Cheap One-Week Finland Road Trip from Helsinki to Kotka, Tampere, and Turku

Your exciting road trip through Finland starts when you reach the incredible city of Helsinki, where you'll stay for 3 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Helsinki and begin your adventure in Finland.

Helsinki is a popular cheap holiday destination in Finland with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Helsinki and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Esplanadi park will make your cheap holiday in Finland truly special. This attraction is a fascinating park that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 12,022 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Helsinki. An excellent example is the popular Kappeli. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,294 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Finland is Restaurant Kuu. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 977 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

Löyly Helsinki is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 4,237 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Helsinki we recommend is Kaisla, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,238 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Finland!

Day 2’s road trip itinerary introduces you to many popular attractions and activities in Helsinki, proving that cheap holidays in Finland can be extraordinary.

You'll begin sightseeing at the extraordinary National Museum of Finland. This attraction is a national museum that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 6,147 travelers. Every year, the wonderful National Museum of Finland gets around 447,139 visitors from across the globe.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Temppeliaukio Church. This popular place of interest is a stunning cave church that boasts an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 11,662 visitors.

To make your trip to Helsinki more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Sibelius Park. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 5,509 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Sibelius Park is often mentioned in Finland road trip itineraries.

Your discovery of Helsinki does not have to stop there. You can add a budget-friendly activity on your itinerary and get to know more about Helsinki on a personal level. Check out the fantastic selection of affordable tours and tickets offered on this leg of your journey across this top cheap holiday destination in Europe, Finland.

After exploring some of the most remarkable sights in Finland, you also have the chance to experience the country’s food culture. Eat at Restaurant Farang, one of the best restaurants in Helsinki. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,081 reviews.

You can also check out Restaurant HOKU. Offering appetizing foods and refreshing beverages at reasonable prices, this restaurant is an excellent choice for budget travelers in the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 966 diners.

When you’ve finished your meal, head to some of the most popular bars in Helsinki for an after-dinner drink. Cap off your night in this cheap holiday destination at Liberty or Death and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 685 customers.

Savor the rest of the night and celebrate another incredible road trip adventure in the magical Helsinki!

On day 3 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Finland, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Helsinki and end your day in the city of Kotka, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Helsinki is the amazing Ateneum. This travel destination is an art museum that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,449 visitors. Up to 400,000 people visit this attraction yearly, so don't miss this opportunity to see the wonderful Ateneum with your own eyes.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Helsinki Cathedral. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 10,211 travelers, a visit to this well-known lutheran cathedral and sightseeing spot in Helsinki is likely to make your vacation in Finland even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Helsinki is the outstanding Senate Square. This must-see tourist destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 18,455 visitors. In a single year, approximately 400,000 travelers include the unforgettable Senate Square in their road trip and sightseeing itineraries.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Finland, drop by the popular Kauppatori. This attraction, an amazing market square, has been rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 25,097 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic SkyWheel Helsinki. This ferris wheel is a popular attraction rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,888 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Finland. To have the best affordable travel experience in Finland, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Finland unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Finland.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Kotka. Kotka is another cheap travel destination in Finland where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Finland can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Kotka that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Kotka is Erkan Bistro & Restaurant. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 998 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Kotka, Keisarinsatama is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 781 diners.

Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Kotka enjoy dining at this restaurant.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Kotka’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Finland. For example, you can visit Players Sports Bar. Rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 572 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Finland!

Day 4 of your self-drive vacation in Finland gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Tampere for 2 nights. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Finland.

While you’re in Kotka, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Sapokka. The fantastic Sapokka is a popular park and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,810 travelers.

Travelers usually have a splendid time at the incredible Katariina Seaside Park‎, a well-known park in the area. Currently, this spectacular destination enjoys a 4.7 out of a 5 star-rating from 2,357 travelers.

The top-rated Maritime Centre Vellamo is another local feature you can check out today. This spectacular maritime museum and destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 1,802 travelers.

Make The Artillery, Engineer and Signals Museum of Finland your first stop. This popular museum among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,210 visitors.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Finland. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Finland and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Tampere. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Tampere, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Restaurant Harald, one of the best restaurants in Tampere. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,504 customers.

Ravintola Coussicca is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Ravintola Coussicca is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,225 diners.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Tampere, Brewery Restaurant Plevna. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,975 bar goers.

Moro Sky Bar is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Tampere, with its average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,550 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by Beer Restaurant Konttori, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,208 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Finland. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Finland!

On day 5 of your road trip adventures in Finland, you’ll go deep into Tampere, where you'll stay for 1 night, and see some of the city’s unforgettable attractions. To learn more of the city's culture, you'll also dine at the most popular restaurants in Tampere, and meet locals along the way!

Tampere offers an incredible variety of budget hotels and places to stay you can choose from and spend the night in.

We recommend you stay at the charming Holiday Inn Tampere - Central Station to ensure a pleasant and affordable vacation in Tampere. This 4-star hotel offers guests comfort and convenience and is rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars in 3,758 guest reviews.

Another budget-friendly stay option you can check into is the cozy 4-star Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere. This cheap hotel provides a ton of handy amenities perfect for travelers in Tampere. Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,734 former guests.

Travelers looking forward to enjoying a cheap vacation in Tampere should also consider Kauppi. This 3-star hotel offers great value-for-money and is one of the best budget accommodations in the city. Kauppi has been rated by 3,607 guests with an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars.

Popular hotels and places to stay in Tampere offering low-cost accommodations get fully-booked fast. If any of these stay options are not available during your visit in the city, our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best budget alternatives.

One thing that makes Tampere the perfect cheap holiday destination is that the city offers easy access to many popular attractions. For example, the outstanding park, Hatanpää Park Arboretum. This attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 3,785 visitors.

The famous Pyynikki Coffee Shop & Observation Tower is another remarkable sightseeing hotspot in the area. This incredible cafe and travel destination has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,011 visitors.

This fascinating attraction is a must-visit.

Come to Tampere prepared by adding a tour to your budget vacation package to Finland. If you’re up for a challenging, fun, or inspiring activity, check out the fantastic selection of tours and cheap holiday deals in Tampere.

After a day of exploring, reward yourself by dining at one of the best restaurants in Tampere, Restaurant Tampella. Locals enjoy eating at Restaurant Tampella for its good food and ambiance. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,192 diners.

Café Pispala serves various affordable and delicious dishes perfect for cheap holiday goers. On top of that, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 879 food lovers.

If you want more options, Ravintola Borneo is another great spot. Browse through its exciting menu and you'll see why Ravintola Borneo has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 708 reviews.

Curious about the nightlife in Tampere? Consider visiting some of the best bars in Tampere after dinner. Locals recommend Pub Golden Monkey, and it's a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink after an active day. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 792 customers.

Save File - Pelaajan Olohuone is another excellent place to relax and have a drink or two after a busy road trip in Finland. Save File - Pelaajan Olohuone has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 272 bar-goers, proving it's one of the most popular bars in Tampere.

Raise a toast and enjoy celebrating this terrific day of your affordable vacation in Finland!

Day 6 of your road trip across Finland offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Tampere and the enchanting South-Western Finland, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Tampere and end the day in South-Western Finland, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 6 of your affordable vacation in Finland will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Tampere is the magnificent Finlayson Factory Area. Around 4,941 visitors have rated this excellent top-tier point of interest and travel destination an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Koskipuisto on this leg of your self-drive tour in Finland. This attraction is a well-known park that has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from around 3,750 travelers.

The remarkable Museum Centre Vapriikki is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Finland. Attracting more than 185,000 visitors in a single year, it's clear that the wonderful Museum Centre Vapriikki is a perfect add-on to your itinerary. This attraction, an amazing museum, is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 5,742 travelers.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Old Rauma. This popular site is a valued old town in South-Western Finland and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,140 visitors.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Finland. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Finland. Make your cheap holiday experience in Finland more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Turku offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Finland. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Turku offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Finland.

Restaurant Kuori is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 644 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Turku is Pippurimylly, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,851 customers.

Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Turku’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Panimoravintola Koulu is an excellent example of a great bar in Turku offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,279 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at Walo Rooftop Bar, another of locals’ go-to bars in Turku. Walo Rooftop Bar is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 864 customers having rated it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Uusi Apteekki Pub is for you if you’re curious about bars that give you a taste of the nightlife scene in Turku. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from more than 770 bar-goers.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Finland with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Finland!

On day 7 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Finland, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Turku and end your day in the city of Helsinki, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Turku is the amazing Turku Cathedral. This travel destination is a lutheran cathedral that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,745 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Old Great Square. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,995 travelers, a visit to this well-known square and sightseeing spot in Turku is likely to make your vacation in Finland even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Turku is the outstanding Kupittaa. This district has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4,520 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Finland, drop by the popular Adventure Park Seikkailupuisto. This attraction, an amazing must-see tourist destination, has been rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,819 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Turku Castle. This castle is a popular attraction rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,724 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Finland. To have the best affordable travel experience in Finland, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Finland unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Finland.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Helsinki. Helsinki is another cheap travel destination in Finland where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Finland can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Helsinki that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Helsinki is Restaurant Savotta. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,076 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Helsinki, Ravintola Nerone is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 951 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Restaurant Merimakasiini. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Helsinki enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 992 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Helsinki’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Finland.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Finland!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Finland as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 8 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Helsinki.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Finland.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Helsinki is the remarkable Kaivopuisto. This neighbourhood of helsinki and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 6,621 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Helsinki, consider a top-rated restaurant like Ravintola Nokka. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 744 customers.

Restaurant Elite is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 875 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Ravintola Aino. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 792 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Finland and your fun memories in Helsinki.

You’ll then say farewell to Helsinki and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Finland!