of public transportation.

Top Tips when hiring a car in Finland

● One of the main reasons visitors go for Finland car rental is because it lets them explore some of the most incredible places in the country much more easily. Especially when it comes to remote places where public transport either doesn't reach or is scarce. That's where a hire car shines most and this is often the case in Finland.

● For instance, if you decide to begin your trip in Helsinki and you go for a cheap car hire, the drive to the west part of the city and the Turku Castle are easily accessible.

● What makes Finland car hire and driving a rental car in the country is that winter driving can potentially be something to keep in mind, as for a big part of the year, the roads are snowy and icy, making them hazardous. You need to be prepared as a driver.

● Luckily, all popular car hire locations in Finland and car hire agencies offer all the necessary equipment and accessories necessary to enjoy safety on the Finish roads.

● Low visibility is another challenging part about driving during the Winter months in Finland so it's important make sure your car rental company will provide all the proper equipment to safely drive in such conditions.

● If for any reason you require roadside assistance, don't hesitate for a second to call the car hire company. Petrol stations on the way will often also be of assistance in such situations.

● Additionally, for families traveling to Finland with children, inform yourself about the car child seats laws and rear-facing car seats. Most car hire companies in Finland offer special car hire deals for families.

● Traveling as a family means you're limited in your choice of rental cars but in Finland there's a decent variety of economy cars for groups and families.

● Make sure you bring your valid driving license with you. An international driving permit is not required to drive in Finland as long as you don't stay more than 3 months.

● Most of the car hire companies in Finland provide a list of places you can go to with the rental car, especially regarding crossing the border to visit a nearby country. So it's best to check with them first, otherwise you might have to pick a drop off location near the border and then rent another car from a different location within the country of your choice.

● The neighbouring countries around Finland are magnificent so it's advisable to get your rental car and pay them a visit. However, you need to prepare yourself about the different traffic laws, speed limits and the border crossing fee that make car hire companies charge.

● Popular cities and Airports offer the best cheap car hire deals and are considered the best car hire locations in Finland.

● Booking your Finland rental car in advance even within 1 day before your trip ensures you'll get a below average car hire price. This goes for all car hire locations, including most cities.