Getting to and around Estonia is pretty straightforward. Here’s everything you need to know about Estonia before taking off including local currency, weather, public holidays, and transport options.
Traveling to Estonia is quick and convenient thanks to frequent connections with Scandinavia and the rest of Europe. You can fly to Tallinn with direct flights from dozens of cities, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Paris, and Vienna. Ferry routes connect Tallinn with Helsinki and Stockholm. You can get to Tallinn from Riga, Latvia, by train, with a stop to change trains in Valga. Coach companies also provide frequent buses between Riga and Tallinn.
It is possible to travel via car from Latvia or take your car on the ferry from Stockholm or Helsinki to Tallinn. Major international companies offer rental car services in Tallinn and you can hop in a rental upon your arrival at Tallinn Airport. While a car isn't necessary to explore most of Estonia's major attractions, a car does make it easier to discover Estonia's wild nature or explore rural areas.
Tallinn Airport
Photo: Sven Zacek, Visit Estonia
Estonia is an EU member country and part of the Schengen area. Please consult the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for a list of countries requiring visas and details on applying. If you do need a Schengen area visa, you can apply at an Estonian embassy in your country of origin. If there isn't an Estonian embassy or consulate in your country, you can apply at the office of a Member State representing Estonia for issuing visas.
Passport
Photo: Martti Volt, Visit Estonia
There is a wide variety of local transport options available in Estonia. For cross-country coach routes, schedules, and tickets visit T-pilet.ee.
For train routes and tickets, please visit Elron.ee. For information about domestic ferries to the most popular islands — Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Kihnu, Vormsi, Manilaid, Ruhnu, Aegna, Piirissaar, and Prangli — see praamid.ee, Veeteed.com and Tuuleliinid.ee. There are also domestic flights from Tallinn to the island towns of Kuressaare and Kärdla. Most buses and trains have free Wi-Fi.
Bus number 2 connects the port with Tallinn Airport.
For Tallinn public transport routes and schedules, please visit transport.tallinn.ee. A prepaid Smartcard (Ühiskaart) can be bought and reloaded online or at supermarkets, kiosks, and post offices. Tallinn has an extensive tram system.
Taxi rates vary by company but are posted on a yellow sticker on the right rear window of each vehicle. You can easily order taxis and verified private drivers via Bolt and Uber mobile apps.
Transportation in Tallinn
Photo: Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau
Estonia has right-hand traffic and an extensive road system.
The speed limit in the countryside is 90 km/h and 50 km/h in urban areas unless specified otherwise. Sometimes the speed limit is lowered due to security reasons to 70 km/h. Estonian highways tend to be narrow, therefore it’s important to pay attention to the speed limits and to pay extra attention when overtaking. Speed cameras are common in Estonia and speeding is rarely tolerated.
While driving in Estonia, all passengers are expected to wear seat belts and lights must be switched on at all times. A child safety seat must be installed for toddlers. Estonia has a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence. Parking tends to be free for the first 15 minutes at certain times of the day in Tallinn and Tartu, but there needs to be a clear indication of the start time visible to the parking officer. Shopping mall parking lots tend to be more flexible (free for up to four hours). There are also secured paid bicycle racks available in Tallinn's city center.
More information about parking.
Before taking off, make sure your car has a danger triangle, reflective vest, and a fire extinguisher. Unless your car has all-season tires, you are required to install studded tires for winter driving in Estonia. Studded tires are usually required from the 15th of October to the 31st of March.
Foreign vehicles must have third-party liability insurance in Estonia. Vehicles registered in an EEA country can only be insured in that specific country of registration. For vehicles registered outside of EEA, a Green Card or border insurance is required. Estonia recognizes driving licenses from countries around the world, please check for specific requirements.
Weather permitting, it is possible to drive on ice roads in Estonia, which comes with its own set of rules. The first thing to do before heading out is to check if the ice road is even open (see more).
Here are other useful facts you should know about driving in Estonia:
The weather in Estonia varies by season. The average summer temperature is fairly mild, varying between 16 and 20 degrees Celcius, but can reach up to 30 degrees Celcius. Summer in Estonia tends to be very light, with 19 hours of daylight known locally as "white nights". Spring and autumn see frequent light rain so bring an umbrella and a waterproof jacket. In winter, the rain turns to snow, and the temperature drops below zero, so wrap up warm.
The weather forecast in Estonia is available via weather.ee.
Estonian climate
Photo: Karl Ander Adami, Visit Estonia
Estonia is a safe country with low crime rates. In busy urban areas, as in any country, you should look after your belongings and be aware of pickpocketing. It is required by law for pedestrians to wear a reflector in Estonia due to poor visibility on high traffic roads across the country. Reflectors come in lots of attractive designs and can be purchased for a few euros in supermarkets and souvenir shops.
Tap water is safe to drink all across the country.
Reflector
Photo: Martti Volt, Visit Estonia
It is advisable to purchase travel insurance before a trip. Residents of Europe should check if their healthcare provider has a contract with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. If so, you should also obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving. The EHIC isn't a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles EU citizens to state-provided medical treatment on the same terms as Estonian nationals.
European Health Insurance Card
Photo: Martti Volt, Visit Estonia
Major commercial carriers and hotels in Estonia have all been equipped with accessible entries and facilities. However, it’s always good to double-check before arriving.
Elron trains in Estonia have priority seating (marked with international symbols) for people with limited mobility and there is a wheelchair spot in the C-area that is equipped with a safety belt and an SOS button. Passengers in wheelchairs can board the train using the "C-area" doors, including a fully automated adjustable step and a button to open the door that is designed for use by a passenger in a wheelchair.
Traveler in wheelchair
Photo: Rasmus Jurkatam, Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau
Tax-free shopping enables international shoppers to claim back the VAT on their eligible purchases when they shop abroad. A typical Tax-Free shopping journey begins with an international shopper purchasing goods at a store, with VAT included in the price, and follows these three steps:
Who is eligible for tax-free Shopping in Estonia?
Anyone who has a permanent residence in a non-EU country
How to shop tax-free
Ask for more details from the store or visit the Customs website.
NEW! From 1 January 2021, UK residents in England, Wales, and Scotland (excluding Northern Ireland) are eligible to use the Tax-Free Shopping service in Estonia.
Tax-free shopping
Photo by: Kaspar Orasmäe, Visit Estonia
Traveling with a pet
Photo: Janis Kokk
Most shops, banks, and restaurants are open on public holidays — the 25th of December and 1st of January are the only days when most businesses are closed.
Midsummer's Eve
Photo: Visit Estonia