Is Finland Expensive? A Finland Trip Cost Guide

If you’re thinking of planning a trip to Finland and are already aware of how expensive the Nordic region can be, it can be pretty disheartening if you have your sights set on a trip to Finland.

Despite high travel costs when visiting Finland, it is possible to visit on a tight budget and have an outstanding Finnish getaway. With the right planning, you’ll be able to make the most of every euro without breaking the bank while enjoying this outstanding country.

Finland can be an expensive country to visit with an average cost of €85-320 per person per day. However, there are ways that you can save money in this gorgeous Nordic nation, as well.

Finland Trip Cost Guide

Accommodation Prices

Typically in most European countries, the high tourist season comes during the warm summer months, but in Finland, it’s the opposite, with the high season being the cold winter months.

Tourists typically flock to the Finnish capital of Helsinki and Aurora-studded Lapland in the wintertime to get the most out of what the country is known for.

You can expect accommodation in Finland to be a little more expensive in the wintertime, but in this guide, I’ve averaged both costs to give you a general idea of what to expect when paying for accommodation in Finland. 

Accommodation costs in the most visited areas of Finland (Helsinki and Finnish Lapland) are also a lot higher in comparison to less visited towns and regions in the country.

The most cost-efficient accommodation option when visiting Finland will undoubtedly be to book a bed at a hostel. On average throughout the country you can expect to pay around €35 per night, making it pretty on par with hostel bed costs in many other parts of Europe. 

If you’re looking to have more privacy and would like to stay in a mid-range hotel or private accommodation when staying in Finland, the average cost will be around €100 per night.

Finally, for those looking to stay in a nicer hotel in Finland, the minimum anticipated cost per night is typically around €150.

If you’re visiting Finnish Lapland in the winter and would like to stay in a hotel, expect the cheapest cost to be around €200 as demand is high, especially during the high season.

Hostel options in Lapland and the capital city of Rovaniemi are limited but affordable, so book far in advance if you’re determined to save costs.

Transportation Prices

While accommodation costs in Finland are rather expensive, transportation is quite reasonable and on par with the costs of its European neighbors. 

If you’re visiting the stylish capital city of Helsinki whether by a flight or via ferry from Estonia, you’re in luck as it’s quite compact, making it an incredibly walkable city for visitors and getting around is easy.

If you find yourself needing public transportation in Helsinki or other Finnish cities, a one-trip ticket on any aspect of the public transport system will cost €3.60 and a one-day pass comes out to €9.00.

Other towns and cities in Finland such as Turku, Oulu, Rovaniemi, and Porvoo are also quite walkable and pleasant to experience by foot. 

Furthermore, if you plan on seeing more of the country than just Helsinki, a great option is to rent a car to save money on train transport and have the most flexibility during your Finland itinerary.

Renting a car in Finland in the summer months is more affordable than in winter months, at around €50 per day, and also a lot safer than driving in the winter. You can browse rental car options here.

This is just the basic fare and anything else including insurance, petrol costs, or snow chains will be added on top.

Finnish winter, especially in the northern part of the country, can be quite brutal and I recommend against renting a car for your trip during the winter months if you’re not a driver with experience driving in harsh weather conditions. 

Food Prices

Unfortunately, food costs in Finland hit the higher mark along with accommodation costs. Restaurants in Finland tend to be pretty pricey with meal costs per person typically around €25.

These prices are quite typical throughout the country regardless of the region you’re in, but outside of Helsinki and Rovaniemi, you may be able to find a meal a bit cheaper.

On a positive note, there are affordable options if you’re visiting Finland on a budget and it is possible to find cheap eats during your stay. Ethnic food such as Asian or Middle Eastern is usually quite affordable no matter where you are in the world, and Finland is no exception.

This is typically an easier feat to find when in bigger cities such as Helsinki and Oulu, and you’ll be able to find a solid meal for around €15.

Street-food markets are also great options to find delicious and more affordable food options. I highly recommend visiting the Old Market Hall in Helsinki if you’re looking for a quality meal bargain.

Traditional Finnish restaurants tend to be on the higher end of costs, so unfortunately, unless you’re able to dish out a large amount of money it’s hard to try traditional foods on a budget. If you’re determined to try traditional food in Finland, make a trip to the supermarket to try local specialties without spending too much.

Staying in an Airbnb with a kitchen is also a great bonus if you’re trying to save money during your trip as groceries in Finland are pretty economical and high quality.

This way you’ll be able to cook meals as much as you’d like during your stay. Many hostels also offer breakfast (usually buffets), making it a great way to save a large chunk of money. 

Finland also has a delicious and extensive breakfast and brunch culture offering multiple dishes inclusive of coffee/tea and juice with incredibly fresh and high-quality ingredients.

While these typically cost around €25 per person, it’s a great way to fuel up for the day with a delicious and nutritious breakfast. If you prefer to skip these set breakfasts, it’s also affordable (around €4) to get a local pastry for breakfast to further save on your total Finland trip cost. 

Activities Prices

A major part of any trip to Finland but especially when traveling to Finnish Lapland is deciding which activities you’re interested in as well as which activities fit well into your overall budget.

If you’re visiting Helsinki, there are a wide array of museums to visit of all sorts; from Finnish history to all different types of art galleries and museums.

Most museums in Helsinki as well as throughout the rest of the country typically average out around €15.

If you’re traveling as a family with children, Finland is a solid destination as most museums offer free entry for those 18 and under.

Of course, engaging in the typical Finnish experience of lounging in a sauna is another popular activity and this is also something that you can do somewhat affordably, depending on the type of experience you’re after.

Activity costs are a completely different field when visiting Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland in the winter high season. While it is possible to have a fantastic trip to Finnish Lapland on a budget, unless you have a large amount of money to spend while visiting, it can become pretty limiting.

Activities in Lapland and out of Rovaniemi vary from husky-sled and reindeer tours to Northern Lights safaris, with these typically costing at a minimum of €100 per person. If visiting as a family or group, it can become pretty expensive quickly.

If you’re set on visiting Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland, but are on a budget, one of the main attractions, Santa Claus Village is free to visit.

Santa Claus Village is a magical world in itself, with astonishing nature, winter/holiday fun, Santa visits and more affordable husky/reindeer rides, and enough sites within the village to visit over multiple days. 

Walking tours are quite popular in Helsinki and you can find a wide variety of different free walking tours (with a small tip expected), as well as paid walking tours for around €50. This is a great way to acquaint yourself well with the area with a local guide without having to spend much money at different museums and points throughout the city.

Local tour guides also have a lot of insight and interesting facts about Finland and Finnish culture to share that you probably wouldn’t know or learn otherwise, so I extremely recommend getting to know the country with a local guide!

Most historic sites in Finland such as city cathedrals and historic monuments such as Suomenlinna Fortress are also free to visit, keeping Finland activity costs low for those sticking to a tight travel budget.

If you’re a nature seeker and tend to find yourself on the hunt for the best outdoor spots on your travels, Finland is Europe’s most forested country as well as one rich in many deep blue lakes, national parks, unique wildlife, and breezy Baltic islands.

Finland is a country of free-roaming and  “everyman’s land”, meaning that anyone living or visiting Finland has free rights to roam, forage, and fish any public and recreational land in the country.

This makes this Nordic country an idyllic destination if you’re a lover of the natural world and also looking to cut down on your trip to Finland cost. 

Entertainment Prices

Similar to food, coffee and alcohol costs are both pretty high in comparison to other parts of Europe and the world.

If you’re keen on trying local beers and wine during your time in Finland, it’s safe to say that you should expect to pay an average of €7 for a pint of beer and about €8 for a glass of wine in Finland.

This is on the low end, as in restaurants you’ll typically pay a bit more in comparison to a designated pub or bar.

The Finnish have a really large and thriving coffee and cafe culture, making it a great spot to visit if you love trying local coffees and having local spots to caffeinate up during a Finnish adventure.

Coffee costs aren’t too high but are on par with costs throughout a lot of Europe with a cappuccino costing around €4 and a hot brewed coffee around €3.

The arts are a deep part of Finnish culture and identity, and this is well reflected in the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic, highlighting the national struggle during Finnish independence as well as the beautiful Suomi language.

Because of this history, Finland has a wonderful opera and theater scene and it’s a wonderful way to get to know Finnish culture, history, and the importance of how they tie together.

Costs for opera/theater or ballet shows vary depending on the seats you purchase but for a pretty good seat, the average cost is around €40 per ticket.

Is Finland Expensive? Average Prices in Finland 

So overall, how expensive is Finland? Finland isn’t a destination suited for budget travelers and backpackers, but with focused planning and organising of your trip, it’s possible to enjoy a budget trip to this lush and interesting country.

Accommodation: €35-100 / night

Transportation: €10-40 / day

Food: €15-40 / day

Activities: €15-100 / day

Entertainment: €10-40 / day

Above you’ll see the most relevant individual costs (assuming costs are split between two people) that make up a Finland travel cost from the low-end to the high-end. On average a trip to Finland per day you should expect to pay between €85-320 per person.

This won’t include any pre-trip expenses such as flights or travel insurance.

You’ll notice that there’s quite a wide range, indicating that Finland is a destination manageable on most budgets, whether you’re a budget traveler or a luxury seeker.

If you stay in affordable accommodation, walk as much as you can while visiting cities and towns, take advantage of free walking tours, seek affordable meals, and skip pricey sit-down restaurants, you’ll manage to make the most of every euro when you travel to Finland. 

Due to the high costs in Finland, it may seem close to impossible to enjoy a trip to the beautiful Nordic country without having a lot of money to put towards a trip. But with the right planning of your time and money, visiting Finland on a budget is certainly possible, still offering you an unforgettable adventure. 

Are you planning a trip to Finland? Have any questions about expenses? Let us know in the comments!