Book a Flight to Finland

From the country’s impossibly cool capital, Helsinki, to the snow kissed homeland of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi, Finland is a truly unique destination. One of the least densely populated countries in the world, Finland provides a summer haven and offers winter snowscapes of fairy-tale proportions. If you’re looking to escape the world, then you’ll love the Finnish silence.

When to Book Cheap Flights to Finland

Finland’s peak seasons are spring and summer, when visitors come to enjoy the relatively warm weather and almost endless hours of daylight. Cheap flights are easier to find in winter, and Finland has plenty of reasons to visit during the colder months – not least the guarantee of snow unlike anything you’ll see in the UK and the chance to see the Northern Lights.

Flights to Finland from the UK are usually cheapest during autumn and winter, with the exception of Christmas time when Santa Claus is about… or so they say!

How to Find the Best Deals to Finland

The key to finding cheap flights to Finland is flexibility on dates, departure and arrival locations. Using Expedia you can select the ‘Show flexible dates’ option. This will help you to see if there are cheaper flights to Finland on alternative days. You can also check for flights to different destinations around the country. For example, you may find indirect flights to remote locations such as Oulu or Rovaniemi will save you money over direct flights to the capital Helsinki. Lastly, always be sure to book as far in advance as you can. For the budget-savvy, this is always far preferable to booking last minute.

UK Departures to Finland

The only direct flights to Finland from the UK are to the nation’s capital, Helsinki. While flights to Helsinki from London are in the air for approximately three hours, indirect flights to other locations (such as nearby Turku, or Roveniemi in Lapland) can be more affordable.

The fastest flights from London to locations around Finland are as follows:

• London to Helsinki – 2 hours 50 minutes
• London to Turku – 4 hours 10 minutes (no direct flights)
• London to Rovaniemi – 4 hours 50 minutes (no direct flights)
• London to Oulu – 4 hours 30 minutes (no direct flights)

Main Airports in Finland

The largest airport in Finland is Helsinki Airport. Flights with connections to other Finnish destinations usually change here, or at other major Nordic airports, such as Stockholm in Sweden. With Expedia, you can also book indirect flights to Turku Airport, Oulu Airport (on the western coast) or Rovaniemi Airport (in the northern Lappish region).

Airlines serving these destinations include:

• SAS
• Lufthansa
• KLM
• Finnair
• Air France
• Air Baltic
• British Airways
• Norwegian Air

Getting Around Finland

Finland is a vast country. With a little over five million inhabitants you could be forgiven for thinking there would little in the way of infrastructure. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Finland has an excellent rail and road network, with sanitary, spacious trains and well-maintained roads that are kept well clear of snow during winter.

Getting around the cities themselves is easy enough on buses, trams, the metro system, or on bicycles in summer.

Of course, if you want to travel further afield, we recommend hiring a car in Helsinki (or elsewhere in Finland). The landscapes are vast, often empty, but make for a haunting driving experience to say the least.

What are the Must-Sees in Finland?

Offering completely different experiences depending on the time of year, in summer, Finland is warm and bright with up to 19 hours of daylight. In winter, it is blanketed with snow and darkness. However, the national culture springing from these drastic seasonal shifts is exactly what makes Finland such a special destination.

Far north is best visited in winter. Icy lakes and dense, forested plains attract most people to Lapland. Here you’ll find special cabins designed with glass walls that allow you to slumber beneath nature’s ultimate light show, the Aurora Borealis.

The capital of Helsinki – located on the south coast – has a youthful culture and boasts a wonderful combination of sleek 21^st century architecture, traditional Finnish design and an eclectic cultural scene.

Tips for Travelling in Finland

British nationals require no visa when visiting Finland. The main thing to be prepared for is the weather. Many visitors can be surprised by how warm the country is in summer, particularly in the south. In winter, the cold can be cruel, so make sure you bring appropriate clothing. While here, don’t miss your chance to partake in a traditional Finnish sauna experience. While the locals plunge themselves into icy pools in between sauna sessions, rest assured, this is not a requirement!