Apart from the ski holiday, Christmas brings the highest number of motorists out as Finns head out of the cities for a break from their everyday routines.
Since Christmas Eve falls on a Monday this year, traffic officials expect outbound holiday traffic to peak Friday afternoon and well into the evening.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute is warning motorists to be on the alert for poor road conditions in Uusimaa and Kymenlaakso due to slippery roads and powdery snow impairing visibility. Normal winter driving conditions prevail in other parts of the country.
“About 74,000 vehicles will leave the capital city area on Friday. Most of the traffic Saturday will be in the morning and altogether about 60,000 drivers will head out. That’s more than on a regular weekend, but we don’t expect any major bottlenecks. The weather forecast has promised reasonably good driving conditions,” said Marketta Udelius of the Finnish Transport Agency.
The number of vehicles hitting the road Friday will be almost double the usual amount of traffic.
Last Christmas congestion was reported on highway four and on highway five towards Mikkeli in the southwest. However Udelius noted that highway traffic has declined slightly in recent years.
“Of course it’s difficult to compare when the holiday is on a weekday, but yes, we have seen small changes in the amount of traffic over the past few years. Perhaps not as many people go to Gran’s for the holidays; they just decide to spend it at home,” she speculated.
Holiday atmosphere on the railroad
State railway company VR says that holiday overnight trains and the other popular services are practically sold out, pressing almost the entire rolling stock into duty.
About 50,000 passengers are expected to take to the rails for the holiday, with the highest number moving out on Saturday.
In spite of the good response, the rail company laments that fact that many passengers still leave their ticket purchases for the last minute, instead of taking advantage of cheaper advance tickets.
“Reservations for the night trains to Lapland are made well in advance, but sales for the day trips only pick up about one week before the holiday,” explained planning manager Herbert Mannerström.
Attendant Liisa Hyytinen said that VR will be pulling out the stops to offer passengers an authentic Christmas experience – complete with staff dressed as Santa’s elves.
“Mulled wine, rice porridge and gingerbread cookies will be available. And of course elves. We don’t have our elves' hats yet, but let’s see if we get them by Christmas Eve. It’s up to management,” Hyytinen said.