How to Visit Finland on a Budget

Finland is, overall, one of the more expensive European countries to visit (unless you’re coming from Norway or Sweden). You need to plan carefully to get the best value for your money. It is possible to have an amazing trip on a budget! There are lots of free activities and attractions in Finland. For example, there are many beautiful lakes and forests. You can also visit museums, castles, and churches.

Here’s my budget guide to Finland to help save you money on your trip!

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Most people get to Finland by flying, which is also the most affordable.

There are many low-cost airlines flying to Europe, North America, and Asia. If you arrive in Helsinki, there are direct flights to Europe, Canada, and Asia. You can fly with European budget airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair, or with larger airlines like Finnair, SAS, and Norwegian. We flew from Newark to Helsinki (and then to Rovaniemi) with Finnair and had an awesome flight. Look out for their cheap deals and travel with minimal baggage. (Be sure to check out my guide for finding cheap flights.) If you can be flexible with your travel dates, that will help increase your chances of getting a bargain.

Helsinki might not be the cheapest airport to fly into.

Most people fly directly into Helsinki because it’s the obvious choice (and to be honest, it’s where we flew into). However, if you’re not spending time in Helsinki and heading directly north to Lapland, then flying directly to Rovaniemi might be a more affordable option.

Travel during the shoulder season to save some money.

This is true for most destinations. July as the center of the summer is a great time to visit Finland but can be pretty expensive. The other time of the year to avoid is December. Since Rovaniemi is near Santa Claus Village, many families visit to get into the holiday spirit. May is a great time to visit Finland. There are fewer tourists and the weather is still nice. You will avoid the crowds and save money by visiting during the shoulder season. If you want to visit in winter to enjoy the snow (like us) then visiting in January is great! All of our ‘group tours’ ended up being private tours since it’s not a common time to visit, we still got to enjoy the snow, and there was no line to visit Santa!

However, if you plan ahead, you can get great deals on flights and accommodation. Be sure to avoid the Christmas rush – everyone wants to see Santa in December. We traveled at the end of January and there was NO ONE in line to see Santa, it was awesome! There’s also plenty of snow on the ground, reindeer wandering, and winter activities to enjoy!

Fall is also a great time to visit Finland. The colors are amazing, especially if you go to Lapland. You will see the northern lights during the night, and you can also enjoy the beauty of the area during the day.

Stay in a hostel (and book a dorm bed).

This is true for any destination that you’re visiting. Hostels are great for solo travelers because they offer cheap accommodation and a communal atmosphere. You can cook your own meals, hang out with other guests and meet new people. Most hostels also have a kitchen, lounge area, and sauna. (Full disclosure, we did not book a hostel, but it is always a top way to save money while traveling!).

There’s actually a network of around 50 youth hostels across Finland, it’s called the Finnish Youth Hostel Association (SRM). If you plan on using hostels in the future, you can become a member of Hostelling International (HI) for an additional 10% discount. Staying in hostels is a great way to visit Finland on a budget!

Simply sleep in the woods.

There are plenty of great camping options in Finland. Some of them are very expensive, but others are free. There are also a few nice cabins available for rent. These cabins are usually located in the wilderness areas of Finland. They are often quite simple, but still provide a comfortable place to spend the night.

One of the things we loved about Finland is Jokamiehenoikeus – or everyman’s right. Basically, you’re allowed to walk, hike, and tent wherever you want as long as you don’t damage anything and respect people’s privacy. You’re supposed to stay only a night or two and leave no trace. You can pick berries in the summer as long as you don’t sell them. This was so impressive to us Americans who have private property and don’t like anyone on their property. Since we traveled in winter, we did not partake in either of these but if we were traveling in the warmer months it would be quite the experience!

If you’re traveling in a group, rent a house for cheaper accommodation!

Another tip that is true for any destination! If you’re traveling with family or friends, renting a place together could save money and make it more fun. You can find accommodation through VRBO or the Finnish rental site Lomarengas, which has a range of cottages across Finland. Prices vary depending on location, size, and facilities. It’s one of the best ways to save money when visiting Finland on a budget.

Save money by booking a hotel during the week!

I was surprised to learn this from our guide in Helsinki, but hotels are usually geared towards business travelers. Rates drop by about 40% at weekends and during the summer holidays, making this an ideal time to book a room in fancier hotels. This is something (at least to my knowledge) that is unique to Finland!

Take the bus – it’s reliable and cheap

Finland’s bus network covers a lot more ground than its train network. Buses are often cheaper than trains, and there are fewer restrictions on when you can board them. There are also many more departures per hour, making it easier to plan your trip. You can buy tickets online, but it’s usually easiest to buy them at the bus station. Check out Finavia’s website for schedules and prices.

Onnibus runs budget intercity bus services in Finland. These are usually cheaper than regular fares if booked well in advance. Onnibus also offers an app called Onnibus Passport that allows you to book your trip online and pay using your smartphone. (Fun story, we tried to book our tickets in person and we were actually not allowed to, we had to use our phone!) We used Onnibus during our day trip to Porvoo from Helsinki. It’s a hidden gem for traveling around Finland on a budget.

If you need a car, reserve one well in advance of your trip.

Another tip for most places in Europe (especially if you need an automatic car like me!) If you’re heading into the less-populated areas of Finland, you’ll need a car – there are no Ubers or Lyfts to get you around. Book ahead for the best deals. You might also consider renting a car for a few days at a time, depending on where you are in the country, instead of for the whole vacation. For example, we split our time between Helsinki and Rovaniemi – we wouldn’t need a car in Helsinki so we could just book it for our time in Rovaniemi. Apps like Carpool Finland and KYYDIT are great if you’re willing to share your ride. Otherwise, apps like Uber and Lyft are great options in the more populated areas of the country..

Fill up at breakfast!

Breakfast is a very important meal for Finns. If you’re staying at a hotel, chances are you’ll get a hearty breakfast for free. I was completely overwhelmed every morning by the breakfast spread provided by our hotels. Our breakfasts typically consisted of a buffet with porridge, fruit, eggs, cheese, lots of coffee, and even fish! You can also buy a full breakfast at a café for about €10.

As is the same in most countries, lunchtime meals are a lot cheaper than dinner. Look out for cafés and restaurants serving all-day buffets for between €9 ($10) and €14 ($15), where you can load your plate with salads, soups, and special offers. Since we often filled up at breakfast, we often had a late lunch – like 2 or 3 pm. We just needed some snacks to hold us over (which we got from a Finnish grocery store!). During our visit, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 was well underway. The Finnish government had restaurants close at 6 pm to prevent gatherings. (You could still get room service at hotels and go grocery shopping, but not eat at a restaurant).

Be sure to watch what you drink as well. Alcohol quickly adds to the bill, with a pint of beer costing around €5 ($5.40). Luckily tap water is safe to drink, so feel free to bring your reusable water bottle with you!

If you’re looking for a place to go for a picnic, there are plenty of options in Finland. You can find them in beautiful covered market halls, like those in Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku. These places sell everything from bread and cheese to fresh fish and meat. If you’re looking for something lighter, you can grab a sandwich or snack from the many stalls and cafes inside the market.

Forage for your supper (in Summer)

Finland has a tradition of picking berries and mushrooms in the forest. You can pick them for yourself if you like. There are also many farmers who grow berries and mushrooms for sale.

Get out into nature

Finland is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a cheap holiday. You’ll get to experience the outdoors and enjoy the freedom of not having to pay for anything. There are many places to explore, including national parks and forests. You can also go camping and swim in lakes and rivers (obviously not something we could do). If you like cooking, there are plenty of opportunities to cook over an open fire. As someone who loves winter, I loved being out in the snow and enjoying the winter wonderland that is Finland. Cross country skiing and hiking are great free ways to enjoy nature even in the winter! (Just remember the sun sets around 4pm and it gets dark quickly!)

Save money on sightseeing

If you’re looking to save money on the city sights, the Helsinki Card is your best bet. Valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours, the card gives you access to all the big-hitters sights and attractions and public transportation and gets you discounts at shops and restaurants.

Many museums offer free admission on certain days of the week. For example, the Design Museum in Helsinki offers free entry on Tuesdays between 4 pm and 8 pm. The Kunsthalle Helsinki is also free on Wednesdays between 6 pm and 8 pm. In Tampere, many museums are free on Friday afternoons between 3 pm and 6 pm. Be sure to check out my guide to free things to do in Helsinki to save money! 

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