Finland on budget. If you plan a trip to Finland – go through this list, I am sure you would find something for you.1. Make a list. Start with a list, and write down four things: Transport, Stay, Eat, See. When you go through this post – write down all the “Finland on budget” tips that are relevant to you.
First of all, you decide what to see in Finland. Helsinki is nice, but I don’t recommend limiting yourself to it. As I tell in my Finland Travel guide -main things are summer outdoors and Lapland winter tourism. Both mean that you have to get around.2. Avoid Hidden costs. Transport in Finland is generally expensive, so check the hidden costs in advance. There is always an additional cost for airport shuttles, while trains mostly go to city centers. Trains in Finland open beautiful views and that is my recommendation. Remember that traveling in Bigger Helsinki (satellite cities Espoo and Vantaa) is more expensive than within Helsinki.3. Get a city card (or not). It is quite an obvious one, but here are a few things:– It costs 48 Eur for one day, 58 for two, 68 for 3, I think it worth only if you take guided tours and a hop on/off a bus (2019)– You can buy the card online and use it straight away for public transportation– Helsinki City Card does not include Espoo and Vantaa (card does not include airport), for that you should get a region card4. Lapland via Russia. If you want to make a cheap trip to Lapland, consider including Russia on your trip. Trains in Russia are at least two times cheaper and go all the way up to Murmansk, almost reaching the Arctic Ocean. In Finland, you only get to the edge of the Arctic circle close to Rovaniemi (last train stations are Kemijärvi and Kolari)It makes sense only if you go to the Inari area, which I think is the best place to experience the North. There are bus connections between Murmansk and resorts in Inari area. If you go to Russia, check your visa requirements.
5. Add cheaper countries to your route. If you get from a cheaper country – get all the food from there. If you buy alcohol, do the same. I normally buy camping meals in neighboring Russia or Estonia. If you travel from Russia – check the customs regulations. Some items are limited or not allowed.
6. Cycling. Finland has a good bicycle infrastructure. I somehow prefer cycling instead of having a walking tour. I think renting bicycles is a bit expensive, but, check, if your hotel or Airbnb host has a bicycle.7. Go low season. First of all, in high season, prices are lifted. You may not want to miss the summer, but you can still have the end of the trip in low season in autumn. In Finnish Lapland, prices are high around Christmas, but you can easily do all the northern activities in late autumn or early spring.8. Holiday villages instead of hotels. Since Finland has a lot to do with outdoors, there is no need to stay all the time in the expensive hotels in city centers. Go for cheaper holiday villages in a countryside.9. Stay in tents or in wilderness cabins. National parks are well managed, there is firewood and you can easily spend a night or two in a tent. But besides that, in a few national parks, you can book wilderness cabins. They are free, you just leave a deposit in a tourist office.
10. Cooking outside. Finland is a lot about nature, and in many national parks, you would find grills and firewood. Finns love going to nature and cooking outside. And one cultural thing: Finns normally don’t talk to strangers, unless you sit together next to a bonfire or in a sauna. Because of this, I would strongly recommend choosing outdoors with locals over a restaurant. It would save you money would help you to get to know people.
11. Use tap water. Finland has very good tap water. Some researches tell that tap water is better than bottled.12. Restaurants lunches. Lunch-time is normally the cheapest time, if you want to eat out. They cost arond 9-12 Euros between 11-14. In many places, you can take as much food as you want.Out of working hours, cheapest lunches are normally in Chinese restaurants, they often extend lunch hours.13. Low-cost pizza/kebab restaurants. There are several Turkish pizza/kebab places, that sell everything for 5-6 euros. They have a sign “Kaikki 5 Eur”. In central Helsinki the are located at these addresses: 1 Ateneumgränden and 34 Yrjönkatu14. Pick mushrooms and berries. In late summer and early fall, mushroom and berry picking is a common thing in Finland. It is even in a tour guide. If you are visiting one of the National parks or stay at a summer cottage, go for it.
15. Christmas sales. In winter, you would need warm cloth. Around Christmas, there are big sales, so you may want to buy these things in place.16. Northern lights by yourself. See the northern lights by yourself. Hiring a guide is good, they can drive you to a perfect location. But if you do a bit of research – you can easily see them yourself.
17. Check free things to do in Helsinki list. In Helsinki, there are several museums that are free to visit. There are also free entry days. Check the list of free things to do in Helsinki.
This is the first version of my budget tips. I would be adding more tips, as I am getting to know them. If you have your own tips – write them down in the comment section.
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