What to Know BEFORE Visiting FINLAND - Clothes, Booking Igloos, Transport, Costs

If you're thinking of visiting Finland, we cover what clothes to pack, booking igloos, transport around the country such as planes, trains, buses and driving in Winter, costs, best months to visit and a bunch of other tips for planning a trip to Finland.
👉 ALL LINKS IN ONE PDF TO DOWNLOAD: As mentioned, here is a downloadable PDF with all hotels, clothes, activities and transport discussed: drive.google.com/file/d/1_DwO...
To see what we got up to in Finland, here is the full vlog: • 7 Days in FINLAND 😮 La...
HOTELS VISITED & ALTERNATIVES
👉* Glass Igloo and Log Cabin we stayed (Chalet, 4 adults was our room): www.booking.com/hotel/fi/hote...
👉* Luxury glass igloo alternative in Levi Town (2 hours drive north from Rovaniemi or domestic flight to Kittilä Airport): www.booking.com/hotel/fi/gold...
👉* Excellent Very Central Helsinki Hotel we stayed at: www.booking.com/hotel/fi/have...
👉* Great Hotel in Helsinki Airport if you need to stay for early morning domestic flight: www.booking.com/hotel/fi/hilt...
👉* Rovaniemi Hotel we stayed, very central, close to tour operators, shops, restaurants: www.booking.com/hotel/fi/city...
👉* Great looking Rovaniemi alternative hotel, just outside the town centre: www.booking.com/hotel/fi/lapl...
TRANSPORT
👉 JEE Travels - Finland tour company we travelled with who can provide a complete bespoke travel package for you, including hotels, food, transfers, flights and activities, use coupon code SMFINLAND to receive a 10% discount: www.jeetravels.com/suitcasemo...
👉 FINLAND TRAINS: www.vr.fi/en
👉 FINLAND BUS COMPANY: www.matkahuolto.fi/en
👉 ONNIBUS alternative bus for Finland: www.onnibus.com/home
👉 FERRY ONLY (package below): Ours was the MyStar Fleet: en.tallink.com/helsinki-talli...
ACTIVITIES & TOURS (Others would need to be arranged through JEE Travels, who we travelled with)
👉 The husky ride we went on, 2km in length, about 10 minutes: huskypark.fi/programs/tiny-qu...
👉* Tallinn, Estonia day trip from Helsinki, includes hotel pick up, tour guide: www.viator.com/en-GB/tours/He...
👉* Santa Claus Village Reindeer & Husky ride (This is a different package to what we did, including hotel pick up, 500m reindeer ride, 800m husky ride): www.getyourguide.com/rovaniem...
👉* Ice Breaker Cruise: www.getyourguide.com/rovaniem...
👉* Rovaniemi BBQ Northern Lights Tour: www.getyourguide.com/rovaniem...
CLOTHES
👉 Great Mens Decathlon Leggins base layer: tinyurl.com/34f9reth
👉 Great Mens Decathlon top base layer: tinyurl.com/mpf3x98j
👉 Mens Mid Layer Warm Lined Trousers from Uniqlo: tinyurl.com/4nekjnba
👉 Mens H&M puffer jacket (note this is a thin coat, there are warmer ones but I like it): tinyurl.com/35urhwtz
👉 Mens Outer Layer thin waterproof hiking jacket: tinyurl.com/4trt3c9h
👉 Great Women’s Jacket Chiaki was wearing: tinyurl.com/ycyss4ut
👉 Women’s base layers: tinyurl.com/47be98mb
👉* Amazon Gloves for USA: amzn.to/3JtwnEM
👉 Amazon Gloves for UK: tinyurl.com/3vhkkpmx
👉 Hat I wear which doubles as a scarf. Not necessarily recommended as I’m sure there are better ones but I wear them all the time! tinyurl.com/mrxfbfmh
👉 180 Ear Warmers: I bought my exact ones from eBay over a decade ago so I don’t have a direct link but if you search for them, there are heaps that come up.
#finland #lapland
00:00 Finland Travel Tips
00:40 Best Airport for Finland
1:41 Trains and Buses
2:34 Driving in Finland Snow
3:34 Best Months to Visit Finland
4:47 Best Helsinki Hotels
5:43 Glass Igloo Tips
6:56 Log Cabin Booking
7:29 Is Finland Expensive?
8:21 Itinerary Suggestions
10:06 Clothes to Pack for Finland

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

As mentioned in the video, here is a downloadable PDF with all hotels, clothes, activities and transport linked: drive.google.com/file/d/1_DwOCn7G3UQUY8ylAevWKf8on71TRP_c/view?usp=share_link

[@tonituomanen3113]

I have traveled with Onnibus in Finland, and it has worked well. The buses are comfortable and the tickets are very, very cheap.

[@KalleKilponen]

As a Finn who wears jeans pretty much all year round, the part about jeans being "an absolute no-no" gave me a chuckle. I mean it's solid advice if you plan to go skiing or otherwise wading through deep snow, but jeans with some warm underwear are perfectly fine even at -30°C. (Just don't get them wet.) That said, this video had some pretty good information for anyone coming here as a tourist. 👍

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Haha good point. I guess if you live there it’s a little different as you wanna wear jeans haha! But I more meant if you’re packing, it’s best to optimise what you’re carrying. Thanks for watching.

[@seankenny2153]

Hi Paul, Thank you for this video, it is and it will be very helpful in our planning. I specifically asked you about clothing tips for Lapland. I had no idea you had such extensive modeling experience and my wife and I sat here unable to look away. 😊 Thanks again

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Years of training…

[@kayerowley4012]

Thank you for the great tips regarding the layering. As an Australian living in Perth, I have no idea about keeping warm in the winter wonderland, this will be very helpful

[@karenflores1203]

Thank you for all the info- definitely on my bucket list

[@johndoherty1336]

Another excellent balanced video. In particular the clothing element was super. Unless people have experienced the coldness of the likes of Norway (or Banff ) it’s difficult to appreciate just how cold it can be. Looking forward to the next video , Canada 👍👍👍

[@meta9590]

Hello John

[@pizzaIsAnEmotion]

Very informative and really enjoyed the model-ing of the clothes 😉

[@gulnazab5859]

beautiful country! thanks for sharing the video!

[@Keith_Aerotrunk]

The locations are breathtaking. Your presentation is EPIC. I am enjoying your channel.

[@godleads1]

Very informative. His modeling alone made this video worthwhile.

[@juliejames4896]

This is on my list. Love the tips in this video.

[@IHB1983]

I’m so glad you posted about the clothing, I plan on visiting Rovaniemi at the end of March and was not sure what to bring or how to dress.

[@cantdecide2023]

What a fantastic vlog! You covered everything I could possibly want to know and then some (with a nice touch of humour thrown in for good measure!). Your video is not only a concisely informative view but it was also very enjoyable. Thank you so much👍

[@ciirutamar6976]

Very comprehensive. Amazing work

[@robinheemeijer5905]

Thanks for the informative video and the extensive list! Will definately take a look at our local decathlon before i plan on going to Finland. Also love how you show your wacky side on the videos, while not overdoing it. It makes the video a bit lighter more natural and fun to watch even though it was mainly informative. Looking forward to your canada video !

[@mimiesguerra6320]

Incredible information on Finland. Thank you so much for saving me all the research time. Happy travels and stay warm.

[@wendypersad9859]

Nice to be back with u guys

[@amibatth]

Wow amazing , thank you for sharing, especially what to wear for a place like this.

[@shereend6341]

Thank you. Heading there in December. Greetings from Melbourne Australia

[@justinmurphy7423]

Love your videos!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Welcome!

[@robertmonds4762]

Your video was lovely. As I was born in Finland, and then migrated as a 5 year old with my family to Australia in 1959, I felt a real earning to go back and see my homeland. Your video was very informative and helpful. I still have relatives in Oulu and Rovaniemi, so that would make it special. Pirkko from Queensland Australia.

[@IO_sWorld]

Very helpful vlog! Thx a lot!!

[@4x4adventure_pl]

Sampling Finnish cuisine, from salmon to reindeer, was a delicious adventure.

[@mum_with_the_peacock_tattoo]

It is essential you model all outfits for every trip from now on!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

🤣

[@ExpatNatt]

I've never visited northern Finland, only Helsinki and Turku, but this looks truly breathtaking. Amazing video as always 👏

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thank you

[@zainraheel508]

i love the objectivity and amount of information...

[@kuldipshrestha1655]

I have been following your and Chiaki's adventures since Santorini, which for me is the best Santorini-travel Vlog available anywhere. Another awesome Vlog! Your adventurous spirit and unique perspective make every destination come to life. Your videos really capture the beauty of your journey and make viewers inspire to pack their bags and explore the destinations themselves. Your voice is also very soothing, the videos are never overdone and a joy to watch.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thank you for sticking with us

[@nehabhardwaj4390]

Awesome thanks loved it

[@jackylenilagan6684]

great video

[@pamelasaw]

I justr found your channel! Thank you for the aweseom vlog ~ From Malaysia

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thanks. We’ve just left Malaysia. Video coming this year…

[@itsmeagain578]

An excellent informative video. Myself and a friend went to Finland (Helsinki/Rovaniemi) for the first time last year. We plan to return to Finland (Rovaniemi/Luosto) in the near future.

[@duttysupra]

Tallin is a lovely place!

[@traceg2903]

Hello from 🇨🇦 I am new to your channel and I am enjoying your travel very much even tho I not longer can travel myself...i have happily subscribed. Also, your tip for layering clothes is useful for our winter climate as well. I am looking forward to your up coming Canadian trip.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thank you and welcome! Still busy editing Canada video but it should be great! Please enjoy our back catalogue until then!

[@sachidanandal.prabhu4694]

I liked your detailing

[@NishantDas]

We went to the exact wooden cabin and glass igloo that you have shown. And we also took the same ferry to Estonia. Highly relatable video, we could reminisce our days in Finland. Thanks

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Ahh that’s cool!

[@travelwiththehales]

Great Tips !

[@pc3585]

Loved the Blue Steel look

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

You know it!

[@jennabarnes9713]

Feeling like a Teletubby going through a midlife crisis 🤣 Great informative video! I'm booked for my bucket list Feb 2024 with my kids (18yrs plus) & I literally have butterflies about it already. Booked a log cabin in Kittila where we will do the husky ride & then a house in Rovaniemi to visit Santa & a snow park. Hired a car but used to UK snow driving so hope to be ok after mastering the other side of the road driving 😅. You both look like you have a blast together ❤

[@aurapictures]

Great video Very usefull

[@Joot20]

This was actually very good review from foreigner

[@yaya5805]

Thank you bro

[@teguhraharjo4551]

I really want to visit in here

[@prasunchoudhury8711]

I visited Lapland once during March and am planning another trip during Sep-early Oct (Fall colors + northern lights, if I am lucky). I had a rental car at Ivalo airport (returned it at Rovaniemi) and drove north to Utsjoki. I spend close to 2 weeks in Lapland with 5-6 days in Utsjoki and rest of my town in Lemmenjoki, Inari/Ivalo, Rovaniemi and Levi. The roads were well maintained though driving was tough on the day I returned my car at Rovaniemi.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Yeah I reckon it could be tough with some weather conditions. Thanks for sharing

[@villeharju2207]

You had a great itinerary my friend, much better than the standard tourist stuff. Lemmenjoki is a magical place, I'm glad you got to experience it. Utsjoki region has incredible nature as well. I hope you got to take that fall trip!

[@carolinaa.4407]

You might want to consider modeling 😂😂😂 On a serious note, the clothes section was very interesting to me, I’m from a warm country and didn’t know what to layer and how so thank you 🙌🏻

[@paulmorris3613]

This is an excellent summary, Just one item, are all the beds in the cabins bunk style, for those of us who can no longer climb to top bunks. The knowledge of the prices are really useful for those considering visits, I really must try and win on the lotto to afford such pleasures LOL

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

In the cabin there was a bunk bed and a normal king

[@finnishculturalchannel]

Great informative video. I'd add that as where you can divide Finland into North and South, you can also add central Finland to it and divide Finland into East and West Finland taking account the Eastern and Western influence on the regions. E.g. traveling in Southern Finland, there's a notable difference between traveling in Southwest or Southeast Finland. Then there's specific regions like the Finnish Lakeland, where the biggest lakes are and also each court have their own characteristics, mentality and history for those who want to dive into them-thinking especially the caravanners. There probably aren't that many municipalities, which doesn't have some kind of sights, accommodations and events to attract domestic and foreign tourism. Thinking E.g. the Wife Carrying World Championship held annually in Central Finland in Sonkajärvi, which has a population of 3700 people. And if you ask those born in Helsinki, they might tell that there's Helsinki and the rest of the Finland is countryside.

[@sam-78558]

Are you from Finland??

[@taracatherineriley]

Hi- Awesome video. Planning a Lapland trip for next year. Txs for the tips. I had plans for Finland but changed to Norway. I didn’t miss any Norway videos for you did I? Take care ~

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Hey. No Norway is on the list for us too!

[@sachidanandal.prabhu4694]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. 11:00 - 13:40, that's what I was looking for. Suggestions: last 2 mins clip, if you break and repost it as new video, you will get more view/followers..

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Harriet and I have been to Finland several times. Enjoyed our time in Helskini , In the Lapland and Tampere. We visited in September , took a Harbor Tour of some island towns. Also, we took a ferry to Tallin, Estonia. Based on your experience, it would be interesting to visit Lapland in December. Thank you for the lovely tips. All the best. Harriet and Jim

[@Iksu_kalastaa]

Good video. 👍 As a finnish person i do recommend to explore also other places in finland. There are lot of options tourist to hike and adventure and it does not smash your wallet. 👍 I prefer Porvoo old town to the tourists to visit ill think its much enjoyable that helsinki ratthole.😅 Savonlinna its also great summertown to visit and Olavincastle of course is something to explore. 👍

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Hey thanks for the great info!

[@agngsntsa3515]

Greetings from Indonesia, I hope to be able to visit Indonesia later

[@trendingwwwandw]

💕💖 💖 wonderful + magical ! L938

[@petriL21]

hahah i tought it was me at grey bus :D setting my driving wheel :D

[@justinf9934]

Excellent video, thank you, especially for the list of links. Do you know if busses run in the summer from Rovaniemi airport to Santa Claus village? Depending who I talk to, I can't quite tell if that area is crowded or quiet in the summer. Thanks again. Cheers

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Hey no worries. I don’t, unfortunately

[@whispie.]

3:23 deer??? Those are santa's reindeer! Great video though, greetings from Helsinki!

[@MikuNakanoMUSIC]

Im shifting there forever next year

[@nanibabualthi3677]

Same like the decathlon items available hear.

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

Thank you!!! I love Tipps for -11°C. It looks really cold. Would a winter puffer coat but LONG one be good or better not?

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Yeah it would!

[@kmeanxneth]

that is wrong in the video south can get to -20°C in winter and ofc north more (like right now in Turku is -15°C and Turku is in south)

[@smallfaucet]

LMAO at the guy trying to do lunges in the beginning of this video LOL!!

[@guillermoagustin6585]

hi jacob & jenny! Really love watching your vlogs, very helpful to 1st time travellers like me 😊, specially the do's & do'nts, tourist traps 😉. By the way, based on your tour experiences, which country can you recommend or you prefer to visit in a day or two from tromso norway? conidering the travel time, foods, scenic spots.. hope you can reply soon, please? quite urgent... thanks in advance

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Hi there thanks for the message. Firstly who are Jacob and Jenny? Second, I haven’t ever visited a country for a day or two from Norway, we haven’t even been to Norway, so I have no idea unfortunately

[@guillermoagustin6585]

ooopppsss.... i am very sorry, wrong sent... but frankly, i am also watching your vlogs & find them useful as well, specially, (as i mentioned) to 1st time travellers like me... thank you for replying, despite the confusion.

[@lenydg]

👍

[@Julia-ui5lw]

I really like driving in Finland! The only thing that pisses me off that finns switching on their high beams when passing just in front of your nose. I understand they try to reduce the amount of time without proper lights, but it scares me off :D in other countries you turn high beams on only when you passed the car, not before.

[@randyv8232]

Loved the ice breaker part with swimming. How much for that experience?

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

It’s linked in the description but I remember it being a lot. Like €300/400

[@randyv8232]

@@SuitcaseMonkey Looked luke it was worth it. 😊

[@jennifer1329]

The last time I visited Helsinki in winter, it was -40 Celsius for the whole two weeks... Doesn't happen every decade, but you never know.

[@ShortsVlogsOfEntertainmet]

Greetings from Pakistan❤

[@aashishah9639]

Could anyone help me if November is a good time to visit, including catching the northern lights?

[@kevlarnegative]

I lived in Finland for 3 years and there are few things you should know. Public transport outside of the big cities is very poor compare do UK for example, I have to drive at least 30 minutes to catch a train to Helsinki. Dont ever expect to see northern lights. 99% of winter Finland is covered by clouds. Its a low chance, I havent seen it yet. Come visit in summer too. Its fantastic, hot and the longest days. Finns are very frindly and everbody speaks english, or will attempt to communicate somhow.

[@pablinmenendez]

Hello! Is it a bad idea to rent a car for driving around in winter if i never driven in snow? I’m used to really low visibility due to fog, muddy roads and treacherous narrow streets. Bc living in Costa Rica, but I don’t know if this is enough!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Personally I wouldn’t do it

[@georgianarotaru8119]

There will be snow in February? 😊

[@ville-valtteri6372]

As a born and raised Finnish person I'm open for any questions about Finland

[@Ichigoeki]

I just passively listened through the clothing section, trying to remember what I wore during winters when I lived in Lapland... Pretty much the same underwear for legs Normal t-shirt Jeans Hoodie Beanie Gloves And a thin scarf in the pocket for when the wind kicks in (Buff is the "brand" name) This was enough until like -10C. -15C would make me put on a light jacket on top, -20C required just a t-shirt with a downhill skiing jacket, -25 and below was this thicker jacket with the hoodie. =D

[@sam-78558]

Anyone from Finland?? Please come here

[@oxxal7357]

9:03 had a rough night? :D

[@nguyenhuyclblinedancebuilu7725]

Phong cảnh đẹp quá bạn ơi mình thích luôn ủng hộ bạn và mời bạn ghé thăm mình nhé ❤️❤️👍👍👍🛎

[@ShSH-bb8ny]

how much money should I have? So I can go to Finland¿

[@elizabethnilsson1815]

The deer's are EXTREMLY DANGEROUS .... they a HUGE very fast very heavy and they come out completely unexpected... they are more dangerous than the other things You mentioned here

PRO tip: if you're coming to Finland in winter - come in middle of March, and if you're coming in summer - come in July

[@muradchowdhary5270]

why all thinks is expensive in finland?

[@jennifer1329]

The narrator said, "if you're willing to drive in snow." What he should have said is "if you're an experienced driver in the snow."

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

True

[@FullFinnoy]

Always sure, you only purchase non-Mulesing treated merinowool products. Otherwise you are causing a lot suffering and you don't want that. If you do not know what I am talking about, educate your self and find out.

[@eeri_166]

that's not a deer

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Oh dear

[@Becks720]

Poor babys 😢 🐶

[@karenconroy5412]

🐵🤘