What to pack for a trip to Finland?

Travel guide

• Travel information
• Most useful items
• Packing list 
• What should you eat when visiting Finland? 
• How much money should you take with you? 
• Safety 
• Useful information 

Finland is a dream travel destination for many people - no wonder. A glance at the beautiful Scandinavian landscapes is enough to fall in love with Finland completely! There we find almost two hundred thousand lakes, dozens of islands, tons of national parks and unique nature. However, Finland is also much more than amazing wild landscapes - it is also full of bustling cities, friendly people and rich culture. Check out what you should know before traveling to Finland and what you shouldn't forget when planning your trip around this beautiful country.

Travel information

Most useful items

When planning a trip to Finland, there are a few useful things to keep in your luggage to be ready for any eventuality. If you don't want to be surprised by high prices, changing weather or demanding conditions - read on! 

• Masks and antibacterial gel - during the coronavirus pandemic, each of us has to get used to the new reality in which we found ourselves. Therefore, an inseparable element of our luggage should be disposable masks - at least two for each day of stay - and an antibacterial gel. 
• Identity card - if you are a citizen of the European Union, the document you need to cross the territory of Finland is your identity card. Of course, you can also pack your passport instead. Remember to bring your driving license with you if you plan to rent a car on site. 
• Health insurance - if you are insured in european country, you are probably entitled to free health insurance, thanks to which you will not pay for any treatment in Finland. Remember to complete the necessary formalities before departure.
• Warm and rainproof clothes - the weather in Finland can play tricks, and even during a summer trip you may be surprised by a rain or a cold wind. Therefore, always carry a raincoat and a warm sweatshirt in your luggage. 
• Comfortable shoes - a necessary item of luggage! Regardless of whether you are planning long sightseeing in Helsinki or maybe a hike in natural landscapes - comfortable, proven shoes will definitely be useful for you. 
• Currency card and Euro - currency in Finland is the euro. There is usually no problem with cashless payments, but just in case, take some cash with you - even for tips. If you want to save on currency conversion, consider ordering a currency card. 

Packing list

LUGGAGE TYPE: Suitcase

•      Travel insurance
•      Wallet
•      Health insurance
•      ID card
•      Credit card
•      House keys
•      Cash

•     Socks x3
•     Pants x3
•     Sleepwear / Pajamas

•     Flip-flops / slippers
•     Comfortable shoes

•     T-Shirt x2
•     Trouser belt
•     Summer jacket
•     Hoodie
•     Trousers

COSMETICS

•     Shower gel
•     Shampoo
•     Toothbrush
•     Toothpaste
•     Perfume
•     Antiperspirant

•     Contraceptives
•     Prescription drugs 
•     An anti-diarrheal drug
•     Painkiller
•     Pills for sore throat
•     Patches 

•     Hairband
•     Power bank
•     Phone
•     Glasses box
•     Sunglasses
•     Telephone
•     Cotton mask
•     Headphones
•     Phone charger

What should you eat when visiting Finland? 

Despite the fact that Finland is famous primarily for its beautiful landscapes, it is worth remembering that it is also the home of interesting Scandinavian cuisine. Whenever we have the opportunity, let's try some Finnish delicacies and drinks that are appreciated the most by the locals and which are very popular among them.

• Poronkäristys - something for brave fans of unusual gastronomy. It’s  thinly sliced ​​and then fried… reindeer meat. It is usually served with mashed potatoes and red blueberries. The perfect combination of salty meat with sour blueberries will surely appeal to many travelers - and is a real specialty for the people of Finland. 
• Karjalanpiirakat - even though the name "Karelian dumplings" may bring to mind those dumplings we know from Slavic countries, this dish is completely different. In Finland this name stands for an open dough dumpling based on rye flour, filled with a barley, rice or potato filling. 
• Mykyrokka -in translation it means "butcher's soup" which might be a bit scary. The soups are one of the most popular dishes in Finland and throughout Scandinavia. Butcher's soup is filled with pieces of pork and rye or barley dumplings. It is very filling and aromatic. 
• Ruisleipä - the Finnish rye leaven bread. It is served with almost every meal. 
• Salmiakkikossu - intense black liqueur based on vodka and candies, from which it takes its name. Due to its licorice flavor, it is usually not very popular with tourists, but it is definitely worth a try! 

How much money should you take with you?

Finland, like other Scandinavian countries, is an expensive travel destination. Check how much money is worth taking with you when planning a trip to Finland. 

• We will pay about 40-50 euro for a night in a hostel. If we want to rent a room in a slightly better hotel, for example a three-star hotel, we have to pay a minimum of EUR 100 per night. 
• When we go to a cheap restaurant for dinner, we have to be prepared to spend about 10-12 euro per meal. In the case of a better restaurant, we will pay for a dinner for two people from 60 euros upwards. 
• For a half-liter beer in a restaurant, you will pay about 6-8 euro. 
• A one-way single public transport ticket costs around 3 euros. A liter of gasoline costs 1.5 euros. 
• Cigarettes in Finland are much more expensive than in other countries. We will pay € 7.50 for a pack of popular Camels or L&Ms. 

Safety 

• Finland is considered to be one of the safest countries in Europe - Finns usually drive legally and obey the law.
• Of course, as with any travel, it is good to use common sense, watch out for potential pickpockets and newly met people. 

Useful information

• In Finland, it is difficult to buy alcohol above 4.7%. We can only find it in special liquor stores called Alko, which are state-owned stores. We can find them only in larger towns and they are open for a short time. 
• While in Finland, it is worth visiting the local, extremely popular saunas. 
• Larger stores in Finland are usually closed on Sunday. 
• We can recycle bottles and soda cans in virtually any supermarket, for 10 to 40 cents. It is also worth knowing that tap water in Finland is safe to drink, tasty and of good quality. 
• If you plan to travel in Finland by car - remember that in winter the regulations change and you can usually drive 20 km / h slower than in other seasons. 

Finland will surely delight even the most demanding travelers. Regardless of whether you are fascinated by Finnish culture or maybe the beautiful wild nature of Finland - you will definitely find something for yourself there. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Scandinavia, be sure to download the MyLuggage application and let us take care of preparing a personalized packing list for you, and you will spend time planning an unforgettable holiday!