Transport

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Helsinki Day Trip from Tallinn – Ferry Options

February 27, 2010 in Tips, Transport | No comments

Many people who visit Tallinn will take a day trip to Helsinki. The trip is only 80kms across the Gulf of Finland, and can be done in an hour and a half. However the different travel options can be a bit overwhelming,  so we decided to summarize them in the chart below.

The fastest option is Lina Line, which operates two small catamarans. Aside from being the fastest, the biggest advantage of Linda line is that it has a very central terminal in Helsinki, which will save you about 20 minutes of travel time each way. However the service will be canceled in rough weather. If you have already booked tickets you will be transferred to one of the larger ships, so you wont be stranded.

Tallink is a good balance between speed and price. Their two fastest ships make the trip in 2 hours. They also have a much bigger array of services and entertainment on board than Linda Line.

Viking Line Xpress takes a little longer than the Tallink ships, but is usually a little bit cheaper.

Eckerö is the budget option. Their ships are slower and have less frills, but they have a set low price of €19 for all trips.

It is worth noting that a lot of Finns travel on these ships to drink and buy cheap alcohol in tallinn. Cheaper trips to Helsinki in the afternoon or evening can become a little rowdy. If you’re looking for some peace you might like to avoid these options.

You almost certainly wont need to book in advance, unless there is some big event on in Tallinn.  However you may save money by booking in advance. Some companies have a late booking surcharge.

You may read about Nordic jet Line or Super Sea Cat. However these services did not survive the recent financial strife and no longer operate.

We have marked the terminal on the map below. Happy Travels

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Using Public Transport in Tallinn

September 30, 2009 in Tips, Transport

Tallinn is a fairly compact place, and you can cover almost everywhere you might want to go on foot. However if you’re not so keen on walking or are pushed for time you may want to use the local public transport. There are also a few sights which are a bit out of the way, which I will mention later.

Perhaps the most difficult task is buying tickets. It is possible to buy a ticket from the driver, but it is best to buy them before as they are cheaper and drivers expect exact change. There will usually be a kiosk somewhere near the stop, the most common being R –Kisok. You need one ticket for each trip, no matter how long it is. If you’re going to be making a few trips then buy a ten pack (good for 5 return trips.) Tickets will range from 10-20 Crowns depending on how you buy them.

When you get on the bus or tram, you will need to validate your ticket. There are newer machines which you slide the ticket into and it stamps a code on your ticket, and older machines where you place the ticket in and pull the green handle back to punch holes in the ticket.

You may notice a lot of people are not validating tickets. They are not necessarily fare evading, or “riding like rabbits” as Estonians call it. Many Estonians use their ID cards as their ticket, which they top up online, using their phones or at a kiosk. Another great feature of E-Stonia. Older people also ride for free. If you’re Older than 64 you can travel for free as well, or if you have kids under 7 they travel free. Don’t expect to get out of a fine because you’re a tourist. Too many locals have tried to dodge fines by speaking English for that to work!!

On many buses now they have people in yellow jackets who are supposed to provide information. This is a scheme by the Mayor of Tallinn to waste as much money as possible, tough you may find it of benefit. In any case, there will usually be someone to help you out if you have a problem if the yellow vest isn’t on your bus.

Here are some places you might want to catch the bus to, and how to get there:

Open Air Museum:
Bus 21 from the Baltic Station (Balti Jaam) takes you straight to the main gate. Trolly-buses 6,7 and 22 travel from the city centre to the Zoo. You then walk along the coast road for 15 minutes to reach the museum.

Airport:
Bus 2. See our post about getting to and from the Airport.

Pirita/Kadriorg

Our recommendation is to take tram 1 or 3 to its final stop in Kadriorg. You can then walk to the song festival grounds and museum in Pirita. Otherwise catch bus 1A, 5A, 6, 8, 34A, or 38 out to the song festival grounds, the museum or St Bridget’s Convent (Stop at Pirita).

Tallinn Airport to the Centre

August 14, 2009 in Transport | No comments

One of the most daunting aspects about travel is getting from the airport to the centre of town and the place where you will be putting your head on a pillow. Even for a seasoned traveler, it can be tough to know where you’re going in the first few minutes of being in a country.

The bad news about Tallinn is that there is no shuttle bus from the airport to the centre of town. The good news is that the airport is very central. If you’re looking to keep your expenses to a minimum, jump on the number two bus. Take it to the final stop (Linnahall) and you should be a short walk from your hotel, depending on where that is. Buy your ticket from the “R Kisok” at the end of the terminal.

The easiest way is to catch a taxi. You don’t have to take the first taxi in the rank, and make sure to look at the prices displayed in the window, as each company charges a different rate. If you’re bold enough you could negotiate a set rate before you start, but because most airport cabs are from reputable companies they may resist. If you pay more than 100 Crowns then you’ve probably been ripped off.

Make sure you ask your hotel if they do transfers. Some do it for free, and often it can be the hassle free option,particularly if you are a bigger group.

Tallinn Taxis

June 29, 2008 in Transport | No comments

Getting a taxi that wont rob you blind is probably one of the biggest concerns for tourists, and Tallinn is one place where you will want to be careful. Tallinn’s taxi market is fairly deregulated, and there is no set price. Before catching a cab, take a look at the yellow sticker on the back passenger window, which will state a base fare, per km fare (day and night) and waiting time fare. The problem for a tourists that it is hard to know if these prices are good or bad, so it’s probably best to book a taxi by phone with a reliable company. You can ask your hotel, who will probably have an arrangement with a company, so they may not order the cheapest or best taxi. So here are some companies that EstAdventures have used ourselves in Tallinn.

  • Krooni Takso – They don’t have the newest cabs in Tallinn, but they are clean, reliable and cheap. They are the value option of the EstAdventures recommendations. This is the company we use ourselves.
    7.50 per km * 40 base fare * 239/hr waiting fare. Phone: 1212
  • Tulika – The biggest and best known Taxi company in Tallinn. They have bought the rights to many taxi stands outside hotels and shopping centres and have a lot of cabs, so they’re easy to track down.
    9.40/11.00 per km * 45 Base fare * 200/hr waiting fee. Phone 1200
  • Tallink Takso – The new kids on the block, from the same company that does the ferries and owns several large Tallinn hotels. They’re the most expensive of our recommendations, but they’re cars are all brand new and are the drivers are very good. Consider them the luxury option!
    10.90/13.50 per km * 48 base fare * 239/hr waiting fee. Phone: 1921

Tallinn Taxis

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