Accessible travel in Finland

Finland’s cities are known for their clean design, calm pace, and reliable infrastructure, all of which make them especially welcoming for travellers with different access needs. Whether you’re navigating with a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or simply looking for an easier way to explore, you’ll find cities here that prioritise comfort and independence. 

Finland’s "design for all" approach, mandated often by law, is visible in more than just architecture. You’ll find:

• Smooth sidewalks and wide crossings
• Widely available wheelchair-accessible toilets
• Tactile guidance paths for visually impaired pedestrians, especially in new neighborhoods and buildings
• Family-friendly facilities, like rooms for nursing, in public spaces, such as shopping malls

Please note that the level of accessibility varies across regions and is generally best in the largest cities. Finland has four seasons, and during snowy periods, moving with assistive devices can be more difficult than during dry ground conditions.

Getting to Finland is easiest by plane or ferry. All Finnish airports are equipped to serve passengers with accessibility needs. Helsinki Airport in particular has excellent accessibility and multisensory design throughout. You'll find more information about the airport at www.finavia.fi/en/airport/services-for-persons-with-disabilities-and-reduced-mobility.

Accessible ferry travel is also available on routes from Sweden, Estonia and Germany. All major ferry companies from Viking Line to Tallink-Silja provide accessible cabins and well-equipped public areas on board.

Moving between Finnish cities is smooth and accessible thanks to the national rail network VR. VR’s long-distance trains have dedicated wheelchair spaces, which can be reserved online or via customer service. In many cases, personal assistants of disabled passengers travel free of charge.

Read more about VR's accessibility at www.vr.fi/en/facilities-and-services/accessible-train-travel.

Public transport in cities like Helsinki, Tampere and Turku is largely accessible, with:

• Low-floor buses and trams
• Visual and audio announcements
• Metro and train stations with elevators
• Real-time journey planning apps, often with accessibility filters

For more information about accessibility in the Helsinki public transport system, please visit www.hsl.fi/en/travelling/accessibility 

For more information about Tampere, you can go to www.nysse.fi/en/instructions/accessibility 

If you're visiting Turku, you'll find more information here: www.foli.fi/en/tickets/travel-cards/disabled-people.

Accessible taxis are available across Finland and can be booked through local taxi centres. At Helsinki Airport and in central Helsinki, you can often get an accessible taxi without advance booking, though in other areas, pre-booking is necessary.

Museums, concert halls, restaurants, libraries, and shopping centres are often located in modern or thoughtfully renovated buildings. This means step-free access, elevators, and accessible toilets are increasingly common. Many attractions are also accessible, and some activity services can be adapted. It’s a good idea to inquire in advance directly with the service provider about the available options.

Many public venues offer:

• Free entry for personal assistants
• Induction loops or assistive listening devices
• Clearly marked entrances, signage, and quiet spaces

And with English widely spoken, staff are generally happy to help with directions or practical requests.

Finland’s natural beauty is one of its greatest assets and it is made available to all travellers, regardless of physical ability or specific access needs. From forests and lakes to fells and archipelagos, many national parks and outdoor destinations across the country offer barrier-free access and inclusive design solutions that allow visitors to enjoy the outdoors safely and comfortably.

Several parks now feature:

• Accessible nature trails with wide, level paths suitable for wheelchairs
• Rest areas and fire pits designed for ease of use
• Viewing platforms and lookout towers built with ramps or step-free access
• Tactile signage, maps and information boards, with select sites also offering Braille features

For more information about accessibility and nature in Finland, please visit www.luontoon.fi managed by Metsähallitus.

Outdooractive also provides maps and content for travellers looking for accessible outdoor destinations at www.outdooractive.fi/en.

Across the country hotels, lodges, cabins, and resorts increasingly offer facilities that meet a wide range of accessibility needs.

Many accommodation providers feature:

• Step-free entrances, lifts, and wide corridors
• Accessible rooms with adjustable beds and bathrooms with support bars, roll-in showers, and emergency alarms
• Quiet rooms or sensory-friendly environments for guests seeking calm

Larger hotel chains, like Sokos Hotels and Scandic, offer a wide selection of accessible accommodation option which can be browsed on their websites. Please always contact your accommodation provider to check for details in their specific facility.

Travellers who require additional assistance can find rental services, like Inclusive mobility, and Camp Mobility, for mobility aids such as wheelchairs, as well as welcoming policies for service dogs in most public venues and accommodations.

Finland is known for its well-functioning public healthcare system and high safety standards. Pharmacies are well-distributed and staff are generally able to assist in English. In the event of an emergency, help is quickly accessible via the nationwide emergency number 112, and hospitals are modern and efficient. These services, combined with Finland’s stable infrastructure, clean environment, and strong sense of public trust, make it a destination where all travellers can feel secure, supported, and welcome.

A popular and awarded mobile app called 112 Suomi is also available for download at 112.fi/en/112-suomi-application.

Visit Finland showcases travel services provides from around the country in our Activities and experiences section. Please visit the link below to discover the service providers who offer accessible services to international visitors:

www.visitfinland.com/en/things-to-do/all/accessible

My Helsinki's accessibility page. A detailed page of the accessibility of Finland's capital. Link: www.myhelsinki.fi/visit-helsinki/plan-your-trip/accessibility.

Palmuasema. A comprehensive look at accessible travel in Finland by Sanna Kalmari. The page offers tips about places to visit and where to stay. The content is only available in Finnish but can be translated via your browser. Link: www.palmuasema.fi/suomi

Metsähallitus, National Parks Finland. Accessibility info for nature trails, facilities, and visitor centres. Link: www.metsa.fi/en/outdoors

Adventure Apes. A Finnish travel company providing accessible adventures to all visitors to Finland. Link: www.adventureapes.fi/accessible-adventure.

Are you a Finnish travel provider looking for more information about inclusive and accessible travel? 

You can read more about this topic in Visit Finland's comprehensive Inclusive Travel Guide, last updated in 2024. The guide is available in Finnish.