Nordic Countries - Can my budget cover touring all Scandinavian countries?

I'm planning about 2-week-travel to scandinavia but I don't know if i can handle the trip with my budget about 1200USD including transportation, accommodation and also shopping. I'm a student and can stay in youthhostels.

The most interested places are Helsinki design district, Stockholm, Oslo, and wanna watch some North European-ish beautiful sceneries. Even if covering all of them is not possible, Helsinki is the must-visit for me. Or I can choose 2 countries(Fin+Swed or Fin+Nor).

I'd want any advice on my trip(dinings, shopping areas, good youthhostels, transportion, where to visit etc). This is the first time I travel on my own. Please come and help me!

840 € for 14 days is about 60 € a day. That's not much for the Nordic countries but with careful planning, should be doable. Student card is very valuable around here.

The cheapest beds in Helsinki hostels are about 20-25 € /night. You also need to check out the cheapest places for food. Stockholm is at least as expensive as Helsinki, usually more.

One option is to take the ferry (Silja line, Viking line) between Helsinki and Stockholm. Gives you a nice view to the sea and archipelago, especially during the summer when the sun hardly goes down.

Norwegian has cheap flights between Helsinki and Oslo, from around 75 € return.

840 € for 14 days is about 60 € a day. That's not much for the Nordic countries but with careful planning, should be doable. Student card is very valuable around here.

The cheapest beds in Helsinki hostels are about 20-25 € /night. You also need to check out the cheapest places for food. Stockholm is at least as expensive as Helsinki, usually more.


I agree. 60e/day is usually what I get around on when doing lowcost travelling in southern Europe (Spain-Greece-Italy) with a fairly relaxed budget.
For Stockholm, you will have to use backpacker hotels/hostels. If you get an YHA membership card (Youth hostelling association), you will save some money since most "vandrarhem" are members of STF (svenska turistföreningen). If you plan to be only in stockholm though, there is a range of independent backpacker places to choose as well.

As for the other costs, forget eating out everyday and especially alcohol on your budget. If you find accomodation with cooking facilities, you can save a lot of money by buying food in supermarkets and cooking yourself.

For transportation, lowcost carriers such as Norwegian, ryanair etc are good value if you book well in advance (and don't change travel plans later!).
In domestic sweden, bus travel is by far cheapest and offers good flexibility and an extensive network. Check out major companies such as Swebus etc.

I can give you more specific advice about Stockholm and Sweden if you have more detailed questions as well!

For food in Helsinki, lunch at cafeterias is probably the best bang for your buck. At these places in Finland you generally get to choose out of 2-3 main courses (one is usually vegetarian), bread, drink, and a side salad, possibly a soup and/or dessert included depending on the place.

For example, at Unicafe student cafeterias anyone can get a meal at 5,65 (lower government-subsidized student price with Finnish student card only), which is less than most fast food hamburger meals. No side soup or dessert here though. Breakfast is 3,20 (Unicafe Metsätalo at Fabianinkatu 39 being the only breakfast location in the city center). Not a culinary highlight for sure, but edible if you aren't very picky. The location I've linked below is as central as you can be in Helsinki and is open on Saturdays as well, otherwise cafeterias are closed on weekends.

Unicafe at Ylioppilasaukio (http://www.unicafe.fi/en#/City%20Center/Ylioppilasaukio/1/8).

An (arguably) slightly better meal can be had at office worker cafeterias such as the Fazer cafeteria at the main post office building (9 euros, open on weekdays only).

Fazer cafeteria at the main post office building (http://www.fazer.fi/en/Tuotteet-ja-palvelut/Kahvilat-ja-Ravintolat/Fazer-Kahvilat-ja-Ravintolat/Ravintolat/Helsinki/Paaposti/).

Then you may have money to splurge on an actual restaurant for dinner. ;)

One point to remember is that tipping is rare in Finland (service is included in the list prices). Nobody would expect a student on a tight budget to leave any tip.

Oslo is very expensive. One good hostel in Oslo (probably one of the best hostels in the world) is Haraldsheim:
http://www.haraldsheim.no/index.php?lang=EN

They are located a metro ride from the city center, but you should get a 7 day pass on the metro anyway. The 7 day pass is valid on the metro, trams, buses and local trains within Oslo county limits.

If you plan on visiting a lot of the museums in Oslo you should consider getting a Oslo visitor pass instead. It gives you free admission to many of the major sights in Oslo and is also valid on public transport. http://www.visitoslo.com/en/the-oslo-pass.49104.en.html

As for costs buying food in the supermarked is not a very bad deal. The hostel mentioned above has a guest kitchen and a supermarked (Rema 1000) is also located nearby. The cheapest supermarkets in Norway are Rema 1000, Kiwi and Rimi.

It could cover the major capital cities in the region, but it is going to be tight.

The use of ferries and night travel (by bus and/or train) could help save a little money in getting around and on accommodations. Student accommodations that are empty for part of the summer may be unofficially sub-let out by some students, which would ordinarily have a fridge/cooking facility (whether or not there are pots/dishes or even sheets/towels may be another story). A little harder to pull off is bidding for train tickets at the last minute to get around, but that may end up being able to get from Stockholm to Copenhagen to Gothenburg for less than $120 all-in if you get lucky.

Food budget is going to be minimal and any alcoholic beverages at restaurants/bars is going to reduce that even further. Making your own meals from grocery store purchases is going to be a real money saver. [As the Norwegian "cheap" groceries list has been mentioned, in Sweden it would be Willys and Netto that are the cheaper major grocery stores, with ICA and COOP being more expensive amongst the majors. And if going to Denmark, it might make sense to do so after Sweden and picking up groceries in Malmo before heading to Copenhagen. Sort of like it may make sense to go to Norway after picking up groceries in Denmark or -- cheaper still -- Sweden.]

Regional travel passes that are about to expire in a few days or weeks may be a way to save money on travel when in and around the larger cities in the region. [Buying old, used bikes was one creative way I saw a young student couple from Poland try to save some money when visiting Stockholm and the university town of Uppsala.]

Thanks for all of your precious advice. I appreciate taking attention to my questions and I have a few more. Do Scandinavian countries have free restrooms? I was quite shocked when I heard most French toilets cost some money and I suspect that all the European ones do so. That's quite a new culture to me and I'm a little worried that it'll worn my budget out.. Anyway,, and many people mentioned having meals at cafeterias or student restaurants and I wonder if they're local styled cuisine because I do want to explore some new food culture even if i have a tight budget. I'd be grateful for any kind of further advice. :)

You have to pay for the public restrooms but finding a free one shouldn't be such a big problem, department stores are the best pick. Mcd/cafe's have ones as well although they are often just for the customers and you need to ask for access from the cashier. As long as you don't look like you're living on the streets, most places will give you access if you ask nicely.

Just the usual traveling advice; if you are somewhere with a restroom and feel like you might need it in a few hours, use it in advance.

Gourmet may be difficult with your budget but summer is the season of fresh produce and there are plenty of open air markets. Not super cheap as such but you'll be able to taste many things. Just buy some, go sit in a park and enjoy the fruits while looking world go by.

Scandinavian summer is short and days a long so people really take advantage of it. The cities have very different vibe during the summer. Be prepared for sunrise at 4am and sunset at 11pm, and 2 hours of dawn & dusk in between.

Thanks for all of your precious advice. I appreciate taking attention to my questions and I have a few more. Do Scandinavian countries have free restrooms? I was quite shocked when I heard most French toilets cost some money and I suspect that all the European ones do so. That's quite a new culture to me and I'm a little worried that it'll worn my budget out.. Anyway,, and many people mentioned having meals at cafeterias or student restaurants and I wonder if they're local styled cuisine because I do want to explore some new food culture even if i have a tight budget. I'd be grateful for any kind of further advice. :)

For McDonalds in Stockholm, many of their restaurants' restrooms require paying, but if you wait for someone to come out the bathroom doors, getting in before the door shuts and using them ends up making them free. The McDonalds restrooms in smaller places in the region and further out of the city centers are usually free. Some large department stores and all the larger malls -- including Gallerian in central Stockholm -- also have free restrooms. Libraries also work often enough. Most large hotels are a toss up, but if a conference center hotel, much more likely to have the bathrooms open or willing to provide the code to the bathroom door. [Appearing to be a foreign tourist helps in situations like this.] Some museums and historical sites have coffee shops or other eating/drinking venues and then free access to bathrooms is often pretty easy to get without being a customer there too.

The situation in Scandinavia is nowhere near as bad as it is in France.

I was quite shocked when I heard most French toilets cost some money and I suspect that all the European ones do so. That's quite a new culture to me and I'm a little worried that it'll worn my budget out..

Once I went to make a quick call to the mens room at Oslo Central railstation, before taking the train to the airport. Price: 20kr !

Be warned that restaurants in Oslo will direct you to the cloak room to leave your coat or jacket, and will then charge 30 or 40 kronor for the privilege of having it hung up.

I found that quite annoying.

Audrey

I'm planning about 2-week-travel to scandinavia but I don't know if i can handle the trip with my budget about 1200USD including transportation, accommodation and also shopping. I'm a student and can stay in youthhostels.

First time travelling alone? Congratulations!

I think your budget will be tight. At $85 a day, for everything it's possible, but you'll have to self cater quite a bit.

I don't know anything about Helsinki, so I have to skip recommendations there.

For Stockholm, you can save money from the start by taking public transit in to town instead of the the train. It takes longer, but presuming you buy a 72 hour card for 200kr (you might be able to get a student ticket if you show your student card) you'll end up saving at least half. Take bus 583 to Märsta and then the commuter rail to Stockholm Central. It'll take you about an hour, but you don't pay anything extra like you would using the other options.

If you're going to eat out, do it during lunch. Dinner here is very expensive, and not usually worth it. At Sergels Torg (the center of Stockholm that looks like this (http://pelle.tangenjansson.se/image.axd?picture=2009%2F7%2Fsergelstorg.jpg)) there's a shop called "Åhlens". In the basement of this store there is a full supermarket with fairly average prices. ICA, Coop, Hemköp, and Vi are the places you should look out for. There's also a decent mini-supermarket at Östermalmstorg subway station that is pretty easy to find. For reasonably priced cheap eats that are decent, I recommend:

Amida Kolgrill: ~90-100kr, 79 for lunch: Good kebab, among best in city. Worth the price!

Max: 42kr: Order this - A minimål, falafelsnacks, drink of your choice and then "stora meny". It'll be about as much food as their regular meals (~65-75kr), but only 42kr.

McDonalds: 42kr: Similar trick to Max, order a happy meal with your choice of cheeseburger or chicken nuggets, carrots, drink, and then a 10kr cheeseburger on top. It's enough food to make a meal (plus you get an awesome toy).

Izmir Kebab in Hötorgets Hallen (http://www.hotorgshallen.se/vara-handlare) (It's by Sergels Torg, and the main entrance is in the south west corner of Hötorget by the movie theater): 50kr for kebab and a can of coke. Ask them to put it on the "långfranska" for more meat. No need to order the "jättekebab", since the normal one comes with just as much meat.
BEWARE: There are two kebab places in this hall! You want the one that is in the northwest corner by FISH and TURKISH BURGERS. The one that is by the LATIN FOOD and POULTRY/GAME. On the website I linked, the right kebab place is number 3, not 8.

Pizza places can also be good. Pizzas are "personal", but can be large enough to make into two meals. Prices are generally between 55 and 80kr, depending on where and what you get. Asking for a box is uncommon, but they will oblige. The disadvantage is that you end u lugging a box around everywhere.

Vapiano: 90-100kr: If you're cheap-fooded out and in Gamla Stan (the old town), a good value is Vapiano near the subway station. Prices are about 90-100kr for a pizza or pasta dish, and the setting is nice. Drinks are pretty standard prices. The quality is good enough and the price is below what you would expect for the environment and quality in Stockholm. This is better than the other pizza places in Gamla Stan.

Virtually any grill that is advertising "Solna korv": ~40kr: The "Tunnbrödsrulle" with a bratwurst is very hearty. It's a sausage, mashed potatoes, and then onions and lettuce.

In general, avoid Asian restaurants. The best that can happen there is an all-you-can-eat sushi buffe (for about 100kr), and Stockholm isn't well known for its sushi. The "Chinese" here is bad. Real bad. Avoid kebab places not listed here: Izmir, Amida, Eastanbul, Folkets kebab. The rest tend to be bearable, but I wouldn't pay more than 25kr for a regular kebab from most of 'em. Anything like TGIFridays should be avoided like the plague. Indian restaurants, on the other hand, are decent bets for ethnic food.

Coffee: Pressbyrån has a coffee and a Cinnamon bun for 20kr. It's the cheapest coffee you'll find. Add 5kr for their "latte".

Alcohol: If you want to buy a beer, buy it at System Bolaget, which is the state alcohol monopoly. The cheapest beer you can buy is "Soferio" or "Harboe", each will run you about 11kr for 500ml. Wine is also a good option, but since you're traveling alone this is probably unneeded advice. Buying beer out is expensive! If you are going to go out, this is an interesting (http://www.restauranghimlen.se/) place that makes the extra price somewhat reasonable, especially in the evenings.

Free internet access is available at Max restaurants and McDonalds (I think). Espresso House also offers an hour of free wifi with purchase of a drink (you have to ask for a code to access "The Cloud"). Most other wifi is locked down.

DO:

Visit Gamla Stan
Take a boat trip somewhere into the archipelago (there are hostels out there too if you want to stay over night). Vaxholm makes for a quick trip (and you can take the 670 blue bus back into town with your transit pass to pay only one way)
Visit the royal palace on Sunday for the changing of the guard
Check out Skansen, if you would like to know more about Swedish history/cultural heritage
Check out Drottningholm, if you like palaces (you can take a boat out and then bus/subway it back by taking a bus to Brommaplan)
Check out Vasamuseet, if you like old man-o-war warships
Check out Hammarby Sjöstad, if you want to see what all the fuss is about (Stockholm is very, very proud of the area as a green, eco-friendly district, but critics see it as a case of "green washing" consumerism).


....and that's all I have for now.

Be warned that restaurants in Oslo will direct you to the cloak room to leave your coat or jacket, and will then charge 30 or 40 kronor for the privilege of having it hung up.

This is the same in Stockholm for going out to dinner or going out to drink in the evening. The usual rate is 20kr.

Also, while I like Oslo a lot, if you can manage it head to Bergen. :)

Nice work, SeattleFlyerGuy. ^^

I can verify that McDonalds does have free internet around Stockholm. I've probably used the free internet at every McDs within 40-minutes bike-ride of Stockholm C excepting the one in the station itself. :D Turn on the computer, get connected to the network, click on a page, and the internet is free without spending any money on anything.

Once I went to make a quick call to the mens room at Oslo Central railstation, before taking the train to the airport. Price: 20kr !

Board a bathroom-equipped train that is going to be waiting on the platform long enough for you to use the restroom, and then get off on time. That way it's free. :D

Wow, this website is amazing! I didn't expect this much fresh information-including quick call to the railstation! I guess scandinavians are really kind. I can't thank enough for all the advice especially SeatleFlyer's a great pagelong information! thanks everyone and hope this thread'll keep rolling for all those scandinavian backpackers.:cool:

In Helsinki, the public toilets are few and far in between - look for signs pointing you to them. Outdoors, they are green cubes with a free urinal and a regular toilet that requires payment. The urinals at least at newer toilets are theoretically usable by both sexes, but I imagine rather awkward for ladies - they have a handle on the door to hang on to as well as to keep the unlockable door shut.

Apart from those, the best free toilets in the city center are at the Stockmann department store and at museums. In most other places, you usually encounter some sort of code/club card/coin-operated locks on the doors or at cafes and bars a sign that requests non-patrons to make a payment for the use of the facilities (although I've never seen this being enforced).

At clubs and many bars, you have to pay a fee at the coat-check even if you don't use it. Restaurants generally don't have a cloakroom.

The cafeteria food in Finland is a mixed bag. There are dishes that are unique to this part of the world (such as spinach pancakes with crushed lingonberries as the main course - quite good), but there's also a lot of 'international' stuff like spaghetti bolognese, chili con carne, and asian-inspired rice with sauce -thingies. Many classic Finnish/Scandinavian dishes are too expensive to make at student cafeterias, but classic fish dishes and reindeer or game stew can be on the menu at office-worker cafeterias.

Edit: Oh, and if you want to get a cheap start for a night out, go to the upstairs bar at Baker's (opposite the Stockmann department store on Mannerheimintie) on Wed-Sat at five PM for 1 euro sparkling wine. Avoid if being surrounded by very drunk Finns scares you.

Oh, and if you want to get a cheap start for a night out, go to the upstairs bar at Baker's (opposite the Stockmann department store on Mannerheimintie) on Wed-Sat at five PM for 1 euro sparkling wine. Avoid if being surrounded by very drunk Finns scares you.

Thanks ikeatroll for very practical information. Your warn a little scares me as I can't drink much and am kinda scared of drunk men. btw Where can I enjoy a bottle of european beer at night with good mood in Helsinki?

Plus, are most Finnish people good at English like you?

Plus, are most Finnish people good at English like you?

For major locations like Helsinki and most other places in Finland that you are likely to visit, more or less the majority of those under 40-60 years of age will be conversant in English.

Board a bathroom-equipped train that is going to be waiting on the platform long enough for you to use the restroom, and then get off on time. That way it's free. :D :eek: Gee, GUWonder, if we ever meet, the beer is on me! (and so is the toilet :D).

:eek: Gee, GUWonder, if we ever meet, the beer is on me! (and so is the toilet :D).

The beer -- or at least what remains of it -- would also end up in the toilet on train before the train runs off with me. :D

What I noted about train bathrooms applies best at end stations for the line and/or at very large train stations serving multiple lines. [And that doesn't even involve any social engineering, whether in the form of pretexting or otherwise.]

... there's no way I'm paying 3 dollars and 3 quarters -- even in Norway -- to contribute water back to nature.

[And that doesn't even involve any social engineering, whether in the form of pretexting or otherwise.]:eek: I'm sure there is some meaning in what you are saying here, but don't expect us, even after seeing original English language TV here for centuries, to be this proficient in English nuances. :o

:eek: I'm sure there is some meaning in what you are saying here, but don't expect us, even after seeing original English language TV here for centuries, to be this proficient in English nuances. :o

I'll try again. :o

I was just saying that there are even more creative ways to get access to bathrooms for free (than the train one I mentioned), but that I'm not going to a variety of those other ways (that involve "toying" with people). :D

I'll try again. :o

I was just saying that there are even more creative ways to get access to bathrooms for free (than the train one I mentioned), but that I'm not going to a variety of those other ways (that involve "toying" with people). :DI see, said the blind man.

As a courtesy to the next visitor, I will always try to leave the toilet door not properly shut. ;)

But in extreme emergencies, if I have the change, I am able to afford even the prices of visiting a Norwegian pay-toilet. And to substitute the local p1ss-water for some decent white wine :D

As a courtesy to the next visitor, I will always try to leave the toilet door not properly shut. ;)

At places that ask for a code or payment, my course of action too. It's a matter of principle .... of not paying to make a personal contribution to the local water and sewage company. :D

But in extreme emergencies, if I have the change, I am able to afford even the prices of visiting a Norwegian pay-toilet. And to substitute the local p1ss-water for some decent white wine :D

Ability to afford is one thing; an unwillingness to pay out of principle is another thing; and taking others up on their generous offers to pay for another, that's yet another thing, and one I'll certainly have to keep in mind. :D

Where can I enjoy a bottle of european beer at night with good mood in Helsinki?

Without knowing your preferences, when you will be here or where you'll be staying, I'll just say there are plenty of places for that throughout central Helsinki, just explore. :) For example, you could start finding your kind of place around the Kamppi shopping center. There's a good variety of places there with outside seating during the warmer months and it's super-easy to get in and out of using all forms of transportation.

Do big cities in Scandinavia offer enough Wi-fi zones? 'cause I'm gonna bring my blackberry and wanna use it often if possible.
sorry that I reask this question. I already posted in other thread but wanted to ask it again here.:p

In Stockholm go to the tourist information office across from the NK department store for hostel bookings, tickets and lots of help! There is a pay restroom there but there's always a line and the person coming out usually holds the door for you. You can easily walk around Stockholm, but the greatest transport deal is the bike pass for roughly $35- good for a year, buy it at the train station and ride everywhere, just like the Swedes. Compare this to a one way ticket on the tram of $5! ICA has great hot meals to go that beat restaurant prices and then you can picnic in one of the many parks. A salmon dinner for under $10! There are always free outdoor activities in the summer and you'll be amazed at the variety of them. When are you going? Midsummer is a fun, fun holiday anywhere in the countries you're visiting. I'm going to Copenhagen and Stockholm myself this summer and I can't wait to spend some time again in my favorite city!

In Stockholm go to the tourist information office across from the NK department store for hostel bookings, tickets and lots of help! There is a pay restroom there but there's always a line and the person coming out usually holds the door for you. You can easily walk around Stockholm, but the greatest transport deal is the bike pass for roughly $35- good for a year, buy it at the train station and ride everywhere, just like the Swedes. Compare this to a one way ticket on the tram of $5! ICA has great hot meals to go that beat restaurant prices and then you can picnic in one of the many parks. A salmon dinner for under $10! There are always free outdoor activities in the summer and you'll be amazed at the variety of them. When are you going? Midsummer is a fun, fun holiday anywhere in the countries you're visiting. I'm going to Copenhagen and Stockholm myself this summer and I can't wait to spend some time again in my favorite city!

Wow, tempting, indeed. I'm planning to travel there from late July till early Aug. Actually I have a choice b/w the mid US and Scandinavia and your advice sounds so good that i'm almost inclined!:)

In HEL, go to McD and buy something off their 1€ menu, like a cheeseburger and get toilet access and free WIFI.

Many hotels in HEL also offer free WIFI for their guest. At Scandics, like 5 in the city center you get access with their free frequent guest card number and personal code linked to that. Just create an account beforehand and go sit in their lobbies and feel free to use teh restrooms in the process. You won´t be asked anything unless you look like a bum. Radisson Blus are the same, but you´ll have to dare to ask for the code.

Public libraries also have free toilets and free WIFI, most central locations are Rikhardinkatu and Postitalo/Main Post Office Blng across the railway station. Esplanadi park also has a free WIFI access. Several other locations too.

anything else you need to know about HEL?

anything else you need to know about HEL?

Thanks a lot! and yes I do.
How many days do you recommend to stay in Helsinki? I really don't know anything about traveling alone and it's my first time plus I'm only 20. I've got an opportunity to have a get away with some money but have no idea with many thoughts. I'm little bit lost.

If the weather happens to be nice and you meet some fellow traveller´s to hang out with you can spend up to a week in the Helsinki region. If it rains and you´re hanging out on yourself, I´d say you´ll bored in 2 days.

sounds right,,hope I can find a nice mate.
anyways I've already booked my tickets for flights and a bit excited.
I guess the next step is planning for inter-transportation. I'm really interested in Silja Line from Helsinki to Stockholm and heard that if I have Eurail Pass, I can get 50% discount. As I visited Silja Line website, it says early bookers get the ticket 15% discounted. Does that mean that i can get the total of 65% discounted ticket? and do you recommend booking Scandinavian Eurail pass now so that I can also book SiljaLine?

Rack one-way fares for Silja & company are often considerably higher than promotional return fares, so that 50% discount isn't nearly as good value as you might think. So consider how much train travel you're planning to do before you splurge on the pass.

sounds right,,hope I can find a nice mate.
anyways I've already booked my tickets for flights and a bit excited.
I guess the next step is planning for inter-transportation. I'm really interested in Silja Line from Helsinki to Stockholm and heard that if I have Eurail Pass, I can get 50% discount. As I visited Silja Line website, it says early bookers get the ticket 15% discounted. Does that mean that i can get the total of 65% discounted ticket? and do you recommend booking Scandinavian Eurail pass now so that I can also book SiljaLine?

If you decide on the rail pass, you can save money by taking the train from Helsinki to Tu

sounds right,,hope I can find a nice mate.
anyways I've already booked my tickets for flights and a bit excited.
I guess the next step is planning for inter-transportation. I'm really interested in Silja Line from Helsinki to Stockholm and heard that if I have Eurail Pass, I can get 50% discount. As I visited Silja Line website, it says early bookers get the ticket 15% discounted. Does that mean that i can get the total of 65% discounted ticket? and do you recommend booking Scandinavian Eurail pass now so that I can also book SiljaLine?

If you decide on the rail pass, you can save money by taking the train from Helsinki to Turku and then the ferry from Turku to Stockholm. It is a more scenic route as well.

Finally I got the flight schedule. I arrive at VAN, Helsinki on 24th July, at ARL, Stockholm on 28th July, and go back home from ARL, Stockholm on 9th, Aug.
So I have about 4 days in Helsinki and 12 days in Stockholm. Actually I also want to visit Tallinn, Suomenlinna Is. and Turku while I'm in Finland, and wanna visit Oslo Bergen, and Copenhagen during the second 12-day-term. I know it's pretty impossible so I beg for advice on selection among those destinations....

By the way, is it possible to have a day trip to Tallinn while I stay in Helsinki?

Finally I got the flight schedule. I arrive at VAN, Helsinki on 24th July, at ARL, Stockholm on 28th July, and go back home from ARL, Stockholm on 9th, Aug.
So I have about 4 days in Helsinki and 12 days in Stockholm. Actually I also want to visit Tallinn, Suomenlinna Is. and Turku while I'm in Finland, and wanna visit Oslo Bergen, and Copenhagen during the second 12-day-term. I know it's pretty impossible so I beg for advice on selection among those destinations....

By the way, is it possible to have a day trip to Tallinn while I stay in Helsinki?

Au contraire, it is perfectly possible. Just depends on how much time you are willing to spend on the road/rail/air. And a day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn is easy.