Everything you need to know before your ferry crossing between Helsinki and Tallinn — from prices and schedules to documents and pets.
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The most important questions
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The travel time depends on the operator:
Tallink (Megastar/MyStar): 2 hours — the fastest connection. Viking Line (XPRS): 2 hours 30 to 40 minutes. Eckerö Line (Finlandia): 2 hours 15 minutes — but the cheapest car fare.
The distance is 82 km across the Gulf of Finland. All ferries operate year-round, even in ice conditions (ice class 1A Super on Tallink).
Prices vary by operator, season and booking time:
Tallink: from €9 (one-way, Star Class). Day trip discount up to 40%. Viking Line: same-day return from €14 (round trip). Single ticket from approx. €19. Eckerö Line: tickets from €15, car price by vehicle size — or bring your car for free on the 6-hour mini cruise.
Children aged 0–5 travel free with Tallink. Booking early secures the best prices. All prices in detail →
EU citizens: A valid passport or national ID card. Both countries are part of the Schengen Area — there are no border controls, but a valid ID document is required on board.
Non-EU citizens: A passport is required. Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa for Finland (EU) or Estonia (EU).
Children: Need their own ID document. Children's entries in parents' passports are no longer accepted.
Yes, all three operators allow pets for an additional fee:
Tallink: Pets in special pet cabins (no carpet, with water bowl). Also allowed on the outdoor deck. Viking Line: Pet cabins available. Small animals in carriers are also allowed in certain areas. Eckerö Line: Pets for an additional fee. In the car or in designated areas.
Important: An EU pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination is mandatory. Dogs must be on a leash, cats in carriers.
Yes, all three operators transport cars, motorhomes and motorcycles:
Eckerö Line: tickets from €15, car price by vehicle size — the cheapest ticket on the route. Tallink: car from €22 one-way, on top of the passenger ticket. Booking via tallink.com. Viking Line: car package (Autopaketti) for 2–5 people, priced by booking date and vehicle size.
Vehicle check-in closes 30 minutes before departure with Tallink and Viking Line, and 45 minutes before with Eckerö Line. More about travelling by car →
No, there is no official luggage limit on the Helsinki–Tallinn ferries. You can bring as much as you can carry yourself.
Practical tips:
• Luggage trolleys are available free of charge at all terminals.
• Lockers are available on the ferries (for a fee).
• For day trips we recommend just a backpack — lighter and more flexible.
Cancellation policies differ by operator and ticket type:
Viking Line: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for standard tickets. Tallink: Rebooking is generally possible. Cancellation depends on the fare — multi-trip tickets are flexibly changeable and transferable. Eckerö Line: Cancellation policies vary by ticket type.
Tip: Check the specific conditions when booking. Flexible fares cost a little more but offer peace of mind.
Yes, all modern ferries on this route are fully accessible:
• Lifts between all passenger decks
• Accessible cabins with wide doors and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms (on Tallink and Viking Line)
• Wheelchair-accessible areas in restaurants and lounges
• Priority boarding for wheelchair users and persons with reduced mobility
Please inform the operator when booking about any special needs so everything can be prepared.
No — the ferry terminals and on-board shops/restaurants are largely cashless. Both the Helsinki and Tallinn terminals almost exclusively accept card payments (credit and debit cards, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay).
On board: All shops, restaurants and bars accept card payments only. Cash is not accepted.
In Tallinn: Most shops and restaurants in the Old Town accept cards. Cash can be useful for street vendors and small souvenir shops.
Yes, absolutely! A day trip Helsinki–Tallinn (or vice versa) is one of the most popular activities in the region:
• Viking Line SDR: from €14 round trip (same-day return with 50% discount)
• Tallink: up to 40% discount on day trips
• 6–8 hours in Tallinn (with an early outbound and late return ferry)
Tallinn's UNESCO Old Town is compact and walkable. One day is enough for the main sights. Day trip guide →
It depends on your priorities:
Tallink (Megastar/MyStar): Best choice for speed (2h), frequency (6x daily), shopping (largest duty-free at sea) and sustainability (LNG-powered).
Viking Line (XPRS): Best same-day return fare (from €14 round trip). Great choice for day-trippers on a budget.
Eckerö Line (Finlandia): Cheapest tickets on the route (from €15), car priced by vehicle size. Slightly longer than Tallink (2:15 h), but affordable and family-friendly.