Time zone
The Finnish time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. There is only one time zone covering the whole country.
Summertime/Daylight savings time (kesäaika) is used from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October.
- In autum 2022, the clocks will be set back one hour on Sunday, 30 October at 4 a.m.
- In spring 2023, the clocks will be set ahead one hour on Sunday, 26 March at 3 a.m.
Electricity
The electrical current in Finland is 220V (230V), 50Hz. Plugs are the two-pin continental size.
Drinking water
The quality of tap water in Finland is very good and it is safe to drink!
Measurements
In Finland the unit of measurement is the metric system.
Metric Conversion Chart
Tipping
A service charge is automatically included in hotel and restaurant bills.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in public facilities (schools, trains, hospitals, buses, restaurants, pubs etc.).
Cigarettes are sold only to persons over 18 years of age.
Seasons, weather and clothing
Finland has four distinctive season and the weather varies a lot from season to another. The climate has characteristics of both maritime and continental climate and in most of Finland, including Joensuu area, the climate is subarctic with cool summers and wet all year (Wikipedia). Still, there are warm days, especially in summer, and it does not rain every day or even every week!
June, July and August are considered as summer months. The highest daytime temperature can rise up to 25-30 Celsius. During the summer it never gets dark and in the northernmost Finland the sun does not set. Summer weather can vary greatly; it can be anything from beautiful sunny moments to showers accompanied with thunder.
First signs of autumn are visible already in late August. Days get more chilly, there are more rainy days and the leafy trees start to change their colour. Daily variations in temperature get bigger (from +5 to +20) although throughout the year one may see rapid changes in temperature. The autumn brings lower temperatures and darker days as the hours of daylight decrease gradually. A waterproof jacket and shoes as well as gloves, beanie (and why not an umbrella) are recommended. In most parts of Finland snow first falls in November and clears by the end of April.
In autumn and winter, you should use safety reflectors in your bags and clothes to make yourself visible for the car drivers! See the website of Finnish Road Safety Council for more information!
In winter, outside temperatures vary from 0 Celsius to freezing -30 Celsius. Winter clothing is needed to protect from the cold. This includes proper gloves or mittens, stocking cap, scarf, thick jacket, warm socks and long underwear. Also winter boots or hiking boots with thick sole are recommended to keep the feet warm. Without suitable clothes one’s ears, fingers, toes or cheeks that have been exposed to freezing temperatures can get frostbitten. Dressing in layers is a good idea and allows one to adapt to changes in the temperature. Things to consider in winter are also slippery, icy ground especially when the temperature is close to 0 degrees Celsius (be careful, have proper boots) and the darkness (always wear at least one reflector attached to your clothes and bag). Due to central heating and three-glazed windows, it is always nice and warm inside the Finnish buildings.
In spring the daily temperature rises above 0 Celsius again. The amount of daily light increases and snow begins to melt away. In North Karelia spring becomes visible in April-May and the first light-green leaves appear in trees by mid-May.
Transportation
A bicycle is a very practical and popular form of transportation in Joensuu and also a good way to familiarise yourself with the town although there are also people who prefer to walk! Taking a local bus is also a good option. For travel outside Joensuu you need to take a train or bus.
Internet
You will get the username and password for access to the Karelia UAS network.
If you live in a Joensuun Elli apartment, you can get an internet connection from Joensuun Elli. More information about Ellinet: https://haku.joensuunelli.fi/en/ellinet/. If you live in a privately rented apartment, ask abou the internet connection from your landlord.
You can also use your mobile device as a hotspot and buy a prepaid sim card with unlimited data package. Elisa, Telia and DNA are the main operators in Finland. Mobile connections are available from R kiosks, DNA, Elisa and Telia shops.
Postal Services
Postal services in some areas are available in local stores which are open also on Saturdays and Sundays. You can buy stamps at some stores and kiosks.
Incoming mail is delivered to your address Monday through Friday. There are no deliveries on Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays or on public holidays.
More information on Posti website: http://www.posti.fi/private/
Telephone
International calls
Finland’s area code is +358. Note that the first number of the area code (often 0) is usually omitted.
Pre-paid SIM-card
A pre-paid SIM-card is the best option for persons who only stay in the country for a short period of time. You can purchase pre-paid SIM-cards at e.g. R-kiosks.
International press
International newspapers and magazines are sold in local bookshops, supermarkets and R-kiosks. Also use the opportunity to read international newspapers and magazines in the libraries (Karelia UAS Library, Library of the University of Eastern Finland and City Library). The Libraries offer a wide range of books in several languages.