Helsinki Car Rental Guide
Helsinki retains a small-town feel: there are no high-rise buildings and the market square is still surrounded by 19th-century architecture. Its green parks and waterways, fresh sea winds with seagulls flying over the busy market square, and many open-air cafés make it a perfect summer destination.
Helsinki is Finland's capital and the centre of its cultural, financial and economic activity. While it embodies much of the Finnish spirit and its progressive hi-tech push, it is unlike any other Finnish city, due in part to the fascinating combination of Swedish and Russian influences.
Area: 686 sq km
Population: 560,000
Country: Finland
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2 (Nov-Mar), GMT/UTC +3 (Apr-Oct)
Telephone Area Code:
09
A short dictionary for a tourist travelling in Finland:
Car rent =
Helpful Contact Numbers
Fire/Ambulance Service – 112
Police Service - 10022
Car rental restrictions
The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. The use of seat belts is compulsory for all passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0,5‰.
Approaches to priority roads are denoted by a sign showing a red triangle on a yellow background. In another exception to the priority-on-the-right rule, trams always have priority.
Headlights must be used at all times. Use of horns in towns and villages is illegal except in the case of immediate and extreme danger. Otherwise, horns and headlights should be used when poor visibility demands them.
Passing is allowed on the right if you are travelling a multi-lane road, but be careful not to cross the white line which indicates the bicycle and pedestrian lane.
Police are not empowered to collect fines on the spot; but the fines can be very high and are based on your income level. The minimum fine is €130 but theres no maximum limit, which means that you may be liable for extremely high fines if you have a high income.
Speed Limits
| Area | Limit |
| Expressways | 120 KM/H |
| Outside the City | 80 or 100 KM/H |
| In the City | 50 KM/H |
Parking
Parking lights must be on if you're parked in a dimly lit public spot. Wheel clamps aren't used, but illegally parked vehicles may be towed.
Road Tolls
Finland has no road tolls for cars.
