Where to transit in Finland? Important notes for transit

Introduction to the journey to Finland from Vietnam

Finland, the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" with its modern capital Helsinki, the mystical Lapland where Santa Claus lives, and the world's most brilliant aurora, is becoming a dream destination for Vietnamese tourists who want to experience the unique Nordic. As there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Helsinki, the journey usually takes 12-18 hours with at least one transit. Choosing the right flight route and carefully preparing the mandatory Schengen visa are the keys to success for this trip to explore the "land of the aurora".

Where is the best place to transit to Finland from Vietnam?

Transiting through Istanbul to Finland – The optimal choice

Istanbul (IST) with Turkish Airlinesoffers direct flights daily to Helsinki (HEL), with a flight time of 3.5-4 hours.Outstanding advantages:No transit visa required when staying in the transit area for under 24 hours with the same ticket number, free Touristanbul service for passengers transiting for 6 hours or more, shortest total time of 12-15 hours from Vietnam,completely avoiding complex Schengen transit visa procedures.

Turkish Airlines has a strong network connecting from Asia and provides high-quality service, making it the top recommended choice for Vietnamese travelers.

Transiting through the Middle East to Finland – Premium service

Doha (DOH) with Qatar Airwaysoffers direct flights to Helsinki, with a flight time of 6.5 hours, 5-star service, and Hamad Airport, one of the world's most modern airports.Dubai (DXB) with Emiratesalso offers direct connections with similar flight times and world-class service.

Advantages:No transit visa required when staying in the international transit area for under 24 hours with the same ticket number, free city tours available for passengers transiting for 5-6 hours or more, premium service, and a modern airport with many high-class amenities.

Transiting through Europe to Finland – Short but requires a visa

Frankfurt (FRA) with Lufthansa, Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM, Paris (CDG) with Air France, Copenhagen (CPH) and Stockholm (ARN) with SAShave direct flights to Helsinki with extremely short flight times of only 1.5-3 hours.

Serious disadvantage: Schengen Airport Transit visa (Type A) is MANDATORYfor Vietnamese citizens even if only staying in the transit area.Exempt if you have:A valid Schengen/US/Canada/UK/Japan visa.

Finnair and Asian connections – An important airline overlooked

Finnair – the national airline of Finlandhas a strong network connecting from Asia with flights fromBangkok, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kongto Helsinki. Finnair is renowned for the shortest Arctic route from Asia to Europe and high-quality service with distinctive Nordic design.

EXTREMELY important note on Schengen visa

Schengen visa is MANDATORY for Vietnamese citizens

Vietnamese citizens MUST have a Schengen visato enter Finland as Finland has been a full member of the Schengen area since 1995.Visa application process:Submit application at VFS Global Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City,processing time:15-30 working days,cost:80 EUR,travel insurance:30,000 EUR mandatory.

Required documents:Passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages, Schengen-standard ID photo, confirmed round-trip flight tickets, 30,000 EUR travel insurance valid throughout the Schengen area, proof of strong financial means, confirmed hotel booking, and detailed itinerary.

Schengen Airport Transit Visa (Type A)

Vietnamese citizens USUALLY NEED a Schengen Airport Transit Visa (Type A)when transiting through Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, even if only staying in the international transit area.Exempt if you have:Valid Schengen/US/Canada/UK/Japan visa, residence card from these countries.

Helsinki Airport and City Transfer

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)located 17km from Helsinki city center is Finland's main gateway, featuring a modern design and world-class Nordic services.

Excellent Public Transport System

Train I and P:Direct connection from the airport to Helsinki Central Station in 30 minutes for 4.10 EUR, running every 10 minutes during peak hours.

Airport Bus 615:Reaches the city center in 35-45 minutes for 6.80 EUR, convenient for locations without nearby train stations.

Official Taxi:40-50 EUR to the city center, the fastest but most expensive option.Uber/Bolt:Popular with more competitive prices than traditional taxis.

HSL App:Download the official public transport app to buy tickets and track schedules in real-time.

Extreme climate and the best time to travel to Finland

Finnish Summer (June-August) – Magical White Nights

The most ideal timewith pleasant temperatures of 15-25°C and the unique phenomenon ofWhite Nightsunique – the sun doesn't set completely, with up to 18-20 hours of daylight per day in Helsinki and 24 hours of continuous daylight in Lapland. This is the festival season with many cultural and musical events and outdoor activities.

Finnish winter (December-March) – Northern Lights and mystical Lapland

Aurora season and winter activitieswith temperatures ranging from -5 to -30°C in Lapland.Best time to see the Aurora Borealis:September-March with a peak in December-February.Special activities:Reindeer sleigh rides, dog sledding, skiing, ice hotels, visiting Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.

Finland has a time zone of UTC+2 (winter) and UTC+3 (summer), which is 5-6 hours behind Vietnam, causing less severe jet lag.

Currency and costs – Most expensive in Europe

Finland uses the Euro (EUR)and has one of the highest costs in Europe, even higher than Switzerland for some items.

Reference costs EXTREMELY high:

• Average restaurant meal: 25-45 EUR
• 3-4 star hotel: 100-250 EUR/night
• 1-day Lapland tour: 200-500 EUR/person
• Traditional sauna: 15-25 EUR
• Helsinki public transport: 4.10 EUR/trip
• Recommended budget: 120-250 EUR/day (excluding expensive Lapland tours)

Cashless payment:Finland is one of the countries that uses cash the least in the world. Credit cards and contactless payments are accepted everywhere, including taxis and public transport.

Unique Finnish culture and characteristics

The sacred sauna culture

Sauna is the heart of Finnish culturewith over 3 million sauna rooms for 5.5 million people.Important sauna rules:Enter the sauna completely naked (you can use a towel), respect the silence, do not take photos, drinking beer after sauna is traditional.Famous public saunas:Löyly and Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki.

Typical Finnish personality traits

Finns are famous for their"sisu"– resilience, perseverance, and never giving up. They value personal space, talk little, are absolutely punctual, and have great respect for nature. English is spoken very well, especially in Helsinki and major cities.

Must-do activities in Finland

Lapland – The mystical land of the Northern Lights

Rovaniemi– "The Official Hometown of Santa Claus" with Santa Claus Village, Arctic Circle Visitor Centre, and Arktikum Science Museum.Levi and Ylläs– a leading ski resort with the longest pistes in Finland.Saariselkä– the best Northern Lights viewing spot with the least urban light.

Special winter activities:Traditional reindeer sleigh ride with the Sámi people, Siberian husky sledding, snowmobiling through snowy forests, unique ice hotels, sauna followed by rolling in the snow.

Helsinki – Capital of design and architecture

Temppeliaukio Church– a unique rock church carved from a solid block of granite.Market Square– an open-air market with smoked salmon, reindeer, and Sami handicrafts.Suomenlinna Sea Fortress– a UNESCO World Heritage site spread across 6 islands with a 250-year-old fortress.Design District– 25 streets featuring 200 world-renowned Finnish design shops.

Effective Finland transit tips

PREPARE EXTREMELY early:Apply for a Schengen visa at least 1-2 months in advance with a strong financial profile as Finland has strict financial proof requirements.Book through ticketsso that luggage is transferred directly and protected in case of flight delays.

Recommended Transit Times:2-3 hours is enough in Istanbul/Doha/Dubai due to simple procedures, 3-5 hours if passing through Europe may require Schengen entry procedures and terminal changes.

Special preparation for winter:Down jacket resistant to -30°C, non-slip shoes, waterproof gloves, ear-covering woolen hat, thermal underwear.Summer:Sunscreen (20 hours/day sun), mosquito repellent for Lapland.

Where is the fastest and most convenient transit point to Finland?

Istanbul with Turkish Airlinesis the absolute best option with direct flights to Helsinki, no transit visa required, and the shortest total travel time of 12-15 hours from Vietnam.Doha with Qatar Airwaysis also excellent with 5-star service and direct flights.

Does Finland require a visa for Vietnamese citizens?

Yes, a Schengen visa (Type C) is MANDATORYwith mandatory 30,000 EUR insurance. Must apply 15-30 days in advance at VFS Global with a strong financial profile.

Is an airport transit visa required for Europe to Finland?

Yes, a Schengen airport transit visa (Type A) is MANDATORYfor Vietnamese citizens at most European airports.Exempt if holding a valid Schengen/US/Canadian/UK/Japanese visa.

Is the cost of going to Finland expensive?

EXTREMELY expensive – the most expensive in Europe.A budget of EUR 120-250/day is needed for all expenses. Lapland tours can cost up to EUR 500-1,000/day for a premium experience.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?

September-Marchwith the peak occurringDecember-Februarywhen the nights are longest. You need to be in Lapland (Rovaniemi, Levi, Saariselkä) with clear skies, minimal clouds, and away from city lights.

Do I need to prepare anything special for winter?

MANDATORY:Professional cold-weather clothing resistant to -30°C, non-slip shoes, waterproof gloves. Many hotels rent specialized winter gear.

Is sauna mandatory?

Not mandatory, but it is a core cultural experienceof Finland. Most hotels have free saunas. Rules: nudity, silence, respect for others.

Conclusion

Istanbul with Turkish Airlinesis the absolute optimal transit option to avoid complicated Schengen transit visa procedures with direct flights to Helsinki and the most reasonable timing.Two most important points to prepare: MANDATORY Schengen visa with EUR 30,000 insurance and an EXTREMELY high budget of EUR 120-250/day.

Finland offers a unique Nordic experience with mystical Lapland, the world's most brilliant Northern Lights, sacred sauna culture, famous Finnish design, and the official Santa Claus Village.Prepare your Schengen visa early, have a high budget, pack professional winter clothing (if traveling December-March), and embrace the "sisu" cultural spiritwill ensure a safe, complete, and memorable trip to explore the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" and the "Land of the Northern Lights" with Nordic experiences found nowhere else in the world.