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Travel Info · Helsinki–Tallinn

Travelling with Children
on the Ferry

The two-hour crossing, play areas on every ship, and buffet deals for children make this route a natural fit for families. Children under 6 travel free with Tallink and Eckerö Line — and every child needs their own ID.

0–5 yrs
Free with Tallink
<6 yrs
Free with Eckerö Line
from €10
Ages 6–17 with Eckerö Line
2 h
Short crossing
Age Groups

Children's fares & discounts

Each operator handles children's fares differently — a flat percentage doesn't tell the whole story. Here's how it actually breaks down.

Operator Free Children & Teens Notes
Tallink 0–5 years 6–17 years: junior fare, price shown at booking Declare free-riding children too, with name and date of birth, at booking
Viking Line Not publicly set for Helsinki–Tallinn Child price shown at booking The well-known “under 12 free” rule applies only to Helsinki–Stockholm
Eckerö Line Under 6 years 6–17 years: from €10 per crossing, from €7 with an S-Etukortti card (offer runs through 31 Dec 2026) Adults from €15 per crossing

Sources: official price pages of Tallink and Eckerö Line. As of August 2026.

On Board

Children's entertainment at sea

All three operators have play areas on board — each with its own twist: Lotte Village on Tallink, the ball pit on Viking XPRS, the sea-view playground on the Finlandia.

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Lotte Village (Tallink)
The play area on Megastar (deck 9) and MyStar (deck 8) is named after Lotte, the Estonian animated character. Older kids have a Game Room with video games.
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FriendSHIP Package (Tallink)
Tallink's experience package for children on Megastar and MyStar: a wristband loaded with €10 of onboard credit, a captain's gift, and an activity book with a treasure hunt. €18.90 per one-way trip, €16.90 for Club One members.
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Ville Viking (Viking XPRS)
A playroom with a ball pit on board. The ship's cat, Ville Viking, and play staff are around Friday through Sunday and during school holidays; the Ville Viking wristband bundles ice cream, a gift and unlimited soft drinks.
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Sea-View Playground (Finlandia)
On the Eckero ferry, young children play in the Bistro & Cafe Satama on deck 8 — with climbing features and a view of the water. There are also activity stations at the Nosturi bar, plus the ParadoxSea family cruises in summer 2026.
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Buffet Deals for Children
Children under 6 eat free in all three buffets — with Tallink via advance reservation, with Viking via advance purchase. On Eckerö Line, ages 6–17 pay half price and get a coloring book.
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Baby Changing Rooms
Megastar: next to the playroom on deck 9 and in the women's restroom on deck 8. MyStar: next to the play area on deck 8 and on deck 9. Viking XPRS: in both accessible restrooms on deck 8.
Operator Comparison

Family services compared

Here's how the three operators differ on family and children's services.

Criteria Tallink Tallink Silja Line Viking Viking Line Eckero Eckerö Line
Children free 0–5 years Not publicly set for this route Under 6 years
Children's fare 6–17 Junior fare (price at booking) Price at booking From €10, from €7 with S-Etukortti
Play area Lotte Village — Megastar deck 9, MyStar deck 8 Playroom with ball pit Playground in Bistro & Cafe Satama, deck 8
Gaming Game Room with video games No No
Children in the buffet Under 6 free (advance reservation) Under 6 free (advance purchase); €2–4 on board for ages 1–5 Under 6 free; 6–17 half price + coloring book
Mascot / program FriendSHIP Package (€18.90) Ville Viking — Fri–Sun & holidays ParadoxSea summer program 2026
Travelling alone from 15 yrs (day trip, parental form) 16 yrs (one-way only; day cruise: 18) 16 yrs (original form required)
Tips

Practical tips for families

Book early, save more
Booking ahead secures the best family fares. Cheap tickets sell out fast, especially during summer holidays and public holidays.
Strollers & pushchairs
Strollers travel free — on Tallink ships they go in the cabin or, for a fee, into the luggage room. There's no stroller rental on board, but lifts connect every deck.
Every child needs an ID
A passport or ID card is required — even for babies. Driver's licenses and birth certificates don't count. Viking Line asks for documents even on Tallinn cruises without disembarking.
Register baby equipment ahead
Tallink provides cots, potties and a way to warm baby food free of charge — register at least 24 hours in advance. Viking offers baby beds (under 1 year / 10 kg) through the onboard info desk, but not in the XPRS's standard inside cabins.
Teens & Young Travellers

Travelling alone: the three operators' age rules

The biggest difference between operators isn't price — it's the age rules, ranging from “15 with a form” to “not allowed on day cruises under 18 at all.”

Operator Travelling alone from Conditions
Tallink 15 years Day crossings and day cruises only, with written parental travel permission (form available on tallink.com, also in German). Under 15: companion must be at least 21 (day trip) or 25 (with overnight stay).
Viking Line 16 years One-way crossings only. Under 16, nothing works alone on Helsinki–Tallinn — not even with written permission. Companion must be at least 18, and checking in together is mandatory.
Eckerö Line 16 years 16–17-year-olds may travel alone on crossings and day cruises — only with Eckerö Line's original consent form, checked at check-in. Otherwise: a parent/guardian or authorized supervisor aged 22+ (max. 10 minors).
⚠️ The day-cruise trap with Viking Line
A same-day round trip counts as a cruise with Viking Line — and that means the age limit jumps to 18; travel permissions don't help. Anyone 16 or 17 who wants a solo day trip to Tallinn should book two separate one-way crossings with Viking, or travel with Tallink (from 15 with a form) or Eckerö Line (from 16 with a form).
Pregnant travellers
Tallink carries passengers up to one month before the due date — after that, boarding can be refused; there's no nurse on board Megastar or MyStar. Eckerö Line advises against travel late in pregnancy but doesn't set a fixed cutoff.
Evenings on board (Viking XPRS)
After 10pm, the dance floor and nightclub on the XPRS have a minimum age of 13; after midnight, it's 18.
At a Glance

Family trip Helsinki–Tallinn

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Under 6 free
Young children travel free with Tallink (0–5) and Eckerö Line (under 6) — still worth declaring at booking. Viking only shows children's fares during booking.
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Play areas everywhere
Lotte Village on Tallink, a ball pit on Viking XPRS, a sea-view playground on the Finlandia — all three operators have kids' areas.
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Just 2 hours
The short crossing is perfect for families — children don't get restless, and there's plenty to discover.
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Buffet deals
Children under 6 eat free in all three operators' buffets — with Tallink via advance reservation, with Viking via advance purchase, with Eckerö Line as standard.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ: Travelling with children across the Gulf of Finland

Up to what age do children travel free?
With Tallink up to age 5, with Eckerö Line under 6. Ages 6–17 pay from €10 per crossing with Eckerö Line (from €7 with an S-Etukortti card). Viking Line doesn't publicly set children's fares for this route — the “under 12 free” rule applies only to Helsinki–Stockholm.
Do children need their own ID?
Yes. Every child — even babies — needs their own passport or ID card. Driver's licenses and birth certificates don't count. Viking Line requires documents even for Tallinn cruises without disembarking.
From what age can teenagers travel alone?
Tallink: from 15 on day trips with parental travel permission (form also available in German). Viking Line: from 16, but one-way crossings only — day cruises require 18. Eckerö Line: from 16 with an original consent form, checked at check-in.
What's on board for children?
Tallink: Lotte Village (Megastar deck 9, MyStar deck 8) and a Game Room. Viking XPRS: a playroom with a ball pit, plus Ville Viking and play staff Friday–Sunday and during holidays. Eckero's Finlandia: a sea-view playground in the Bistro & Cafe Satama on deck 8, and activity stations at the Nosturi bar.
Do children eat free in the buffet?
Under 6, yes — with all three operators, accompanied by a paying adult: Tallink requires advance reservation, Viking requires advance purchase (paying on board costs €2–4 for ages 1–5), Eckerö Line as standard. Ages 6–17 pay half price on Eckerö Line and get a coloring book.
What is the FriendSHIP Package?
Tallink's experience package for children on Megastar and MyStar: a wristband with €10 of onboard credit, a captain's gift, and an activity book with a treasure hunt — €18.90 per one-way trip, €16.90 with Club One.
Family trip Helsinki–Tallinn
Children up to 5 travel free — plan the perfect family day now.
Book tickets now →