Ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn
Tickets, Prices & SchedulesThere are around 10 daily ferry connections from the port of Helsinki in Finland to the port of Tallinn in Estonia. Crossing times range from about 2 hr to around 3.5 hr, with ticket prices starting around €15.
Eckerö Line, Viking Line, and Tallink Silja Line serve the route with conventional ferries. Find up-to-date info, compare timetables, companies and prices, and book your ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia on Ferryhopper without hidden fees.
Discounts
Take advantage of the available discounts and travel by ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia with lower-cost ferry tickets. Ferry companies offer special discounts for specific passenger categories, including:
- Children (under 18)
- Large groups of travelers
- Eurail and Interrail Pass holders
Note: infants and toddlers up to 5 years travel for free.
Ferry operators: frequency & prices
Helsinki - Tallinn
| Ferry Company | Crossings | Duration | Price |
| Eckerö Line | 1-3 daily | 2 hr 15 min - 2 hr 30 min | €19+ |
| Tallink Silja Line | 5-7 daily | 2 hr - 3 hr 25 min | €30+ |
| Viking Line | 2-3 daily | 2 hr 15 min - 2 hr 45 min | €15+ |
On-board services and amenities
The conventional ferries serving the Helsinki to Tallinn ferry route are equipped with a wide range of facilities, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed journey. On most ferries, you can generally expect to find:
- Air-conditioned lounges and spacious seating on outer decks to enjoy the sea view
- A range of restaurants, cafés, and bars, serving drinks, snacks and meals (including vegan and child-friendly options)
- Play areas for children, with special events and games
- Shops selling duty-free goods, such as cosmetics, perfume, sweets, and alcohol
- Car decks for the transportation of vehicles
- Free Wi-Fi hotspot, to stay connected during the trip
Tip: for more details, you can check out our guide on on-board services on ferries between Helsinki and Tallinn.
Cabins and accommodation
The ferries traveling from Helsinki to Tallinn have cabins, as well as numbered seats.
What type of cabins can I book?
While the journey on the Helsinki - Tallinn ferries is short, you can book cabins for 1-4 passengers for greater privacy and comfort. Typically, you have a choice between:
- Standard interior cabins
- Office cabins, with a desk and chairs
- Exterior cabins with a sea view
- Deluxe cabins with a double bed and mini bar
- Cabins for passengers with disabilities
- Allergen-free cabins
All cabins feature a private bathroom, air conditioning, standard Wi-Fi, phone and radio, with some options also including a TV and premium Wi-Fi. Cabin prices typically range from €50 to €100.
What seats can I book?
Standard deck/lounge seating is included in the price, however on some ferries you can also book a seat in the business lounge. These reclining seats usually include priority disembarkation, complimentary food and drinks, premium Wi-Fi access and charging ports for your devices.
Prices for business lounge seats range from around €70 to €130.
Luggage
When traveling from Helsinki to Tallinn by ferry with Tallink Silja Line, Viking Line, or Eckerö Line, you are allowed to bring as many bags as you can carry on board by yourself, without any size or weight limits, free of charge.
You can keep your luggage next to you or store your bags and suitcases in the designated luggage area.
Good to know: there is no check-in procedure for luggage items.
Can I travel with my pet?
Yes, pets are allowed on most ferries from Helsinki to Tallinn in Estonia, however, you must include them in your booking. While smaller pets in carriers are permitted in certain passenger areas, larger pets must stay in pet cabins or in the vehicle, depending on the company and route. Restaurants, children’s playrooms, and lounges are usually off-limits for pets.
Tallink Silja Line allows pets in carriers in most areas and has no weight limits, though pets must be leashed and should ideally wear a muzzle. Viking Line offers free car-deck travel on the ferry Helsinki - Tallinn route in the winter months. Eckerö Line transports pets for free, with small animals allowed in passenger areas except restaurants and lounges, while larger pets must stay in a car or pet cabin.
Remember to bring your pet’s travel and health documents, tickets and any pet supplies you may need for the duration of the trip.
Useful tips for your ferry trip to Tallinn from Helsinki
Here are some tips for your Helsinki, Finland to Tallinn, Estonia ferry trip:
- The port of Helsinki can get quite busy, especially on weekends and from May to September, so it's best to be there at least 1 hr ahead of departure. If you are traveling with a car, we suggest being there at least 1.5 hr in advance for a smooth boarding.
- If you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication before the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
- Remember to bring a passport or national photo ID to travel from Helsinki to Tallinn by ferry, as you are crossing an international border between Finland and Estonia.
- For a premium travel experience with stylish restaurants, bars, luxurious cabins, and trendy shops, check out the first-class amenities on the MyStar, which is operated by Tallink Silja Line.
- If you are headed to Estonia for a short trip, book your return ticket on the Tallinn - Helsinki ferry in advance, for peace of mind.
- From the Finnish port, you can also travel by ferry to Travemünde, Mariehamn and Stockholm. For all travel options, check out the Helsinki ferry schedules and then plan your trip on our Map of ferries in just a few clicks!
Where to take the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn
Ferries to Tallinn depart from the port of Helsinki, about 4 km from the city center.
- Tallink Silja Line and Eckerö Line use West Harbor Terminal 2 in the Jätkäsaari district, accessible via trams 7 and 9.
- Viking Line leaves from the Katajanokka Terminal.
All terminals are equipped with traveler-friendly facilities, including cafés, restaurants, restrooms, luggage storage, shops, ATMs, and public parking.
How do I get from Helsinki airport to ferry?
Traveling from Helsinki Airport to the ferry terminals is straightforward:
- Take the I or P commuter train from the airport to Helsinki Central Railway Station (about 30 min). From there, transfer to tram 7 or 9 for West Harbor Terminal 2, or tram 5 for Katajanokka Terminal. Total travel time is approximately 45-60 min and an ABC zone ticket is required.
- Alternatively, bus 600 runs from the airport to Helsinki Central in 40-45 min, with easy connections to the trams serving the ferry terminals.
Where does the ferry arrive in Tallinn?
Ferries from Helsinki arrive at the Old City Harbour in Tallinn.
- Eckerö Line and Viking Line use Terminal A (Sadama 25), a short walk from the Old Town. Tram No. 2 connects the terminal to the city center, and a footbridge links Terminals A and D.
- Tallink Silja Line ferries arrive at Terminal D (Uus-Sadama 24), about a 15-min walk from downtown, or accessible via tram No. 2 to the Vanasadam stop.
How long is the ferry ride from Helsinki to Tallinn?
The Helsinki, Finland to Tallinn, Estonia ferry trip lasts between 2 and 2.5 hr, depending on the company and the type of vessel you’re traveling with.
Helsinki - Tallinn ferry companies
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FAQs
The best ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia depends on your priorities—speed, comfort, modern amenities, or price. Tallink Silja Line is often considered the top choice for a premium travel experience, while Viking Line and Eckerö Line provide comfortable and reliable options at more affordable prices.
- Tallink Silja Line: fastest crossings (2 hr) with their modern vessels MyStar and Megastar, which are new, environmentally friendly, and offer top-tier passenger comfort
- Viking Line: good value, comfortable but slightly older ferries, and crossings in about 2.5 hr.
- Eckerö Line: most budget-friendly, with the Finlandia offering a relaxing trip in about 2 hr 15 min.
Yes, a day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn is easy and popular thanks to frequent ferry departures and short crossing times. The earliest ferry in the day usually sets sail for Tallinn at around 07:30, while the last ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki usually departs around 22:30. This gives you plenty of time to explore the highlights of the Estonian capital and return to Finland in the evening.
Yes, ferries traveling from Helsinki to Tallinn have car decks, so you can bring along your vehicle on the trip. Prices typically start at around €20 to transport a car and €15 for a motorbike.
Tip: for a smooth boarding, make sure you are at the port at least 1.5 hr ahead of departure.
No, the Estonia - Tallinn ferry route is only operated by conventional ferries. The fastest ferries serving the route are the Megastar and Mystar, operated by Tallink Silja Line, which take 2 hr to reach the port of Tallinn in Estonia from Helsinki.
The Helsinki (Finland) to Tallinn (Estonia) ferry crossing is usually smooth, as the Gulf of Finland is relatively sheltered and modern ferries are designed to handle rougher conditions. However, crossings can become choppy, particularly between October and March, when storms and stronger winds can create waves of 2-4 m. Passengers prone to seasickness may feel discomfort in these conditions, but most travelers find the journey quite comfortable. Even in rough weather, cancellations are rare, and ferries continue to operate reliably.
The distance between Helsinki and Tallinn is approximately 43 nautical miles (80 km).
When booking your Helsinki, Finland - Tallinn, Estonia ferry trip with Tallink Silja Line on Ferryhopper, you can easily check in online, get your tickets on your phone, and board the ferry directly with your e-ticket without collecting any paper tickets at the port.
With Viking Line and Eckerö Line, you can book your tickets online on Ferryhopper and pick them up in paper form from the company’s collection points at the port before the trip.
Find detailed answers to all your questions about ferry ticket changes, cancellations and refunds.
Remember that you can also use Ferryhopper's online booking modification service, available with certain ferry companies.