Is it better for independent tourists to travel in Finland - by car or bike? Each type of transport has its own advantages, but by car you will go around Suomi faster and see more.
Traveling by car, you are completely on your own, make your own route and choose the places you want to see. In a sense, this is a real adventure, since you never know in advance what you will see outside the window - a leisurely elk, cleaning fields with smart modern technology, neat houses with blooming gardens, city blocks with ancient architecture. You decide where to stop and when to move on.
However, independent travel around the country requires clear planning, otherwise you can get lost, spend too much gas and money, or miss something interesting.
Making a route
When planning your car trip, always plan your itinerary in advance. To do this, first of all, you need to decide which cities and sights you want to see, make a list where stops will be sequentially distributed. Keep in mind that the optimal daily haul length is 200-300 km: long distances exhaust travelers and you will not have the energy to have fun on the spot. The mileage can be easily calculated using special services on the Internet, for example, avtodispetcher.ru - here you can calculate the distance between cities, travel time and gasoline consumption.
Be sure to use a GPS navigator when traveling. If you rent a car in Finland, then this shouldn't be a problem. If you are driving your own car - then get ready in advance: download a map of Finland, indicate the addresses, intermediate and final points of the route where you plan to go. If you have no desire or money - use a laptop with Microsoft AutoRoute + GPS-receiver, which transmits coordinates to the laptop via Bluetooth. This will prevent you from getting lost in the dense network of Finnish roads.
We are looking for housing
Find places to sleep based on your itinerary. It is easy to book accommodation today through special services on the Internet, especially if you take care of it in advance. You can book accommodation on our website in a special section. Pay attention to sites like Hostelbookers.com(cheap hostels), Airbnb.ru (apartments), Ostrovok.ru and Booking.com (hotels). Check out the Couchsurfing.com guest network - couchsurfing offers free overnight stays. Often autotourists stop at campsites: clean toilets and showers, hot water, equipped children's rooms, a kitchen and even a barbecue with embers - all this pleasantly amazes tourists. Read more about finding accommodation and prices for different types of rooms in Finland in our article.
However, you can ignore civilization and stop for the night in the open air - in a tent. But it is worth remembering a few rules: you cannot stop in private territory, you cannot light a fire in reserves. Finns cherish their nature, so bonfires can be made in a limited number of places. There are special areas for making a fire; dry firewood is laid out next to the fireplace. Sawing, chopping branches and branches is prohibited in the Finns. The policeman can find fault, even if you just collect brushwood.
Refueling the tank
It is better to enter Finland with a full tank of gasoline and a canister. It is allowed that the canister contains 10 liters. The cost of gasoline in Finland is several orders of magnitude higher than in Russia.
Note that you will not find 92 gasoline in Finland.
Where is the best place to refuel?
In Russia
- On the way to Torfyanovka there is a gas station Neste in the village of Kondratyevo (petrol station no. 501) and Lukoil in Torfyanovka itself (petrol station no. 148), just before the border.
- There are two Tatneft filling stations near Brusnichnoye: the Brusnichnoye gas station (10th km of the Saimenskoye highway) and the Tsvetochnoe gas station (the 20th km of the Saimenskoye highway).
In Finland
Regular gas stations (this is where the cashier accepts payment) work from 7 am to 9 pm, and automatic ones work around the clock (there are most of them in Suomi). There are also 24-hour gas stations with staff, they usually also have a toilet, a cafe (tea will cost about 2 euros, a sweet bun for about 2.40 euros and a hearty sandwich for about 5 euros) and a mini-store. In general, the cost of fuel on the highway is usually slightly higher than in the city. Please note that gas stations on the highway are not very common (in any case, less often than in Russia), so you should not miss the opportunity to refuel when the opportunity arises.
The Finnish gas station market is dominated by 4 large players: Lukoil owns Teboil and Jet, Sok owns ABC and Esso, the other two players are Neste (Neste and Nex) and Muut (St1 and Shell).
For instructions on how to properly refuel at a gas station in Finland, read our article.
Food
It will not work to completely abstract from people and go into the natural world. You still have to stop by the grocery stores. Considering that the euro exchange rate is now not very friendly towards the Russian wallet, it is better to strictly calculate the budget for food in advance. It is better to buy the most expensive products at home - for example, bread bought in Finland will cost three times more than its Russian counterpart.
When the food in the car tires you, you still want to stop at a local cafe, taste the local cuisine and feel the Finnish flavor. A coffee with a bun will cost about 5 euros. The owners of such cafes prefer to furnish them to their liking and put their soul into the interior, so they can hardly be called a roadside eatery. Sometimes you can find establishments that are completely unusual in format. So, on the highway between Imatra and Parikkala, there is a cafe where, along with coffee, tea and smoked fish, a variety of products for the sauna are sold - they became the main interior decorations: ladles, brooms, shampoos, forged devices for carrying firewood, etc.
You can also have a snack at gas stations. Russian travelers are especially fond of ABC-Stations, where you can eat, sleep, and buy food with souvenirs. Read more about them in our article.
Please note that there are regularly equipped parking lots along the highways - there is a table with benches, a toilet, sometimes there may be a fireplace. Often they are located next to the lake, in which, if you wish, you can swim and fish with a line - this will be an excellent rest on the road. Don't forget about fishing restrictions, see our article for details.
Crossing the border
When crossing the border, different rules apply. When approaching the checkpoint (multi-way automobile checkpoint), pay attention to the signs that indicate in which queue the cars go: there are different checkpoints for cars, trucks and buses.
However, detailed instructions for Russian car tourists have already been prepared by Finnish customs officials. This video clearly shows how to act on the Russian-Finnish border:
Also, about how to go through customs and what documents the driver and his passengers need, read our article in our article.
Today it is difficult to say through which checkpoint it is better to cross the border - Torfyanovka, Brusnichnoe or Vyartsilya: on the one hand, all of them are gradually being improved technically in order to reduce queues at the borders, on the other hand, tourist flows are distributed more or less evenly. In any case, the choice of the checkpoint does not depend on the length of the queue, but on your destination. Unfortunately, there are traffic jams at the border, despite a decrease in the tourist flow - usually it happens on holidays and on Friday. Here the rule "Who gets up early, the customs gives the go-ahead". If you leave St. Petersburg at 6-7 am, you most likely will not see a large congestion of cars at the border.
In any case, it makes sense to look into your webcam before and during your trip.
Speed limits in Finland are strict - on expressways no more than 120 km / h in summer and 100 km / h in winter. On other country roads, the maximum speed ranges from 50 to 100 km / h, depending on the condition of the road surface, weather conditions and the place where you are driving. Speeding is heavily fined here. And to see the wonderful views of Finnish nature at a speed of 150 km / h is extremely problematic.
It will be difficult for a Russian person, accustomed to the vast expanses of our country, to get used to the traffic conditions on Finnish roads. The size of the country is extremely small, and the road network is very dense - as a result, there are many turns and branches on the roads. Moreover, they follow each other at small intervals. Skipping a turn or taking a wrong turn is as easy as shelling pears. But if you closely follow the signs, there will be no problems. And this is another argument in favor of low speed. Don't forget about the help of the navigator.
Finland's small size allows the Finnish police to work effectively. As a rule, in the event of an accident or other incident on the road, it appears within 5-10 minutes.
Do not try to circumvent Finnish traffic rules, as the slightest violation will result in a heavy fine. Below is the data on speeding fines calculated in day rates (dt).
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Exceeding the speed limit from 24 to 26 km / h | 14 days in the village 12 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 27 to 29 km / h | 16 days in the village 14 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 30 to 32 km / h | 18 days in the village 16 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 33 to 35 km / h | 20 days in the village 18 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 36 to 38 km / h | 22 days in the village 20 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 39 to 41 km / h | 24 days in the village 22 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 42 to 44 km / h | 26 days in the village 24 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 45 to 47 km / h | 28 days in the village 26 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 48 to 50 km / h | court (in the village) 28 days outside the settlement |
| Exceeding the speed limit from 51 km / h | court |
In Finland, the fine for traffic violations can be calculated in the so-called daily rate (d.t.). The daily rate is calculated as follows: € 255 is deducted from the net profit, which is the amount of monthly income remaining after deducting taxes. The result is divided by 60. In addition, the presence of each minor child in the care of each minor reduces the amount of the daily rate by € 3.
The beauty of autotravels is that you design your route yourself, you don't have to hustle with the group, and it's easier for you to control your budget. The danger is that it is easy to get lost. Follow our recommendations, and a trip to Finland will bring you a lot of positive emotions.
Get directions to the region of Central Finland, Finland
Central Finland map
Air travel is not only the fastest way to get to the desired place, but, more often than not, the cheapest.
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Flights to Central Finland
With the help of the site service Point-on-Map, you can plot a route to the region of Central Finland, Finland from other cities and regions by road, measure the distance from one settlement to another, find the shortest way to the region of Central Finland, Finland from various settlements , choose the shortest road to the region of Central Finland, Finland for travel by car, display the entire route on the map, find out what is the distance between cities by road, calculate gasoline consumption, fuel cost, kilometers from Moscow, calculate the distance between cities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus , Kazakhstan, Europe, determination of mileage in the region of Central Finland, Finland. The work is carried out using the services Google Maps and Yandex.Maps. Errors in the operation of the service should be addressed personally to the hands of Yandex and Google companies, to get there
Report on a trip by car from St. Petersburg to Finland. Sights and photos of Lahti and Helsinki.
Foreword
This year I decided that I want to celebrate my birthday with a small trip from St. Petersburg to friends in the Finnish city of Lahti and Helsinki.
The road to Finland
We arrived in St. Petersburg on Friday evening and spent two weekends enjoying its stunning views and delicious food at Tokyo City.
Delicious food in the restaurant
For five days of travel, we made only one mistake - we left St. Petersburg on Monday at rush hour, which is why we spent a lot of time just getting out of the city. Then everything went like clockwork. We got to the border point "Torfyanovka" in 4.5 hours (340 km), taking into account a short stop in Vyborg (we bought water).
The navigator, which, according to the idea, should show a shorter path, persistently tried to lead us aside! Lingonberry ", but we did not give in, but finally realized that it was high time to replace it with a more modern model with fresh maps.
We passed the border quickly, there was no one in the queue in front of us, there were few cars. The first difference between Russia and Finland, which immediately catches the eye, is the illumination of the roads. We got to "Brusnichny" in such darkness, as if we were driving not along the highway, but along an abandoned path through the forest. Immediately after crossing the border - civilization, the roads are well lit, there is not a single hole or unevenness.
Excellent and beautiful Finnish road
Lahti
Lahti is a small city with a population of just over one hundred thousand people. It is perfectly adapted for life, there is a wide promenade with cafes, well-groomed parks, playgrounds, many shops and large shopping centers, bars and entertainment centers like Hop-lop. My husband and I went there with our nephews (4 and 6 years old), and in the end we had just as much fun.
Prices bite, but there are plenty of sales and promotions. For example, we went to the same Hop-Lop almost for free, just collecting the required number of yogurt lids. On ordinary days, you have to pay only for children, and accompanying adults can go for free and play at all the rides on a par with kids.
Children's entertainment for every taste
Hesburger is the Finnish equivalent of McDonald's, in which burgers are much tastier. There are two for the price of one promotions every day. Together you can have a great meal for 800 rubles.
Prices in regular stores for groceries are higher than in Russia. It is impossible to find bread cheaper than 1.5 euros, but you can be sure that you are paying for a fresh and tasty product. There are also shops for 6 euros, where you pay only for the entrance and collect as much food as you can carry.
New Year atmosphere in a Finnish store
As for clothing and equipment, then you need to "catch" sales, they can be very profitable. For example, on this trip I bought myself New Balance sneakers for 30 euros, although they usually cost almost 200.
In Lahti, as in the whole of Finland, there are many second-hand shops - Kirpputori. Russians are called from simpler - "kirpushki". They contain both outright nonsense and completely new things for a pittance. Some people manage to dress there from head to toe for a couple of thousand rubles. The most precious thing about them is shoes and, oddly enough, books.
Lahti is a low city, we did not find a single building higher than seven floors.
Cozy city of Lahti
But it is long, but driving through the streets is one pleasure. There are few cars, the roads are wide and level. No one is in a hurry and does not cut.
Finland has a very tough system of fines, and the Finns themselves are calmer. There are a lot of cyclists here, for whom a part of the road is allocated everywhere. The only thing that is a little unnerving is the long and frequent traffic lights. This is a country for pedestrians, so adults are not afraid to let even young children walk on their own.
Parking in the center is paid, the fine for violation is high, so there is no congestion of cars along the roads, and there are no unauthorized cars in the courtyards of houses - separate places are allocated for guests. In large shopping centers, parking is either completely free, or only for two to three hours. Then it is imperative to put a special clock under the glass indicating the time when you arrived. Otherwise, a fine.
Parking road sign
Almost all entertainment for children is free. For example, Perhepuisto. We rode down the slides, rocked on swings, and even rode small tricycles with our tribesmen. Children, by the way, behave here much calmer, no screaming or crazy running around. Apparently, the slowness and regularity of Finnish life is reflected. It seems that no one is in a hurry here. Some people may get bored because shops close at 6-7 pm and are closed on holidays. But we really like to come to this city, we love it for its peace and quiet, leisurely walks along the embankment and parks, long bike rides. It is an ideal city for a quiet life.
Quiet and measured Lahti
Helsinki
Our autumn adventures did not end there, noisy and crowded Helsinki was waiting ahead. At least we expected to see it that way. At night frost struck, so the grass along the roads was covered with frost, and fog rose over the fields. It is only an hour's drive from Lahti to Helsinki, it flew by unnoticed thanks to good music and stunning views from the window.
We decided to leave the car at the hostel - we were afraid of problems with parking in the center and too heavy traffic. There is a problem with affordable housing in Helsinki. The most acceptable option we found on Booking is. The rooms are small, shower and toilet are for several rooms, but there were no problems with them. The hostel has a common room with arcade machines, books and board games, as well as a kitchen with a kettle, microwave and hob. The front desk offers earplugs and free breakfast in the morning, although it was not very tasty - dry sausage sandwich, banana and coffee from the vending machine. But when you pay 2,300 rubles a night for two, that's okay.
It takes only half an hour from the hostel to the city center at a leisurely pace, the road leads past neat houses with funny graffiti and small parks with sculptures.
Banksy graffiti
The sculpture is very organic
We especially liked it on the river bank
Attractions Helsinki
The railway station in the city center is an architectural monument operating since 1919. In front of it there is a large square and many shops of the most popular brands. Across the road is the Finnish National Theater, founded in 1872.
Square in Helsinki
There are much more people here, mainly tourists and those who come or leave the station. It takes about ten minutes walk from the square to the embankment, along the way you can have a coffee in Starbucks or have a snack in one of the cafes, but the wallet will become much easier.
Helsinki city center
Huge seagulls roam the embankment, which are absolutely not afraid of people and allow themselves to be photographed.
Brave seagull
If you make it before five in the evening, you can eat delicious aromatic Belgian waffles or hot dog, which are prepared right here in small tents. Souvenirs are sold nearby: magnets, key rings, bottle openers, hats and scarves with deer and the Finnish blue-and-blue flag.
Further there are ferries, which can go, for example, to Tallinn (only two hours' journey) or Stogkolm (night). We were both there and there, albeit without a car, although you can take it with you without any problems for an additional fee. This makes sense only if you go to these cities for more than one day. On the ferry to Stockholm, the night flies by unnoticed, as cafes, duty-free shops and a hall where musicians play and even a disco are open.
From the embankment, you can quickly walk to the business card of Helsinki - Cathedral Square and St. Nicholas Cathedral. Every tourist considers it his duty to take a picture on the snow-white steps leading to the cathedral, we also could not resist.
Entertainment
Walking along the clean and tidy streets of the city, it becomes clear why, in 2000, Helsinki, along with nine other cities, received the status of a cultural European capital. There are not only many architectural sights, a museum and parks here, but also concerts of world famous bands, exhibitions, theater festivals and entertainment shows are held all the time.
Helsinki is always different
Way home
Back to Petrozavodsk, we returned through the Vyartsilya border checkpoint on Saturday morning. There were no queues, they passed the border in a maximum of fifteen minutes. Since the frost struck, and we still had summer tires, we drove carefully and did not rush.
Foggy road in Finland
The weather was lucky, the sun was shining, there was no precipitation. Accidents on the road were not met, although few people managed to change to winter tires.
Sunrise in the finnish forest
Refueled as always at Lukoil immediately after the border. We have a discount accumulative card, it turns out profitable, since we travel a lot. For example, every thirty liters of coffee is a gift.
The way home went through the wonderful Pitkyaranta, as always delighting with views.
Birthday was memorable. This time we did not save on food and arranged a three-day shopping.
Travel expenses to Finland by car
Travel thanks to fellow travelers turned out to be practically free.
- Petrozavodsk-Saint Petersburg-Lahti = 0 rubles
- Lahti-Helsinki = 230 rubles
- Helsinki-Petrozavodk = 0 rubles
- Driving in Lahti and Helsinki = 650 rubles
- Shopping = 10,000 rubles
- Food = 8500 rubles
- Total = 19 380 rubles.
Distances between cities in Finland (km)
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From Helsinki |
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Kuusamo Ruka |
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Vuokatti |
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Distances in Europe (km)
1. Border points
The Finnish border can be crossed by car at the following border points:
. Vaalimaa - Torfyanovka(recommended for those traveling in the direction of Helsinki)
works around the clock, tel. + 358-20-410 21 70, + 358-20-410 21 50.
. Nuiyamaa - Lingonberry(Saimaa) (recommended for those traveling in the direction of Lahti, Mikkeli, Tampere, Kuopio)
works around the clock, tel. + 358-20-410 23 50.
. Svetogorsk-Imatra(recommended for those traveling in the direction of Savonlinna, Joensuu, Kayaani)
works around the clock.
. Niirala - Vyartsilya(recommended when leaving for Finland from Karelia)
working hours: 07.00 - 21.00, tel. + 358-20-410 32 70.
. Vartius - Kivijärvi(departure to Finland through the city of Kostomuksha)
working hours: 07.00 - 21.00, tel. + 358-20-410 42 50.
. Raya-Yooseppi - Lotta(departure to Finland through the Murmansk region)
working hours: 07.00 - 21.00, tel. + 358-20-410 54 00.
2. Documents required for entry
1. License to drive a car (not necessarily international).
2. All technical documents for the car (registration certificate, technical inspection mark, etc.).
3. Green card car insurance.
4. In the case of driving under a power of attorney, it must be certified by a notary for presentation to Russian customs, translation into foreign languages is not required.
"Green map"- the system of international agreement on insurance of civil liability of vehicle owners to third parties. In European countries, this type of insurance is compulsory. The Green Card form consists of two parts - the original and the duplicate. Both parts are filled out identically.
Losses under the Green Card are regulated by the bureau of the country in which the accident occurred, in accordance with the legislation of that country. The reverse side of the form contains the addresses and telephones of the Green Card bureau in the countries of its validity, which must be addressed in the event of an accident.
If, while driving abroad, an insured event occurs (i.e. if damage to third parties is caused by the vehicle for which the insurance policy was issued), then the insured must call the police patrol, which must draw up an accident report. After registration of the accident, the culprit and the victim exchange their insurance certificate numbers.
If a client who has a Green Card is injured, he can apply to the Green Card Bureau in the country where he is currently located, or to the insurance company whose client is the person who caused him the damage.
You can apply for a "Green Card" at the border or at the insurance company where you took out your insurance earlier.
3. Vehicle specifications
3.1. Tires
3.1.1. All cars and pickup vehicles must use winter tires between early December and late February. The use of winter tires during other seasons is voluntary. Studded tires can only be used between early November and the Monday following the week after Easter Monday. They can be used at other times of the year only if it is provided by weather and climatic conditions.
3.1.2. The tread height in summer tires of a passenger car must be at least 1.6 mm, and in winter tires - at least 3 mm. Riding on bare tires is not allowed. The simultaneous use of studded and non-studded tires in a vehicle is prohibited.
3.2. Glass darkening (tinting)
Dimming of the windscreen and front windows is only permitted within the permissible limits: the light transmission of the windscreen must be at least 75% and the front side windows 70%. Additional darkening, for example, with a light protection film is prohibited in Finland.
3.3. It is absolutely unacceptable to have an "anti-radar" in the car! Repeated cases of deprivation of the right to enter Finland when the police found this device in the car!
4. Basic rules of the road
1) Finland has established right-hand traffic with left-hand overtaking;
2) never overtake a car stopped by a pedestrian. Overtaking is prohibited when approaching oncoming traffic, on slopes, turns or in the immediate vicinity of an intersection;
3) on sections with a speed limit of 60 km / h, you should always let the bus departing from the stop;
4) in cities, entry to the lane designated for buses is allowed only immediately before the turn;
5) at intersections without traffic lights or road signs, a tram should always pass;
6) driving on tram tracks is generally prohibited;
7) respect for pedestrians;
8) in the absence of restrictive signs, the general speed limit always corresponds to 50 km / h in settlements (the territory bounded by the signs of a settlement), and outside them - 80 km / h, on highways the speed is up to 100 km / h in winter and 120 km / hour in the summer. The cruiser car (car-home) has a maximum speed of 80 km / h. On sections under construction and repair, it is limited to 40-60 km / h;
9) all vehicles must only move with the dipped headlights on, regardless of the time of day and weather conditions;
10) in passenger cars, seat belts must be fastened by both the driver and passengers in both the front and rear seats. In taxis, this rule applies to all passengers. An exception can only be made in the event of illness or disability preventing the use of seat belts;
11) stopping and parking a car is allowed only on the right side of the road or street. On a one-way street, stopping and parking a car is also permitted on the left side of the street;
12) in Finland it is prohibited to drive a car without a license plate. The foreign car must also have a prominent national identity;
13) driving a car while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs is prohibited. The maximum allowed blood alcohol content is 0.5 ppm. Violation of this rule almost always results in a fine or imprisonment. Exceeding 1.2 ppm can lead to more serious penalties;
14) Elk and reindeer often appear on the roads (in Lapland). Warning signs are installed in the necessary places and inform drivers about the maximum length of the most dangerous sections;
15) It is prohibited to drive a car that is in poor condition. In the worst case, the police may prohibit driving on the faulty car, and the car will need to be towed to the parking lot.
5. Gasoline
5.1. A person crossing the Russian-Finnish border is allowed to have 10 liters of gasoline in addition to a full tank *. It is recommended to fill a full tank before crossing the border, as the average price of petrol in Finland is 1 euro per liter of 95 petrol and depends on the region. Gasoline sold in Finland does not contain zinc. 98th zinc-free gasoline contains additives that allow it to be used in vehicles not specifically designed for zinc-free gasoline. Gasoline for cars with a catalytic converter is sold from pumps with a green refueling nozzle. Refueling nozzle, black, for diesel.
5.2. Gas stations on the highways are rare. Sometimes the distance between them reaches 100 km. So if you have a blinking "petrol" light, do not risk it - refuel at the nearest station.
Only at large stations are cars refueled by employees. Most gas stations are self-service. Some gas stations in Finland are open around the clock. Payment is made at the checkout or through a machine. It is advisable to have a credit card with you, since 4 out of five oncoming gas stations may turn out to be automatic, although cash payment through a bill acceptor is also possible. Some of the cash-service stations operate at night in automatic mode. As a rule, there are cafes and shops at the stations. Here you can also find a payphone (for local calls, 0 is dialed in front of the regional code). Many gas stations are equipped with car washes and small auto repair shops. At automatic filling stations (Neste, Shell, Esso, Venko and Teboil), gasoline is slightly cheaper. Many gas stations are equipped with car washes (PESU) and small auto repair shops (HUOLTO).
* we recommend taking a can of gasoline with you, as it can take a long time to clear customs.
6. Parking
You can park in Finland where there are parking signs.
You cannot park if:
The yellow line is drawn along the right side of the road;
... a parking sign has been installed;
... in the absence of any signs.
Most parking lots in cities are paid and automatic. The ticket, which will indicate the time of arrival and the time until which you paid for parking, must be placed on under the windshield of the car so that the parking attendant will immediately notice it. If you forget to do this, you will be fined, which may also affect the receipt of further visas.
7. When the machine breaks down
On the highway, 150-200 meters from the car, you must put an emergency stop sign.
Towing. Service in Russian can be obtained from Roskvist, tel. 9800-3500. The number is valid throughout Finland. You can find out about companies offering towing services in any car repair shop, service station and in the telephone directories in the Hinauspalvelut department.
Service stations are usually open from 07.00 to 21.00 on weekdays and Saturdays, and work on a shorter schedule on Sundays. Many service stations sell gasoline 24 hours a day, and some of them have cafes.
In case of emergency
The emergency telephone number throughout Finland is 10022. The general emergency number for the police, ambulance or fire brigade is 112. These numbers can be called free of charge.
8. Penalty
A receipt of a fine for incorrect or unpaid parking is usually attached by the responsible employee to the windshield of the car, a speeding ticket is issued by the police or sent to the address indicated on the Green Card if the violation was recorded by an automatic camera. You can pay the fine according to these receipts at any bank (pankki) or already in Russia at the Embassy or Consulate of Finland. Payment of the fine is STRICTLY MANDATORY, because an unpaid fine is a good reason to refuse your next Schengen visa. If the fine was paid in Finland, keep your receipt of payment, as when considering your visa application, she may be asked to submit.
Finland in terms of tourism and travel is one of the most attractive countries for Russians. This expression is especially true for residents of the northwestern part of Russia. The proximity to the Scandinavian neighbors and the excellent transport system of this country allows you to visit many interesting places without any problems. But before going on a trip, of course, you should draw up an approximate route of advancement. And, taking into account the distance between the cities of Finland, make the best plan for your trip.
In total, there are about 108 cities in Finland. They are located mainly in the south of the country, which is not surprising, because the climate here is much more favorable than in the north. But there is life there too! For example, the city of Kemijärvi is located beyond the Arctic Circle, with a population of 8 thousand people. A little further south - Rovaniemi - an important transport hub on the map of Finland and the largest city in Europe by area. It is located just 95 km from Sweden. On the shores of the Bottichesky Gulf of the Baltic Sea, to the south-west of Rovaniemi, the cities of Oulu and Kem are located. Kuusamo is located 212 kilometers to the east - a famous ski resort, which is visited by about a million winter sports enthusiasts every year.
But the largest cities are located in the south of the country, as mentioned above. The distance between them ranges from 100-300 km. From Helsinki, most of the important southern cities can be reached in 2-4 hours. Thus, the distance from the capital to the large city of Turku is 157 km, to Pori - 242 km, Lappeenranta - 219 km, Tampere - 135 km, Kotka - 126 km and Lahti - 102 km.
It should also be noted the satellite cities, which together with Helsinki constitute an agglomeration with an area of 20 by 30 km. Not far away - 18 km from the city, there is a 240-thousandth Espoo, and 3 kilometers closer - Vantaa, with a population of 195,000. Espoo is the second largest city in the country and Vantaa is the fourth. In addition, the largest airport in Finland, Helsinki-Vantaa, is located in Vantaa.
The most accurate information about the distance between cities in Finland can be found on the website of the Finnish road department (here is a direct link to it http://alk.tiehallinto.fi/www2/valimatkat/index.htm). The site is Finnish, so all the information here is also in Finnish, but it's pretty easy to figure it out. In the table on the left you need to select the point of departure (MISTA), and on the right - the city of arrival (MIHIN). If you are planning to travel by car, in the field "Keskinopeus km / h" located under the tables, you should enter the estimated average speed. (Remember that in winter the speed limit on Finnish highways is 20 km / h lower than in summer).
Now click on the "Ilmoita valimatka" button and the result will be displayed on the screen. For instance:
MISTÄ (whence) = Joensuu
MIHIN (where) = Elimäki
NOPEUS (movement speed) = 70
Välimatka on (distance is) 343 km
Nopeus on (speed is) 70 km / h
Ajoaika on (travel time) 4 h 54 min
We wish you a good road, a pleasant journey and an unforgettable experience from visiting the Viking lands!
