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|hitch = {{good}}<rating country='fi' />|BW = FI

'''Finland''' is a part of the Northern [[Europe]], and one of the Nordic countries. It is a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as the [[Schengen Agreement]]. Its neighbouring countries are [[Sweden]], [[Norway]] and [[Russia]], but possibly the most probable transit country on your way hitchhiking there from Southern Europe is [[Estonia]]. Most people use this way which is called "as the [[E67|Via Baltica]]" - it is a road ([[E67]] between [[Helsinki]], ) road connects Finland and with [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]] through via the Baltic States and [[Poland]].

Hitchhiking seems pretty easy in the Northern part of Finland. It could be a good idea is illegal to avoid hitchhike directly on motorways (''moottoritie'') and opt for smaller local some two-land expressways roads (''moottoriliikennetie'') in Finland. You can recognize these from the green signs. On these roads once , you get closer to Helsinki can hitch from on- sure, there ramps (which often have bus stops that drivers will be less traffic, however, you will get more space for the stop at) and [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol stations]]. The cars to cannot stopin crossing areas, and avoid a chance of getting stuck on some unlit motorway ramp in the middle of nowhere (consider the early darkness when hitchhiking in autumn/winter!)drivers who disobeyed this rule and picked up hitchhikers have been fined.

Since Finland mostly lacks a motorway network, most of the hitchhiking happens in In the "classical manner"south, standing thumb up on roadsideit is a good idea to avoid motorways and opt for smaller local roads. While doing thisThough there is less traffic, be aware that the there is more room for cars to stop. Finnish drivers are a lot more careful in traffic than drivers elsewhere in Europe. They will only stop if the place where they feel it is super-safe. This means a bus stop or similar. Even if there is a bus-stop-sized widening in the road, it does not help if it is unpaved.. Travellers not taking this into account has caused Finland so try to be known among foreigners as a difficult country to hitchhike, although it isn't actually worse than other western countries if you get around the culture of requiring crazy amounts of safetythumb at bus stops.

*I disagree with most of the above. See the [[Filehttp://hitchwiki.org/en/Talk:ErgaFinland Talk-campingpage].-in-finland.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[CampingUser:Astikain|Astikain]] is legal almost anywhere in Finland14:40, just stay slightly out of sight and you can even camp next to [[motorways]].]]6 September 2012 (CEST)

=== Cities Regions ===* [[EspooFile:Finland european roads.png|thumb|250px|Finnish motorways (blue) with their European numbers and national roads (red and yellow)]]* [[HämeenlinnaFile:Erga-and-a-friendly-finnish-man.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Hitchhiker Erga and a friendly Finnish driver]]* [[Helsinki]]* File:Erga-camping-in-finland.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Find info on camping on [[Joensuu:nomad:Finland|Nomadwiki]]* [[Jyväskylä]]* [[KuopioLapland]]* [[Lahti]]* [[Oulu]]* [[Pori]]* [[Seinäjoki]]* [[Tampere]]== Safety ==* [[Turku]]Hitchhiking is quite safe in Finland. As always, common sense is your friend.

=== Other areas =Culture ==* Hitchhiking used to be popular in the 70's and 80's, and many drivers will tell the hitchhiker(s) they've hitched themselves back in their days. Nowadays this practice is rather rare among Finns, but there are always some, especially in summer time around music festivals. Hitching in Finland might be difficult during the [[Laplandwinter]]time because lack of daylight. The weather differences in Finland seem to effect greatly how well people pick you up. Sunny weather might help you a great deal because it makes people more happy and open-minded.

Stands back from Hitchhiking seems to get easier the keyboard more North you go in amazmenet! Thanks!Finland, because towns get smaller and people feel more open to help others. However, the highways are better in the South and there is more traffic.

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 on the west coast of Finland. Anyhow, most of the Most people speak good English, too, so most of the foreign hitchhikers won't have big language communication problems in Finland.

====Useful Finnish expressions for hitchhikers:====

* Thank you very much = '''Kiitospaljon'''

 == Safety ==Hitchhiking is quite safe in Finland. 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 is illegal for pedestrians to stand. Both of these make hitchhiking illegal de facto in these places. [[File:Finland european roads.png|thumb|250px|* I don't speak Finnish motorways (blue) with their European numbers and national roads (red and yellow)]] == Motorways ==[[File:Finnish_motorway_sign_561.png|left|60px]]It is illegal to hitchhike on the motorways (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 known to be fined. Hitching on the motorways and two lane expressways is prohibited. On any other motorway you can legally hitch. You can also hitchhike at the motorway on-ramps, and at the motorway [[petrol station]]s' areas. Basically, same rules as in countries in Western Europe and in most states of the [[USA]]. == Culture ==Hitchhiking used to be popular in the 70's and 80's, and many drivers will tell the hitchhiker(s) theyEn puhu suomea'''ve hitched themselves back in their days. Nowadays this practice is rather rare among Finns, but there are always some, especially in summer time, when local hitchers get inspired by European backpackers heading to [[Lapland]]. Hitching in Finland is much more difficult/impossible in late autumn and winter simply because people do not stop.

* [http://bookslaavu.google.comorg/books?id=ZY_XZW9AtYgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=finland Lonely Planet List of Laavus] − Finland eBook a site with all the Laavus (2003hiking shelters) ''preview'']in Finland. [[trashhttp:Finland]//laavu.org/lataa.php?paikkakunta=kaikki/ Download]the gpx-file.[[{{wikipedia:Finland]]-link}}