!!A THIRD HOTEL WITH A DISCOUNT CODE COMING SOON!!

Additionally, Finland does have Airbnb and other rental sites!

DON'T FORGET TO RENEW YOUR PASSPORT IF IT IS EXPIRING 6 MONTHS BEFORE DATE OF TRAVEL OR LESS!!!

Pricing:

Flying to Finland is cheaper than most of Europe. You can find direct flights between $600 to $900 round trip. Those only go out of JFK. We have found flights with layovers as cheap as $380 round trip. Watch out for SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) specials! You can leave JFK or Newark with those. Typically, buying flights 4-6 months before the flight is the cheapest time to buy!

Jet Lag:

The time difference between New York and Finland is 7 hours. We suggest you take the red eye going to Finland. You will leave later at night (roughly 9-11pm), and can attempt to sleep on the plane. You will get there sometime in the American morning but it will be the afternoon in Finland. That makes it perfect for you to go straight to your hotel and check in and PASS OUT. But it is best to try to stay up the whole first day until Finnish nighttime.

Flying Hacks:

Want cheaper upgrades such as business class - a seat that turns into a bed? You will still need to shell out some more money BUT if you upgrade AT THE GATE, it can be significantly cheaper. We have saved up to $1000 doing this. Just ask if there are any economy premium or business (first) class seats open that you can upgrade to when you are at the gate before boarding begins.

Trams:

Helsinki has a vast network of frequent and easy-to-navigate trams. You can easily navigate and pay on their website or phone app! You can take the trains straight from the airport to Helsinki downtown. Links are below.

Website/Verkkosivusto

iPhone App

Android/Google App

Car Rental:

A rental car is not necessary in Finland. Their public transportation is AMAZING. But if you desire, you can rent a car at the Helsinki Vantaa Airport. Finns drive on the right side of the road!

Expedia Car Rental

Airport to Helsinki (Train Station):

The Helsinki Vantaa Airport is actually in the City of Vantaa. Vantaa is just a few miles from Helsinki and you can easily go back and forth via train. Just follow the signs to the VR train. You can get the train tickets on the same website or app as the Trams.

VR Train Website: Tickets

Finland uses the Euro. There are plenty of money exchanges throughout the airport and city of Helsinki.

But, you CAN use debit and credit cards even if they contain/are in US dollars. For credit cards, there is no fee. BUT for debit cards, you may get small fees per purchase.

Just keep in mind there is an exchange rate between the USD and EURO so keep an eye on that rate. It changes every business day.

1. Finland has the highest consumption of coffee per capita in the world. (Buy some amazing Presidentti or Juhla Mokka coffee while you are here!)

2. There are more saunas in Finland than there are cars. (And it is pronounced sow-na, Americans!)

3. Finland has 188,00 lakes. (We hope you like fish!)

4. There is a lake in Finland that is the same shape as the country itself called Neitokainen!

5. Santa is actually from Finland! The north pole is not in the arctic but in Rovaniemi, Finland. (You can go visit him while you are here! Also don't google Original Finnish Santa unless you want nightmares.)

6. 1/3 of Finland is in the Arctic circle. In the summer there, the sun does not go down. (Imagine the winter!)

7. Finns might be a little shy at first but most Finns speak English. Don't be afraid to ask for directions (or make a new friend).

8. Sauna is a Finnish word! (Again, Americans, its SOW-NA!)

(EN) Hello! How are you?

(FI) Hei! Mitä Kuuluu?

(EN) Good, and you?

(FI) Hyvää, entäs sinulle?

(EN) Nice to meet you!

(FI) Hauska tavata!

(EN) Thank you.

(FI) Kiitos.

(EN) No thank you.

(FI) Ei Kiitos.

(EN) Yes/Yeah

(FI) Joo/kyllä

(EN) No.

(FI) Ei.

(EN) Sorry/Excuse me.

(FI) Anteeksi.

(EN) Congratulations!

(FI) Onnittelut!

(EN) Cheers!

(FI) Kippis!

(EN) Do you speak english/finnish?

(FI) Puhutko englantia/suomea?

(EN) Sorry, I don't speak Finnish/English,

(FI) Anteeksi, en puhu suomea/englantia.

(EN) Where is the bathroom?

(FI) Missä on vessa?

(EN) Can I have water, please?

(FI) Saisinko vettä kiitos?

(EN) Coffee

(FI) Kahvia

(NJ) Kauwfi

(EN) Liisa and Peggy are a perfect couple! ;)

(FI) Liisa ja Peggy ovat täydellinen pari!