Understanding Finland currency and Lapland costs

If you’re an Australian traveller planning a journey to Finnish Lapland, understanding the local currency and associated costs is crucial for a seamless holiday. This guide will help you with insights into the Euro’s usage in Finland and give you a breakdown of typical expenses to help you budget effectively so that you have a sound understanding of the currency and cost in Finland.

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Currency in Finland: The Euro (€)

Finland adopted the Euro (€) in 2002, replacing the Finnish Markka. The Euro is the sole legal currency throughout the country, including Finnish Lapland. Coins are available as well as banknotes.

Cashless Transactions

Finland is among the most cashless societies globally. Credit and debit cards, particularly Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted – even for minor purchases like coffee or public transport tickets. While cash is rarely necessary, it is advisable to have a small amount for remote areas or emergencies. That said, on my trip to Lapland in Autumn in 2024, I did not use cash once.

Currency Conversion

As of May 2025 (at the time of writing), the exchange rate is approximately:

• 1 AUD ≈ 0.57 EUR

For real-time rates and conversions, we use the Wise Currency Converter.

Budgeting for Finnish Lapland

Flights from Australia

Traveling from Australia to Finnish Lapland typically involves multiple flights

• Flights to Helsinki: Begin by booking a flight from Australia to Helsinki, Finland’s capital. Airlines such as Finnair, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines offer routes with one or more stopovers, typically in cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, or Doha.

Accommodation

Accommodation costs vary based on location and type:

• Budget hotels or hostels: from €95 per night
• Mid-range hotels: from €120 per night
• Luxury options (e.g., glass igloos): from €300 – €500+ per night

Prices fluctuate with the seasons, with December being peak tourist time and prices sky-rocketing!! The same hotel can range considerably between seasons.

Food and Dining

Dining expenses can be estimated as follows:

• Breakfast: from €8
• Lunch: from €12
• Dinner: from €20

Fast food options like a McDonalds meal cost around €10.

Transportation

Getting around Lapland includes:

• Bus tickets: €3.80 – €4.20
• Taxi fares: €1.20 per km
• Car hire: €77 per day

Note that petrol prices are higher than in Australia, averaging €2.10 per litre.

Activities and Attractions

Lapland offers a range of activities:

• Northern Lights tours: from €80
• Husky or reindeer safaris: from €100

Prices vary based on the provider and duration of the activity. Researching takes time but it will be the best way to get yourself the best price.

For personalised budgeting, you can use the Finland Travel Cost Calculator to estimate your expenses based on your travel plans.

Tips for Australian Travellers

• Currency Exchange: Exchange a small amount of Euros before departure for immediate expenses upon arrival.
• Travel Cards: Consider using travel-friendly debit or credit cards that offer competitive exchange rates and low foreign transaction fees. We use ING Orange and our ANZ Qantas Black Credit Card – both have no international transaction fees.
• Budgeting: Plan for higher expenses during peak seasons (December to February) and consider booking accommodations and activities in advance to secure better rates.