Finland

About Finland

Finland is widely known for its thousand lakes, enchanting forests, and its peaceful atmosphere. Winters can be long and dark, but that also means snow-covered landscapes and a high chance to see the northern lights, especially in the north. Summers, on the other hand, can be surprisingly warm and filled with daylight — in the south, it doesn’t get dark at all in June! Finnish culture is deeply rooted in calmness and nature, but also in respect and independence. Get ready for long sauna sessions (yes, it’s a real thing), cold swims in the lake, and a lifestyle that mixes work, solitude, and silent appreciation of nature.

However, let’s get into the student part…money & prices:

Even though Finland is part of the eurozone, it is still relatively expensive compared to central Europe. Helsinki, the capital, is especially pricey, but student discounts are very common and helpful. If you’re looking for accommodation, we recommend applying directly through HOAS (for Helsinki) or through your university’s student housing services. Private rentals can get expensive and hard to find, especially in August.

Public transport is reliable and modern. In Helsinki, the HSL card costs about €35/month for students. Most cities also offer student discounts on buses, trams, and sometimes trains  always ask!

Groceries are manageable if you shop smart. Lidl is your best friend, followed by K-Market and S-Market. Eating out is generally expensive, so get used to meal-prepping and cafeteria lunches at the university most campuses offer warm meals for less than €3 with a student card.

Alcohol is also regulated in Finland. Be prepared: beers and drinks under 5.5% are sold in supermarkets, but anything stronger (wine, spirits) is sold only in Alko, the government-owned liquor store. Alko stores are open during the day and closed on Sundays. Prices are relatively high around €15-20 for a bottle of basic wine.

 

Traveling in Finland

Traveling around Finland is easy with trains (VR), buses (Onnibus or Matkahuolto), or even student flights through Finnair. If you’re under 25 or have a student card, you can get major discounts. The train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (the gateway to Lapland) is particularly scenic and even has night options with beds.

If you want more freedom, renting a car is the best way to explore the Finnish lakes or the Lapland wilderness just make sure you’re comfortable driving in snow if it’s winter!

Here are a few places to visit:

Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village, northern lights, and snow adventures
Turku: The old capital with beautiful islands and a more “Swedish” vibe
Tampere: The sauna capital of Finland, located between two lakes
Helsinki: The capital, vibrant with design, architecture, and sea views
Porvoo: A charming little town with wooden houses and cobbled streets

 

Rent in Finland

For housing options, whether student apartments, private flats, or shared rooms here are some helpful websites:

 

Useful apps in Finland

Daily life in Finland is very digital, and having the right apps on your phone will make your exchange a lot easier:

  • MobilePay: The most used app for paying between friends, in cafés, student events, and even some shops. Make sure your Finnish bank supports it.

  • HSL (Helsinki), Waltti (other cities): These apps let you check timetables and buy bus/tram/metro tickets directly. Always check which app is used in your city!

  • ResQ Club: A super useful app for saving money and food! Restaurants and bakeries sell their leftovers at low prices at the end of the day.

  • Wolt / Foodora: For food delivery if you ever miss a warm pizza during the cold Finnish nights.

  • K-Ruoka or S-Kaupat: Grocery store apps with weekly deals and discount codes (especially useful if you shop often at K-Market or S-Market).

  • Nysse, Föli, Linkki: If you’re outside Helsinki (e.g. Tampere, Turku or Jyväskylä), these are your local public transport apps.

Helsinki

Rovaniemi

Aarhus