Tallinn, Estonia

[russianrob]

Hi just wanted to encourage any of you interested in Medieval cities like Prague, to make the trip to Tallinn as well (instead of).
Just 1 1/2 hrs by fast cat (built in West Oz for Linda Line) across the Baltic from Helsinki, or short hop by LCC from anywhere in Europe. It has a fantastic Old Town that has me so "over" Prague. It's a lot more compact, and a lot less crowded with drunken, Aussie and Pom backpackers. Nearly everyone speaks, or at least understands english. The prices are reasonable, the restaurants superb, and the people friendly. Lots of Finns and Swedes around, and the city it's self has that Scandi feel rather than Russian. Things seem to work for example, and it's clean! Films and TV are shown in their original language with Estonian/Russian subtitles.
For those "F classers" amongst us may I recommend the Schlossle Hotel right in the centre of the "Old Town", and for the fellow mortals, I am very happy in the Clarion Hotel Euroopa right next to the port and a 10 min stroll from the Medieval walls.
Plenty goes on here (Madonna plays next week for example), and as a Capital (all be it a small one) you have all the facilities you could need. The countryside is lovely, and easily accessed.
Make the effort if you can.

 

[Mal]

Thanks for the timely post and advice I'm in HEL this weekend, so was going to pop over.

 

[NM]

I have only been on a day trip from Helsinki and loved every minute of the experience and its definitely on my must return list. But even if all you have a single day, make the effort. You can walk from the ferry terminal to the old town and just plod around all day, stopping only for food and of course a beer or 3 at a street-side bar/restaurant. Next time I want to stay a few days to get a better feel and explore more of the old town and its surrounds.

 

[drron]

Thanks Redroo.You are providing insight into some little known areas.I am putting these posts into the memory bank for future trips.This sounds like it would be right up our alley.

 

[Keith009]

Ever since someone brought it up in the Playground a while back, I've been intrigued to check out Helsinki/Tallinn, with a booze cruise between the 2! Looks like a great place for horrific hangovers. Yes I agree - Prague gets kinda cliched, even though I had some fab times there.

 

[Mal]

Yeah, I enjoyed heading there today. Cruised over on LindaLine, 1.5 hours over, 2.25 hours back (they have 2 cats (Karolin and Merilin), Karolin is speed limited at the moment, so runs much slower. I think Merlin is the nicer cat though regardless of speed).

Their website is at In English - Lindaline

No passport checks at either end, except at check-in. Was looking forward to getting an Estonian passport stamp!

At least 1/3 - 1/2 cheaper than Helsinki for most things, although some restaurants particularly in the 'Old Town' are overpriced with food+drinks. Plenty of tourist touts, but not the 'grabby', 'noisy' or plain 'arrogant' types you often see around the place.

It was a good day, but the hassle of handling EEK's (Eustonian currency) is a little frustrating when you have Euro's and other currencies also in your wallet. Keep in mind EEK500 notes aren't appreciated that much - even though ATM's will issue them (and they are worth <$A60 each). Signs have already started being changed over to present both EEK prices and Euro prices - I expect their prices to increase once they get fully onboard the Euro train.

 

[RB]

From our visit in 2005 I can certainly promote the attractiveness of Tallin. We had a superb spacious apartment 5 minutes walk from the old town square that was organised by red group tallin ( just google it). They met us & showed us around the apartment & we were given a late checkout that fitted in with our night flight to Helsinki.
Great walks around town. Try the Hell Hunt pub- was excellent food & beer at the time we were there.

 

[borsa]

I can highly recommend the Viru Inn on the main drag leading to the central square. I stayed there a few years back but I see that the Tripadvisor reviews are still as good as ever.

 

[Febs]

Tallinn is great. I don't know that you could stay there for days on-end, but for a short trip it's a fantastic destination.

My background (on my dad's side) is actually Estonian, and he speaks it fluently...but has never been! I went last year, but didn't speak a word!

(We're going back in October, and will be hiring a car for the drive to Tartu where we have relatives.)

I was actually really surprised with the Old Town's nightlife - pumping! Plenty of busy bars/clubs/pubs, and I was there mid-week! Oh, and for the single guys amongst us - plenty of talent too.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[RB]

Spent 2 nights in Tartu on our trip also. A university town with wi-fi coverage throughout. Good easy paced for a chill out

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[MrHyde]

Thanks for this very timely post. I am heading to HEL next month on a OneWorld Award stopever and was considering going over to Tallinn for 2 days. The hotel recommendations are very useful.

Updated: I am arriving at HEL at 3:15 PM from LON. Would I be able to make the 5 PM ferry to Tallinn or should I book the 6 PM instead? Or, do I just show up and buy tickets on the spot?

 

[Febs]

Updated: I am arriving at HEL at 3:15 PM from LON. Would I be able to make the 5 PM ferry to Tallinn or should I book the 6 PM instead? Or, do I just show up and buy tickets on the spot?

For the sake of 1hr, I'd probably go the 6pm just to be safe. It's only a 2-2.5hr ferry ride (and a very comfortable one at that, if you get the right ferry! Mine even had free WiFi!)

I pre-booked through Tallink's website, but I'm sure if there were still places available (the ferries are huge) you could buy tickets on the spot.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Mal]

Updated: I am arriving at HEL at 3:15 PM from LON. Would I be able to make the 5 PM ferry to Tallinn or should I book the 6 PM instead? Or, do I just show up and buy tickets on the spot?

I say you wouldn't make it. At HEL, immigration will hopefully be quick, checked bags could take some time. Jumping into a taxi would probably be upwards of a 30 mins trip. You are supposed to check in to the ferry > 30 or 40 mins to departure.

Too many interconnecting places where a small delay could cause problems.

As Febs noted, they are big craft - and walk up tickets are likely available. However, something like the Madonna concert in Tallin could mean the ferries are booked solid for quite a few hours. May not be worth risking it.

Not too sure if you can standby for an earlier ferry, might be worth contacting the ferry company and asking.

 

[russianrob]

My experience arriving at HEL 3 times last month, was that was that I was through and in a cab within 15mins (carry on). The trips in varied from 30 to 45 mins (but that night was the ACDC concert). I travelled across to Tallinn on the smaller, but faster, Linda Line cats. Lots of local folks seemed to be just rocking up to buy tickets on the spot, but this was mid week and you'd have to be sure to miss the weekend booze runs or concerts. Safer to book I think as Linda Line don't make you pay for the booking untill you pick up the ticket before sailing. Can't speak for the other companies.

 

[Spider]

Updated: I am arriving at HEL at 3:15 PM from LON. Would I be able to make the 5 PM ferry to Tallinn or should I book the 6 PM instead? Or, do I just show up and buy tickets on the spot?

6pm ferry would be a lot safer since it's peak time. Cab takes about 30-45mins. Airport shuttle bus takes about the same and used to cost 5 euros while cabs can charge upto 40 euros. I would not recommend Lindaline since they don't run in bad weather which means even slightest waves. Tallink and VikingLine are much better options. Tallink ferries run slightly away from the city centre in Helsinki but arrive in the centre in Tallinn. With VikingLine its vice versa. The smartest way is to buy a daycruise for 10 euros. If staying for longer then just throw away the return portion of the cruise. Both carriers have free wi-fi, best coverage is in the back of the boats.

If someone is planning on visiting Estonia then drop me a line. I'll show you around unless I'm travelling somewhere.

 

[kamchatsky]

Mr and Mrs Edison went to Tallinn on a day trip from Helsinki in early August. We caught Tallink Day Cruise special, booked from the day before on tallink website for 35EUR per person return. We caught the first ferry there and last ferry back on Sunday. If you book at the spot I think you need to pay like 8EUR processing fees.

The old town is fantastic, and so is not yet too far commericalised like the rest of Europe. We had a great time there, in fact, it is one of the little European gems not yet discovered by Aussies. I had no problems speaking English and the food is not that expensive (sure I am sure for Estonians the food in old town is pretty expensive).

Upon coming back to Helsinki at night on the booze ferry, I saw a lot of Finns carrying Fosters! I chatted with a few Finns and they seemed to love Fosters! Oh well, I don't even drink Fosters myself

After disembarking at Helsinki at night, it seems that the police checks every driver from Tallink for possible drink driving!

So Tallinn is definitely worth doing with Helsinki together.

 

[winetraveller]

I've spent quite a bit of time in Tallinn over the last few years and have some very good friends there now. I just spent the last couple of weeks there and love the place.

My favourite place to eat is "the Hell House Hunt", especially on a cold day, they do awesome soup and brew their own beer.