The ultimate Finland packing list - The most important things for your luggage.

Finland is a unique destination that you should be well prepared for in order to have the best time. We have the perfect packing list for your Finland trip compiled for all seasons. 

Travel documents

1. Valid passport (check the validity and renew it if necessary)
2. Copy of passport (save digitally or keep separately from original)
3. Visa if necessary (not required with German or European passport)
4. Insurance policy Health insurance abroad (online)
5. Vaccination card (check if you need to refresh your vaccinations)
6. Flight ticket (printout or e-ticket)
7. Travel credit card
8. Cash 100 EUR
9. List of emergency contacts and allergies, if applicable.

Electronics

1. Mobile phone with charger
2. Headphones
3. Powerbank or Solar charger*
4. Flashlight/Headlamp* (if available)
5. Optional: Camera with charger
6. Optional: Spare batteries (are quickly empty in cold temperatures)
7. Optional: Rain cover for your camera
8. Optional: Tri-Pod* for northern lights
9. Optional: Laptop/ tablet/ e-reader/ Kindle with charger
10. Optional: Multiple socket

Toilet bag

1. Toothbrush*
2. Toothpaste*
3. Dental floss*
4. Deodorant*
5. Hairbrush*
6. Shaver*
7. Shower gel/soap*
8. Nail care
9. Shampoo*/Conditioner
10. Face lotion
11. Lip protection with UV protection*
12. Tweezers*
13. Hygiene articles
14. Contact lenses (glasses sometimes freeze)
15. Optional: Make-Up

First Aid Kit

1. Hand sanitizer or wipes
2. Painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin)
3. Diarrhoea medication (e.g. Imodium Akut, charcoal tablets)
4. Wound cream (e.g. Bepanthen)
5. Plasters and blister plasters
6. If necessary, tablets against travel sickness

Personal comfort:

1. Backpack 25-40L (Pay attention to hand luggage dimensions: 55x40x20 cm for the plane
2. Sunscreen
3. Sunglasses
4. Earplugs*/earplugs
5. Books/Magazines
6. Headgear/Cap
7. Sleep mask*
8. Microfiber towel*
9. Travel pillow* (for flight and longer trips)
10. Optional: Ski goggles*
11. Optional: Knee pads (helps to keep warm)

Environmentally conscious travel

With these little things you can actively help to avoid plastic in Finland and simply do your part to protect nature:

1. Reusable Silicone tubes* Filled with your shampoo, conditioner, shower gel.
2. Reusable bottle (preferably stainless steel for hot and cold)
3. Optional: Reusable cup (preferably stainless steel for hot and cold)
4. Optional: Stainless steel Outdoor cutlery* (knife, spoon, fork, chopsticks, straw)

"You don't have to worry about that" for our Finland trip.

1. Arctic winter jacket and pants
2. Arctic winter shoes
3. Arctic gloves and cap
4. Towels
5. Shower gel / shampoo / hair dryer
6. Thermos bottle (if not available)
7. Headlamp (if not available)

Climate in Finland: packing list for each season

As one of the northernmost countries in Europe, Finland also has the corresponding climate. The west and southwest have a maritime climate, while the east and north have a continental climate. Summers are comparatively mild for the location due to the maritime influences. Average maximum temperatures can reach 20 degrees in the south and 30 degrees in the interior of the country.

However, the winter in Finland lives up to its northern location. In the coastal areas, temperatures barely reach the freezing point throughout the winter months. The sea is frozen most of the time. In the polar region, temperatures can sometimes even drop below -45 degrees and the sun does not rise for several weeks.

Summer in Finland

The Finnish summer goes roughly from June to August, with July usually being the warmest month. In the south the average temperature is about 20 degrees and in the north about 15 degrees. Due to the location in the north of Europe, the days in summer are very long and bright. Look forward to the first rays of sun early in the morning and a beautiful sunset late in the evening. In the northernmost part of Finland the sun does not set at all in early summer. June is generally considered the sunniest month. If you can only sleep in total darkness, be sure to bring a sleep mask. 

 

Summer packing list: clothes and shoes

1. Underwear
2. Thermal laundry
3. Thin socks
4. Wool socks / hiking socks
5. T-shirts
6. Thin and thick sweaters
7. Jeans/long pants
8. Shorts
9. Hiking pants
10. Pajamas/sleepwear
11. Swimwear 
12. Wind and rainproof jacket 
13. Rainproof (overcoat) pants
14. Fleece jacket
15. Cap
16. Scarf/multi-functional scarf
17. thin gloves
18. Waterproof (hiking) shoes
19. Sneaker
20. Slippers and/or FlipFlops 
21. Very important: Sleep mask* and sunglasses

 

Finland winter

December, January and February are the winter months in Finland, but it is still comparatively cold in November and March. Most of the time, temperatures are below freezing. In the south the thermometer drops to -20 degrees, in the north even below -45 degrees. The whole country is covered with snow. Most lakes and sometimes even the sea freeze completely during this time.

Unlike summer, winter in Finland is very dark and high in the north the sun does not rise for several weeks. For a winter trip to Finland, the right clothing is crucial. You should stock up on several warm layers and waterproof winter clothing. 

Winter packing list: Clothing and shoes

1. Underwear
2. Thermal underwear (synthetic or wool)
3. Thin socks
4. Wool socks / hiking socks
5. T-shirts
6. Thin and thick sweaters
7. Jeans/long pants
8. Sportswear (for under winter clothes)
9. Pajamas/sleepwear
10. Swimwear
11. Warm wind and rainproof (ski) jacket 
12. Warm wind and rainproof (ski) pants 
13. Fleece jacket
14. Cap and scarf/multi-functional scarf
15. Ski and wool gloves
16. Warm waterproof (hiking) shoes
17. Sneaker
18. Slippers and/or FlipFlops
19. Optional: Wool sweater

Recommended vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for direct entry from Germany.

For your trip to Iceland, a vaccination or immunity against: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, poliomyelitis is generally recommended. In addition, travel vaccinations against hepatitis B and meningococcal meningitis C are recommended for long-term stays or special exposures.  

Make sure that your standard immunizations are according to the vaccination calendar of the Robert-Koch-Institute are up to date.

Conclusion

Basically, less is more. The important documents, such as the passport, must not be missing, of course. On a round trip with many stops it is simply easier to travel with light luggage. In addition, with a light suitcase on the outbound flight, there is also more space for travel souvenirs. Don't forget to take a comfortable backpack for your excursions.

If you haven't already booked, take a chance now and check out the TripLegend Finland trip an. Experience your adventure in Lapland.

Download packing list PDF

Here you can download the Finland packing list conveniently as PDF.

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