Tallinn: arrival & departure
26.03.2024
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 2024, Tallinn airport received an Airport Service Quality award making it the best in Europe in the category of airports with up to five million passengers. It is also one of just five airports around the globe to be inducted into ACI World’s Roll of Excellence for having won multiple awards as part of the ASQ programme.
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 bus or taxi.
By bus
You can get to the city centre from Tallinn Airport by buses 2 and 15.
The buses leave from the airport's lowest level (stop Lennujaam), down the escalator from the arrivals hall – simply follow the signs.
In the city centre, bus no 2 departs from Baltic Station in the city centre and it stops at Freedom Square, Estonia puiestee and Kaubamaja tänav. Bus no 15 departs from bus stop "Estonia" in the city centre, next to Solaris Shopping centre.
Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board (€2) or the ticket machine at the airport (€2), and the ride from the airport takes around 20-25 minutes. Timetables for Tallinn's public transport: transport.tallinn.ee.
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 €15. 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
Buses 20 and 20A go to the city centre from in front of Terminal D.
Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board (€2) or the ticket machines located at the A and D terminals (€2).
By taxi
A taxi from the different port terminals to the city centre costs around 7€-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 and Stockholm
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 6006
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 (with Estonian sim: 1719)
Terminal A (arrivals and departures)
To and from Stockholm
Tallink
Tel. +372 640 9808 (with Estonian sim: 1 7808)
Terminal D (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'
Around 110 quay spots
Noblessner Marina
Tel. +372 5688 8825
N 59°27’18.00” E24°44’07.20”
192 quay spots
Pirita Sadam (Pirita Harbour)
Tel. +372 639 8801
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.
Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board of the city bus (€2) or the ticket machine in the Central Bus Station (€2).
By bus
Buses no. 67 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.
International and inter-city connections
International and intercity buses arrive and depart via the Tallinn Central Bus Station.
To and from Riga and Vilnius
In addition to many other European destinations, regular routes to and from Riga and Vilnius 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. +372 681 3408
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 and trolley lines serve the railway station. Buses number 2 and 3 take you from the Balti Jaam bus stop in front of the station to the city centre. Buses 21 and 21B drive through the city centre (stop Vabaduse Väljak) and then continue towards Rocca Al Mare.
Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board of the tram or bus (€2).
Train connections to and from Tallinn
Inter-city connections in Estonia
Elron
Tel. +372 616 0245
Passenger information at the train station
Elron
24 h hotline +372 616 0245
Elron info line
+372 673 7400
(Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00)
info@elron.ee
elron.ee
24 h hotline +372 616 0245
Elron info line
+372 673 7400
(Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00)
info@elron.ee
elron.ee
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.
Roadside assistance
When driving abroad, please make sure you know the terms of your car insurance, especially regarding roadside assitance.
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
Make sure your driving licence is recognised in Estonia.
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: 30 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, Alexela and Olerex.