Helsinki - Tallinn Ferry Guide 2024
- By Niko Suominen
Tallinn – a Trendy Capital South of Helsinki
Tallinn is less than a 2-hour ferry sail away from Helsinki. This Baltic city is known for its charming Old Town with a compact maze of cobblestone streets, historic buildings, breathtaking vistas and UNESCO status. Tallinn is the capital and largest city in Estonia. As the capital, Tallinn serves as Estonia’s principal political, cultural and educational centre. Nowadays, Tallinn is also a major fishing port and the commercial and industrial centre of Estonia, although Estonia’s main strengths are IT, tourism and logistics.
Tallinn is a favourite getaway destination for Finnish residents and is also becoming increasingly popular for international tourists visiting Europe via Finland. In addition to the many scheduled ferries between Helsinki and Tallinn, many international cruise ships dock at the Port of Tallinn, especially in the summertime. This Helsinki—Tallinn Ferry Guide introduces all scheduled ferry routes between Helsinki and Tallinn.
Only 2 Hours from Helsinki by Ferry
Tallinn is located on the northern coast of Estonia on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. The distance from Helsinki to Tallinn is only 80 kilometres, so it is easy to get to the Finnish capital by ferry. Travelling from Helsinki to Tallinn or vice versa by modern ferry is not extremely popular and practical. Flying between the capitals is also possible but taking a ferry is a much more comfortable and cheaper way of travelling between the cities.
Helsinki – Tallinn Ferry Companies
Ferry routes between Helsinki and Tallinn connect Finland and Estonia. Three active ferry companies currently operate them. Tallink Silja sails between the cities 7 times a day, Viking Line 2 – 3 times a day, and Eckerö Line’s connection is available 5 – 6 times. Viking Line and Tallink offer the option to stay overnight on the ferry. The timetables exhibit slight variations based on the season.
Read about a day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn.
Tallink
Tallink is an Estonian ferry company. Among the three abovementioned ferry companies, Tallink has the best and most modern ferries operating between Helsinki and Tallinn. The ferries are also fast, and a sail takes only 2 hours, except for m/s Victoria I, which is slower.
M/s Victoria differs from other ferries by making overnight cruises. On the cruise, you can sleep on the ferry and visit Tallinn for a few hours before returning to Helsinki. Surprisingly, overnight cruises are often cheap because cruise ship companies assume that passengers spend on shopping and services on the ferry. The price depends on the cabin class. M/S Victoria I is not the newest ferry anymore, but it has been renovated, giving it a modern look.
The other Tallink ferries are much faster. M/S MyStar is a new ferry built in 2022, and M/S Megastar is a few years older but still modern.
Tallink Silja departs every two hours during the day, providing flexible options for passengers. If you are not calculating every cent, we recommend trying Tallink Silja, especially their newest ferry, m/s MyStar. It is the most modern ferry service between Helsinki and Tallinn.
M/S MyStar and m/s Megastar operate with natural gas, so they are more environmentally friendly than the other ferries.
Tallink Silja has more modern ferries, which also means more expensive tickets. A one-way ticket usually costs about 35 euros, while the cheapest Helsinki to Tallinn ticket price is about 20 euros. The most affordable tickets are typically sold for the slowest ferry, m/s Victoria I. Consequently, the better and faster ferry you book, the more you need to pay. A return ticket becomes cheaper if you go and come back on the same day.
Be aware that, according to the rules of many ferry companies, it is prohibited to consume drinks and food on the ferry. We recommend always using the ferries’ services. Cheap ferry tickets wouldn’t be possible without passengers spending money onboard.
Viking Line
Viking Line is a Finnish ferry company that operates typically only one ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn. The travel time is two and a half hours, so the connection is slightly slower than Tallink Silja. The Viking Line ferry, Viking XPRS, has connections two times per day from Helsinki to Tallinn. The Viking XPRS ferry is not as new as the newest ferries of Tallink Silja, but it is still modern and in good condition.
In the summertime, bigger cruise ships by Viking Line sail to Tallinn daily. Viking Cinderella sails to Tallinn and back every second day, and Gabriella makes the same trip on other days. These are slow cruise ships, so a one-way journey takes over 3 hours. However, the ferries offer more and better amenities on board. Usually, they sail between Helsinki and Stockholm, but in the summer, they make an extra trip to Tallinn while in Helsinki.
Viking Line’s prices may be slightly cheaper than Tallink Silja’s. A one-way ticket costs about 30 euros. A return ticket costs about the same if you come back on the same day. Otherwise, it will cost more than 60 euros. As with all companies, weekends and the summer season are more expensive times to travel than weekdays and the winter season. A cabin can be booked for overnight connections.
Review of Review of Viking XPRS
Review of Review of Viking Cinderella
Eckerö Line
Eckerö Line is also a Finnish company from the Åland Islands. It operates two ferries between Helsinki and Tallinn: m/s Finlandia and m/s Finbo.
M/S Finlandia travels from Helsinki centre to Tallinn two to three times a day, and the travel time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. The ferry concentrates more on the relaxing cruising atmosphere, which makes it popular, especially among Finns who want to relax by having a lovely day on a cruise to Tallinn and back. M/S Finlandia is not the most modern ferry, but it is well-renovated. It is almost the same size as the competitors’ ferries and can operate even in extreme weather conditions.
M/S Finbo travels from Vuosaari to Tallinn three times a day. This cargo ship is meant mainly for cargo and passengers travelling in their cars. Vuosaari Harbour is far from the Helsinki Centre.
A one-way ticket to Eckerö Line starts from 22 euros, and a trip back is included if you travel on the same day. Otherwise, a return ticket booked for a different day costs more. We recommend Eckerö Line for passengers wanting affordable tickets but still good enough quality.
Services on Onboard
A journey between Helsinki and Tallinn is fast. The sail is so short that you won’t have enough time to get bored. However, we still have a few ideas about how to spend your time on a ferry, even in a more comfortable way.
Nordic All-Inclusive Buffet
All the ferry operators have restaurants onboard. We recommend trying an all-inclusive buffet that costs about 30 euros per person. The price may sound expensive, but it includes starters, salads, warm meals, desserts and drinks. Usually, wine and beer are included. The buffet features Nordic cuisine, providing abundant seafood and meat options.
Buffets are similar on every ferry except on the cargo ships leaving Vuosaari. It is wise to pre-book a buffet before the journey. The price will be lower, you’ll have a table reservation, and you can pass a queue onboard.
Book ferry tickets with extra services on Ferryscanner.
Tax-Free Shopping
All the ferries have tax-free shops. The shops sell candies, branded clothes, wines and spirits, cigarettes, and souvenirs at affordable prices compared to products sold on the mainland of Finland.
Karaoke and Troubadours
Even though the cruise time is short, there is some entertainment onboard. For example, you can sing karaoke or listen to local artists. While relaxing, you can have a drink in a bar. If you prefer entertainment, we recommend taking an overnight cruise so you can spend more time onboard.
Lounges
Passengers looking for a more peaceful atmosphere may use the lounges of Tallink and Eckerö Line ferries. The lounges are separated areas with comfortable seats and power sockets, and they also offer catering services.
The lounge on Eckerö Line’s m/s Finlandia offers free drinks, including beer, wine, and snacks. The access price is about 27-32 euros/person.
On Tallink’s ferries, Comfort Lounge includes non-alcoholic drinks and snacks for people travelling in Comfort Class. Better Business Lounge also includes alcoholic drinks and a food buffet. Only M/S MyStar has Platinum Lounge, which offers luxury services, including champagne, but the entrance fee is high.
Remember to book lounge access together with the ferry ticket. Paying for the entrance on the spot may cost more.
Comparison of Ferry Companies
Travel Time
| Company | Fastest Journey Duration |
|---|---|
| Tallink Silja | 2 hours |
| Viking Line | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Eckerö Line | 2 hours 15 minutes |
Quality
| Company | Ferries |
|---|---|
| Tallink Silja | The most modern ferries |
| Viking Line | One modern ferry, in the summer, 2 older cruise ships |
| Eckerö Line | Older but well-renovated comfortable ferries |
Ticket Prices
| Company | Price Level/Notes |
|---|---|
| Tallink Silja | Slightly more expensive than the competitors |
| Viking Line | Moderate |
| Eckerö Line | Affordable |
Are the Helsinki-Tallinn Ferries safe?
The Gulf of Finland is crowded with cargo and passenger ships, so it is reasonable to wonder if the ferries are safe to travel by.
During Helsinki-Tallinn ferries’ long history, there have not been any serious incidents. Ferry companies operate professionally, and traffic on the Gulf of Finland is coordinated. The ferries are equipped with modern technology and can operate in almost any weather.
We are not worried about their safety ourselves. However, like with flying, incidents may still happen, and it is good to prepare in advance. On the boat, familiarize yourself with the safety instructions and know where to evacuate if the worst happens.
Ports in Helsinki
Helsinki has multiple passenger harbours.
South Harbour
The South Harbour of Helsinki is located just next to the main market square and close to the well-known Helsinki Cathedral. The ferry terminals in Helsinki South Harbour can be accessed by tram.
Tallink Silja’s Stockholm ferries (but not Tallinn ferries!) and Viking Line’s Tallinn ferries depart from South Harbour. Tallink’s Stockholm ferries leave from the Olympia Terminal, and Viking Line ferries from the Katajanokka Terminal. These terminals are opposite and must be reached by different trams. Make sure you are heading to the correct terminal!
Google Maps works well in Helsinki, a valuable aid for travellers.
West Harbour
Tallink Silja’s Tallinn ferries and Eckerö Line’s ferry use the modern West Harbour. West Harbour is moderately close to the city centre but is not as well-located as South Harbour.
Public transport from the city centre takes 20 minutes to reach both West Harbour and South Harbour. A taxi from the centre costs 10 to 25 euros.
Vuosaari Harbour
Eckerö Line operates a cargo ship – m/s Finbo – from the Vuosaari Harbour to Tallinn Muuga Harbour. The Vuosaari Harbour is located in East Helsinki, about 10 kilometres from the city centre. Reaching the harbour takes 30 minutes by car or 1 hour by public transport. A licensed taxi costs about 25 to 40 euros. It is not possible to board m/s Finbo without a vehicle.
If you plan to take your car while cruising to Tallinn, using the Vuosaari-Muuga connection is the best option. This way, you can skip driving in the city centre and a ticket for Eckerö Line’s m/s Finbo is inexpensive. The price level of services on this ferry is also lower. However, the m/s Finbo ferry is not as new and comfortable as the other ferries departing from West and South Harbours.
Travellers without a car can’t board the Tallinn ferry from Vuosaari Harbour.
If you arrive by plane and continue directly to a ferry, a Helsinki Airport taxi to your ferry terminal costs 35 to 50 euros.
Ferry Ports in Tallinn
Passenger Harbour
In Tallinn, the situation is more straightforward. All companies’ passenger ferries arrive at the exact Passenger Harbour, about 2 kilometres from the Old Town. There are four terminals in the harbour, separated by the letters A, B, and D. Even though the terminals are closer, make sure you are heading directly to the correct terminal. Tallink uses Terminal D, the newest terminal, while other ferry companies use Terminals A and B, which are older terminals.
We recommend walking from Tallinn Harbour to the centre. If you need a taxi, be careful with their pricing. The most expensive taxis tend to come to pick up tourists. Negotiate the price with the driver before boarding or use Uber, Bolt or similar taxi apps on which taxi rates are transparent.
Muuga Cargo Terminal
The cargo ferry of Eckerö Line (m/s Finbo) arrives at the Muuga Terminal, a few kilometres from the centre of Tallinn. All other ferries arrive at the Tallinn Passenger Harbour, which is in a perfect location.
Where to Book a Ticket?
Ferry tickets are inexpensive. The cheapest way to travel is to book a day cruise, which means a return trip between Helsinki and Tallinn on the same day. Alternatively, you can buy a one-way trip or a return cruise on separate dates. These options are a little more expensive but still moderately priced. There is constant competition between these three ferry companies, which keeps the prices low.
If you value your time, the fastest way to compare ferry prices and place a booking is to visit Ferryscanner. You can get the prices of all available ferry companies on the route by doing just a single search query. If you are ready to spend more time, visit all companies’ websites and look for good deals. This way, you may be able to save a few euros, but according to our comparison, the difference is small.
How to Book a Ferry Ticket
- Browsing between the offerings of various ferry operators can be a tiring task. We recommend using Ferryscanner to get an overview of the fares available via one quick search.
- Follow these crucial steps when booking:
- Search ferries for your intended route.
- Select the desired ferry service. Fill and double-check all booking information.
- Understand the terms for cancellation.
- Add any additional services you may require. The same service may cost more later.
- Finalize your booking using a payment card.
Head to Ferryscanner and book your sail.
Questions and Answers about Helsinki – Tallinn Ferries
Bottom Line
Tallinn and Helsinki are so close to each other that one day is enough to make a rewarding trip on the Baltic Sea by booking a ferry ticket. There are multiple ferry companies to choose from. Budget travellers may take an affordable connection, while other travellers sail on the best ferries, which are luxurious. In any case, the prices are fair.
Have you travelled on a ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn? What were your experiences like? Comment below.