The pupils usually walk or ride a bicycle to school because the distances are rather short. The limit for school transportation is five kilometers from home to the nearest school. According to law the municipals must organize transport to school if the distance is longer. In cities and towns transport is organised so that the municipals pay for the pupils’ bus fares to school because of the good public transport system. In other parts of the country the municipals use other kind of transport system, e.g. in rural areas it is possible to use school taxis.
A school day starts between eight and ten o'clock and ends between one and four o'clock. A lesson usually lasts forty-five minutes and between lessons there is a fifteen minute break. In the lower grades (1-6) it is usually compulsory to go out to the school yard at breaks. The lunch break typically lasts for 30 minutes, and the school lunch is often served at the school cafeteria. If the school day lasts long there is also a snack served in the afternoon.
There are optional hobby clubs in the afternoons but this varies from school to school. The club activity depends on the school funds and the teachers' enthusiasm for club activity. However in recent years it has become obligatory for municipals to organize morning and afternoon activities for the seven and eight year old pupils (grades 1-2) whose school day begins between eight and ten o'clock and ends between twelve and two o'clock.