Ferry to Tallinn from Helsinki: how to Book, Prices and Hours

A ferry to Tallinn from Helsinki offers comfort, speed and tranquillity. It's the best way to visit Estonia's iconic capital, which is notable for its medieval atmosphere and contrasts with the more modern districts. It's only two hours away and although there are flights connecting the two cities, they often have layovers that seem to take forever. As for the buses, I'm afraid to say that they are not up to the standards of the Gulf sights.

It's no wonder this trip is so popular, as it combines the wonders of both cities and can give you an unparalleled experience. The best time to take this ferry trip is in summer, when the gentle sea breeze makes the journey more enjoyable.

The most complete option

Round Trip Ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn

Cross the Gulf of Finland and enjoy a self-paced tour of Tallinn, return ticket assured.

Take advantage of a relaxing cruise to one of the Baltic's most idyllic destinations. With return tickets, as well as plenty of free time to explore on your own.

From £39 at Hellotickets

Take advantage of how easy it is to travel from one city to another and save yourself the hassle of airport formalities. It's best to buy a return ferry ticket from 45 euros to save the stress of buying a last-minute return ticket at the ticket office. Generally, the tour can be done independently, so you can explore Tallinn at your own pace and choose the sights of your choice.

I recommend ferry travel for many reasons, firstly because it's the easiest way to cross the Gulf and enjoy an adventurous day out. Another reason for preferring this mode of transport is the direct connection in most cases. In addition, some people prefer to stay a couple of days in Tallinn, or take part in the best excursions from Helsinki to get to know the city in depth with a guide or audio guide.

Recommended if... you want to make an independent visit to Tallinn from Helsinki, but don't want to worry about tickets at the last minute.

There are different price options for buying a Tallinn ferry ticket from Helsinki. The best option covers both return transfers and costs approximately 45 euros. Booking both journeys directly is the best way to ensure a quick, comfortable and hassle-free return (in case you plan to continue your journey through the Finnish capital). Please note that food and beverages are not usually included, but can be purchased on board.

What is usually included in this price is WiFi on board and the option to enjoy a long tour of Tallinn at your leisure. Of course, the price can vary depending on your preferences and needs. The more modern ferries tend to be more expensive, offering high-speed routes and private cabins, generally ranging from 60-80 euros per trip. The cost can vary depending on the season - if you plan to visit Helsinki in winter, you can take advantage of the low season to catch lower prices with options from as little as 10 euros.

On the other hand, on weekends prices go up a bit, as it is a favourite destination for locals and tourists alike. In that case, I recommend buying in advance, to avoid queues at the ticket office and secure your dream holiday in Northern Europe at a reasonable price. Another thing to consider before making your choice is that there are ferries that have parties on board. Prices are high and there are usually no stops for a tour, so you'll have to make do with a quick glimpse from the boat.

Three routes operate from Helsinki with a variety of options, offering approximately 6 daily departures and 75 crossings per week. There are no tickets with preferential access, but entry to the ferry facilities is fairly quick and there are no queues.

Solo tends to be a bit chaotic during peak season and it is advisable to book in advance to avoid the hassle of buying tickets at the ticket office. Although you can find preferential or VIP tickets to enjoy exclusive luxuries and comforts inside the boat, such as private cabins.

The trip to Tallinn is definitely one of the best excursions from Helsinki. Here are all the types of tickets you can find:

• One-wayticket: this is ideal for those who plan to make a trip between cities and therefore do not plan to return to Helsinki. It can also be a good alternative if you are a free spirit and want to decide on the fly how many days you will stay in Tallinn.
• Round-trip ticket: This is the best option if you plan at least 3 days in Helsinki or less, as you will have a window of time to tour Tallinn and then you can return to the capital. Generally, you can select your return time and enjoy comfortable seats and WiFi on board.
• Megastar ticket: This is a more modern ferry which tends to offer high-speed routes, although in general most ferries cover the journey in the same amount of time. One thing that makes this type of ticket special is that you can book a cabin to rest during the journey. The journey is not that long, so this kind of comfort is optional.
• Ticket with car: If you plan to spend a couple of days in Tallinn, you may want to take your car with you. It is subject to availability, so it is advisable to book in advance.
• Guided tour ticket: if you want to enjoy the company of a guide, see the city in a group or buy an audio guide, this type of ticket is the ideal option.

Unfortunately, there is no tourist pass that includes the ferry to Tallinn from Helsinki and you must buy tickets separately. However, the Tallinn Card can make your trip easier as you can book it for 1 or 3 days. This way, you can see more than 40 attractions for free, including the TV Tower, the Estonian History Museum and St Olaf's Church.

In Helsinki you'll find a variety of options for exploring the Estonian capital, including ferry trips that include guided tours and self-guided audio tours. These options are recommended for tourists charting their first adventure in the Baltic region, as they offer an extra helping hand in getting to know this wonderful medieval city and appreciating its sights. It's worth it if you plan to spend at least 3 days in the city and want to make a quick trip, but don't know where to start. It's also a good choice if you want to enjoy comfort at all times.

You'll be able to spend time exploring the history of Tallinn, with its jaw-dropping old town. Plus, you'll take the stress out of planning every detail and just enjoy a relaxing evening. Another good news is that it is available in different languages, including Spanish. It's not for nothing that this is one of the best excursions from Helsinki and a must-do during your stay in Northern Europe.

Generally, this type of experience includes tickets, so you don't even have to worry about selecting them. Depending on your availability, you can choose the best option and take the opportunity to visit the Old Town Square, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral or Toompea Castle, which tend to be favourite destinations during this type of tour. Occasionally, you may also be given free time to explore the city at your own pace, in which case I suggest you consider:

• Tallinn Walls: the medieval hallmark of Estonia's capital that you cannot miss during your visit.
• Maakri district: the most modern representation of the city, with towering skyscrapers that will leave you overwhelmed (in a good way).
• Toompea viewpoints: an excellent choice for panoramic photos of the city and a different perspective of the old town.
• Saiakang Alley: an iconic passageway that interconnects the city, especially with Pühavaim Street.

Some companies may offer discounts for students and senior citizens, but it all depends on the service provider. It is difficult to establish when discounts may be available for this trip, but here are some tips to help you find the best prices:

• Low season: buying from September to May can ensure discounts on the ticket, and you can even find excursions from 10 euros. My recommendation is to consider visiting Helsinki in winter, when there are fewer tourists and more friendly offers.
• Book in advance: booking online can ensure a magical experience, at a lower price than usual.
• Compare prices: before making a decision, shop around to choose the best option according to your budget, itinerary and the sights you plan to see.
• Buy a return ticket: by buying both tickets, you save a lot of time and money.

Children are rewarded on this type of trip, as they usually pay a little less and receive some discounts. In general, infants and children under 4 years of age pay absolutely nothing, but they must travel with a responsible adult who has their documents up to date. Also, children between the ages of 4 and 11 can receive a discount of up to 50%, depending on the company. Additionally, children under the age of eighteen can get options from 15 euros.

Of course, some parents or families prefer all the comforts for children and opt for a ticket with a private cabin, which raises the price considerably and does not usually include discounts. Some ferries have such offers limited to a certain amount per trip, but as one of the best things to do in Helsinki, I recommend booking in advance and notifying them that you have a little one on board.

Buying at the ticket office involves many risks that you may want to avoid, such as tickets being sold out, arriving late for check-in or queuing for a long time. Some of the reasons why it pays to buy online include:

• Cheaper prices: it is possible that last-minute ticket prices may increase, especially when demand is high. In many cases, buying online can be cheaper and more flexible.
• No more queues: many times ticket offices have queues and it is annoying to wait in line. Online you can book your seats in a matter of minutes.
• Secure luggage: last-minute purchases at the ticket office can lead to unpleasant surprises. For example, there may not be enough space for your luggage, so you will face weight restrictions. By buying online, you can be sure of the type of suitcase you want to take.
• Guaranteed availability: when you buy online you can choose the date and time of your choice, as well as resolve your queries in advance. At the ticket office you run the risk of there being no seats available.

How to buy at the ticket office

If for any reason you have to buy at the ticket office, I recommend you arrive early in order to do so without any inconvenience. You should go to the ticket offices located in the port of Helsinki at Terminal 2 and 3, although you can usually find different ticket booths for the different companies operating the route. They are usually open a couple of hours before the tours start. You will be asked for the date and time of travel, the number of passengers and whether you have any vehicles you want to add. The advantage is that here you can pay with cash or card.

How to book your ticket online: step by step

To make it easier, here's how you can book a return ferry to Tallinn from Helsinki in just three easy steps:

• Step 1: Choose the date and time of your convenience, indicating how many tickets you want.
• Step 2: Add your personal and contact information, remember that your booking details will be sent to your email address.
• Step 3: Make your payment and receive a confirmation.

Generally the ferry to Tallinn operates from 7.30am to 11pm, but this may vary depending on the season, with summer to Helsinki being the best time to take advantage of this excursion. Be punctual, you will generally not get a refund if you miss the activity or arrive late. It is recommended that you arrive at the terminal at least 45 minutes before departure so that you can complete all boarding formalities. In fact, check-in closes 30 minutes before and if you are not present, your ticket is likely to be cancelled.

Most ferries to Tallinn from Helsinki take approximately two hours and fifteen minutes, with the famous high-speed ferries making little difference, offering a journey time of approximately two hours. Of course, sea conditions can add to the journey time, so it's best to take advantage of this activity in good weather.

In terms of season, this activity is ideal if you're looking for things to do in Helsinki in summer or spring, as the temperatures in these seasons make the trip more pleasant. If you plan to visit the city in winter, you can take advantage of the tour but you should consider that the weather conditions are not the most favourable, the winter scenery compensates a bit.

As for the best time, probably early in the morning to return to Helsinki before sunset. This will give you plenty of time to explore Tallinn and its medieval beauties. Also, if you're looking for low prices you can take advantage of the low season in Helsinki which runs from September to May, or visit in the low season in Tallinn which runs from October to May.

There are other ways to get to Estonia's wonderful capital, although nothing matches the ferry experience. For example, you can get a ride from 10 euros on a bus operated by FlixBus which takes about two hours. The downside is that it departs once a day, so you don't have much choice of timetables.

Air travel is a more suitable option for those who don't enjoy boat trips, with tickets starting at €80, but if you buy last minute prices start at €320. The journey takes two hours and is operated by different airlines such as Scandinavian Airlines and AirBaltic which make stops in Stockholm and Oslo which can increase the journey time to up to seven hours. Perhaps because of this, I don't recommend it for short trips.

To soak up the outstanding beauties of Tallinn, it is enough to set aside one day for this getaway. This amount of time is ideal, especially if you'll only bein Helsinki for about 3days. Some people usually stay between four and seven hours to discover its medieval surprises at their leisure. If you want an in-depth visit, I recommend a more flexible itinerary and consider spending four days wandering the streets.

Whether you have some free time, or you want to make an independent visit, here are the must-sees of this Baltic city:

• Pikk Street: where most of the medieval buildings are concentrated, in fact the 71st house is the oldest in the city.
• St. Catherina's Passage: to take hundreds of photos in the wall of a former convent.
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the most important cathedral in Tallinn, which has the character of Russian architecture, because it was built by the Russian Empire during the 19th century.

• Travel in the low season, i.e. September to May. If you're lucky you can see the Northern Lights in October, November and March. If it's warm and cheerful weather you want, you should consider a summer trip to Helsinki to take advantage of this activity.
• Buy the Tallinn Card if you want to take advantage of the city's attractions and enjoy free transport.
• Arrive at the terminal at least 45 minutes before departure. Check-in closes approximately 30 minutes before departure.
• You will only be able to redeem your ticket with your reservation number and the required travel documentation.
• You will not receive a refund if you arrive late or miss the ferry, but some companies offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.