Each major road has a number: national highways are numbered with one or two digits, running from east to west. Designated European routes bear a prefix 'E'. The speed limit is 80-120kph (40-75mph) on motorways, dropping to 100kph (60mph) in winter and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas. Traffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left. It should be noted that cars entering a junction from the right always have right of way, even when the car is on a minor road. Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers in the front of the car and children under the age of 12 years must travel in the back. All motor vehicles must have headlights on at all times. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.05%.

The legal driving age in Finland is 18 years. An EU driving licence or an International Driving Permit are required. EU nationals taking cars to Helsinki are advised to obtain a Green Card. All drivers must be fully insured and accidents must be reported promptly to Liikennevakuutuskeskus, the Finnish Motor Insurance Centre, Bulevardi 28 (tel: (09) 680 401; website: www.liikennevakuutuskeskus.fi). Mobile phones cannot be used by drivers without hands-free kits.

Additional information is available from Autoliitto - Automobile and Touring Club of Finland, fourth floor, Hämeentie 105A (tel: (09) 7258 4400; website: www.autoliitto.fi), which also runs Tiepalvelu (see below).

Emergency breakdown service: Tiepalvelu (tel: (09) 7258 4400).

Routes to the city: The main road to Helsinki from Turku (the 'gateway to Sweden') is the E18. Vaasa is connected to Helsinki by the E12. Rovaniemi in the north is on the E75.

Approximate driving times to Helsinki: From Turku - 2 hours 15 minutes; Vaasa - 4 hours 30 minutes; Rovaniemi - 11 hours; St Petersburg - 5 hours.

Coach services: The main provider of coaches in Finland is Oy Matkahuolto Ab (tel: (09) 682 701; website: www.matkahuolto.fi), which handles all long-distance and express bus travel. International coach options include destinations in Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic countries. Private companies handle regular local bus services. There is a national timetable service (tel: 0200 4000), operating Monday to Saturday 0700 to 2100 and Sunday 0800 to 2100. Coaches arrive at and depart from Helsinki Bus Station, between Salomonkatu and Simonkatu, which has a cafe and an ATM.