Practical Tips

Languages
Finland is a bilingual country where they speak Finnish and Swedish. Most signs and street names are both in Finnish and Swedish. Many people also speak English, which is the official language for most official events taking place in Helsinki.

Exchange
Finland became a member of the Euro currency system in 2002. The visitors can easily exchange money for Euros at most banks or currency exchange offices. One can exchange money at the railway station Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and at the airport daily 6am to 11pm.

Credit Cards
Most shops, restaurants and hotels will accept all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Club, American Express, etc. There are also plenty of ATM machines that you can use for withdrawing cash with your credit card. However, not all of the ATM machines are meant for cash withdrawals. The ones that are suitable for credit card withdrawals are marked with the sign Otto.

Public Transportation
Public transport is the cheapest and most comfortable way to get around the city. For traveling by bus or tram one can use Helsinki region travel card or single tickets bought from ticket machines, the bus driver or train conductor on all local buses, trams, local trains and underground in the metropolitan area as well as on the Suomenlinna ferry. One-day tourist tickets can be bought on buses, local trains and from multi-ticket machines. Tourist tickets for 3 and 5 days can be purchased from multi-ticket machines located at train and underground stations and in advance from YTV and Helsinki City Transport service points, Kamppi Travel Centre, Stockmann Department Store and main R-kiosks.

Working Hours
Most banks are open on weekdays from 9 a.m. till 4 or 5 p.m.
Post offices are open from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. There are also franchised post offices, managed by groceries and petrol service stations, these once can be open till 8 or 9 p.m.
Large shops are generally open on weekdays from 9 or 10 a.m. till 6 p.m., but some are usually open till 9 or 10 p.m. or even round-a-clock.

Electricity
The electricity in Finland is 230 V (50 Hz). The socket is the same as in the continental EU countries. Please note: British and American participants need an adapter.

Alcohol
The legal age for drinking beer and hard liquor throughout Finland is 18. Laws against drunken driving are rigidly enforced in Helsinki.

Emergencies
General Emergency (112). Police (Central precinct:, Pieni Roobertinkatu 1-3. 1022; 1891 for central precinct).

Tipping
Usually service is included in prices and tipping is not expected in Finland.