| Miscellaneous useful information
8th International Workshop on Plasma Edge Theory in Fusion Devices
HUT / Department of Engineering Physics and Mathematics / Advanced Energy Systems / 8th PET / Miscellaneous useful information |
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| Weather | In the capital region, average temperatures in mid-September are around +15 degrees C in daytime and below +10 degrees C during the night. The average rainfall in September is 73 mm. |
| Language | Finnish and Swedish are the official languages. In the capital region, English is usually well understood. |
| Hotel | The phone number of Radisson SAS Hotel Espoo is +358 9 43580. The address
of the hotel is Otaranta, 02150 Espoo.
The web page of the hotel is here. |
| Currency | The Finnish markka (FIM) is close to EUR 0.167, i.e., one Euro is about
FIM 6. The Euro is not yet available in cash, so FIM is the currency used
in shops etc.
There is a Thomas Cook currency exchange point on the third floor of the international arrivals hall at the Airport, accepting all major credit cards. They are open every day until 0:30. Traveller's cheques and major foreign currencies (in cash) can be exchanged to FIM at all times at the hotel. No cash withdrawals using credit cards are available at the hotel. There is a bank at the small shopping centre next to the Conference Centre. All exchangable foreign currencies can be exchanged to FIM there (from 9:15 until 16:15, Monday to Friday only). There are also two ATM's for cash withdrawals, accepting VISA, Eurocard,
Mastercard, Cirrus, and Eurocheque Card, at the small shopping centre in
Otaniemi next to the Conference Centre. If you plan to use these, make
sure that your card can be used in ATM's abroad, and don't forget your
PIN code!
The nearest Forex currency exchange office, accepting all major credit cards including American Express and Diners Club, is in Tapiola shopping district (see maps) just under the letter "p" in the word "Tapiotorget" towards the lower left corner of the Otaniemi region map. This office is open until 19:00 on weekdays, until 17:00 on Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays. The Forex currency exchange office at Helsinki Railway Station is open until 21:00 weekdays and until 22:00 on weekends. |
| Tap water | Tap water is drinkable and quite good. If there's one thing Finland has a lot of, that's fresh water... |
| Tipping | Tipping is not necessary. The service charge is included in the bill in hotels, restaurants and taxis. It is OK to give a personal tip of about 10% for exceptionally good service, but this is not expected. |
| Public
transports |
For buses inside Espoo and inside Helsinki (numbers <100), a local (city-specific) ticket costs FIM 10 (EUR 1.66). Buses crossing a city limit (numbers >100) - e.g. from Espoo to Helsinki - require a regional ticket which costs FIM 17 (EUR 2.83). These prices are for a single adult ticket which is available from the bus driver and is valid for entry on all public transports (including local numbered buses, trams, metro and some local trains) for 1 hour with unlimited changes. |
| Shopping | There is a large shopping district close by in Tapiola (see maps). The big department stores and bookstores are open 9-21 from Monday to Friday, and 9-18 on Saturdays. For small everyday items, there is a small shopping centre in the campus area right next to Dipoli Congress Centre, with the same opening hours as above plus an "R" chain kiosk which is open on Sundays too. In general, shops are closed on Sundays. |
| Birdwatching | Maarinlahti bay (see maps) is a bird sanctuary where many species of migrating seabirds may be seen in September. There is a nature path along the seashore starting from Dipoli Congress Centre. |
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This page is maintained by Seppo Sipilä. Updated 06.09.2001. |
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