How to Go From Tallinn to Helsinki (and vice versa!)

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The capital cities of Tallinn and Helsinki are separated by the Baltic Sea. Some people travel between the two capitals regularly as commuters. Others take a day trip to go shopping (alcohol is a lot cheaper in Estonia!) or simply to spend the day exploring the other city.

Here are the four ways to go from Tallinn to Helsinki or Helsinki to Tallinn:

Flying

Finnair connects the two cities with a direct flight. This is a great option if ticket prices are low. The drawback to flying is the need to arrive early at the airport and the fact that airports are generally located outside the town center. The Helsinki airport is 20 to 30 minutes away by car. The Tallinn airport is 15 minutes away by car.

Duration: 35 minutes

Cost: Varies from 150 US Dollars to 200 US Dollars. 

Ferry

The most common way to go from Tallinn to Helsinki or vice versa is by ferry. A two to three-hour ferry ride is all that separates the two cities. The ferry allows passengers who are on foot, on bicycles, or even with vehicles to traverse. 

Several companies offer ferries, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to meet any schedule. Check out Eckerö and Tallink. Remember that these companies do not use the same terminals in either city, so you’ll want to double-check those depending on where you are staying in each city.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Cost: Varies from 20 US Dollars to 35 US Dollars (per adult) and 25 US Dollars to 55 US Dollars (per vehicle)

Rental Car

Renting a vehicle is not recommended because driving overland means driving through Russia, which imposes an entire set of different travel restrictions. Instead, if you rent a car, you should take the car onto the ferry that connects the two capitals.

If you rent a vehicle, you’ll have to ask whether there is an additional charge for dropping off the car in a different country. Don’t forget that you’ll also have to pay for gasoline for the vehicle. If you’re going to rent a car, I recommend doing so at your destination instead of using it to travel between the two countries.

Duration: 2-3 hours (via ferry), about 10 hours (through St. Petersburg)
Cost: Varies from 100 US Dollars to 350 US Dollars (depending on season and demand, plus the cost of the ferry)

Train

Train travel between the two countries is not recommended. Russia separates the two countries, creating a long and complicated overland route where you’ll have to change trains in St. Petersburg. The time calculation below does not include any waiting period in St. Petersburg.

Duration: 7-8 hours (Tallinn-St. Petersburg) and 3:30 hours (St. Petersburg-Helsinki)
Cost: Varies from 130 US Dollars to 250 US Dollars (depending on the season, demand, and class)

A proposed Helsinki-to-Tallinn Tunnel would cover the 80 km distance underwater and serve as a rail connector. However, if the tunnel is built, it won’t be until the 2030s, so that’s just something we can look forward to.

Many people travel between Tallinn and Helsinki, and if you’re visiting the Baltics, I encourage you to do so as well!

Check out these related posts:

• Best Things to Do in Helsinki
• 6 Best Day Trips from Helsinki
• 22 Best Things to Do in Tallinn
• 10 Best Souvenirs from Finland

Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler

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