Finland

[overherebc]

Anyone had an overnight stop in Helsinki on the way to UK ?

Would obviously need a visa for my wife if going outside the airport.

Any suggestions or ideas please.

[overherebc]

Quite surprised that no-one has stayed in Helsinki for a night or two.

Got to be someone who can suggest something to do/see there.

[Richard W]

It's even possible she need a visa for an overnight stop airside at the airport. We never resolved the issue for a Filipina at Heathrow.

[theoldgit]

Whilst quite a few people seem to be taking advantage of the Finnair offers, I'm not so sure that many will have considered taking the opportunity to spend a night or two in Helsinki, so haven't responded.

The Finnish Immigration do have a helpline and email contact address for visa related questions, maybe fire off an email.

Visa-related telephone queries are answered at the Embassy on MondaysThursdays, 14.0015.00, tel. +66 2 207 8700. Queries can also be sent by email, [email protected]. We recommend the use of email especially from March to June, when the lines are congested due to the peak season. The Visa Centre telephone service is available MondayFriday, 8.0012.00 and 13.0016.00, tel. +66 2 118 7009.

As she is the wife of an EU National any visa, and I think you would need one, would be free and you shouldn't need to jump through the usual hoops.

◾for the family member of a citizen of Finland/EU/EEA/CH, the visa fee and the requirement to present travel insurance are waived.

Edit: I wouldn't mind hearing what your thought of Finnair.

[Donutz]

Indeed, if you are going to spent some time in Helsinki your wife will need to get a Schengen visa. Which would be free and with minimal requirements because you are a British national visiting an other EU/EEA country with your Thai wife.

For a simple transit while remaining on the airport/transit side (thus not passing immigration) no visa would be needed.

[overherebc]

thanks for replies so far but I am aware of vise requirements etc.

Just looking for an answer from someone who has spent a couple of nights there and can give me their impressions etc.

Anything interesting they saw, places they maybe went to, good eatery etc.

[Dukgae]

Just spent 3 days there. Pretty harbourfront areas, old cobbled market square and market hall with lots of smoked salmon and small cafes. Quite expensive for shopping and eating. Found a fantastic Nepalese restaurant called Mount Everest. Ferry to 17th century sea fortress island called Suomenlinna was very interesting. Finnair business class was excellent.

[overherebc]

Just spent 3 days there. Pretty harbourfront areas, old cobbled market square and market hall with ilots of smoked salmon and small cafes. Quite expensive for shopping and eating. Found a fantastic Nepalese restaurant called Mount Everest. Ferry to 17th century sea fortress island called Suomenlinna was very interesting. Finnair business class was excellent.

Thanks.

It sounds like a couple of nights would make it part of the holiday rather than just a stop over on the way

[keeniau96]

I returned from two-week trip to Riga, flying Finnair econ to/fro. Excellent airline, the Airbus 350 is gigantic and very nice even in cattle class. Helsinki airport is very efficient with impressively tight security, Riga was the tightest I have encountered anywhere; never been to Israel but think they would approve of the detailed examination (everything short of a strip search). Never was outside of Helsinki airport but can recommend Riga as a great place to visit (Old Town dating from about 1250) and probably considerably less expensive than Helsinki.

[overherebc]

Sounds nice but is it not in Latvia? Not being picky, just asking☺