Travel and Tourism Information

Travel - International

AIR

The national airline is Estonian Air (OV) (website: www.estonian-air.ee), which operates six direct flights a week (everyday except Saturday) between Gatwick and Tallinn. For more information, contact the Estonian Air office in the UK (tel: (020) 7333 0196).

International Airports

Tallinn (TLL) (website: www.tallinn-airport.ee) is located 5km (3 miles) northwest of the city. To/from the airport: Buses run between the city and the airport (travel time – 15 minutes). A shuttle bus to the main hotels and the city centre meets all flights. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Banks/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, shops, post office, restaurants, two business lounges, tourist information and car hire. Kärdla (KDL) (website: www.hiiumaa.ee) is located 5km (3miles) east of the city. To/from the airport: Taxis run from central Kärdla to the airport (travel time - 20 minutes). Facilities: Banks/bureux de change, post office, tourist information, car hire, travel agent, parking, a hotel and restaurants/bars.

SEA

The Main ports: Tallinn (website: www.portoftallinn.com). Ferries operate between Tallinn and Helsinki (Finland) (travel time – 3 hours 45 minutes), Stockholm (Sweden) (travel time – 11 hours) and Rostock (Germany) in high season (travel time – 21 hours). Express services run between Tallinn and Helsinki in the high season.

RAIL

Estonian Railways (Eesti Raudtee) (website: www.evr.ee) is underdeveloped, although there is a route on the EVR Express between St Petersburg (Russian Federation) and Talinn. There is no longer a train route between Estonia and Latvia. Travel is slower than by bus. Children up to seven years may travel free if accompanied by an adult and not taking a separate seat.

ROAD

There are direct routes along the Baltic coast into Latvia, Lithuania and Kaliningrad, and also east into the Russian Federation. Routes into the Baltic states are via Poland and Belarus or Poland and Lithuania; border points: Terespol (Poland) – Brest (Belarus) and Ogrodniki (Poland) – Lazdijai (Lithuania).

Bus: Long-distance services run regularly to Riga, Vilnius, Kaliningrad and St Petersburg. There are numerous and excellent road links with all neighbouring countries. Eurolines (52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU; tel: (08705) 143 219; website: www.eurolines.com) and National Express (Ensign Court, 4 Vicarage Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3ES; tel: 08705 808 080; website: www.nationalexpress.com) run regular coach services from the UK to Estonia and other European cities.

Passes: Travellers can either choose Mini-Pass breaks or book a 15-, 30- or 60-day pass. The six Mini-Passes give travellers the freedom to visit three cities, with prices starting from £55. Travellers can stay as long as they like in each city.

Travel - Internal

AIR

There are domestic flights from Tallinn to the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa (this service does not operate during the winter). Charter flights operate between Tartu and Tallinn and the daily Baltic Ekspress runs between Tallinn and Warsaw. The Baltic Aeroservice links Tallinn with Kärdla and Kuressaare. Prices vary, however these services are known to be expensive.

SEA/RIVER

Frequent ferry services connect the mainland with the larger islands, and boats operate on Lake Peipsi and the Emajogi River.

RAIL

The rail system is underdeveloped but most major cities are connected to the network. Rail services to Tartu take about three hours (express trains 2 hours 30 minutes) from Tallinn.

ROAD

Estonia has a high density of roads although there are few major highways. Signs are not illuminated and fairly small, so driving at night is best avoided. Car headlights must be used 24 hours a day. Lead-free and 4-star petrol are now widely available and a good network of petrol stations (many of them open 24 hours) has been developed. Payment is in local currency or by credit card. Traffic drives on the right. The minimum driving age is 18.

Bus: There is a wide network covering most of the country, including express services. Prices are very low and buses are still the most important means of transport. The buses to and from Tallinn are generally quite fast and there are more of them compared to the other cities. There are seven buses a day travelling to Pärnu. Tickets bought from the driver are more expensive (EEK15) then if bought on a newsstand (EEK10). Travellers can also buy a 10 ticket package for EEK 80. Travellers can buy anything from a one hour ticket to a three day ticket. Buses tend to overcrowd. Tickets for minivans have to paid for on board. Buses, trolleys and trams run from Sun-Sat 0600-2300.

Taxi: Private taxis must display the name of the company and their number on the roof. Fares should be agreed upon beforehand. Marshrut-taxis are minibuses which operate on fixed routes stopping on request. They can take up to 10 people.

Car hire: Can be arranged at the airport or in Tallinn. Available from Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.

Parking: Parking on streets in the city, the old town and the Pirita area must be paid for. The first 15 minutes is for free. Travellers can purchase a parking ticket from a street-side machine. In some areas tickets are sold by parking guards. Prices vary from EEK 3 for 15 minutes to EEK 2500 for a month pass.

Regulations: Speed limits are 120kph (74mph) on some roads in summer, 90kph (55mph) outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas. The consumption of alcohol while driving is strictly forbidden.

Documentation: EU nationals should be in possession of an EU or national driving licence and insurance.

URBAN

Taxis in Tallinn are inexpensive. All parts of the city can also be reached by bus, trolley-bus and tram. Tickets can be bought on stalls in the main shopping areas.

Resorts & Excursions

TALLINN

An ancient Hanseatic city and the capital of Estonia, Tallinn has a wealth of historical and architectural monuments, particularly in the old town centre which is dominated by the soaring steeple of the medieval Town Hall (14th-15th centuries), the oldest in northern Europe. More than two-thirds of the original City Wall still stands and a superb view of the narrow streets, the gabled roofs and the towers and spires of old Tallinn is afforded from Toompea Castle, situated on a cliff top. A favourite recreation spot is Kadriorg Park, which contains the palace built for Peter the Great. The Open Air Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the way of rural life in the 18th and 19th centuries

PÄRNU

About two hours drive from Tallinn is Pärnu, a small town situated on the banks of the Pärnu River where it emerges into the Gulf of Riga. Established in the 13th century, the town is known as a seaport and a health resort. Among its attractions are its theatre and its 3km-long (2-mile) sandy beach which is very popular with Estonians.

TARTU

Estonia's second-largest city lies about 176km (110 miles) from Tallinn on the Emajõgi River. The city has a very old university and other sights include the Vyshgorod Cathedral (13th-15th centuries), the Town Hall (18th century) and the university's Botanical Garden.

NARVA

One of the oldest towns in Estonia. Situated on the western banks of the River Narva, it was first mentioned in the chronicle of Novgorod. The Herman Castle is the oldest architectural monument and the city museum, which is situated in the castle, are well worth seeing.

BEYOND THE CITIES

Haapsalu is a small town on the western coast and has been a well-known resort since the 19th century. It is the ideal place to get away from it all with its romantic wooden houses and tree-lined avenues.

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia. On here and on Hiiumaa (Estonia's second largest island) one can see old windmills, stone churches, fishing villages and a restored Episcopal castle dating back to the 13th century.

Mustvee, situated on the shores of the beautiful and vast Lake Peipsi, and Kuremäe, the site of the only functioning convent in Estonia, are also well worth a visit.

NATIONAL PARKS

Lahema National Park (70km/44 miles from Tallinn) is one of Estonia's three national parks, with almost totally unspoiled and untouched forest and swamps, picturesque old fishing villages and historic manor houses. The other two national parks are the Soomaa National Park and the Vilandsi National Park. There are also several nature reserves and protected areas.