Difference between revisions of "Finland"
m |
m |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Finland''' is a part of the Northern [[Europe]], one of the Nordic | + | '''Finland''' is a part of the Northern [[Europe]], one of the Nordic Countries. It's neighbouring countries are [[Sweden]], [[Norway]] and [[Russia]], but possibly the most probable transit country on your way hitchhiking there is [[Estonia]]. |
| − | Countries. It's | ||
| − | [[Russia]], but possibly the most probable transit country on your | ||
| − | way hitchhiking there is [[Estonia]]. | ||
| − | ==Arriving and leaving the country== | + | == Arriving and leaving the country == |
| + | Here would be the tips how to get to the country. Probably most of the people coming and leaving Finland by [[thumb]] use the [[Via Baltica]] through [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]] towards [[Poland]]. | ||
| − | + | == About crossing borders == | |
| − | + | Nothing special about the Finnish borders. Apart from the Russian border, they just exist on the map anyway, and not in reality. Since the dawn of time has there been very liberal co-operation between the Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian borders. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Finland is in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_treaty Schengen treaty], but [[Ahvenanmaa]] where the ferries to [[Stockholm]] stop supposedly isn't, so the border-control can use that as an excuse to go through your property. They won't though, but one busload of anti-EU protesters encountered this issue in 2003 when travelling from Helsinki to an EU summit held in [[Gothenborg]]. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | === From/to Sweden === | |
| − | [[ | + | Ferries to [[Stockholm]] go from [[Helsinki]] and [[Turku]]. The latter being closer is considerably cheaper. Both ferries also stop in [[Maarianhamina]] in [[Ahvenanmaa]], or [[Mariehamn]] in [[Åland]] as the swedish-speaking population there tend to call it. The two companies running ferries between Finland and Sweden are [http://Www.vikingline.fi Viking Line] and [http://www.silja.com Silja Line]. Both of the companies concentrate on bringing the customers a cruise-experience, and are bound to be tacky. At least Viking Line sells simple tickets without a cabin, which would be rather useless on the daytime trips between [[Turku]] and [[Stockholm]] anyway. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Silja Line is the poshier of the two, and thus more expensive. It's still tacky, though. | |
| − | + | It isn't to say the archipelagoes of Stockholm or Turku don't make a nice scenery. On the ferries there's a constant attempt to lure people to buy as much tax-free booze and other stupid things as much as allowed by the regulations. It really isn't much more affordable than at land especially since the regulations for importing from [[Estonia]], which they won't tell you of course. So, do bring a book. Usually there's free Playstation or XBox games at the kids-section to spend the time, plus usually some other backpackers or other such to chat with. You can also try to spot a small islands severely damaged by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Cormorant great cormorants] a few hours off [[Stockholm]]. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | [http:// | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Then there's the Swedish [http://www.birka.se Birka Cruises], whose product is apparently closer to a more proper cruise. | |
| − | + | === From/to Estonia === | |
| − | + | There is no land-connection between Finland and [[Estonia]]. There are several daily boats from Helsinki to Tallinn. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | [[Estonia]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | === From/to Norway === | |
| − | |||
| − | + | === From/to Russia === | |
| − | + | '''Note''': | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | ===From/to Russia=== | ||
| − | |||
| − | '''Note''' | ||
There is no walking or cycling on any of existing crossing points. | There is no walking or cycling on any of existing crossing points. | ||
Russian visa is not issued on the border | Russian visa is not issued on the border | ||
| − | + | The most important crossings to Russia (St. Petersburg region) are ''Vaalimaa–Torfianovka'' one the road E18/7 Helsinki-St-Petersburg and ''Nuijamaa–Brusnichnoe'' near Lappeenranta. | |
| − | The most important crossings to Russia (St Petersburg region) are '' | ||
| − | |||
| − | The first one is always animated, 7/7 and almost 24h/24. There's lots of through traffic as well as lots of locals from both sides of the border, with Russians coming to buy goods, finnish people going to the other side to buy alcohol, cigarette and fuel and all sort of traffickers. On finnish side they are crowding on the first gas station, just before the customs zone. You can alternate asking drivers on the parking and those queueing to the terminal. A ride to Torfianovka is enough | + | The first one is always animated, 7/7 and almost 24h/24. There's lots of through traffic as well as lots of locals from both sides of the border, with Russians coming to buy goods, finnish people going to the other side to buy alcohol, cigarette and fuel and all sort of traffickers. On finnish side they are crowding on the first gas station, just before the customs zone. You can alternate asking drivers on the parking and those queueing to the terminal. A ride to Torfianovka is enough – there's lots of transport going to [[Vyborg]] and [[St. Petersburg]] from there, that doesn't necessarily cross the border. No use trying to get into Russia with trucks – freight terminal is separate, and sometimes you wait hours, sometimes days. Russia–Finland seems to be faster. To get back from Russia to Finland the best way is to ask on the parking of one of the supermarkets around. |
The other one is on the road '''13''' going south from Lappeenranta and bypassing the village of Niirala on the north. There is less traffic here, but the route is more scenic, going along the Saimaa canal (Russian: Сайменский канал; Finnish: Saimaan kanava) | The other one is on the road '''13''' going south from Lappeenranta and bypassing the village of Niirala on the north. There is less traffic here, but the route is more scenic, going along the Saimaa canal (Russian: Сайменский канал; Finnish: Saimaan kanava) | ||
| Line 74: | Line 37: | ||
Next crossing point north from there is ''Niirala-Värtsilä'', on the road 70 south of [[Joensuu]]. The trafic is low, from there a road goes to Sortavala, from where it is possible to reach St-Petersburg by the south shore of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ladoga lake Ladoga], with a portion of unpaved road, or [[Petrozavodsk]] via north shore. | Next crossing point north from there is ''Niirala-Värtsilä'', on the road 70 south of [[Joensuu]]. The trafic is low, from there a road goes to Sortavala, from where it is possible to reach St-Petersburg by the south shore of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ladoga lake Ladoga], with a portion of unpaved road, or [[Petrozavodsk]] via north shore. | ||
| − | ==Where to stay?== | + | == Where to stay? == |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | == | + | == Money == |
| + | Finland is a part of the [[EU]] and the currency used is Euro. | ||
| − | The language most people in Finland speak is Finnish, which isn't a | + | == Language == |
| − | Scandinavian language. The country is officially bilingual, as there | + | The language most people in Finland speak is Finnish, which isn't a Scandinavian language. The country is officially bilingual, as there is a large Swedish-speaking minority. Anyhow, most of the people speak at least some English, so most of the international hitchhikers won't have big language problems in Finland. |
| − | is a large Swedish-speaking minority. Anyhow, most of the people speak | ||
| − | at least some English, so most of the international hitchhikers won't have big language problems in Finland. | ||
Though you might encounter some old people who don't speak English. In this case it's good to know some Swedish (which is useful all over Scandinavia). | Though you might encounter some old people who don't speak English. In this case it's good to know some Swedish (which is useful all over Scandinavia). | ||
| − | ===Useful expressions for hitchhikers=== | + | === Useful expressions for hitchhikers === |
| − | |||
* Hello = Moi | * Hello = Moi | ||
* Hitchhiking = Liftaaminen | * Hitchhiking = Liftaaminen | ||
| Line 96: | Line 54: | ||
* Where are you driving to? = Minne ajat? | * Where are you driving to? = Minne ajat? | ||
| − | ==Safety== | + | == Safety == |
| + | Hitchhiking is quite safe in Finland indeed. As always, common sense is your friend. | ||
| − | Hitchhiking is | + | == Legal matters for hitchhikers == |
| − | is | + | Hitchhiking is legal in Finland. Anyhow, there are some places where it is illegal for the cars to stop and some places where it's illegal for pedestrians to stand. Both of these make hitchhiking de facto illegal in these places. |
| − | == | + | == Highways == |
| + | It is illegal to hitchhike on the highways (called "moottoritie") and some motorways ("moottoriliikennetie") in Finland. You can recognize these from the green signs. | ||
| − | + | The cars can not stop in crossing areas, and some cars not obeying this rule and taking hitchhikers on board are know to be fined. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Hitching is illegal in Finland on the motorways and two lane expressways. On any other highway you can legally hitch. On motorways you can also legally use the on-ramps as well as the gas stations. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | Hitching is illegal in Finland on the motorways and two lane | ||
| − | expressways. On any other highway you can legally hitch. On motorways | ||
| − | you can also legally use the on-ramps as well as the gas stations. | ||
This is the same with most countries in Europe and most states of USA. | This is the same with most countries in Europe and most states of USA. | ||
| − | ==Culture== | + | == Culture == |
| − | + | Hitchhiking used to be popular in the 70's and 80's, and a considerable amount of the rides will tell the hitchkiker(s) they've hitched themselves back in the day. Nowadays it's quite rare among Finns, but of course there are some European backpackers, often heading to [[Lappi]], [[Lapland]]. | |
| − | Hitchhiking used to be popular in the 70's and 80's, and a | ||
| − | considerable amount of the rides will tell the hitchkiker(s) they've | ||
| − | hitched themselves back in the day. | ||
| − | Finns, but of course there are some European backpackers, often | ||
| − | heading to [[Lappi]], [[Lapland]]. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | == Places to see == | |
| + | Cities of [[Helsinki]], [[Tampere]], [[Turku]], [[Jyväskylä]], [[Joensuu]], [[Oulu]]. [[Lapland]], [[Lappi]] in is the area spanning northern Finland, [[Sweden]], [[Norway]] and also [[Russia]], depending on how you look at it. | ||
| − | *[http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/kjokisal/liftaus/ Hitchhiker's guide to Europe] A Hitchhiking site by a Finn | + | == External links == |
| + | * [http://www.liftari.org Finnish hitchhiker's club] The site is mostly in Finnish but there is an English section in the [http://www.liftari.org/forum forum] | ||
| + | * [http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/kjokisal/liftaus/ Hitchhiker's guide to Europe] A Hitchhiking site by a Finn | ||
| + | * [http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/ssmoland/peukalo/ Liftausvinkkejä] Hitchhiking tips in Finnish | ||
| − | |||
| − | [[Category:Finland| | + | [[Category:Finland| ]] |
| − | |||
[[de:Finnland]] | [[de:Finnland]] | ||
Revision as of 20:35, 13 October 2007
Finland is a part of the Northern Europe, one of the Nordic Countries. It's neighbouring countries are Sweden, Norway and Russia, but possibly the most probable transit country on your way hitchhiking there is Estonia.
Contents
Arriving and leaving the country
Here would be the tips how to get to the country. Probably most of the people coming and leaving Finland by thumb use the Via Baltica through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania towards Poland.
About crossing borders
Nothing special about the Finnish borders. Apart from the Russian border, they just exist on the map anyway, and not in reality. Since the dawn of time has there been very liberal co-operation between the Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian borders.
Finland is in the Schengen treaty, but Ahvenanmaa where the ferries to Stockholm stop supposedly isn't, so the border-control can use that as an excuse to go through your property. They won't though, but one busload of anti-EU protesters encountered this issue in 2003 when travelling from Helsinki to an EU summit held in Gothenborg.
From/to Sweden
Ferries to Stockholm go from Helsinki and Turku. The latter being closer is considerably cheaper. Both ferries also stop in Maarianhamina in Ahvenanmaa, or Mariehamn in Åland as the swedish-speaking population there tend to call it. The two companies running ferries between Finland and Sweden are Viking Line and Silja Line. Both of the companies concentrate on bringing the customers a cruise-experience, and are bound to be tacky. At least Viking Line sells simple tickets without a cabin, which would be rather useless on the daytime trips between Turku and Stockholm anyway.
Silja Line is the poshier of the two, and thus more expensive. It's still tacky, though.
It isn't to say the archipelagoes of Stockholm or Turku don't make a nice scenery. On the ferries there's a constant attempt to lure people to buy as much tax-free booze and other stupid things as much as allowed by the regulations. It really isn't much more affordable than at land especially since the regulations for importing from Estonia, which they won't tell you of course. So, do bring a book. Usually there's free Playstation or XBox games at the kids-section to spend the time, plus usually some other backpackers or other such to chat with. You can also try to spot a small islands severely damaged by great cormorants a few hours off Stockholm.
Then there's the Swedish Birka Cruises, whose product is apparently closer to a more proper cruise.
From/to Estonia
There is no land-connection between Finland and Estonia. There are several daily boats from Helsinki to Tallinn.
From/to Norway
From/to Russia
Note: There is no walking or cycling on any of existing crossing points. Russian visa is not issued on the border
The most important crossings to Russia (St. Petersburg region) are Vaalimaa–Torfianovka one the road E18/7 Helsinki-St-Petersburg and Nuijamaa–Brusnichnoe near Lappeenranta.
The first one is always animated, 7/7 and almost 24h/24. There's lots of through traffic as well as lots of locals from both sides of the border, with Russians coming to buy goods, finnish people going to the other side to buy alcohol, cigarette and fuel and all sort of traffickers. On finnish side they are crowding on the first gas station, just before the customs zone. You can alternate asking drivers on the parking and those queueing to the terminal. A ride to Torfianovka is enough – there's lots of transport going to Vyborg and St. Petersburg from there, that doesn't necessarily cross the border. No use trying to get into Russia with trucks – freight terminal is separate, and sometimes you wait hours, sometimes days. Russia–Finland seems to be faster. To get back from Russia to Finland the best way is to ask on the parking of one of the supermarkets around.
The other one is on the road 13 going south from Lappeenranta and bypassing the village of Niirala on the north. There is less traffic here, but the route is more scenic, going along the Saimaa canal (Russian: Сайменский канал; Finnish: Saimaan kanava)
Next crossing point north from there is Niirala-Värtsilä, on the road 70 south of Joensuu. The trafic is low, from there a road goes to Sortavala, from where it is possible to reach St-Petersburg by the south shore of lake Ladoga, with a portion of unpaved road, or Petrozavodsk via north shore.
Where to stay?
Money
Finland is a part of the EU and the currency used is Euro.
Language
The language most people in Finland speak is Finnish, which isn't a Scandinavian language. The country is officially bilingual, as there is a large Swedish-speaking minority. Anyhow, most of the people speak at least some English, so most of the international hitchhikers won't have big language problems in Finland. Though you might encounter some old people who don't speak English. In this case it's good to know some Swedish (which is useful all over Scandinavia).
Useful expressions for hitchhikers
- Hello = Moi
- Hitchhiking = Liftaaminen
- To Hitchhike = Liftata
- A Ride = Kyyti
- Thank You = Kiitos
- Where are you driving to? = Minne ajat?
Safety
Hitchhiking is quite safe in Finland indeed. As always, common sense is your friend.
Legal matters for hitchhikers
Hitchhiking is legal in Finland. Anyhow, there are some places where it is illegal for the cars to stop and some places where it's illegal for pedestrians to stand. Both of these make hitchhiking de facto illegal in these places.
Highways
It is illegal to hitchhike on the highways (called "moottoritie") and some motorways ("moottoriliikennetie") in Finland. You can recognize these from the green signs.
The cars can not stop in crossing areas, and some cars not obeying this rule and taking hitchhikers on board are know to be fined.
Hitching is illegal in Finland on the motorways and two lane expressways. On any other highway you can legally hitch. On motorways you can also legally use the on-ramps as well as the gas stations. This is the same with most countries in Europe and most states of USA.
Culture
Hitchhiking used to be popular in the 70's and 80's, and a considerable amount of the rides will tell the hitchkiker(s) they've hitched themselves back in the day. Nowadays it's quite rare among Finns, but of course there are some European backpackers, often heading to Lappi, Lapland.
Places to see
Cities of Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä, Joensuu, Oulu. Lapland, Lappi in is the area spanning northern Finland, Sweden, Norway and also Russia, depending on how you look at it.
External links
- Finnish hitchhiker's club The site is mostly in Finnish but there is an English section in the forum
- Hitchhiker's guide to Europe A Hitchhiking site by a Finn
- Liftausvinkkejä Hitchhiking tips in Finnish
