Trilations to Finnish Lapland
Trilations to Finnish Lapland

TRAVEL INFORMATION


Climate
Finnish Lapland has a continental climate. The average temperature in March is between -5°C and -12°C in Saariselkä. The sun rises around 5.45 a.m. and sets again around 7.45 p.m. Keep a close eye on the weather.

COVID-19
At the moment, the following COVID-19 rules apply to travel to Finnish Lapland:

Since October 18th, 2021, travelers from Belgium may enter Finland without restrictions if they are in possession of a European vaccination certificate, proof of cure or PCR test:

  1. A complete vaccination against COVID-19. These persons must present a document proving that they have received a full vaccination (1 or 2 vaccinations, depending on the type of the vaccine) at least 14 days before their arrival in Finland. Here you will find a list of the accepted vaccines. These people do not have to take a test and do not have to limit their contacts in Finland.
  2. A certification of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 6 months. These people do not have to take a test and do not have to limit their contacts in Finland.  
  3. A negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival or received a first vaccine at least 14 days before arrival. In this case, a (free) test is also required within 3-5 days of arrival in Finland. However, it is recommended to limit contacts until the negative test result is known.

You can obtain your COVID-certificate by:

The rules for returning from abroad to Belgium can be found here.
You also need to fill out the Passenger Lokalisation Form (PLF). 

However, these are rules that currently apply. If the rules change closer to the start of the trip, we will also adjust it here. So keep an eye on this!

To bring
Before the trip starts, you will receive an extensive packing list for your stay in Lapland as suitable clothing is necessary! Upon arrival in Finland, you will receive a winter clothing package, constisting of: a winter/snowmobile overall, winter boots, gloves and a hat. You may use this clothing package during your entire stay in Lapland. You have to take care of the other clothes yourself. You will wear these under your overall. 

You can think of:

  • Thermal underwear
  • Thermal-shirt
  • Fleece-jack or sweater
  • Warm, waterproof & water repellent jacket
  • Thermal legging
  • Trousers: loose-fitting, fleece, cotton or similar (e.g. ski pants)
  • Cotton and wool socks, you will wear the cottons socks under the wool socks
  • Warm, waterproof, (walking)shoes
  • Scarf and gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Swimwear (if you would like to use the sauna)
  • GoPro / camera
  • Download a ‘Northern lights’ app 
     

Passport
Do not forget to bring your valid passport or ID card for the trip to Finland. Keep it in your handluggage. Do also bring your driving license. 

Electricity
Finland has a standard mains voltage of 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. You can use your devices.

Sami
The Sami are the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland. An orginially nomadic hunter's population. They followed the migration of the reindeer, an area that stretches over the far north of Scandinavia. What binds the Sami is their language and culture. There are no political or geographical boundaries that makes these people one nation. 

Language
In Finnish Lapland, Finnish is the official language. It is almost impossible for Belgian and Dutch people to learn this language. In addition, the Sami have their own languages, but these are spoken by a few Sami.

Time
Finland has 1 hour time difference with Belgium. It is one hour later than in Belgium, both during summer and winter time. In UTC/GMT time: +2 hours.

Money
In Finnish Lapland you can simply pay with the Euro. The use of credit cards is very common here, even for a cup of coffee or drink in a bar.
The hotel does not accept cash, you will have to pay by debit card or credit card.