Finland is a beautiful country with everything to offer tourists, including natural beauty, culture, and technology. Whether you are going for the first time to the capital city of Finland, observing the Northern lights, or if you want to traverse the mysterious thinness of Finland’s wilderness, the country is ranked as the safest destination for travelers.
As with any other country, it is crucial to know how to avoid, for instance, experiencing a car jack in Finland to avoid being stressed when on holiday. In this blog post, let’s discuss Finland's safety measures and provide some helpful advice to ensure you have a safe trip to this beautiful Nordic country.
Here are the reasons why it is so before going through the regular specific safety tips: The general perception of Finland is that it is one of the safest travel destinations. The Global Peace Index also shows that Finland is one of the safest and least criminal nations in the entire globe.
Gang violence is negligible, and other categories of theft, such as pocket-picking, are also endemic. Finnish people have a strong feeling of collectivism, and Finland is one of the most well-connected countries with the best healthcare services.
Finland is a safe country with a higher safety rating than the global average, but one must always be vigilant. In other words, understanding these risks is helpful whether you travel to the bustling centers of large cities or the quietest countryside; correspondingly, the precautions to be taken only play into the hands of the traveler. Now, let’s look at some general safety precautions tourists should take in Finland.
In general, Finland is a relatively safe country. Thus, tourists should always exercise caution while in the country. You should not use wallets or bags when you move around in densely populated parts or areas of interest, such as Helsinki or Tampere bags.
Although Finland has the fewest petty crimes, no destination is crime-free, especially in areas with high congestion. Carry your essentials in a zipper bag to be safe, and avoid being close to others while using public transport. You should inform someone of your movements when hiking in an area like Finnish Lapland or the forests.
Most of the time, the wilderness in Finland is serene and stunning, but you’ll always find risk lurking in the backdrop if you don’t prepare adequately. Avoid wandering off the trail; if you are in poor terrain or the location is unfamiliar, it would be best to hire a tour guide.
It would be helpful for any traveler to know that the various emergency numbers in Finland are thoroughly researched and legal. If you need to contact the emergency services, you can call 112. This number lists you for police fire and other medical emergencies.
It is a number that should be saved in one's phone book as it works for the entire country. When you call emergency dispatch, it also offers help in Finnish and English, which means that language might not be a problem.
You should also have the contacts of the hotel you will be staying in and the local embassies or consulate in case of calamity. These contacts will help you with specific health issues, theft cases, legal questions, etc.
Finland's climate includes cold winters, short summer periods, and brief, mild winters. These are significant things for a tourist to know, especially when it comes to changes in weather.
Currently, the winter temperature in Finland is below -30°C (-22° F), mainly in the northern region. Thus, wearing appropriately warm clothes such as thermal gloves, hats, and boots is highly recommended by layering up.
So, consider visiting Finland during the cold season. In that case, it is recommended that you always check the weather forecast to see if you intend to undertake physical activities such as hiking, skiing, or snowmobiling. Cold weather can sometimes lead to accidents if not protected, so ensure you don’t forget your warm, waterproof clothing and check for any weather alerts.
Finland has one of the best health systems in the world, but getting traveling and health insurance that caters to one's health situation abroad is difficult. Even though all Finns have state-funded health care, tourists may have to pay for some treatments unless those treatments are included in the list of therapies reimbursable by the home country’s insurance.
It will also entail other incidental expenses, such as canceled trips and sick time while on a journey. Before traveling to Finland, it is helpful to determine the specific details of the insurance policy to ensure it suffices for traveling needs.
But even walking in the Lappish wilderness, bathing in a sauna, or driving on ice is always safer than sorry. Nearly all insurance companies also provide coverage for emergency evacuations if you are hurt in a region with few people, so you should consider it when traveling to Finland.
There are many instances of theft in Finland, just as there are in many European countries; some tourists might fall victim to petty theft. Nevertheless, the probability of facing such problems remains significantly lower than in other countries. Use the generally advocated precautions to keep your belongings safe while traveling through Finland.
For instance, while touring museums, shops, or any other public areas, do not carry your wallet, phone, and other valuable belongings in your person; use your inside pockets or a money belt. Do not leave personal belongings around you, especially in public places.
If you are in a hotel or guest house,, secure your valuable items in the security box available for that purpose. In any case, your hotel does not have a safety deposit box, so it is recommended that you use a backpacking travel safety deposit that you can lock while you are out of your room.
Personal safety measures are a basic policy for foreign travelers to embrace and respect the cultures of the host countries. The people of Finland are very polite when it comes to personal space, and people generally do not express themselves much in public spaces or whenever they are outside.
For this reason, it is essential to bow and keep a stable, calm, and polite temper, especially in common areas. Finally, while using the public system, respect local etiquette. For example, a young man will not take a sitting position in a bus or plane where there are pregnant women, elderly, and disabled persons.
Alcohol in Finland, too, has extremely low tolerance, with the purchasing of regular alcohol allowed at 18 in most cases. Lewd behavior or public drunkenness might feel a refund or suffer other actions taken by the state.
As a natural country, Finland has problems, especially with animals and any other natural disasters that may be found there. It is a fact that dangerous wild animals. Bears, wolves, and wild boars are rarely encountered.
However, Finland still has them; therefore, educating yourself on what to do if you discover them is imperative. When hiking, especially in forested or park regions, always carry a bear repellent and get acquainted with wildlife etiquette.
Also, Finland has some lakes and rivers, and although they look scenic, one may be dangerous if the water is not understood well. Wintertime is somewhat dangerous because of ice, so stay away from frozen lakes unless you are sure of the thickness of the ice layer. There are ice fishing and winter sports in the area; however, locals say if inexperienced, they should not attempt to go further than marked trails or consult a local guide.
While some cities are often highlighted as safe for tourists, it can be dangerous if local laws and regulations are ignored. Here are some essential Finland safety tips to keep in mind:
If you know Finnish emergency numbers, how to safeguard your property, and more about Finland's weather, you’re well placed to embrace Finland and all it has for you. Whether you travel to the cities or go for an adventure in the wild, travel to Finland is fun and safe.
Bear in mind that Finland is one of the safest countries globally. Still, spending some time planning will help you capture the moments of your vacation without any unsafe incidents. Therefore, the bags are packed, the camera is in hand, and enthusiastic travelers can enjoy the beauty of Finland without concern.
This content was created by AI