Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Finland: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
The smart way in Finland is to exchange just enough for basics at the airport - say €20 for coffee and transport - then use ATMs in the city for everything else. Budget €70-100 daily depending on activities. ATMs give a fair rate and are plentiful across Helsinki and other towns. Always choose to be charged in euros, not your home currency, when withdrawing. The airport kiosks are only for emergencies, never for big conversions.
I was annoyed at how poor the rate was at Helsinki Airport’s counter. I exchanged €100, only to later discover the Nordea ATM gave me a much better conversion. Losing that extra value meant cutting back on meals and skipping one museum. Finland is already an expensive destination, so wasting money upfront was frustrating. For a budget of €80-120 per day, airport counters are a bad deal. Always wait for an ATM if you can.
I exchanged €40 at Helsinki Airport when I landed and used it for my first train ticket. Later, I withdrew €200 at a Nordea ATM downtown, and the rate was much better. I spent around €80 daily on meals and attractions like Suomenlinna, and withdrawing once saved me money. The airport counter felt overpriced compared to ATMs. My tip: use airport counters only for a small amount, then rely on ATMs for the rest.
In Finland, ATMs nearly always give you a better rate than airport exchange counters. Machines from Nordea, OP, and Danske Bank provide fair euro withdrawals. Helsinki Airport exchange desks are convenient but take a big margin. If you’re budgeting €70-100 daily for food, metro passes, and sightseeing, withdrawing from an ATM is smarter. Only convert a tiny amount at the airport if you need immediate cash for transport.