Tallinn: arrival & departure
16.03.2023
PLEASE NOTE! Construction of the Vanasadama (Old Harbour) tramline began on 7 March 2023. During the construction works, there will be temporary changes in public transport routes and traffic management in the city centre. The construction works will be completed by February 2025. More information on the Tallinn City website.
Visa requirements for Estonia
Estonia is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area. Nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and any third-country national holding a residence permit of a Schengen State do not need a visa to enter Estonia - a national ID card or passport is required for entry.
For more information on visa exemptions and requirements for visiting Estonia, please consult the webpage of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or contact your nearest Estonian representation.
By plane
The city's international airport, Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, provides excellent facilities and a wide variety of services. In 2019, Tallinn airport received the Airport Quality Service Award, making it the best in Europe in the category of airports with up to five million passengers.
How to get from Tallinn Airport to the city centre
Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport is very conveniently located – just 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from the city centre. You can easily travel to and from the airport by tram, bus, or taxi.
By tram
Tram no. 4 takes you directly from the airport to the city centre in approximately 20-25 minutes. It runs daily from 5:30 a.m. until 00:45 a.m. (including weekends and public holidays, see schedule).
The tram stop (stop Lennujaam) is located right next to the terminal – just follow the signs. Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board (1.50€) or the ticket machine at the airport (1.50€). Depending on your destination, the closest stops to the city centre are Hobujaama, Viru, and Vabaduse väljak.
By bus
Bus no. 2 connects the airport to the city centre and the port (D and A terminals). It runs working days approximately 6:00 a.m. until 00:00 a.m. On weekends and public holidays approximately 6:00 a.m. until 23:00 p.m., see schedule).
The bus departs from the airport's lowest level (stop Lennujaam), down the escalator from the arrivals hall – simply follow the signs. Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board (1.50€) or the ticket machine at the airport (1.50€). The closest stop to the city centre is A. Laikmaa, and the ride from the airport takes around 20-25 minutes.
By taxi
The taxi stand is located outside, in front of the arrivals hall. The fare from the airport to the city centre costs around 10€. Read more about the taxi services in Tallinn in our corresponding transport section.
How to get from Tallinn Airport to Tartu
Many regular and express buses to and from Tartu stop at Tallinn Airport. You can find information on their schedules and buy tickets from the Tpilet.ee website.
Car rentals at Tallinn Airport
Several car rental services operate at Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport with offices and service desks inside the main terminal. The full list of different car hire companies is available on the airport’s website.
Flight connections to and from Tallinn
Many different domestic and international airlines operate in Tallinn. See the webpage of Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport for more information on available routes and weekly schedules.
Passenger information at the airport
The airport's passenger information point is located in the departure hall. It opens two hours before the day's first flight and closes after the last arriving flight.
Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport:
tel. +372 605 8888
By boat, ferry, or cruise ship
Ships from Helsinki bring travellers to Tallinn's passenger port each day. Tallinn also welcomes visitors arriving with yachts.
How to get from the Port of Tallinn to the city centre
On foot
Passenger and cruise ship terminals are located within walking distance of the medieval Old Town (15-20 minutes depending on the terminal).
By bus
Bus no. 2 connects the port’s A and D terminals to the city centre and the Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport. It runs daily from approximately 5:30 a.m. until 00:00 a.m. On weekends and public holidays 05:30 a.m. until aprooximately 23:00 p.m., see schedule).
Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board (1.50€) or the ticket machines located at the A and D terminals (1.50€).
By taxi
A taxi from the different port terminals to the city centre costs around 5-10€.
Read more about the taxi services in Tallinn in our corresponding transport section.
Due to negative feedback, we do not recommend bicycle taxies or velotaxis. However, if you do take one, ask the driver the approximate cost of the trip in advance and make sure to specify whether the price is per ride or per person.
Connections to and from Helsinki, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg
To and from Helsinki
Ferries cross the Gulf of Finland between Tallinn and Helsinki several times a day, covering the distance in roughly two to three hours.
Eckerö Line
Tel. +372 664 6000
Terminal A (arrivals and departures)
Tallink
Tel. +372 640 9808 (in Estonia: 1 7808)
Terminal D (arrivals and departures)
Viking Line
Tel. +372 666 3966 (in Estonia: 1719)
Terminal A (arrivals and departures)
To and from Stockholm
Tallink
Tel. +372 640 9808 (in Estonia: 1 7808)
Terminal D (arrivals and departures)
To and from St. Petersburg
St. Peter Line (Moby SPL)
Tel. +372 666 0800
Terminal A (arrivals and departures)
Cruise ships
The world's largest cruise agencies have included Tallinn in their itineraries, making it one of the busiest cruise destinations in the Baltic Sea region.
International cruise ships dock in the cruise area of the Port of Tallinn, conveniently located at 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) from the Old Town, easy to reach by foot or by taxi – read more about the taxi services in Tallinn in our corresponding transport section.
Due to negative feedback, we do not recommend bicycle taxies or velotaxis. However, if you do take one, ask the driver the approximate cost of the trip in advance and make sure to specify whether the price is per ride or per person.
Passenger information at the Port of Tallinn
Port of Tallinn
Tel. +372 631 8550
Yacht harbours in Tallinn
Vanasadama Jahisadam (Old City Marina)
Tel. +372 631 8085
N 59°26.32' E 24°45.32'
Depth: 4.5 metres, around 50 quay spots for guest vessels
Noblessner Marina
Tel. +372 5688 8825
N 59°27’18.00” E24°44’07.20”
30 quay sports for guest vessels
Pirita Sadam (Pirita Harbour)
Tel. +372 639 8980
N 59°28.2’ E 24°49.2’
Depth: 2.8 metres, 50 quay spots for guest vessels
Haven Kakumäe Marina
Tel. +372 677 7700
N 59°27'06'' E 24°36'30''
Lennusadama jahisadam (Seaplane Harbour Marina)
Tel. +372 502 2877
N 59°27.2′ E 24°44.1′
By bus
International bus lines offer connections to Tallinn from several other European cities.
How to get from the Tallinn Central Bus Station to the city centre
The Tallinn Central Bus Station is conveniently located between the airport and the city centre, approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) from the Old Town. You can easily get to the centre by city bus or tram.
Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board of the tram or city bus (1.50€) or the ticket machine in the Central Bus Station (1.50€).
By bus
Buses no. 17 and 23 connect the station to the city centre. The stop (Bussijaam) is located behind the departure platforms, on Juhkentali Street. The buses operate daily from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 23:15 (see schedule).
Depending on your destination, the stops closest to the city centre are Estonia and Vabaduse väljak.
By tram
Trams no. 2 and 4 take you to the city centre and operate daily from approximately 5:30 a.m. to midnight (see schedule). The tram stop (Bussijaam) is located on Tartu maantee Street, approximately 230 metres (0.14 miles) from the station. The most central stops are Hobujaama (both lines), Mere puiestee (tram no. 2), Viru, and Vabaduse väljak (tram no. 4).
International and inter-city connections
International and intercity buses arrive and depart via the Tallinn Central Bus Station.
To and from Riga, St. Petersburg, and Vilnius
In addition to many other European destinations, regular routes to and from Riga, Vilnius, and St. Petersburg operate several times per day.
Lux Express
Tel. +372 680 0909
Ecolines
Tel. +372 606 2217
Flixbus
Inter-city connections in Estonia
See the website of Tpilet for domestic bus lines, fares and timetables.
Passenger information at the Central Bus Station
Tallinn Central Bus Station:
Tel. +372 680 0900
By train
How to get from the Tallinn Railway Station to the city centre
The railway station (Balti jaam) is situated in the city centre, near the Old Town.
On foot
The medieval city walls are only 300 metres (0.19 miles) from the railway station: simply cross Toompuiestee Street.
By public transport
Several bus, tram and trolley lines serve the railway station. Trams no. 1 and 2 take you to the Port of Tallinn (stop: Linnahall or Kanuti) and the city centre (stop: Mere puiestee or Hobujaama). The trams operate daily from approximately 5:30 a.m. to midnight (see schedule).
Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board of the tram or bus (1.50€).
Train connections to and from Tallinn
Inter-city connections in Estonia
Elron
Tel. +372 616 0245
Passenger information at the train station
Tallinn Railway Station (Balti jaam)
Tel. +372 631 0044
By car
How to reach Tallinn by car or caravan
From or through Latvia
The Via Baltica (E67) highway is the fastest road to Tallinn.
From or through Russia
Estonia is part of the Schengen Area. There are three possible entry points at the Estonian-Russian border: checkpoints of Narva-Ivangorod, Luhamaa-Shumilkina, and Koidula-Kunitsina Gora. Read more about crossing procedures and how to pre-book a crossing time on the website of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
Roadside assistance
Service on Estonian roads is provided 24 hour per day by Falck Autoabi OÜ (Falck road assistance), tel. +372 697 9180.
If you need information on the local road conditions and works, check Tark Tee (Smart Road, available in English, Russian and Estonian), an online application of the Estonian Road Administration.
Driving in Estonia: good to know
Documentation
You need the following documents to drive in Estonia:
- Passport or ID card
- Driving licence
- Valid insurance policy
- Car registration certificate
- Driving in Estonia
- Traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road.
- A valid insurance policy is required.
Headlights and seatbelts
- During the day, dipped headlights or daytime driving lights must be switched on. After dark, the main headlights must be switched on.
- The driver and passengers must wear seatbelts at all times.
Speed limits
Speed limits are as follows, unless marked otherwise:- In residential areas: 20 km/h
- In urban areas: 50 km/h
- Outside urban areas: 90 km/h, though in summer, speeds of 110 km/h are allowed on some indicated roads.
You can find more detailed information about driving in Estonia on the website of the local Road Administration.
Filling stations
International and local filling station chains operate in Estonia, the largest of which are Circle K, Neste, and Olerex.