How to Find Cheap Hotels in Helsinki, Finland

As the capital of Finland, Helsinki is cosmopolitan, with the feel of a small community. There are no high-rise structures in Helsinki and parks abound. Helsinki is Finland's business and cultural center, providing a home to many international businesses, including Nokia. Each year, thousands of visitors flock to Helsinki from the United States and Europe. The city features a jumping nightlife, fine restaurants, historical attractions and Finland-style shopping. Budget accommodations range from hostels to self-catering apartments.

Things You'll Need

• Passport
• Internet access for making reservations

Instructions

Know Your Destination

1. Expect cold and layers of snow in the winter with limited daylight. The summer features temperatures that hover in the 80s, falling to the 60s at night. In the summer, sightseeing via ferry is ideal because of the city's prime location on the coast of the Baltic Sea. In fact, most of its central districts are near the sea. Because of its location, Helsinki is known as the daughter of the Baltic.

2. The official languages of Helsinki are Finnish and Swedish. Most natives, however, speak Finnish. English is widely spoken as well.

3. The euro is the official currency in Helsinki.

4. You may need a visa to enter Helsinki. You will not need a visa if you are a citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or Malaysia. Visas are not required if you are a citizen of a country in the European Union, Singapore or most parts of South America.

Organize Transportation

1. Reach Helsinki by plane via the Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport. Flights are available from the United States and Europe, as well as Asia and 20 cities in Finland.

2. Take a train to Helsinki from other cities in Finland, as well as Moscow and St. Petersburg. Disembark at Central Railway Station in the city's center.

3. Consider driving to Helsinki. You can access expressways leading to the city from Turku, Tampere, Lahti, Porvoo and St. Petersburg.

4. Consider a bus trip from Sweden, Norway or Russia. Disembark at the Central Bus Station.

5. Ride a ferry from Stockholm, Tallin, St. Petersburg or Germany. Helsinki has five different ferry terminals.

Choose Cheap Accommodations

1. To book accommodations, contact Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

2. Camp at Rastila Camping. It is the only campsite inside the city.

3. Choose a budget hotel in the city center to be close to the tourist-friendly Kauppatori (market square). You'll also be positioned within miles of the international airport.

4. Consider renting an apartment in Helsinki. You can find apartments for rent by the week or month that average out to less per night than many hotels charge.

5. Stay in a youth hostel for cheap accommodations. Hostels tend to be the least expensive of accommodations in Helsinki.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.