Distances between cities in Finland (km)

	From Helsinki
Kuusamo-Ruka
Vuokatti

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)
open 24 hours a day, tel. +358-20-410 21 70, +358-20-410 21 50.
. Nuijamaa - Lingonberry(Saimaa) (recommended for those traveling in the direction of Lahti, Mikkeli, Tampere, Kuopio)
open 24 hours a day, tel. +358-20-410 23 50.
. Svetogorsk-Imatra(recommended for those traveling in the direction of Savonlinna, Joensuu, Kaiaani)
works around the clock.
. Niirala - Vartsilya(recommended when traveling to Finland from Karelia)
Opening hours: 07.00 - 21.00, tel. +358-20-410 32 70.
. Vartius - Kivijarvi(departure to Finland via Kostomuksha)
Opening hours: 07.00 - 21.00, tel. +358-20-410 42 50.
. Raya-Jooseppi - Lotta(travel to Finland via Murmansk region)
Opening hours: 07.00 - 21.00, tel. +358-20-410 54 00.

2. Documents required for entry

1. Driving license (not necessarily international).
2. All technical documents for the car (registration certificate, inspection sign, etc.).
3. Green card car insurance.
4. In case of driving by proxy, it must be certified by a notary for presentation to Russian customs; translation into foreign languages ​​is not required.
"Green Card"- system of international agreement on insurance of civil liability of owners vehicles to third parties. In European countries this type of insurance is mandatory. The Green Card form consists of two parts - an original and a 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. On back side The form contains the addresses and telephone numbers of the Green Card bureaus in the countries where it is valid, which must be contacted in the event of an accident.
If an insured event occurs while driving abroad (that is, if damage is caused to third parties by the vehicle for which the insurance policy is issued), then the insured must call the police patrol, who must issue an accident report. After the accident is registered, the culprit and the victim exchange the numbers of their insurance certificates.
In case a client having " Green card”, turns out to be a victim, he can apply to the Green Card Bureau in the country where he is in at the moment located, or to the insurance company whose client is the person who caused the damage.
You can apply for a Green Card at the border or at the insurance company where you took out your insurance previously.

3. Specifications car

3.1. Tires

3.1.1. All cars and pickup trucks must use winter tires between early December and late February. The use of winter tires in other seasons is voluntary. Studded tires can only be used between the beginning of November and the Monday following the week after Easter Monday. They can be used at other times of the year only if this is provided for by weather and climatic conditions.
3.1.2. The height of the tread pattern in summer tires of a passenger car must be at least 1.6 mm, and in winter tires - at least 3 mm. Driving on tires with exposed cords is not allowed. The simultaneous use of studded and non-studded tires in a vehicle is prohibited.

3.2. Dimming windows (tinting)

The tinting of the windshield and front windows is permitted only within permissible limits: the light transmittance of the windshield must be at least 75% and the front side windows 70%. Additional darkening, for example with light-protective film, is prohibited in Finland.
3.3. It is absolutely unacceptable to have a “radar detector” in a car! There have been repeated cases of deprivation of rights to enter Finland when the police discovered this device in a car!

4. Basic rules of the road

1) in Finland there is a right-hand traffic system with left-hand overtaking;
2) you should never overtake a car that is stopped by a pedestrian. Overtaking is prohibited when approaching oncoming traffic, on slopes, turns or in close proximity to an intersection;
3) in areas with a speed limit of 60 km/h, you should always let a bus departing from a stop pass;
4) in cities, entry into the lane reserved for buses is allowed only immediately before the turn;
5) at intersections without traffic lights or road signs, you should always let the tram pass;
6) driving on tram tracks is generally prohibited;
7) respect for pedestrians;
8) in the absence of limit signs, the general speed limit always corresponds to 50 km/h in populated areas (the territory limited by signs of a populated area), and outside them - 80 km/h, on highways the speed is up to 100 km/h in winter and 120 km/h an hour in summer. For a cruiser car (car-house) the maximum speed is 80 km/h. In areas under construction and renovation, it is limited to 40-60 km/h;
9) all vehicles must drive only with low beam headlights on, regardless of the time of day and weather conditions;
10) in passenger cars, seat belts must be fastened for both the driver and passengers in both the front and rear seats. In a taxi, this rule applies to all passengers. An exception can only be made in the case of illness or disability that prevents the use of seat belts;
11) stopping and parking a car is permitted only on the right side of the road or street. On a one-way street, stopping and parking a car is also allowed on the left side of the street;
12) in Finland it is prohibited to drive a car without license plates. The national identification must also be visible in a foreign car;
13) driving a car while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs is prohibited. The maximum permissible blood alcohol content is 0.5 ppm. Violation of this rule almost always results in punishment in the form of a fine or imprisonment. Exceeding 1.2 ppm can lead to more serious penalties;
14) moose and reindeer often appear on the roads (in Lapland). Warning signs are installed in 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 you from driving any further in a faulty car, and the car will need to be towed to a parking lot.

5. Gasoline

5.1. In addition to a full tank*, a person crossing the Russian-Finnish border is allowed to have 10 liters of gasoline in reserve. It is recommended to fill a full tank before crossing the border, since the cost of gasoline in Finland on average per liter is 1 euro per liter of 95 gasoline and depends on the region. Gasoline sold in Finland does not contain zinc. 98 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 catalyst is sold from pumps with a green filling nozzle. Black refueling nozzle - for diesel.
5.2. Gas stations are rare on highways. Sometimes the distance between them reaches 100 km. So if your “gasoline” light flashes, don’t take risks - 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 24 hours a day. Payment is made at the cash desk or through a machine. It is advisable to have with you credit card, since out of five oncoming gas stations, 4 may turn out to be automatic, although payment in cash through a bill acceptor is also possible. Some gas stations with cash register service operate at night in automatic refueling mode. At stations, as a rule, there are cafes and shops. Here you can also find a payphone (for local calls, dial 0 before the area code). Many gas stations are equipped with car washes and small auto repair shops. At automatic gas 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, since going through customs control can take quite a long time.

6. Parking

You can park in Finland where there are signs permitting parking.
You cannot park if:

The yellow line is drawn along the right edge of the road;
. a sign prohibiting parking has been installed;
. in the absence of any signs.
Most parking in cities is paid and automatic. The ticket, which will indicate the time of arrival and the time until which you paid for parking, must be placed under the windshield of the car so that the parking attendant can immediately notice it. If you forget to do this, you will be fined, which may also affect the receipt of further visas.

7. If the car breaks down

On the highway, 150-200 meters from the car, you must place a warning triangle.
Towing. Service in Russian can be obtained from the Roskvist company by phone. 9800-3500. The number is valid throughout Finland. You can find out about companies offering towing services in any car repair shop, gas station and in telephone directories in the “Hinauspalvelut” department.
Service stations are usually open from 07.00 to 21.00 on weekdays and Saturdays, with reduced hours on Sundays. Many service stations sell gasoline 24 hours a day, and some have cafes.

In case of emergency

The emergency telephone number throughout Finland is 10022. The general emergency number to call the police is ambulance or the fire department - 112. These numbers can be called free of charge.

8. Fine

A receipt for a fine for incorrect or unpaid parking is usually affixed to the windshield of the car by the officer responsible; a fine for speeding 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 using these receipts at any bank (pankki) or in Russia at the Finnish Embassy or Consulate. Payment of the fine is STRICTLY MANDATORY, because an unpaid fine is a good reason for refusing your next Schengen visa. If the fine was paid in Finland, keep the payment receipt, as... You may be asked to provide this when your visa application is processed.

Get directions to Central Finland, Finland

Central Finland, map

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Use the flight search to find out prices.

Flights to Central Finland

Using the site service Point-on-Map, you can get directions to the region of Central Finland, Finland from other cities and regions by highway, measure the distance from one settlement to another, find the shortest route to the region of Central Finland, Finland from various settlements, select 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, mileage from Moscow, calculate the distance between cities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Europe, determine mileage to the region of Central Finland, Finland. The work is carried out using Google Maps and Yandex.Maps services. Errors in the operation of the service should be addressed personally to the companies Yandex and Google, get there

What is the best way to travel around Finland for independent tourists – by car or bicycle? Each type of transport has its own advantages, but by car you will get around Suomi faster and see more.

When traveling by car, you are completely left to your own devices, 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, fields being harvested using smart modern equipment, neat houses with flowering gardens, city blocks with ancient architecture. You decide where to stop and when to move on.

However independent trip Traveling around the country requires careful planning, otherwise you can get lost, spend too much gas and money, or miss something interesting.

Making a route

When planning a trip by car, always plan your route in advance. To do this, you need, first of all, to decide which cities and attractions you want to see, make a list where stops will be distributed sequentially. Keep in mind that the optimal length of a daily journey is 200-300 km: longer distances exhaust travelers and you will not have any energy left for entertainment on the spot. Kilometers 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 should not be a problem. If you are driving your own car– then prepare in advance: download a map of Finland, mark the addresses, intermediate and final points of the route where you plan to go. If you don’t have the desire or money, use a laptop with the Microsoft AutoRoute program + a GPS receiver that transmits coordinates to the laptop via Bluetooth. This will prevent you from getting lost in the dense network of Finnish roads.

Looking for housing

Based on your route, find places to stay overnight. Booking accommodation today is easy 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. Check out sites like Hostelbookers.com(inexpensive hostels), Airbnb.ru (apartments), Ostrovok.ru and Booking.com (hotels). Pay attention to the guest network Couchsurfing.com - you can find free overnight accommodation using the couchsurfing system. Often, autotourists stop at campsites: clean toilets and showers, hot water, equipped children's rooms, a kitchen and even a barbecue with smoldering coals - all this pleasantly surprises tourists. Read more about finding housing and prices for different types of rooms in Finland in our article.

However, you can ignore civilization and spend the night in the open air - in a tent. But it’s worth remembering a few rules: you can’t stay on private property, you can’t light a fire in nature reserves. Finns protect their nature, so fires can be lit in a limited number of places. There are special areas for lighting fires; dry wood is placed next to the fire pit. Sawing, chopping branches and branches is prohibited among the Finns. A policeman can find fault even if you just pick up some kindling.

Refilling 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 Neste gas station in the village of Kondratyevo (gas station No. 501) and Lukoil in Torfyanovka itself (gas station No. 148), directly before the border.
• There are two Tatneft gas stations near Brusnichnoe: the Brusnichnoe gas station (10th km of the Saimaa highway) and the Tsvetochnoe gas station (20th km of the Saimaa highway).

In Finland

Regular gas stations (these are where the cashier accepts payment) are open from 7 am to 9 pm, and automatic ones are open around the clock (the majority of them in Suomi). There are also 24-hour gas stations that are staffed and usually also have a toilet, a café (tea will cost about 2 euros, a sweet bun for about 2.40 euros and a hearty sandwich for about 5 euros) and a convenience 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 (at least, less often than in Russia), so if the opportunity arises, you should not miss the opportunity to refuel.

The Finnish gas station market is dominated by 4 large players: Lukoil owns the Teboil and Jet networks, the Sok concern owns the ABC and Esso networks, 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 be possible to completely abstract yourself from people and go into the natural world. You will still have to go to grocery stores for food. Considering that the euro exchange rate is not very friendly to the Russian wallet right now, it is better to strictly calculate your food budget in advance. It is better to purchase the most expensive products at home - for example, bread bought in Finland will cost three times more than its Russian counterpart.

When eating in the car tires you, you still have the desire to stop at local cafe, try local cuisine and feel the Finnish flavor. Coffee with a bun will cost about 5 euros. The owners of such cafes prefer to furnish them to their own taste and put their soul into the interior, so it is difficult to call them 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, they sell a variety of sauna products - these have become 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, spend the night, and buy food and souvenirs. Read more about them in our article.

Please note that along the highways there are regularly equipped parking areas - there is a table with benches, a toilet, and sometimes there may be a fire pit. Often they are located next to a lake, in which, if desired, you can swim and fish with a fishing rod - this will great holiday on the road. Don't forget about fishing restrictions; details can be found in our article.

Crossing the border

There are rules when crossing the border. When approaching the MAPP (multilateral automobile checkpoint), pay attention to the signs that indicate which line the cars are going in: there are different checkpoints for cars, trucks and buses.

However, detailed instructions Finnish customs officials have already prepared for Russian autotourists. 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, they are all gradually being improved technically in order to reduce queues at the borders, on the other hand, the flow of tourists is distributed more or less evenly. In any case, the choice of a checkpoint depends not on the length of the queue, but on your destination. Unfortunately, traffic jams at the border occur despite the decrease in tourist flow - this usually happens in holidays and on Friday. The rule “Whoever gets up early gets the green light from customs” works here. If you leave St. Petersburg at 6-7 am, you most likely will not see a large concentration of cars at the border.

In any case, before and during your trip, it makes sense to look into the webcam.

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 passing. There are heavy fines for speeding here. And it’s extremely difficult to see the wonderful views of Finnish nature at a speed of 150 km/h.

It will be difficult for a Russian person, accustomed to the vast expanses of our country, to get used to the driving 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 short intervals. Missing a turn or taking a wrong turn is as easy as shelling pears. But if you carefully follow the signs, no problems will arise. And this is another argument in favor of low speed. Don't forget about the help of your navigator.

The small size of Finland 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 is punishable by a serious fine. Below are data on fines for speeding, calculated in daily rates (dt).

Violation	Fine
Exceeding the speed limit from 24 to 26 km/h	14 d.t. V locality 12 d.t. outside the populated area
Speeding between 27 and 29 km/h	16 d.t. in a populated area 14 d.t. outside the populated area
Exceeding speed from 30 to 32 km/h	18 d.t. in a populated area 16 d.t. outside the populated area
Exceeding speed from 33 to 35 km/h	20 d.t. in a populated area 18 d.t. outside the populated area
Exceeding the speed limit from 36 to 38 km/h	22 d.t. in a populated area 20 d.t. outside the populated area
Speeding from 39 to 41 km/h	24 d.t. in a populated area 22 d.t. outside the populated area
Speeding between 42 and 44 km/h	26 d.t. in a populated area 24 d.t. outside the populated area
Exceeding the speed limit from 45 to 47 km/h	28 d.t. in a populated area 26 d.t. outside the populated area
Exceeding speed from 48 to 50 km/h	court (in a locality) 28 d.t. outside the populated area
Speeding from 51 km/h	court

In Finland, the fine for violating traffic rules can be calculated at the so-called daily rate (d.t.). The daily rate is calculated as follows: from the net profit, which is the amount of monthly income remaining after subtracting taxes, € 255 is subtracted. The result obtained is divided by 60. In addition, the presence of each minor child in the care reduces the amount of the daily rate by € 3.

The beauty of road trips is that you design your own route, you don’t have to jostle with a 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 your trip to Finland will bring you a lot of positive emotions.

In terms of tourism and travel, Finland is one of the most attractive countries for Russians. This expression is especially true for residents of the northwestern part of Russia. Close to Scandinavian neighbors and well-connected transport system this country allows you to easily visit many interesting places. But before you go on a trip, of course, you should draw up an approximate route for progress. 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! Thus, beyond the Arctic Circle is the city of Kemijärvi, whose population is 8 thousand people. A little further south - Rovaniemi is an important transport hub on the map of Finland and the largest city in Europe by area. It is located only 95 km from Sweden. On the shores of the Bothic Bay of the Baltic Sea, southwest of Rovaniemi, are the cities of Oulu and Kemi. 212 kilometers to the east is Kuusamo - the famous ski resort, which is visited annually by about a million fans winter species sports

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 to most significant southern cities can be reached in 2-4 hours. So the distance from the capital to large city Turku is 157 km, Pori 242 km, Lappeenranta 219 km, Tampere 135 km, Kotka 126 km and Lahti 102 km.

It is also worth noting the satellite cities, which together with Helsinki form an agglomeration with an area of ​​20 by 30 km. Very close - 18 km from the city is Espoo with a population of 240 thousand, and 3 kilometers closer is Vantaa with a population of 195 thousand. Espoo is the second largest city in the country, and Vantaa is the fourth. In addition, Ventas has the most major airport Finland - Helsinki-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 quite easy to understand. 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 plan to drive a car, in the “Keskinopeus km/h” field located under the tables you should enter the estimated average speed. (Don't forget 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 example:

MISTÄ(from) = Joensuu

MIHIN(where) = Elimäki

NOPEUS(travel 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 journey, a pleasant journey and unforgettable impressions from visiting the lands of the Vikings!

Report on a car trip from St. Petersburg to Finland. Sights and photographs of Lahti and Helsinki.

Preface

This year I decided that I wanted to celebrate my birthday with a short trip from St. Petersburg to visit friends in the Finnish city of Lahti and Helsinki.

Road to Finland

We arrived in St. Petersburg on Friday evening and spent two weekends enjoying its stunning views and delicious food in Tokyo City.

Amazingly delicious dishes in the restaurant

During the five days of travel, we made only one mistake - we left St. Petersburg on Monday during rush hour, which is why we spent a lot of time just getting out of the city. Then everything went like clockwork. We reached the Torfyanovka border checkpoint in 4.5 hours (340 km), including a short stop in Vyborg (we bought water).

The navigator, which is supposed to show a shorter route, stubbornly tried to lead us towards “Brusnichny”, but we did not give in, but we 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 line ahead of us, there were few cars. The first difference between Russia and Finland that immediately catches your eye is the lighting 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 there is civilization, the roads are well lit, there are not a single hole or unevenness.

Excellent and beautiful Finnish road

Lahti

Lahti - small town with a population of just over one hundred thousand people. It is perfectly suited for living, there is a wide embankment with cafes, well-kept 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 as much fun as they did.

Prices are steep, but there are many sales and promotions. For example, we went to the same Hop-Lop practically for free, simply by collecting the required number of yogurt caps. On normal days, you only have to pay for children, and accompanying adults can enter for free and play on all the attractions along with the kids.

Children's entertainment for every taste

Hesburger is the Finnish equivalent of McDonald's, where the burgers are much tastier. There are daily two-for-one promotions. You can have a great meal for two people 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 only pay for entry and buy as much food as you can carry.

New Year's atmosphere in a Finnish store

As for clothing and equipment, 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 throughout Finland, there are many thrift stores - Kirpputori. Russians are simply called “kirpushki”. They contain both outright nonsense and completely new things for next to nothing. Some manage to dress there from head to toe for a couple of thousand rubles. The most expensive things about them are shoes and, oddly enough, books.

Lahti is a low-rise 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 a pleasure. There are few cars, the roads are wide and smooth. No one is in a hurry or cutting anyone off.

Finland has a very strict system of fines, and the Finns themselves are calmer. There are a lot of cyclists here, for whom a part of the road is dedicated everywhere. The only thing that is a little annoying is the long and frequent traffic lights. This is a country for pedestrians, so adults are not afraid to let even small children walk on their own.

Parking in the center is paid, the fine for violation is high, so there is no accumulation of cars along the roads, and there are no extraneous cars in the courtyards of the houses - separate spaces are allocated for guests. In large shopping centers parking is either completely free, or only for two to three hours. Then you need to put a special clock under the glass indicating the time you arrived. Otherwise there will be a fine.

Parking road sign

Almost all entertainment for children is free. For example, Perhepuisto. We rode down the slides, swung on the swings and even rode small tricycles with the tribesmen. Children, by the way, behave much calmer here, no screaming or crazy running around. Apparently, the slowness and regularity of Finnish life is taking its toll. It seems that no one is in a hurry here. Some may get bored because shops close at 6-7 pm and are closed on holidays. But we really like coming to this city, we love it for its peace and tranquility, leisurely walks along the embankment and parks, long bike rides. This is an ideal city for a quiet life.

Quiet and measured Lahti

Helsinki

Our autumn adventures did not end there; noisy and crowded Helsinki lay ahead. At least that's how we expected to see him. Frost struck at night, so the grass along the roads was covered with frost, and fog rose over the fields. It's only an hour's drive from Lahti to Helsinki, and it flew by 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 that we found on Booking is. The rooms are small, there are several showers and toilets, but there were no problems with them. The hostel has a common room with slot machines, books and board games, and a kitchen with kettle, microwave and stove. At the reception desk they offer to take earplugs and a free breakfast in the morning, although it was not very tasty - a dry sausage sandwich, a banana and coffee from the machine. But when you pay 2300 rubles per night for two, this is normal.

From the hostel to the city center it is only half an hour at a leisurely pace; the road leads past neat houses with funny graffiti and small parks with sculptures.

Banksy style graffiti

The sculpture is very organic

We especially liked it on the river bank

Sights of Helsinki

The railway station in the city center is an architectural monument, operating since 1919. In front of him is located large area and many stores of the most popular brands. Across the road - Finnish national theater, founded in 1872.

Square in Helsinki

There are many more people here, mainly tourists and those who arrive or leave from the station. It’s a ten-minute walk from the square to the embankment; along the way you can drink coffee at Starbucks or have a snack at one of the cafes, but your wallet will be much lighter.

Helsinki city center

Huge seagulls roam the embankment, they are not at all afraid of people and allow themselves to be photographed.

Brave seagull

If you have time before five in the evening, you can eat delicious aromatic Belgian waffles or hot dogs, which are prepared right here in small tents. Souvenirs are sold nearby: magnets, keychains, bottle openers, hats and scarves with reindeer and the Finnish blue flag.

Further on there are ferries on which you can go, for example, to Tallinn (only two hours away) or Stockholm (overnight). We were both there and there, although without a car, although you can take one with you without any problems for an additional fee. This only makes sense if you are going to these cities for more than one day. On the ferry going to Stockholm, the night flies by, 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 hallmark of Helsinki - Cathedral Square and St. Nicholas Cathedral. Every tourist considers it his duty to take a photo on the snow-white steps leading to the cathedral; we couldn’t resist either.

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 European capital of culture. There are not only many architectural attractions, a museum and parks, but also concerts of world famous bands, exhibitions, theater festivals and entertainment shows all the time.

Helsinki is always different

The road home

We returned back to Petrozavodsk through the Vyartsilya border checkpoint on Saturday morning. There were no queues, we crossed the border in a maximum of fifteen minutes. Since there was frost, and we still had summer tires, we drove carefully and took our time.

Foggy road in Finland

We were lucky with the weather, the sun was shining and there was no precipitation. There were no accidents along the way, although few people managed to switch to winter tires.

Sunrise in a Finnish forest

As always, we refueled at Lukoil right after the border. We have a discount savings card, which is beneficial since we travel a lot. For example, every thirty liters of coffee is a gift.

The road home went through the wonderful Pitkäranta, as always, pleasing with views.

The birthday turned out to be memorable. This time we didn’t skimp on food and went on a three-day shopping spree.

Costs of traveling to Finland by car

Thanks to fellow travelers, travel was practically free.

• Petrozavodsk-St. 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.