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Finland, a small yet affluent country, is renowned for its high-quality services and is dotted with atmospheric historical and cultural monuments that echo the past. When visiting this northern nation, a trip to Helsinki is a must to witness Finland's main attractions. Additionally, exploring cities like Tampere, Jyväskylä, and Savonlinna is highly recommended for their array of interesting sites. For those passionate about mountain tourism and skiing, the Levi resort in the Kittilä community is an essential destination.
To maximize your time and avoid the stress of public transportation, having your own transport is crucial. Renting a car from a reputable company is the most convenient way to travel around Finland. You can find competitive car rental prices on our website solrentacar.com.
Car rental is a popular and accessible service in Finland, not considered a luxury. Rental facilities are readily available in tourist areas, including:
However, the most efficient and cost-effective method to rent a car is to book in advance online. By doing so, you can ensure that your chosen vehicle will be available for pickup anywhere in the country, or even beyond its borders, allowing you the freedom to explore at your own pace without being constrained by public transport timetables.
In Finland, approximately 50,000 rental cars are in service, making it easy to find a rental in nearly every city. The average daily rental cost is around 50 euros, but with some luck, rates as low as 30 euros per day can be found.
Payment for car rental is typically made in full on the first day before the vehicle is issued. If you've booked in advance, you may have already paid a deposit, meaning only the remaining balance will be due when you pick up the car. It's important to note that major rental companies do not require full prepayment at the time of booking.
The legal driving age in Finland is 18, and from that age, you are eligible to rent a car, provided you have a minimum of one year's driving experience, as verified by the issue date on your driver's license. No additional certificates are necessary. The cost of car rental in Finland is influenced by several factors, including:
Generally, the longer the rental period, the less you pay per day. Rental costs include third-party liability insurance, and cars are provided with a full tank of fuel. You are expected to return the car with a full tank; otherwise, you will be charged for the fuel at a rate higher than local gas stations.
In Finland, it's crucial to adhere to traffic regulations as fines for violations can be quite steep. Within city limits, the maximum speed is 50 km/h, while on motorways, the speed limit increases to 120 km/h. During the summer, you can enjoy these higher speeds on major highways.
There are two types of fines in Finland:
Daily fines are based on the severity of the violation and the offender's income level, with up to 32 daily fines possible for serious speeding infractions.
The Finnish Ministry of Transport mandates that drivers must use their headlights at all times, whether on the highway or in urban areas. Parking is generally free on the streets of most Finnish cities.
In Helsinki, however, parking is organized into three zones with varying rates, the closer you are to the city center, the higher the cost. Payment for parking is made through parking meters. Additionally, drivers must yield to buses exiting stops.
Finland boasts well-maintained roads without tolls, and the quality of rural roads is comparable to those in urban areas. During winter, roads are treated with granite chips to prevent puddles and dirt.
When crossing the Finnish border, you're allowed to carry an extra 10 liters of gasoline in a can. Gas stations in Finland are self-service, mostly automatic, and typically only accept bank cards. One driving habit to be aware of is the late activation of turn signals by Finnish drivers, which can be hazardous during overtaking maneuvers.
Road signs are abundant in Finland, providing information such as:
One unique road sign to watch out for is 'Beware of Moose', as these animals often cross roads unpredictably and tend to travel in groups.
Finland may be small, but its beauty is boundless, offering endless exploration. With a rented car, you gain the freedom to discover the country's treasures at your own pace, unshackled from the constraints of group tours. A must-see destination is Helsinki, the capital city perched on the Gulf of Finland's shores, known as one of the world's coldest capitals.
In Helsinki, don't miss the iconic St. Nicholas Cathedral, the majestic Assumption Cathedral, and the historic Suomenlinna fortress. It's the only Finnish city with both trams and a metro system. Cultural gems like the Ateneum Art Museum and the Helsinki City Museum—which offers free admission—are also located here. The city is a hub for music and creative festivals, ensuring that there's never a dull moment.
While exploring with your rental car, make a stop in Tampere. Here, you can visit unique attractions such as the Spy Museum, the Moomin Museum, the Police Museum, and the Sara Hilden Art Museum. Don't forget to enjoy the Särkänniemi amusement park and take in the views from the country's highest observation deck atop the Näsinneula Tower.
Next on your itinerary should be Turku, where you can explore the local Cathedral and the medieval Abo Castle. Experience the magical winter market and the Luostarinmäki ethnographic craft museum, an open-air museum that brings history to life.
The Kvarken archipelago, near the city of Vaasa in the Gulf of Bothnia, is a natural wonder that grows approximately 1 cm each year as it rises from the bay's waters. Nearby, you'll find the country's longest cable-stayed bridge, Replot Bridge, which connects the mainland to the archipelago's main islands.
As you journey through Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia, make sure to visit Oulanka National Park. Known for its wild rapids, pine forests, rugged canyons, and high fells, the park offers landscapes reminiscent of those in Yukon, Alaska, and Canada. The 80 km long Bear Circle trail, designed for a 4-6 day hike, allows you to immerse yourself in Oulanka's beauty and possibly encounter wildlife such as bears, wolverines, or lynxes.
Another destination not to be missed is Hämeenlinna, a city nestled on the shores of Lake Vanajavesi. It's home to the 13th-century Häme Castle and is celebrated as the birthplace of the renowned Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, as well as the place where the author of the Kalevala, Elias Lönnrot, spent several years.
For something truly unique, visit Parikkala. The intriguing sculpture park created by self-taught artist Veijo Rönkkönen draws thousands of visitors with its 500 life-sized concrete figures set amidst the forest, creating an atmosphere of mystique and wonder.
In Finland, all rental cars come with insurance, which includes a deductible. This deductible is the amount the renter is responsible for in the event of damage to the vehicle. It serves as an incentive for renters to take good care of the car.
Since rental companies cannot monitor the driver's actions continuously, they require a deposit on the renter's credit card to cover potential expenses. This deposit is held for the duration of the rental period, making the funds unavailable to the renter.
However, international rental companies such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt offer the option to book a car without a deposit if full insurance is purchased. These companies have offices in many European countries, including Finland, and are commonly found at airports.
The standard cost of renting a car in Finland typically includes:
Additional options such as extra equipment, a second driver, car delivery, and more are available for an extra fee. The ability to travel outside Finland with the rental car should be confirmed separately. Rental agreements usually offer insurance covering:
It's important to note that the minimum rental period is 24 hours. This means you will be charged for a full day even if you return the car earlier. Additionally, if you return the car late, you will incur a fine equivalent to an additional day's rental fee.
In Finland, you can find several rental companies that provide electric car rental services, taking advantage of the country's well-developed road infrastructure. Renting an electric car allows you to immerse yourself in the stunning Finnish landscapes while benefiting from the efficiency, speed, and sleek design of electric vehicles.
Electric cars are particularly well-suited for driving in Finland, being a common sight not only in urban areas but also on the country's autobahns. Prominent Finnish rental companies, such as Europcar, offer a range of electric vehicles, including:
The cost of renting an electric car in Finland varies between 30 to 80 euros per day, depending on the model and the time of year. The infrastructure for charging electric vehicles in Finland is among the best, ensuring a convenient and enjoyable experience for visitors.
