Transportation in Estonia
The transport is often quite hectic, but functions quite well and keeps the moving masses happy and getting to where they want to go. Buses especially have been improving in recent years. However most services cease at midnight so be sure to watch the clock if heading out!
Although public transport is generally crowded in Estonia, the system keeps running efficiently and smoothly.
[read more]Our Estonia transport information below will tell you all you need to know about travelling in and around Estonia. Use our Estonia Destination Guide for things to see and do, or click on our Estonia Country Guide if you want to know more about travelling to Estonia.
Estonia Transportation Guide
Estonia by Air
The Tallinn airport was renovated recently, and now compares favourably with the slickest airports of Western Europe. There are direct flights from Tallinn to many cities, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, Amsterdam, Vienna, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Oslo, Moscow, Kiev, Minsk, as well as Riga and Vilnius, being a sample. A number of airlines operate here, but generally airline offices open only around their flight time.
As it is located within the city, it takes only about 10 minutes to reach the airport from downtown by cab. It's not a very busy airport, so clearing the check-in lines, security and customs takes only a few minutes. For the best deals on flights to try Cheapflights
Airport Information
For information, call 6058888. See http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/ for updated airport info, timetables and for the cheapest flights to Estonia!
Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Estonia.
Driving in Estonia
Driving in Estonia is not easy. It's not the roads or the weather that makes it challenging, but the other drivers! Unpredictable and rash driving is the norm here, and the golden rule, if any, is to never assume sensible driving from others. So be very careful, and don't expect all traffic to stop at a red light or wait for signals from cars before they move into your lane.
Another piece of advice is to avoid inter-city highways at night. That's because, added to the unpredictable human element, there is the possibility of moose crossing your path in the darkness! And collisions, even with moose, can cause immense damage.
Some other driving pointers...
- Don't drink and drive!
- It's a rule to drive with lights on 24 hours a day.
- You also need to wear a seat belt at all times, by law.
- Speed limits are generally 90 km/h on the highway, 50km/h in town.
As with most cities, finding a parking space in the city centre can get extremely challenging. Parking in the old city comes with a steep fee. For parking payment, you have to buy a parking card or parkimiskaart. You can also pay via mobile phone; call tel. 1910.
Buses in Estonia
Bus travel in Estonia is a good option - with inexpensive ticket prices, new and comfortable buses, and lesser border delays. The bus network to Europe is good, though it does take about 2 days to go from Tallinn to Western Europe.
The nitty-gritty of bus travel...
- You can buy tickets from kiosks for 10 kroons a ride, and from drivers inside the bus for 15 kroons a ride. You can even buy bus tickets with your mobile phone.
- If you are planning to travel frequently, you could buy a book of ten tickets for 70 EEK, or even a monthly pass at 350 kroons.
- The bus station (D-4) address is: Lastekodu 46, tel. 680-0900. This is just about a kilometre from downtown.
- Most transport stops at midnight. See http://www.tallinn.ee/ for online bus schedule.
- For any more information, see http://www.emt.ee/.
Trains in Estonia
Trains in Estonia aren't quite as modern as its airline system, or even its buses. Three international trains depart from Tallinn - Tallinn-Moscow (daily departure); Tallinn-St. Petersburg (departure every alternate day, only on even days); Tallinn-Minsk (departure twice a week with stops in Vilnius and Riga). The train station is located on the edge of the old city. See http://www.evrekspress.ee for more information on trains.
Train station address (Tallinn) and phone number
Toompuiestee 37, (B2). Tel. 6156851 or 1447
Boats/Ferries in Estonia
Car ferries are furnished with restaurants, cafeterias, duty-free shops, private cabins and several bars, and make for a delightful way to travel to Estonia. There are a number of lines running here, though they start service only around March or April and run till about late autumn. Tickets are available from most travel agencies.
- Tallink, Ecker Line and Silja Line's passenger and auto ferries daily sail the Finnish Gulf. They make the run to Helsinki in about four hours.
- Linda Line Express hydrofoils and Tallink, Nordic Jet Lines, Silja Line catamarans reach you from Tallinn to Helsinki in less than two hours. These catamarans also double up as car-ferries.
- There is also a direct ferry connection with Stockholm.
- Ferries leave from the passenger port at the end of Sadama Street.
Harbour (Tallinn) information number
Tallinn Harbour's information number provides schedules and all-around advice and is reachable most hours of the day. Tel. 637-8555.
Ferry Lines and Destinations:
To Helsinki, Finland:
Ecker Line: (B-4) At the B Terminal, end of Sadama street; tel. 631-8606; info@eckeroline.ee. http://www.eckeroline.ee/
Linda Line Express: (A-3), At the Linnahall Harbor, tel. 699-9333; info@lindaliini.ee. Their fast boats run from spring until late autumn. http://www.lindaliini.ee/
Nordic Jet Line: (B-4) At the C Terminal, tel. 613-7000; booking@njl.ee. Their fast boats run from spring until late autumn. http://www.njl.ee/
Silja Line: (B-4) At the A Terminal, end of Sadama street, and at the D Terminal, Lootsi 13, for reservations tel. 611-6661. http://www.silja.ee/
Tallink: (B-3) Sadama 4, tel. 640-9808, and at the A Terminal, end of Sadama street, tel. 631-8320; booking@tallink.ee. Catamarans leave from the D Terminal. http://www.tallink.ee/
Viking Line: (B-4) At the A terminal, tel. 666-3966; tallinn@vikingline.fi. Two departures a day, at convenient times from Tallinn. http://www.vikingline.fi/
To Stockholm, Sweden:
Tallink: The Tallinn-Stockholm ferry takes about 14 hours. Tallink also has ferry service from Paldiski to Kappelskär. You can also get to Stockholm via Helsinki on Viking and Silja Lines. Silja Line will book your trip all the way from Tallinn.
To Petersburg, Russia:
Silja Line: Departures twice a week beginning from mid-June.
To Rostock, Germany:
Silja Line: Departures twice a week beginning from mid-June.
Distances in Estonia
Don't trust the time-speed-distance formula when it comes to crossing borders by car from Estonia. You can always expect some kind of delay on Russia's borders, which extends what one expects to be a five-hour trip to St.Petersburg to one that is much longer. Though these border delays are annoying, one can take comfort from the fact that things have improved over the past few years.
- Tallinn to Helsinki 85 km (53 miles)
- Tallinn to Riga 305 km (190 miles)
- Tallinn to St. Petersburg 350 km (217 miles)
- Tallinn to Stockholm 75 km (233 miles)
- Tallinn to Vilnius 605 km (376 miles)
