Helsinki, Finland is not a city that has a large amount of tourists, as many other capital cities do. This means that many activities and places to stay are going to be noticeably cheaper than Paris or Amsterdam. It is worth noting, though, that some places in Finland are closed during the winter months, as it is generally quite cold and dark. It is suggestible to double check on the places you'd like to go to make sure when they'll be open. Also, most indoor attractions are closed on Mondays.

Getting There

Scandinavian Airlines prides themselves in being one of the cheapest airlines amongst those that fly to northern Europe. You will generally get lower prices if you fly out of whatever large international airport is closest to you. Even if you have to drive 4 hours to get to the airport, usually you will still be saving hundreds of dollars and you will have a much larger chance of getting a non-stop flight. Iceland Air also has low prices, but only if you are near the select few international airports in the U.S. that they fly out of.

Where to Stay

Especially during off-season (any time between Oct-May), you won't have to pay very much for a room. For budget accommodation, hostels are always a great idea. You generally have to share a room with others, but this will give you a good opportunity to meet other travelers. It is not out of the norm to find a place to stay that is centrally located for only $30 per night. Eurohostel and Hostel Stadion are 2 places that you will find affordable prices and good reviews.

What to Do

There isn't a card that will get you discounts on transportation and museum entrance fees, but you will find that it is still very affordable to do whatever you'd like. One thing about Finland is that many of the beautiful sites you don't even have to go indoors for. If you'd like to save on money, just try walking around the city. You can check out the Suomelinna Fortress, Uspenski Cathedral, The Olympic Stadium or Hietaniemi Beach. If you'd like to see a little history, though, for under $10, you can visit the National Museum of Finland which features art from the Stone Age to present day. Also, if you take a trip to the University of Helsinki, it is home to quite a few museums, most of which are free of charge.