How to find a cheap car rental deal in Finland
Pick up a cheap rental car in Finland from 31 € a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top rental companies, so you can easily compare prices and book.
For longer adventures, 212 € is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.
Browse the range of car rentals in Finland. This is where you'll find the cheapest wheels in Finland.
Rovaniemi is the most popular city to rent a car.
If you're unsure which provider to go with, check out Green Motion. It's the first choice for many travellers in Finland.
You won't need to travel far after landing to pick up your ride. Car rentals are available at major airports including Helsinki Vantaa Airport, Rovaniemi Airport and Oulu Airport.
You can easily rent a set of wheels in cities including Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Oulu, Vaasa and Turku.
Think about going with a one-way rental. Providers often reduce prices on selected routes to move vehicles between sites. When searching for a car for rent in Finland, choose 'Return car to a different location' to access those deals.
Need wheels for a few weeks? Sometimes you can score a discount for booking a whole month, so play around with your dates to find the lowest rates.
Reserve a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy' and avoid extra fuel charges. It comes with a full tank and goes back full, so it's easier to keep track of what you're paying.
Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey rather than the odometer. Find this feature under the 'Policies' filter and go big on distance, not on fees.
Best time to book a car rental in Finland
If you like to plan with precision, book around four weeks ahead to score yourself the best price on a car rental in Finland.
Time your visit for September to lock in average daily rates of 44 €. It's the most affordable month to rent a car.
February is the most expensive time of year.
Compare car rental types in Finland
Economy: Living up to its name, this option puts savings first. It pairs some of the cheapest rates available with excellent fuel efficiency to help keep the total spend down. If saving matters more than splurging, this is the clear winner.
Small: Mini and economy cars are part of this category. Their compact size and easy manoeuvrability make city driving far less stressful. And with engines made to use less fuel, they're an obvious choice when you need a cheap rental car in Finland.
Medium: If you want more space without going too big, this is the answer. Medium rentals offer more room for people and luggage, as well as a good balance of power and efficiency. You'll find compact and intermediate models here.
Large: No elbow battles. No bags stealing your legroom. Also known as full-size, large cars offer generous passenger space and the luggage capacity to go with it. Choose this category when you're covering some serious ground or bringing everyone with you.
SUV: From highways to scenic detours, SUVs can do it all. With a higher driving position, adjustable seating arrangements, and the ability to take on different terrain with ease, they're perfect for road trips across Finland.
Van: When you've got plenty to carry, a van gets the job done. This type of car for rent in Finland handles everyone and everything with ease. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a dependable pick for group travel, moving or business transport.
Luxury: Want something that feels next level? From bold good looks to cutting-edge tech and powerful performance, luxury vehicles dial up every part of the driving experience. This is what you book when you expect nothing less than exceptional.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your rental car can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can vary between rental providers, so compare before you book.
Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Finland by adding some handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep you headed the right way, or reverse cameras that give you confidence when parking.
Driving in Finland: What you need to know
Check each supplier's age requirements before booking your rental in Finland. Rules can differ, and added costs or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, just uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' box and enter your age to explore your options.
Add a car seat to your car rental reservation in Finland if you're bringing the kids. Rules can change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, age and weight is always the safest option.
Make sure you have the necessary documents when you pick up your ride. As a general rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds for the security deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and additional photo ID. Your booking will lay out the exact list.
Take a few moments to get used to your rental. Fix your seat and mirrors, find the lights and wipers, and get comfortable with its handling before you set off. And don't forget to stick to the right side of the road in Finland.
Local speed limits are often about 45kph in urban areas and around 95kph on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Finland is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink anything at all.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) for day-to-day spending throughout your trip. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cash and cards to make sure you're always covered.
Where to road trip in Finland?
Finland is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Helsinki, Tampere and Rovaniemi, plus airport pickup points like Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and Rovaniemi Airport. If you're planning car rental in Finland, these routes show how different pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types can shape your journey.
Lakes and Forests: The Finnish Lakeland, South Savo
Pick up your car in Tampere and drive northeast into one of Europe's largest lake districts, where the route connects a string of waterside towns and forest viewpoints. It's a strong choice for travellers who prefer easy daily distances and want time to stop rather than cover ground fast.
Recommended car: Compact car or small SUV.
Suggested pickup point: Tampere city centre.
Good for: Couples, first-time visitors and slow travellers.
Road conditions: Paved regional roads, some narrow rural sections.
Best time to go: June to August for long daylight hours.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: Savonlinna, Mikkeli.
Arctic North: The Wilderness Route, Finnish Lapland
Pick up your car in Rovaniemi and head north along the wilderness route toward the far reaches of Finnish Lapland, passing open fells and the occasional reindeer crossing. This drive suits confident drivers willing to cover longer daily distances on remote roads with limited services between stops.
Recommended car: Large SUV with winter tyres.
Suggested pickup point: Rovaniemi Airport.
Good for: Adventure travellers, wildlife watchers and couples.
Road conditions: Paved main roads, gravel forest tracks, exposed highland stretches.
Best time to go: February to March for northern lights and snow; July for midnight sun.
Trip length: Six to eight days.
Key stops: Saariselkä, Utsjoki.
Coast and Culture: The King's Road, Southwest Finland
Pick up your car in Helsinki and follow the historic coastal route west through one of Finland's oldest and most densely settled regions, passing medieval churches, manor houses and market towns. It's well suited to travellers who want a culture-focused drive without demanding roads or long stretches between stops.
Recommended car: Compact car or mid-size sedan.
Suggested pickup point: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
Good for: History enthusiasts, couples and first-time visitors.
Road conditions: Paved highways, well-maintained coastal roads, some older town-centre streets.
Best time to go: May to September for open museums and mild weather.
Trip length: Four to six days.
Key stops: Turku, Porvoo.
Weather and driving conditions in Finland
Weather
Finland runs through four distinct seasons: winter stretches from December to March with heavy snow across most of the country, spring brings rapid warming through April and May, summer runs June to August with long daylight hours, and fall cools quickly from September through November.
Snow is the defining challenge of driving in Finland, particularly on the long open roads cutting through the country's forests and lake regions, so fitting your rental with winter tyres is essential. Fog is also common in low-lying areas near lakes and rivers, and slowing down early gives you the reaction time you need when visibility drops.
Driving conditions
Finland's main highways are well-maintained and easy to drive, making a road trip in Finland straightforward from the start. Head further into rural areas or toward the lake districts and you'll find gravel roads are common, so checking your rental agreement for unpaved road coverage is worth doing before you set off.
Helsinki's grid layout is straightforward, but tram tracks running through city streets require care when turning or parking. Paid parking zones are clearly marked, and residential areas use disc parking widely. {NS} Outside cities, roads narrow quickly and signage becomes sparse in Lapland and the eastern lake districts. Gas stations can be many kilometres apart in remote areas, so it pays to fill up when you can.
Moose are the most serious animal hazard on Finland's roads, particularly at dawn and dusk on forested rural highways. In the north, reindeer roam freely and can appear on roads year-round, so stay alert outside towns.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
Wherever your drive takes you, a good overnight stop can make all the difference at the end of a long drive. After booking your car rental in Finland, browse the range of hotels in Helsinki if you're passing by this major stop. You can also search Rovaniemi accommodation options or browse places to stay in Oulu as you plan the rest of your route.
