page_title: Transport in Finland
section_title: Water transport
hierarchical_section_title: Transport in Finland / Water transport
caption_attribution_description: English: Viking Line fast cruiseferry Viking XPRS approaching Kustaanmiekka strait, Helsinki.Suomi: Viking Linen nopea risteilylautta Viking XPRS lähestymässä Kustaanmiekan salmea.
context_page_description: The transport system of Finland is well-developed. Factors affecting traffic include the sparse population and long distance between towns and cities, and the cold climate with waterways freezing and land covered in snow for winter.
  The extensive road system is utilized by most internal cargo and passenger traffic. As of 2010, the country's network of main roads has a total length of around 78,162 kilometres and all public roads 104,161 kilometres. The motorway network totals 779 kilometres with additional 124 kilometres reserved only for motor traffic. Road network expenditure of around €1 billion is paid with vehicle and fuel taxes that amount to around €1.5 billion and €1 billion, respectively.
  The main international passenger gateway is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport with over 20 million passengers in 2018. About 25 airports have scheduled passenger services. They are financed by competitive fees and rural airport may be subsidized. The Helsinki-Vantaa based Finnair, Nordic Regional Airlines provide air services both domestically and internationally. Helsinki has an optimal location for great circle routes between Western Europe and the Far East.
context_section_description: The Finnish Maritime Administration is responsible for the maintenance of Finland's waterway network. Finland's waterways includes some 7,600 kilometres (4,700 mi) of coastal fairways and 7,900 kilometres (4,900 mi) of Finland waterways (on rivers, canals, and lakes). Saimaa Canal connects Lake Saimaa, and thus much of the inland waterway system of Finland, with the Baltic Sea at Vyborg (Viipuri). However, the lower part of the canal is currently located in Russia. To facilitate through shipping, Finland leases the Russian section of the canal from Russia (the original agreement with the Soviet Union dates to 1963).
  The largest general port is Port of Hamina-Kotka. Port of Helsinki is the busiest passenger harbour, and it also has significant cargo traffic. By cargo tons, the five busiest ports are HaminaKotka, Helsinki, Rauma, Kilpilahti and Naantali.
  Icebreakers keep 23 ports open for traffic even in winter. The ports in Gulf of Bothnia need icebreakers in average six months a year, while in Gulf of Finland icebreakers are needed for three months a year.
  Frequent ferry service connects Finland with Estonia and Sweden. Baltic cruise liners regularly call on the
  port of Helsinki as well. In domestic service, ferries connect Finland's islands with the mainland. Finland's cargo ports
  move freight both for Finland's own needs and for transshipment to Russia.
caption: Viking Line is one of several companies operating ferry service between Helsinki and Tallinn.
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