Major city · Finland
Ii
Give Ii half a day or one night from Oulu: walk Old Hamina, the church and the river mouth, then take bus 23 back. Not a base.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Nov–Mar (ice, dark, most services closed)
- Airport
- OUL
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
Ii is a small Bothnian Bay municipality 35 km north of Oulu, at the mouth of the Iijoki river. Its old wooden quarter, church and riverside paths fit into a few hours, and it markets itself on zero-waste and climate goals. Almost everyone arrives on the hourly bus 23 from Oulu or as a break on the E75 drive to Lapland.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ii, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Finland-wide
- SIM or eSIMEU roaming applies.Finland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent.Finland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected; round up for great service.Finland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Finland-wide
- SafetyVery safe, quieter than Oulu.
- RestroomsFree in libraries, malls and many stations; some charge €1 (≈ US$2) by card.Finland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance · 116 117 Medical helpline (24 h) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums often close Mondays; many summer cafés and island services open only June–August.Finland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOUL Oulu Airport (Nearest airport, about 60 km south; bus 8 or 9 to Oulu centre, then bus 23 to Ii).OUL Oulu Airport (Nearest airport, about 37 mi south; bus 8 or 9 to Oulu centre, then bus 23 to Ii).
- Getting aroundThe centre is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a bun€3–6 (≈ US$4–7)
- Street or quick mealPizza or kebab main€10–16 (≈ US$12–19)
- BeerBeer in a pub€6–8 (≈ US$7–10)
- Metro or bus rideBus 23 Oulu–Ii, one wayABC ticket, valid 80 min€8.30 (≈ US$10) adult€4.20 (≈ US$5) child
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€8–20 (≈ US$10–25)
- Budget bedCamping cottage (Iin Sillat), a night, per room€39 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedCamping cottage (Iin Sillat), a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedCamping cottage (Iin Sillat), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €85 (≈ US$100) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OUL Oulu Airport (Nearest airport, about 60 km south; bus 8 or 9 to Oulu centre, then bus 23 to Ii)OUL Oulu Airport (Nearest airport, about 37 mi south; bus 8 or 9 to Oulu centre, then bus 23 to Ii)
Weather and climate
Ii: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C21°F
−14°C7°F
10 rd
Feb
−6°C21°F
−14°C7°F
8 rd
Mar
−1°C30°F
−10°C14°F
8 rd
Apr
4°C39°F
−4°C25°F
7 rd
May
11°C52°F
2°C36°F
8 rd
Jun
17°C63°F
8°C46°F
9 rd
Jul
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Aug
18°C64°F
10°C50°F
10 rd
Sep
12°C54°F
5°C41°F
10 rd
Oct
6°C43°F
0°C32°F
11 rd
Nov
0°C32°F
−5°C23°F
11 rd
Dec
−4°C25°F
−11°C12°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small enough to walk. A bike is the best way to reach the Environmental Art Park and KulttuuriKauppila; the Ruustinna route links them in about 2.5 km. Local buses are run by Oulu PTA and mostly serve trips in and out of the municipality.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus 23 from the centre, hourly on weekdays
Capital of Culture 2026; buy the ABC ticket, valid 80 min including transfers.
Hailuoto
cautionDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus 23 towards Oulu, then the Hailuoto ferry connection
Better done as its own day from Oulu.
Door to door: About 1 h
Coach or car north on the E75
Little to see; continue to Kemi instead.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Coach or car north on the E75
Icebreaker and snow castle in winter; pairs with a Tornio stop.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old Hamina and the river
Motel and camping by Vanha Hamina and Pappila, 500 m from the shops; the only realistic place to sleep in Ii.
Oulu
Most visitors sleep in Oulu and day-trip; the last bus 23 back leaves in the evening, earlier on Sundays.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €40–70 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Camping cottage (Iin Sillat)1 × 1 night × €70 | €70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €85 | €170 |
| Bus 23 Oulu–Ii, one way (ABC ticket)2 × €8 | €17 |
| Camping with electricity, per night1 × €22 · plus €2.5 per person | €22 |
| Bike on the bus2 × €2 · folding bikes free | €4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €30 |
| Trip total≈ €167 per person per day, bed included | €333≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Ii excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a bun | €3–6 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Lunch buffet (Makujen Kiina) | €10–14 (≈ US$12–17) |
| Pizza or kebab main | €10–16 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Beer in a pub | €6–8 (≈ US$7–10) |
| Bus 23 Oulu–Ii, one wayABC ticket, valid 80 min | €8.30 (≈ US$10) adult / €4.20 (≈ US$5) child |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €8–20 (≈ US$10–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses run hourly on weekdays and every second hour at weekends; the last bus from Oulu leaves at 21:25 on weekdays, 22:25 Fridays, 22:45 Saturdays and 18:35 Sundays.Buses run hourly on weekdays and every second hour at weekends; the last bus from Oulu leaves at 9:25 PM on weekdays, 10:25 PM Fridays, 10:45 PM Saturdays and 6:35 PM Sundays.
- Winter pavements and roads carry black ice; do not walk on the river ice without a local who knows the conditions.
- Reckless drivers and mopeds in the centre; there are no marked crossings everywhere.
- Most sights and cafés are summer-only; outside Jun–Aug expect closed doors.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
- Medical helpline (24 h)
- 116 117
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
IiIi
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Tähän osoitteeseen, kiitosTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Medical helpline (24 h)116 117
Embassy
No embassies in Ii; most are in Helsinki. The nearest consulates are in Oulu (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 23 Oulu centre → Ii: €8.30 (≈ US$10) adult, about 1 h, hourly weekdays
- Taxi Ii centre → Iin Sillat camping: €10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
- Coach Ii → Kemi: €10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
Say or show
- Iihin, kiitos — To Ii, please (EE-hin, KEE-tos)
- Kiitos — Thank you (KEE-tos)
- Paljonko se maksaa? — How much is it? (PAHL-yon-ko se MAHK-sah)
- Voinko maksaa kortilla? — Can I pay by card? (VOYN-ko MAHK-sah KOR-til-la)
- Missä on vessa? — Where is the toilet? (MEES-sa on VES-sa)
- Yksi kahvi, kiitos — One coffee, please (OOK-si KAH-vi, KEE-tos)
Tipping is not expected. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; the two ATMs in Ii are next to K-Market and inside Autokeidas.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ii. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Nov–Mar (ice, dark, most services closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for OUL: bus 8/9 plus bus 23 timings field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: Old Hamina and the church, the river mouth and KulttuuriKauppila.
- Place pages with verified summer opening windows (Wanha Hamina museums, KulttuuriKauppila, Environmental Art Park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter fixture: black-ice warnings, closed camping, motel-only nights.
Sources
- officialIi municipality (official)
- officialOulu public transport — routes and timetables
- officialMatkahuolto — coach timetables
- officialVR — Finnish railways
- officialKulttuuriKauppila art centre
- officialIin Sillat motel and camping
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ii, revision 5230031 (CC BY-SA 4.0)