Is Finland expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Finland is expensive, in line with the other Nordic countries: a little cheaper than Norway, similar to Sweden and Denmark, and well above Southern and Central Europe. Averaged over a trip, a budget traveller needs about €115 a day, mid-range about €240 and comfort about €520 per person. Lapland activities such as husky safaris and aurora tours are the biggest extra costs.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €45 | €85 | €200 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €55 | €100 |
| Sights & tickets | €20 | €60 | €150 |
| Local transport | €20 | €40 | €70 |
| Per person, per day | €115 | €240 | €520 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Finland day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee and a cinnamon bun (korvapuusti) | €6–8 |
| Salmon soup at the Old Market Hall, Helsinki | about €14–16 |
| Pint of beer in a bar | €8–10 |
| HSL single ticket, Helsinki zones AB | about €3.20 |
| Ateneum art museum | about €22 |
| Löyly public sauna, 2 hours | about €25 |
| Night train Helsinki–Rovaniemi, two-berth cabin | roughly €150–250 |
| Husky safari, half-day | about €150–250 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is costly everywhere, with Helsinki centre hotels at €130–200 a double and glass igloos around Rovaniemi at €300–700. Eating out is expensive in the evening, and alcohol is heavily taxed. The real budget-breakers are in Lapland: husky safaris (€150–250), reindeer sleigh rides (from about €80) and aurora hunts (€80–150). Transport is moderate, especially with early VR train tickets.
When it is cheaper
In the south, hotel prices can be lower in July, when business travel stops, and in the shoulder months. In Lapland the opposite applies: December and February–March are the dearest, while late autumn and late spring are cheaper but have little snow.
How to spend less
- Eat the weekday lunch buffet (lounas), often €12–15 with salad, bread and coffee included, as your main meal.
- Buy VR train tickets early in the app, where advance fares are much cheaper.
- Use the HSL ticket for the Suomenlinna ferry instead of a harbour cruise.
- Buy alcohol only at the state Alko shops or supermarkets (for beer), not in bars.
- Pick one Lapland activity rather than several; aurora watching is free on clear nights away from town lights.
- Stay in cottages or apartments with a kitchen in Lapland and buy groceries from supermarkets such as K-Market, S-Market or Lidl.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Is Finland expensive to visit?
Yes, like the other Nordic countries. Expect about €115 a day on a budget and €240 mid-range, with Lapland activities adding more.
How much does a husky safari cost in Lapland?
About €150–250 for a half-day; reindeer sleigh rides start at about €80 and aurora hunts cost €80–150.
Is alcohol expensive in Finland?
Yes. A pint in a bar costs about €8–10, and wine and spirits over a certain strength are sold only at the state-run Alko shops.