DE EN FI ET SV
Home › Travelling with Pets
🐾 PETS
Travel Info · Helsinki–Tallinn

Travelling with Pets
on the Ferry

All three ferry operators on the Helsinki–Tallinn route carry pets — but on very different terms: free with Eckerö Line, €9 with Tallink, €14 with Viking Line. And dogs face a deadline on the way back to Finland that catches many owners off guard.

0 €
Eckerö Line (registration required)
9 €
Tallink per pet & crossing
14 €
Viking Line per pet & crossing
24–120 h
Tapeworm window before return (dogs)
Overview

Pets welcome on every ferry

Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line all carry pets on the Helsinki–Tallinn route. Rules and prices differ considerably between them — and all three cap the number of pets per departure.

EU pet passport
Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination — first vaccination at the earliest at 12 weeks, followed by a 21-day waiting period. Maximum of 5 pets per person.
Register — spots are limited
All three operators cap how many pets travel per departure: register with Viking Line and Eckerö Line when booking, with Tallink at the latest at check-in. Viking Line does not allow pets on day cruises at all — only on one-way crossings.
Rules & Regulations

What's allowed?

Three ways to bring your pet across the Gulf of Finland — in a carrier through the ship, on a leash, or in your own car on the car deck.

🐶
In a carrier
With Tallink, pets in a closed bag or carrier are allowed into passenger areas — even pubs and bars. Restaurants, children's play areas and the lounges remain off-limits. With Eckerö Line, carried pets are allowed into the upper floor of the Bistro & Cafe Satama, among other areas.
🐕
On a leash
Larger dogs can travel with Tallink on a leash without a carrier — a muzzle is required in crowded areas. Eckerö Line requires a leash whenever moving through the ship; the Finlandia has a dog sandpit on outdoor deck 6. Viking Line: restaurants are off-limits, and pets must never be left unattended.
🚗
In your own car
Tallink: allowed year-round, free of charge. Eckerö Line: also year-round, at the owner's own risk. Viking Line: only from 1 October to 30 April. With all three, the car deck is closed during the crossing — no visits, no feeding.
⚠️ Summer heat on the car deck
Eckerö Line officially warns that temperatures on the car deck can get high in summer. Viking Line reserves the right to bar pets from the car deck entirely in extreme heat or cold. In peak summer, keeping your pet in a carrier or on a leash inside the ship is the safer option.
Operator Comparison

Pet rules compared

Here's how Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line differ when it comes to bringing pets along.

Criteria Tallink Tallink Silja Line Viking Viking Line Eckerö Eckerö Line
Fee per pet & crossing €9 (carrier or no carrier) €14 €0 — registration still required
Pet cabin Yes — cabin price + €15/crossing, up to 3 pets No (not offered on this route) Yes — for a surcharge, limited availability
Pet in car (car deck) Yes, year-round, free Only 1 Oct – 30 Apr, free during that period Yes, year-round — at owner's own risk
Permitted areas Carrier: pubs & bars too; off-limits: restaurants, play areas, lounges Restaurants off-limits; pet never unattended Carrier: upper floor Bistro & Cafe Satama, among others; off-limits: Horizon Seats, restaurants/bars, conference area
Leash / muzzle Without carrier: leash on board, muzzle in crowded areas No detailed rule published — owner fully responsible Leash required when moving through the ship; dog sandpit on outdoor deck 6
Assistance/guide dogs Free (certified) Free on all ships Not specified — ask in advance
Pet spots per departure Limited — register at check-in Limited — register when booking; no pets on day cruises Limited — reservation required

Sources: official pet pages of Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line. As of August 2026.

Tallink Highlight

Tallink pet cabins

The 2-hour crossing doesn't require a cabin — but if you want a quiet retreat for your pet anyway, Tallink and Eckerö Line both offer one.

Tallink: +€15 per crossing
Pet-friendly cabins are available on the Megastar and MyStar for the cabin price plus €15 per crossing — with room for up to 3 pets per cabin.
Eckerö Line: surcharge, limited
The Finlandia also has pet cabins for a surcharge. Note: bringing your pet into a standard cabin instead incurs a cleaning fee.
Viking XPRS: no pet cabin
Viking Line does not offer a pet-cabin category on the Helsinki–Tallinn route. Viking's cabin requirement for pets only applies on overnight routes — on this daytime route, your pet stays with you or in the car (Oct–Apr).
Book early
Pet cabins and pet spots are limited on every departure — book well ahead, especially during the summer season.
Documents & Entry Requirements

Pet passport, rabies — and the tapeworm rule for the return trip

The paperwork is straightforward on the way to Estonia. The trap lies on the way back: Finland requires a documented tapeworm treatment for dogs — and Estonia is not exempt from this requirement.

➔ Outbound Helsinki → Tallinn
  • Microchip (implanted before the rabies vaccination)
  • EU pet passport
  • Valid rabies vaccination — first vaccination at the earliest at 12 weeks, followed by a 21-day waiting period
  • No tapeworm treatment needed — Estonia doesn't require it
  • Puppies without a rabies vaccination may enter Estonia with just a chip and passport
⤶ Return Tallinn → Helsinki (dogs!)
  • Tapeworm treatment (praziquantel) from a vet, 24–120 hours before arrival in Finland, documented in the pet passport
  • Applies to dogs only — cats and ferrets are exempt
  • For day trips and short visits: the 28-day rule — the dog is treated twice in Finland, 1–28 days apart, and can then travel freely back and forth for 28 days; a final treatment follows in Finland once the trip is over
  • The former 24-hour exemption for short trips has been abolished
💡 Planning a day trip with your dog?
Without a prepared tapeworm treatment, your dog won't be able to return to Finland that evening under normal rules. If you're planning a day trip, sort out the 28-day rule with your vet one to two weeks ahead. Sources: Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto), Estonian Agriculture and Food Board (PTA).
Checklist

Before travelling with a pet

📄
EU pet passport
Valid EU pet passport with rabies vaccination and microchip — required for dogs, cats and ferrets. Available from your vet.
💉
Tapeworm appointment (dogs)
For the return trip to Finland: praziquantel treatment 24–120h before arrival, documented in the passport — or use the 28-day rule instead.
📍
Register
Pet spots are limited per departure: declare with Viking Line and Eckerö Line when booking, with Tallink at the latest at check-in.
📦
Carrier & leash
A closed carrier for small pets, a leash (plus a muzzle in crowded areas with Tallink) for large dogs. Bring your own food and water.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ: Travelling with a pet across the Gulf of Finland

What does it cost to bring a dog on the Helsinki–Tallinn ferry?
Tallink charges €9 per pet and crossing, with a pet cabin costing an extra €15 per crossing. Viking Line charges €14 per pet and crossing. Eckerö Line doesn't charge a separate fee, but registering when booking is mandatory. Certified assistance dogs travel free with Tallink and Viking Line.
Can my dog stay in the car during the crossing?
Yes with Tallink — year-round and free of charge. Yes with Eckerö Line too, year-round, but at the owner's own risk (watch out for summer heat). With Viking Line, only from 1 October to 30 April. The car deck is closed during the crossing on all three ferries — no visits, no feeding.
Do I need an EU pet passport?
Yes. Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination (first vaccination from 12 weeks, followed by a 21-day waiting period). Estonia doesn't require a tapeworm treatment — but Finland does for the return trip.
What's the rule for the return trip to Finland?
Dogs need a tapeworm treatment (praziquantel) from a vet, documented in the passport, 24–120 hours before arrival in Finland. For day trips, there's the 28-day rule: two treatments 1–28 days apart, followed by 28 days of free travel back and forth. Cats and ferrets are exempt.
Where is my pet allowed on board?
Tallink: pets in a carrier can go into passenger areas including pubs and bars; restaurants, children's play areas and lounges are off-limits — without a carrier, a leash is required, plus a muzzle in crowded areas. Eckerö Line: carried pets are allowed into the upper floor of the Bistro & Cafe Satama, among other spots, plus there's a dog sandpit on outdoor deck 6. Viking Line: restaurants are off-limits, and pets must never be left unattended.
Are there pet cabins on this route?
Tallink: yes, on the Megastar and MyStar for +€15 per crossing, up to 3 pets per cabin. Eckerö Line: yes, for a surcharge and limited in number. Viking XPRS: no — there's no pet-cabin category on this daytime route, though a cabin isn't really necessary for a 2-hour crossing anyway.
Book a ferry with your pet
Book directly with the operator and declare your pet during the booking process.
Book tickets now →