Frequently Asked Questions

Two ferry routes serve Estonia. The fast option is the crossing Helsinki - Tallinn over the Gulf of Finland: just over two hours, operated by Tallink & Silja, Viking Line and Eckerö Line. The relaxed option is the overnight ferry Stockholm - Tallinn with Tallink via the Åland Islands. There is no direct car ferry from further afield in Western Europe, so most travellers reach Helsinki or Stockholm first by other means before boarding.

The shuttle Helsinki - Tallinn. It crosses the Gulf of Finland in just over two hours and is served by three ferry companies with up to around 13 departures a day between them. This is the best option if you are already travelling via Finland. If you would rather make the crossing part of the journey itself, take the overnight ferry from Stockholm instead.

In Helsinki, the Estonia ferries depart from the West Harbour (Länsisatama); in Tallinn you arrive at the terminal close to the Old Town. The overnight ferry to Tallinn departs from Stockholm and makes a brief stop en route at Mariehamn in the Åland Islands. You can book the routes Helsinki - Tallinn and Stockholm - Tallinn.

All departures with date, ferry company and arrival time are listed in the timetable. The Helsinki - Tallinn shuttle runs frequently year-round from early morning to late evening, while the Stockholm - Tallinn overnight ferry departs once in the late afternoon. Set your travel date in the timetable to see the exact times.

For the short Helsinki shuttle, booking a few days ahead is usually enough, though it pays to book earlier during the peak season from June to August or if you are bringing a vehicle. For the overnight ferry from Stockholm, book in good time, as cabins are limited and go first in summer. The booking window shows you the price for your date and vehicle.

This depends on the route, travel date, vehicle and cabin, and prices change constantly. The short Helsinki shuttle is cheaper as a day crossing without a cabin, while the Stockholm overnight ferry includes a cabin. We deliberately do not quote a fixed amount: the booking window shows the current price for your connection once you enter your date and vehicle.

Not on the Helsinki - Tallinn shuttle: the crossing takes just over two hours and you travel by day in the seating areas. On the Stockholm - Tallinn overnight ferry, a cabin is included, since you travel overnight. Inside and outside cabins are available in various categories; they sell out early in peak season, so book yours at the same time.

Yes. All ferries to Estonia carry vehicles, from cars to motorhomes and car-and-trailer combinations. The vehicle price depends on length and height, so you enter the full dimensions when booking. On the short shuttle, your vehicle stays on the closed car deck for the crossing; on the overnight ferry, you also book a cabin.

Payments on board are cashless, and all major credit cards are accepted. The onboard currency on both routes is the euro, since Estonia and Finland are both in the eurozone. On the overnight ferry via Sweden, you can also pay in Swedish kronor. It is still worth carrying a little cash for small amounts.

Estonia is part of the EU and the Schengen Area, so there are no fixed border controls. Still, carry a valid passport or national ID card for everyone travelling, including children, as the ferry company checks identity at check-in. For the vehicle, the registration document is sufficient, and no customs declaration is required.

Yes, and it is straightforward. As travel within the EU, a valid EU pet passport with microchip and current rabies vaccination is enough, with no quarantine required. On board, your dog travels in a pet cabin, kennel, or - on the short Helsinki shuttle - in the vehicle, depending on the ferry company. All onboard rules are covered in our guide Travelling to Estonia With a Dog.

No. Estonia lies within the EU, and travelling via Finland or Sweden stays entirely within the EU. There are therefore no customs formalities and no vehicle import paperwork - a clear contrast to, say, the Iceland ferry. You only need to register your vehicle and its dimensions when booking; everything else is covered in our guide Travelling to Estonia With a Motorhome.