There’s something quietly magical about arriving in Finland for the first time. The air feels cleaner. The sky stretches wider. Whether it’s your first glimpse of Helsinki’s harbor or your boots crunching on fresh snow in Lapland, it doesn’t take long before Finland starts to work its charm.
But even the most well-traveled people can make a few classic mistakes when they come here—mistakes that are easy to avoid with a little foresight. This guide isn’t about scaring you away. It’s about helping you settle in quickly, move around with confidence, and understand what makes this northern corner of Europe tick.
So if you’re planning a trip to Finland soon, especially in the colder months, here are five common missteps — and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Underestimating the Weather (and the Darkness)
You may think you’ve experienced winter before — until you land in Finland in January and the sun rises at 10:00 a.m. only to dip below the horizon before 3:00 p.m.
The cold here isn’t always brutal, but it’s persistent. What catches most people off guard isn’t the snow or the ice — it’s the light, or rather the lack of it. In the south, the days are short. In the north, they almost disappear entirely during kaamos, the polar night.
How to avoid it:
Dress in layers. Base, mid, outer — every layer matters here. Make peace with the idea that you’ll be wearing thermal underwear and still feel the chill some days. Bring reflective strips or wear bright colors if you’re walking in low-light areas. Most importantly, plan your activities during daylight hours — and don’t forget to enjoy the cozy cafes and saunas when it gets dark early.
Mistake #2: Only Visiting Helsinki
Helsinki is great — modern, clean, full of design and sea views. But if your entire idea of Finland is based on a few streets downtown, you’re barely scratching the surface.
Finland is vast and varied. The silence of its forests, the calm of its lakes, the haunting beauty of Lapland in winter — these are things you’ll miss if you stick to the capital.
How to avoid it:
Leave the city. Spend a few days in Helsinki, then head north or east. Visit Porvoo, a charming riverside town just an hour away. Or go all in and explore Finnish Lapland — where reindeer roam, the Northern Lights dance overhead, and you finally understand what real quiet sounds like. This is where having your own transportation helps. Booking through a local provider like addCar made it easy for us to grab a reliable vehicle and hit the road. Exploring beyond the capital opens up a whole new side of the country.
Mistake #3: Not Embracing the Sauna Culture
You’ll see it everywhere — in homes, hotels, lakeside cabins. But many first-time visitors shy away from the sauna. Maybe it’s the heat. Maybe it’s the nudity. Maybe it just feels… unfamiliar.
But here’s the thing: sauna isn’t just a way to warm up. It’s a ritual. A place to reflect. A moment to slow down. For Finns, it’s an essential part of life — and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
How to avoid it:
Try it once. No one’s watching. Start in a private hotel sauna if you’re nervous. And yes, you can wear a towel. But once you’ve felt that deep heat settle in your bones and then stepped outside into the snow (or even jumped in a frozen lake if you’re brave), you’ll get why it’s addictive.
Mistake #4: Assuming Public Transport Will Take You Everywhere
In cities, public transport is efficient, clean, and punctual. But once you head into the countryside — where so much of Finland’s charm lies — schedules thin out quickly, and waiting an hour for a bus in sub-zero temperatures is not anyone’s idea of a good time.
How to avoid it:
If you’re planning to explore national parks, rural areas, or just prefer the freedom of your own pace, renting a car is a game-changer. Car rental Finland options are straightforward and often reasonably priced outside peak seasons. Just make sure you’re comfortable driving in winter conditions. Roads are well-maintained, but snow and ice are part of daily life — and Finns drive with confidence. If you’re nervous, consider renting a vehicle with winter tires and an automatic transmission to make the ride smoother.
Mistake #5: Expecting Small Talk
Let’s just say Finland isn’t the place for idle chit-chat in elevators. Finns value silence. It’s not rudeness — it’s respect for space and peace. You might spend an entire train ride next to someone and not exchange a word. That’s normal here.
But that doesn’t mean people are cold. In fact, once a conversation starts, Finns are often warm, honest, and deeply sincere. They just don’t do fluff.
How to avoid it:
Don’t be afraid of silence. If you strike up a conversation, keep it meaningful. Talk about nature, travel, or even sauna — you’ll find people open up quickly when you skip the surface-level stuff. And remember: nodding, smiling, and giving others their space is always appreciated here.
Final Thought
Finland doesn’t shout to be noticed. It doesn’t need to. It just is — calm, quiet, and deeply connected to nature. It’s the kind of place that rewards those who slow down, look closely, and show up prepared.
Avoid these common first-timer mistakes, and you’ll find a country that welcomes you with clean air, honest conversations, and moments of true stillness. Whether it’s a silent forest blanketed in snow or the soft heat of a lakeside sauna, Finland lingers — not loudly, but deeply.
And you’ll likely be planning your return before the snow even melts.
