Organize your stay Finnish Lapland
Money Finnish Lapland
Cash will be more of a burden than anything else, as credit cards are accepted in the vast majority of cases. It's always a good idea to have a few bills with you, but don't withdraw large sums, as you won't find anywhere to spend them.
Finland. Finland switched to the euro in 2002. Please note that 1 and 2 euro cent coins are not legal tender in the country. Prices are therefore systematically rounded. For example, a full tank of petrol costing €39.99 actually costs €40. Conversely, for €39.96 you pay €39.95. Just a matter of habit.
Norway. The Norwegian currency is the krone. The krone is abbreviated to NOK. Note: cash can also be obtained from retailers. When making a purchase, you can ask to withdraw a few hundred kroner in cash as an extra charge (inform the cashier in good time) in order to limit the commissions due when making a purchase with a bank card. This is because using your bank card at a cash dispenser or a shop involves rather high commissions (on average €0.50 for locals). So it's a case of killing two birds with one stone.
Sweden. The unit of currency is the krona, divided into 100 öre. The krona is abbreviated SEK. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 20, 50, 100 or 500 crowns. Coins are available in denominations of 50 öre, 1 krona, 5 krona or 10 krona, the latter bearing the king's effigy or engraved with the royal crown. You can withdraw cash from supermarkets at the checkout.
Exchange rates. September 2023:
1 NOK = 0.086 €; 1 € = 11.59 NOK.
1 SEK = €0.084; €1 = 11.85 SEK.
Budget & Tips Finnish Lapland
Cost of living. Overall, living in Lapland is more expensive than in France. The destination is therefore not particularly economical. In Sweden, Norway and Finland, it's possible to camp anywhere in the wilderness, except in certain parks, which can lighten the budget a little in summer.
Norway: The average budget for visiting Norway is around NOK 1,700 (€220) per day per person for hotel accommodation, and NOK 700 (€90) for camper-vans. This budget depends on the activities undertaken.
Sweden: The average budget is around SEK 1,500 (€160) per day per person. The cost of living in Sweden is generally the same as in major French cities.
Finland: For accommodation: between €50 and €100. Meals: between €15 and €30.
Banks and currency exchange. In Lapland, cash dispensers and banks are rare. Remember to withdraw cash before leaving a town.
Finland. Banks open Monday to Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and close on Saturdays.
Norway. Money can mainly be withdrawn from cash dispensers. Banks are open between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. without interruption. If you go there, remember to get a ticket from the machine and wait in line.
Sweden. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm on average. Here too, remember to take a ticket and wait in line if you go to the bank.
Bank cards.
- As Finland is a Euro zone country, you can make withdrawals and payments by bank card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) just as you would in France. All card payments are free of charge, and withdrawals are subject to the same conditions as in France.
- In Sweden and Norway, as the euro is not the currency of the country, a commission is deducted from each withdrawal. Withdrawal fees vary from bank to bank, and generally comprise a fixed fee averaging €3 and a commission of between 2% and 3% of the amount withdrawn. Some banks have partnerships with foreign banks or allow you to benefit from their network and offer you advantageous fees or even free withdrawals. Ask your bank advisor for details. Please also note that some ATMs may charge a commission, in which case this will be indicated at the time of withdrawal.
- Outside the Euro zone, bank card payments are subject to bank charges. Depending on the bank, a fixed fee of between €0 and €1.20 per payment applies, plus 2 to 3% of the amount paid by bankcard. The overall cost of the transaction is therefore lower than for foreign withdrawals. Ask your bank advisor for more information.
- In the event of loss or theft of your card abroad, your bank will offer you appropriate solutions to ensure that you can continue your trip in complete peace of mind. Before you leave, make a note of the assistance number printed on the back of your bank card or available on the Internet. This service is available 24/7. In the event of a stop payment, this is immediately confirmed as soon as you can provide your bank card number. Otherwise, the cancellation is recorded, but you must confirm it to your bank by fax or registered letter.
- Advice before you leave. Remember to tell your bank advisor about your trip. He or she can check with you whether your payment and withdrawal limits have been set. If necessary, ask for an exceptional authorization to increase your limit.
Money transfer. With this system, you can send and receive money from anywhere in the world in just a few minutes. The principle is simple: someone close to you goes to a MoneyGram® or Western Union® point (post office, bank, service station, grocery store, etc.), gives your name and pays a sum of money to the other person. On your side of the world, you go to a MoneyGram® or Western Union® point. Simply show photo ID and the transfer reference, and the money will be handed over to you.
Tips, haggling and taxes. In hotels, restaurants and cafés, service is included. Tipping is therefore not necessary. Naturally, it's a good idea to round up the bill, but here again, it's up to you to judge according to the service you receive. Cab drivers can expect a tip (10%), but rarely with young customers.
Passport and visas Finnish Lapland
Finland, Norway and Sweden are all part of the Schengen area, so there are no formalities to complete if you are a European citizen. All you need is a valid passport or identity card. Please note the entry requirements for your pets. Find out before you leave how they can accompany you.
Driver's license Finnish Lapland
The French driving license is valid. Don't forget your vehicle registration document if you're driving.
Health Finnish Lapland
Remember to travel with your European insurance card, your social coverage abroad. Advice: To receive advice before your trip, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the travel medicine society at the Institut Pasteur medical center at ✆ 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical) or go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under the heading "Advice to travelers" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs).
First-aid kit: It is wise to take along the most basic medicines. The perfect kit for a young traveller should at least include Doliprane® for headaches and fever, an antidiarrheal such as Imodium®, an intestinal disinfectant such as Ercéfuryl®, a skin antiseptic, a mosquito repellent such as Insect'Ecran®, creams to treat sunburns and burns such as Madécassol® or Biafine®.
Security Finnish Lapland
Scandinavia is known for its low crime rate. It does not seem necessary to take any particular security measures to walk in the street or in any other place. The only possible danger is the omnipresence of nature. Therefore, basic caution should be exercised when hiking in a desert area. Inform the information points of your passage by signing the tourist registers. Snow can fall as early as October.
Time difference Finnish Lapland
The time in Finland is 2 hours ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). When it is noon in Paris, it is therefore 1 p.m. in Helsinki. The system of summer and winter time is also in force in the country. There is no time difference with Norway and Sweden. Sweden has adopted the daylight saving time as all the countries of the European Union.
Spoken languages Finnish Lapland
Many languages are spoken in the vast territory of Lapland, but English remains the common language, especially in the three Scandinavian countries. If you don't speak English, you'll find it easy to get by. Norwegian and Swedish belong to the German-speaking languages. Finnish, on the other hand, is not an Indo-European language, but an Uralic one, just like Saami. There are a number of ways to learn some of the basics of the language, and self-study can be offered on a variety of media: CDs, DVDs, workbooks or even directly on the Internet.
Communication Finnish Lapland
Mobile network and Internet. Even in Lapland, network and Internet coverage is excellent around towns and villages. It exists along major roads, but don't count on it if you're venturing into national parks or outside populated areas. Be extremely careful if you venture into areas without telephone or Internet coverage, and always let someone know when you're leaving.
Electricity and measurements Finnish Lapland
Electrical outlets are the same as in France, as is the voltage/amperage, so no adapters are required. The same applies to weights and measures (metric system). However, in Norway and Sweden, the use of the mil for distance must not be confused with the British mile. 10 km represent 1 mil.
Luggage Finnish Lapland
For short, hotsummers, pack light, long clothing, especially to ward off mosquitoes. Mornings and evenings stay cool. We recommend a warm knit, jacket or blouson. Don't take any mosquito repellents; local products are more suitable. A sleeping mask is highly recommended in summer, as light is omnipresent.
For winter, a complete outfit is essential: 2 layers of sweaters, woollen under-layers (ideally merino), thick socks (also in wool), a waterproof and windproof coat (for the hills), etc.
For hikers. Lapland is ideal for both short and long hikes, lasting from an hour to a week. Numerous trails are signposted in both summer and winter, and maps are available from tourist offices. Before setting off across the vast, empty expanses, a few essential preparations are in order. First of all, the harsh and sometimes capricious climate calls for warm clothing, whatever the season, waterproofs and good hiking boots. A map and compass, food and a first-aid kit are essential in a backpack. In summer, avoid shorts and T-shirts, and prefer long clothes because of the mosquitoes, especially in June and July. In the mountains, there is a network of refuges. Some are permanently manned by wardens who know the area inside out. Refuges are always located along marked trails, at distances that can be covered in a day's walk. Unguarded refuges are generally also equipped for overnight stays and cooking. For nature lovers, one or two nature guides will help you identify plants (such as Drosera, a carnivorous insect-eating plant, the small pink almond-scented Linnaeus borealis or orchids), birds and animals. Take along a pair of binoculars and a fishing rod, depending on where you're going. Remember that late August and September are the best season for hiking, as mosquitoes have finally deserted the area.
