Ferry to Estonia
Helsinki - Tallinn
The busiest ferry route on the Baltic Sea - three operators link Helsinki and Tallinn at high frequency across the Gulf of Finland
- Up to around 13 daily departures with Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line
- Crossing in just 2 to 2.5 hours - perfect for a day trip to Tallinn''s old town
- Cars, motorhomes and pets travel too; seating areas and lounges instead of a compulsory cabin
Helsinki - Tallinn
The busiest ferry route on the Baltic Sea
The Helsinki - Tallinn route is the busiest ferry link on the entire Baltic Sea: across the roughly 80-kilometre-wide Gulf of Finland, three operators run services - Tallink (Megastar and MyStar), Viking Line (Viking XPRS) and Eckerö Line (MS Finlandia) - together up to around 13 times a day. Depending on the ship, the crossing takes only 2 to 2.5 hours, so Tallinn works comfortably as a day trip from Helsinki.
These are modern shuttle ferries: for the short crossing you don't need a cabin, but will find open seating areas, lounges, restaurants and a large onboard shop. Cars, motorhomes and motorbikes travel on the vehicle deck. In Helsinki, Tallink and Eckerö Line depart from the West Terminal (Länsiterminaali T2), while Viking Line departs from the Katajanokka terminal; in Tallinn the ships dock at the central Old City Harbour, just a few minutes' walk from the old town.
- Crossing time
- approx. 2-2.5 hrs
- Operators
- Tallink, Viking, Eckerö
- Frequency
- up to ~13× daily
- From price
- €17
- Tallink & Silja Line
- Eckerö Line
- Viking Line
Next departures
Route guide
Ferry Helsinki - Tallinn at a glance
Everything about the Helsinki - Tallinn route: the three operators' terminals in Helsinki, check-in times, life on board the shuttle ferries, plus vehicle, pet and onward-travel information for Tallinn.
Getting to the terminals in Helsinki
Which terminal you need depends on the operator. Tallink (Megastar and MyStar) and Eckerö Line (MS Finlandia) depart from West Terminal 2 (Länsiterminaali T2) in the Jätkäsaari district, at Tyynenmerenkatu 14. Viking Line (Viking XPRS) departs from the Katajanokka terminal, Katajanokanlaituri 8, about 1.5 kilometres east of the main railway station. Check your terminal when you book.
Both terminals are close to the city centre and easy to reach by tram; the West Terminal in Jätkäsaari is also served by bus. Driving in, follow signs for "Länsisatama/West Harbour" or "Katajanokka" as appropriate. Paid car parks are available right at both terminals if you're leaving your vehicle in Helsinki.
Check-in and departure
Check-in deadlines vary by operator, but all fall shortly before departure. With Tallink, ticket check-in must be completed at least 30 minutes before departure, and boarding closes 20 minutes before. With Viking Line, the terminal opens around 90 minutes before departure, and check-in and boarding both close 20 minutes before. With Eckerö Line, check-in opens two hours before departure; vehicle check-in closes 45 minutes before.
The quickest way to check in is by app: all three operators offer app or online check-in with a QR code, plus self-service kiosks in the terminal (with Viking Line, using the kiosk also avoids the service fee charged at the counter). If you're travelling by car, allow extra time. Finland and Estonia are both in the Schengen area, so there are no routine border checks - it's still worth carrying valid ID.
On board the shuttle ferries
For the short crossing you won't need a cabin: Megastar, MyStar, Viking XPRS and Finlandia are shuttle ferries with open seating areas and lounges. With Tallink you can choose between Star Class open seating and quieter options such as the Comfort, Business or Platinum lounge; Eckerö Line offers reservable Horizon Seats. On board you'll find buffet and à la carte restaurants plus bars, along with a large onboard shop - on Tallink, the two-storey Traveller Superstore. Travellers who prefer more privacy can book an optional private cabin with Tallink or Eckerö Line.
Payment on board is in euros: both Finland and Estonia are in the eurozone, so there's no need to change currency. Major credit and debit cards are accepted.
Vehicles, motorhomes and pets
Cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and combinations with a trailer or caravan can travel with all three operators; state the length and type accurately when booking, as the fare is based on your vehicle's dimensions. The car deck stays locked during the crossing, so apply the handbrake and take anything important up on deck with you. For details on travelling with a camper, see the guide Motorhome.
Pets are welcome everywhere but must be registered when booking. With Tallink, your pet travels in a kennel, a pet-friendly cabin or in the vehicle, with an exercise area on deck 7 and a sand area on deck 10. Viking Line has dedicated pet areas and outer decks, while Eckerö Line keeps your pet in the car or in a special pet cabin, with a sand area on the outer deck. Since Finland and Estonia are both EU members, dogs, cats and ferrets need an EU pet passport; more on this in the guide Dogs and pets.
Arriving in Tallinn and onward travel
In Tallinn, the ships dock at the Old City Harbour (Vanasadam), right at the edge of the city. Tallink arrives at the D-Terminal, while Viking Line and Eckerö Line arrive at Terminal A, Sadama 25. From either terminal, the medieval old town is about a 15-minute walk away - the harbour is so central that a day trip needs no further transport.
If you're heading further afield, tram and bus services run from the harbour into the city centre or to the airport. Tallinn is also a good base for exploring the Baltics further: long-distance coaches connect the city with Riga and Vilnius, and with your own vehicle you can head straight south on the Via Baltica.
Tickets and fares
The operators don't publish fixed from-prices; what your crossing costs is shown in the booking window for your travel date and ship. Because Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line compete on the same route, it's worth comparing prices - the fare depends on departure time, season and vehicle. For a day trip, a return ticket is the obvious choice; frequent travellers will also find multi-trip tickets with some operators.
You'll usually get the best price by booking early, travelling midweek and avoiding peak times. All operators' departures are listed in the timetable.
Ferry Helsinki - Tallinn
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Helsinki - Tallinn ferry with Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line
How long does the Helsinki - Tallinn crossing take, and how often does the ferry run?+
Depending on the operator, the crossing takes around 2 to 2.5 hours: Tallink's Megastar and MyStar take about 2 hours, Eckerö Line's MS Finlandia around 2 hours 15 minutes, and Viking Line's Viking XPRS about 2.5 hours. Between them, the three operators offer up to around 13 departures a day.
Because departure times shift with the season and day of the week, it's worth checking the current timetable before booking. On this popular route, book early on travel days that see a lot of day-trippers.
Which operator should I choose for Helsinki - Tallinn?+
All three operators get you there in a little over two hours, but they differ by terminal: Tallink (Megastar, MyStar) and Eckerö Line (MS Finlandia) depart from Helsinki's West Terminal 2 in Jätkäsaari, while Viking Line (Viking XPRS) departs from the Katajanokka terminal, closer to the city centre. In Tallinn, Tallink arrives at the D-Terminal, while Viking Line and Eckerö Line arrive at Terminal A - all within the central Old City Harbour.
For a straightforward day trip, the departure time that best fits your plans usually decides it. Travelling by car or motorhome, also compare the vehicle fares shown in the booking window.
How much does the Helsinki - Tallinn ferry cost?+
The operators don't publish fixed from-prices. What your crossing costs is shown in the booking window for your specific travel date and ship. The price depends on the operator, departure time, season, and whether you're travelling on foot or with a vehicle.
Since three operators compete on the same route, it's worth comparing prices. You'll usually pay less by booking early, travelling midweek and avoiding peak times; for a day trip, a return ticket is the obvious choice.
Do I need a cabin, or is there just seating?+
No, for the short crossing of around two hours you don't need a cabin. The ships are shuttle ferries with open seating areas, lounges, restaurants and an onboard shop; a seat is included in the ticket. For a surcharge, Tallink and Eckerö Line also offer an optional private cabin or a seat in a comfort lounge if you'd rather travel in a quieter setting.
For a standard day trip, the regular seat is entirely sufficient. Payment on board is in euros - both Finland and Estonia are in the eurozone, and major cards are accepted.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and combinations with a trailer or caravan can travel on the vehicle deck with all three operators; state the length and type accurately when booking. The car deck stays locked during the crossing, so apply the handbrake before leaving your vehicle and take everything you need up with you.
For details on travelling with a camper - from the space on board to onward travel - see the guide Motorhome.
Can I bring my pet on board?+
Yes, pets are welcome on all three operators and must be registered when booking. With Tallink, your pet travels in a kennel, a pet-friendly cabin or in the vehicle; there are exercise and sand areas on deck. Viking Line has dedicated pet areas and outer decks, while with Eckerö Line your pet stays in the car or in a special pet cabin, with a sand area on the outer deck.
Since Finland and Estonia are both EU members, dogs, cats and ferrets need an EU pet passport. For everything else that applies when travelling with a pet, see the guide Dogs and pets.