You can rent a car in Finland from age 20, driving on the right. The alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC and winter tires are mandatory.
| Vehicle Class | Low Season | High Season | Peak Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €38/day | €60/day | €85/day | Check prices → |
| Compact | €48/day | €75/day | €110/day | Check prices → |
| SUV/Minivan | €75/day | €115/day | €170/day | Check prices → |
Average daily rates in EUR. Low season: Nov-Mar, High: Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct, Peak: Jul-Aug.
Renting a car in Finland gives you the freedom to explore beyond the main tourist routes at your own pace. Finland drives on the right side of the road, with motorway speed limits of 120 km/h and 50 km/h in urban areas. The country uses a none toll system.
The minimum rental age is 20, with young drivers under 25 typically paying a surcharge of €10-20/day under 25. You must carry warning triangle, reflective vest in your vehicle at all times. Winter tires are mandatory during the cold months (Dec 1 - Feb 28 (studded tires allowed Oct 1 - Apr 30; winter tires mandatory Dec-Feb)).
Fuel prices average €1.85/L for petrol and €1.75/L for diesel. Cross-border driving is permitted to EU/EEA countries, Sweden, Norway, though fees of €30-60 cross-border fee (ferry to Estonia often extra) may apply.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about renting and driving a car in Finland — from insurance requirements and toll systems to speed limits, fines, and practical tips that will save you money and hassle.
Finland rewards drivers like few other European countries. The vast majority of what makes Finland extraordinary — midnight sun over Arctic fells, thousands of lakes reflecting endless forest, wooden villages where time stopped decades ago — exists in places no train or bus can practically reach. Finland is the most sparsely populated country in the EU, and outside the Helsinki-Tampere-Turku triangle, a rental car is not a luxury but a necessity. This guide covers the realities of renting and driving in Finland, from the mechanics of winter driving to the best routes through the lake district and Lapland.
Finland is roughly the size of Germany but has a population of only 5.5 million people. Once you leave the southern cities, distances between towns stretch to 50, 80, even 150 kilometers with nothing in between except forest, lakes, and the occasional petrol station. Public transport covers the main rail corridor from Helsinki to Tampere, Jyvaskyla, Oulu, and Rovaniemi, but branch connections are infrequent and slow. Buses serve many towns but on limited schedules — miss the afternoon departure and you wait until tomorrow.
A car opens up the real Finland: the lake district east of Tampere, where 188,000 lakes create a landscape that looks like shattered glass from above. The wild coastline of the Bothnian Bay. The fell highlands of Lapland where roads run straight through treeless tundra for 50 kilometers at a stretch. The archipelago roads and ferries of the Turku region. None of these experiences work on a schedule. You stop when you want, detour to a lakeside sauna, or chase the northern lights down an empty road at midnight. That is what a Finnish road trip is about.
The most popular season, and for good reason. Days are extremely long — in Lapland, the sun does not set at all from late May through mid-July. Temperatures range from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius in the south, cooler in the north. Rental prices peak at 55-90 euros per day for a compact car. Book at least 6-8 weeks ahead for Lapland pickups, where supply is limited. Roads are in their best condition, all routes are open, and ferries in the archipelago run on full schedules.
Finland's secret season. The "ruska" — the autumn colour display — turns Lapland's birch forests into waves of red, orange, and gold from mid-September through early October. It rivals New England's fall foliage but with a fraction of the crowds. Rental prices drop 30-40% from summer peaks. Roads are still clear, though first frosts may appear in the north by late October. Many rental companies switch to winter tires in mid-October.
Winter driving in Finland is a serious undertaking. Temperatures drop to minus 20 or 30 degrees Celsius in Lapland. Daylight shrinks to 4-5 hours in the south and zero in the Arctic — "kaamos" (polar night) means the sun does not rise at all in December above the Arctic Circle. However, this is when you see the northern lights, experience frozen lake roads, and enjoy snow-covered landscapes of staggering beauty. Rental prices are moderate (40-65 euros/day) except around Christmas and New Year in Lapland, when tourist demand pushes prices up sharply. Winter tires are mandatory from December 1 through February 28, and all rental companies fit them automatically during this period. The real question is whether you are comfortable driving on snow and ice — see the winter driving section below.
The cheapest time to rent, at 30-50 euros per day. Snow melts in the south by April, but Lapland remains snow-covered into May. Roads can be slushy and wet. The landscape is not at its prettiest — brown, muddy, and waiting to turn green. Not the most scenic time, but excellent value if you stick to southern Finland.
Route: Helsinki to Lahti to Jyvaskyla to Savonlinna to Kuopio to Tampere to Helsinki
Distance: Approximately 1,100 km
This circuit takes you through the heart of the Finnish lake district. From Helsinki, the E75 runs north to Lahti, gateway to the Paijanne lake system — Finland's deepest lake at 95 meters. Continue to Jyvaskyla on roads that weave between lakes, with frequent pullover spots for swimming in summer. The stretch from Jyvaskyla to Savonlinna via routes 9 and 14 is the most scenic section, passing through Punkaharju Ridge — a narrow esker between two lakes that has been called the most beautiful natural landscape in Finland since the 1800s. Savonlinna's medieval Olavinlinna Castle, built on an island in 1475, hosts a world-famous opera festival every July. Continue north to Kuopio, where the Puijo observation tower provides panoramic lake views. The return via Tampere on the E63 passes through more lake country before reaching Finland's second-largest city.
Fuel estimate: 110-130 euros for the full loop in a compact petrol car.
Route: Rovaniemi to Sodankyla to Inari to Utsjoki to Nordkapp (Norway) and return
Distance: Approximately 1,000 km (one way to Nordkapp is 530 km from Rovaniemi)
The E75 north from Rovaniemi — the "Arctic Highway" — is one of Europe's great drives. The landscape transforms gradually from boreal forest to open fell tundra. Sodankyla is a small town in the wilderness, home to the midnight sun film festival. Inari sits on the shore of Lake Inari, Finland's third-largest lake, and is the cultural center of the indigenous Sami people — the Siida museum is excellent. From Utsjoki, cross into Norway and follow the coast to Nordkapp, the northernmost point of mainland Europe accessible by road, where the midnight sun is visible from mid-May to late July.
Important: Check with your rental company about crossing into Norway — most allow it within Scandinavia, but a cross-border fee of 30-60 euros may apply. Fuel up before the Norwegian border; Norwegian fuel is even more expensive than Finnish.
Fuel estimate: 130-160 euros for the round trip.
Route: Turku to Pargas to Nagu to Korpo to Houtskari to Inio (and return or continue by ferry to Aland)
Distance: Approximately 160 km (plus ferry crossings)
The Archipelago Trail (Saariston Rengastie) is a marked route through the Turku Archipelago, using a combination of roads, bridges, and free cable ferries. You drive through a landscape of rocky islands, red wooden houses, and open sea. The road itself dips between islands connected by short ferry hops — most ferries are free and run frequently in summer. From Turku, drive to Pargas (the largest island), then island-hop south through Nagu and Korpo. Each island has a slightly different character — Nagu is the most touristic with a lively guest harbour; Korpo is quieter and wilder.
Fuel estimate: 20-30 euros. Ferries within the Archipelago Trail are free for cars.
Route: Oulu to Pudasjarvi to Taivalkoski to Kuusamo to Ruka
Distance: Approximately 300 km
This route takes you from the Bothnian coast into one of Finland's most dramatic wilderness areas. The road passes through continuous boreal forest with almost no settlements. Kuusamo is the gateway to Oulanka National Park, where the Karhunkierros (Bear Trail) is Finland's most famous hiking path. The Kiutakongas rapids on the Oulankajoki river are spectacular. Ruka fell, just outside Kuusamo, offers hiking in summer and is one of Finland's top ski resorts in winter.
Fuel estimate: 35-45 euros.
Finland's main airport has all major rental companies: Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Sixt, Budget, and local operator Scandia Rent. The car rental center is in the P3 parking building, a short walk from the terminals. Prices at Helsinki-Vantaa are the lowest in Finland due to high competition. If your trip starts in Helsinki, picking up at the airport and driving directly to your first destination avoids paying for parking in central Helsinki (which runs 2-4 euros per hour).
The gateway to Lapland, served by Finnair and budget carriers. Rental selection is limited to 3-4 companies, and prices are 20-30% higher than Helsinki. In winter (December-February), demand from tourists visiting Santa Claus Village pushes prices up further and cars sell out. Book Lapland winter rentals at least 2 months ahead.
Oulu (OUL), Tampere (TMP), Turku (TKU), Kuopio (KUO), and Ivalo (IVL) all have rental desks, but selection narrows significantly at smaller airports. Ivalo — the northernmost airport with rental cars — often has only Hertz and Europcar available, and prices are the highest in the country.
Helsinki Central Station and the Kamppi area have multiple rental offices. Tampere and Turku also have city center locations. City center prices are similar to or slightly higher than airport prices. The advantage is convenience; the disadvantage in Helsinki is navigating through busy tram-and-bicycle-filled streets.
Finnish rentals include CDW and theft protection with an excess typically between 700 and 1,500 euros. Third-party liability is included as required by Finnish law. The standard package is more comprehensive than in many southern European countries — Finland's rental market is relatively transparent and low on aggressive upselling.
Two Finland-specific risks justify additional coverage. First, windshield damage from gravel roads — Finland has over 27,000 km of gravel roads (soratie), and stones thrown up by passing vehicles crack windshields regularly. Windshield coverage (sometimes called "glass protection") costs 3-8 euros per day and is worth it if your route includes any gravel roads.
Second, animal collision coverage. Finland has roughly 300,000 reindeer, most of them in Lapland, and 100,000 moose across the country. Moose-vehicle collisions kill several people per year and cause extensive damage to cars. Reindeer are smaller but are effectively domesticated and wander onto roads constantly in Lapland — you will encounter them. Standard CDW covers animal collisions, but confirm this in writing. If it does not, add comprehensive coverage.
Premium credit card CDW coverage works well in Finland. The country is covered by most international card providers (Chase, Amex, Visa Infinite). Third-party excess insurance from RentalCover or iCarhireinsurance runs 5-9 euros per day and covers the full CDW excess plus tires, glass, and undercarriage — a strong option for Finland given the gravel road risk.
Finland's fuel prices are high but not Scandinavian-peak level. Expect 1.80-1.90 euros per liter for petrol (95E10) and 1.70-1.80 euros for diesel. The major chains are Neste, ABC (the cooperative chain with the widest rural coverage), Shell, and Teboil. ABC stations are found even in remote areas and double as cafeteria-restaurants — they are essential refueling stops in the countryside.
In Lapland, plan your fuel stops carefully. Distances between stations can reach 100 km or more on routes like the E75 north of Sodankyla. Never let your tank drop below a quarter in Lapland — the next station may be further than you think, especially on side roads.
Finland's EV charging network is expanding rapidly, with good coverage in the south and along major highways. Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, and Oulu have dense charging networks. The main operators are Virta, Recharge, and K-Lataus (at K-supermarket locations). However, EV charging in Lapland remains sparse. Renting an EV for a Lapland trip is risky — range drops significantly in cold weather (by 30-40% at minus 20 degrees), and fast chargers north of Rovaniemi are few and far between. For Lapland, stick to a petrol or diesel car.
If you rent a car in Finland between November and April, winter driving conditions are virtually guaranteed outside the extreme south. Finnish rental companies handle winter tires automatically — all cars are fitted with studded or friction winter tires from early October through April. You do not need to request them.
Finland is deceptively large. Helsinki to Rovaniemi is 830 km — an 8.5-hour drive. Rovaniemi to Nordkapp is another 530 km. Many tourists plan "quick" detours that add 3-4 hours of driving through empty landscape. Use realistic driving times, not just distance calculations: Finnish rural roads average 70-80 km/h, not the 100-120 km/h you might assume.
Roughly one-third of Finnish roads outside major routes are unpaved gravel. GPS navigation may route you onto these roads. They are perfectly drivable in summer at 60-80 km/h, but they kick up stones (keep distance from vehicles ahead), create dust clouds that reduce visibility, and become muddy in spring. Reduce speed, increase following distance, and dim your lights for oncoming traffic to avoid blinding them with dust.
Lapland has very limited rental car supply. Rovaniemi, Ivalo, and Kittila airports each may have only 20-40 cars total across all companies. In December (northern lights and Santa season) and March (spring skiing), these sell out completely weeks in advance. If Lapland is your destination, book the car before you book the flights.
Like other Nordic countries, Finland uses the parking disc (pysak-intikiekko) system in many town centers and shopping areas. Set the blue disc to your arrival time and display it on the dashboard. Fines for non-compliance start at 50 euros. The disc should be in the rental car, but check.
Country-specific driving rules, toll info, and insurance tips for Finland — delivered to your inbox.
Winter tires mandatory (Dec 1 - Feb 28 (studded tires allowed Oct 1 - Apr 30; winter tires mandatory Dec-Feb)) (Dec 1 - Feb 28 (studded tires allowed Oct 1 - Apr 30; winter tires mandatory Dec-Feb))
| License From | IDP Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US | Yes | IDP required alongside US license |
| UK | No | UK license accepted |
| AU | Yes | IDP required alongside Australian license |
| CA | Yes | IDP required alongside Canadian license |
These items are legally required when driving in Finland. Most rental cars include basic equipment, but always verify at pickup.
Reflective emergency triangle — place 50-100m behind your vehicle in case of breakdown.
EN ISO 20471 certified. Must be kept in the cabin (not the trunk) in many countries.
Always book full insurance (SCDW) through your rental company or a third-party like DiscoverCars — credit card coverage often has exclusions for Finland.
Finland has no road tolls or vignette system
| Zone | Limit (km/h) |
|---|---|
| Urban areas | 50 |
| Rural roads | 80 |
| Motorway | 120 |
Speed limits often reduced to 80-100 in winter; some motorway sections limited to 100
| Offense | Fine Range |
|---|---|
| Speeding 20over | Day-fine system based on income (minimum €200) |
| No Seatbelt | €70 |
| Phone Use | €100 |
| No Winter Tires | €100 |
Allowed: EU/EEA countries, Sweden, Norway, Estonia (via ferry)
Restricted: Russia — most rental companies prohibit travel to Russia
Typical fee: €30-60 cross-border fee (ferry to Estonia often extra)
Rental companies in Finland charge $15-30/day for excess reduction at the desk. Standalone policies cover the same thing for a fraction of the cost — and you can buy before you go.
Reduce your excess to zero from $49/trip
Save up to 70% vs rental desk insurance
These policies reimburse you if the rental company charges your card for damage. They do not replace the rental company's basic insurance (CDW/TP) which is always included.
Book your Finland rental at least 3 weeks in advance — last-minute prices can be 40-60% higher during peak season.
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Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
If visiting Lapland in winter, confirm your rental includes studded winter tires (nastarengas) — not just Nordic friction tires — and carry an emergency kit with a blanket, torch, and shovel.
Finnish law mandates winter tires Dec 1 - Feb 28, but in Lapland temperatures regularly drop to -25C or lower. Studded tires provide drastically better grip on ice-covered roads like E75 north of Rovaniemi. Most Helsinki-based rentals fit friction tires, which are legal but less safe in extreme north conditions. Request studded tires at booking or pick up from a Rovaniemi or Oulu location.
Watch for reindeer on roads in central and northern Finland year-round — they cause over 4,000 collisions per year and are especially active at dawn and dusk.
Reindeer roam freely across roads in the reindeer herding area (roughly north of Oulu). They are unpredictable and often travel in herds — if one crosses the road, more will follow. Collisions must be reported to the police (emergency 112). You are liable for vehicle damage but the reindeer owner is compensated by the state. Rental insurance typically covers animal collisions under CDW, but verify your excess.
Finland's income-based speeding fines can reach thousands of euros — use cruise control and respect the frequently changing speed limits on rural highways.
Finland uses a day-fine system where speeding penalties are calculated from your income. A Finnish businessman was famously fined over €100,000 for doing 75 in a 50 zone. Even for tourists, fines start at €200 for 20 km/h over the limit and escalate quickly. Speed limits on highways change frequently between 80, 100, and 120 km/h, often reducing near intersections with minimal warning signs.
It depends on your home country. US license holders: Yes, IDP required. IDP required alongside US license UK license holders: No IDP needed. UK license accepted AU license holders: Yes, IDP required. IDP required alongside Australian license CA license holders: Yes, IDP required. IDP required alongside Canadian license
The minimum rental age is 20. Drivers under 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge of €10-20/day under 25.
Finland uses a none toll system. Finland has no road tolls or vignette system Payment methods: . Average cost is about €0.00 per 100km.
Urban: 50 km/h, Rural: 80 km/h, Motorway: 120 km/h. Speed limits often reduced to 80-100 in winter; some motorway sections limited to 100
Allowed to: EU/EEA countries, Sweden, Norway, Estonia (via ferry). Restrictions: Russia — most rental companies prohibit travel to Russia. Cross-border fee: €30-60 cross-border fee (ferry to Estonia often extra).
Yes, winter tires are mandatory. Snow chains: not-typically-needed. Period: Dec 1 - Feb 28 (studded tires allowed Oct 1 - Apr 30; winter tires mandatory Dec-Feb).
Requirements vary by rental company in Finland. Most major agencies accept a valid driving license from your home country for short stays, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended as a backup, especially outside major cities. Check with your specific rental company before traveling.
At minimum, you need Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third Party Liability insurance. Consider adding theft protection if parking in urban areas. Many credit cards offer rental car coverage — check your card benefits before purchasing duplicate coverage from the rental company.
Many European countries use toll systems for highways and motorways. In Finland, toll costs can add significantly to your trip budget. Most rental companies offer electronic toll transponders — ask at the counter. Budget an additional 10-20% of your fuel costs for tolls on longer trips.
The minimum rental age in Finland is typically 21 years, though some companies require drivers to be 23 or 25. Young drivers (under 25) usually pay a surcharge of 10-25 per day. Maximum age limits also apply at some agencies, typically around 70-75 years.
Cross-border travel policies vary by rental company. Most major agencies allow travel within the EU/Schengen area with prior notification, but may charge a cross-border fee. Some restrict travel to certain countries. Always declare cross-border plans when booking to avoid insurance invalidation.