Finland Offers Discounts on Hotels and Travel

Finland is offering several transportation and hotel discounts this year.

A two-week Coach Holiday Ticket entitles you to travel 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) by motor coach. The kit includes two coupons worth 250 kilometers, four coupons worth 50 kilometers, two coupons valued at 100 kilometers each and 10 coupons worth 10 kilometers.

Using the coupons, for example, you could easily make a Helsinki-Turku round-trip excursion, plus take a one-way ride from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, capital of Finnish Lapland.

The Coach Holiday Ticket, which costs about $57 U.S., has to be bought in Finland.

If you prefer rail travel, the eight-day Finnrailpass offers unlimited travel on all trains for $135 first-class and $90 second-class. A 15-day pass costs $218 first-class and $145 second-class, while a 22-day pass is $272 and $189.

The Eurailpass is also valid in Finland. The Scanrailpass, another rail option, provides for unlimited rail travel in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

For air travel you can get a 15-day Finnair Holiday Ticket that offers unlimited flights within Finland for $250. This pass, only available in June, July and August, can be bought in the United States or Finland.

Finncheques, vouchers for accommodations at 200 hotels in 105 cities throughout Finland, are available during the same June-August period. The vouchers, which cost $36 per person, also include breakfast. The Finncheques have to be bought before you leave the United States.

Best Western Hotel Cheque Scandinavia vouchers also have to be bought in the United States for use at 10 Best Western hotels in Finland. The vouchers, valid from June 1 to Sept. 1, cost $32 per person and include breakfast.

The Scandinavian Bonus Pass, good June 1 to Sept. 1, costs $24 per person and entitles holders to 15%-40% discounts at 32 Arctia Hotel Partners hotels in Finland, as well as hotels in Norway, Denmark and Sweden. The pass has to be bought in the United States. Because discounts are offered on a space-available basis, the sooner you make a reservation the better.

While staying in the capital, Helsinki, consider getting the Helsinki Card, which offers unlimited transportation on city buses and trams, plus admissions to more than 120 attractions. The card costs $16 for one day, $21 for two days and $26 for three days.

Contact travel agents or the Finnish Tourist Board, 655 3rd Ave., First Floor, New York 10017, (212) 949-2333.