Money and Banks
Finland has a reputation for high expense. This still rings true if you want a modicum of luxury but it's easily the cheapest of the Scandinavian countries, particularly for food, accommodation and public transport. Finland is one of twelve European Union countries which have changed over to a single currency, the euro (?). Euro notes and coins have been issued from the beginning of 2002, with Finnish markka (mk) remaining in circulation during a transition period, at a fixed rate of 5.94573 mk to 1 euro, until being scrapped entirely at the end of February 2002. You can exchange your markka for euros in banks for at least a year after this date. Euro notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. All prices in this guide are given in euros correct at the time of going to press. There will no doubt be some rounding off or, more probably, up of prices in the first few months after the introduction of the euro. Travellers' cheques and currency can be changed at most banks (Mon-Fri 9.15am-4.15pm); the commission charge is usually ?2.50, though several people changing money together need only pay the charge once. You can also change money at hotels, but normally at a worse rate. Some banks have exchange desks at transport terminals, and you can also withdraw cash from ATM machines across the country.
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