Taking the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki is one of the journeys that sound like transportation but end up being a highlight of the whole trip. In just a couple of hours, you end up from central Tallinn near its medieval Old Town to Helsinki’s clean, modern center. It is a far better option both in terms of convenience and price to travel between these cities than flights.
We took the Tallinn to Helsinki ferry as a day trip in August, and while everything was straightforward, there are a few details that make a big difference in how enjoyable the day actually is. This guide walks you through the options, what to expect, and what we learned from doing it ourselves.
If you are planning your time in Tallinn as well, see my 2-day Tallinn itinerary to make the most of your stay.
- Which Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry to Choose
- Tallinn to Helsinki Ticket Prices and Booking
- How to Get from Tallinn Ferry Terminal to the City Center
- How to Get from Helsinki Ferry Terminals to the City Center
- Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry Terminals and Boarding
- What to Expect on the Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry
- Views on the Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry
- Is a Day Trip from Tallinn to Helsinki Worth It?
Which Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry to Choose
There are several ferry companies operating between Tallinn and Helsinki, and at first glance, they all seem quite similar. In reality, the main differences are the duration of the trip, price, level of comfort, and most importantly, schedule.
Ferries operate throughout the year with multiple daily departures. Only in cases of extreme weather conditions, particularly in winter, can schedules be disrupted or temporarily suspended.
The Tallinn to Helsinki ferry takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, depending on the operator. On most days, there are multiple departures in both directions from early morning until evening, giving you flexibility to plan your trip.
There are 3 main ferry options. In simple terms, Eckerö Line is usually the cheapest option, Tallink offers the most comfort, while Viking Line provides the best balance between price, schedule, and location.
Eckerö Line is usually the cheapest of the three options. This is a straightforward, no luxury line. The journey takes almost 2.5 hours. The main downside is that their schedules aren’t always convenient for a day trip from Tallinn to Helsinki or vice versa, due to no late evening departure times. Another drawback is that they arrive at West Terminal 2 in Helsinki, which isn’t centrally located.
Viking Line is a sort of mid-range option. Like Eckerö Line, there are no luxury elements here. The journey takes almost 2.5 hours. Their tickets are somewhat more expensive than Eckerö Line, although if you book early, you can get a very cheap deal. Their schedules are quite convenient with more departure options, so travelers can choose their preferred timeframe without the limitations of Eckerö Line schedule. Viking’s advantage is also that they use the Katajanokka terminal in Helsinki, which is quite centrally located.
Tallink ships complete the journey in around two hours and feel more like small cruise ships with luxury options. Obviously, they are more expensive though. Their schedules are convenient with a number of options throughout the day. Like Eckerö Line, Tallink uses West Terminal 2 in Helsinki, which is not the best location to arrive at for the day trip.
We ended up choosing Viking Line, not because of the onboard experience, but because of the combination of reasonable price and good return schedule, which allowed us sufficient time for a day trip in Helsinki. Besides, the fact that we arrived at the Katajanokka terminal, which is at a comfortable walking distance from the Helsinki city center, was a good added bonus.
Tallinn to Helsinki Ticket Prices and Booking
Ticket prices vary a lot depending on the cruise line, the season and how early you book.
We traveled in August, which is peak season. But I booked two months in advance, so was able to get a relatively good price (30 EUR) for the high season with Viking Line.
Eckerö Line also offers day return tickets for reasonable prices. However, their schedules aren’t always convenient, so double check them before booking.
We booked the ferry tickets through Omio, which is a convenient booking platform, which allows you to compare schedules and prices across different operators. The website is very user-friendly and my preferred option.
As these ships are large, they don’t always sell out. Therefore, you may be able to book the tickets on the spot at the terminal. But if you are traveling in high season, I wouldn’t risk it. When I have such limited timeframe, I usually book in advance to be sure nothing will go wrong.
Plus, if you leave purchasing your ticket to the last minute, you will invariably have to pay more.
How to Get from Tallinn Ferry Terminal to the City Center
The main ferry terminal in Tallinn – Terminal A, where all Helsinki ferries depart from and arrive to – is located very close to the city center. Depending on where you are staying, it can take anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes to walk there. Public transport is also convenient, with tram and bus stops nearby if you prefer not to walk. Alternatively, taxis are very reasonably priced and I can recommend ordering them using Bolt app.
In our case, our hotel was less than 15 minutes’ walk from the terminal, so we chose to walk on the way there and used the tram on the way back, which worked well and was very straightforward.
How to Get from Helsinki Ferry Terminals to the City Center
Katajanokka Terminal, which the Viking Line uses for the trip to/from Tallinn is quite centrally located, just 10 minutes walk from the Uspenski Cathedral. For the day trip, you can simply walk from here and won’t be needing any transportation.
If you do need transport, trams number 4 and 5 run from the terminal through the city center.
West Terminal 2, used by Tallink and Eckerö Line is farther from the city center. Walking from there to central areas could take over 45 minutes, which would be very inconvenient, especially for a day trip. Therefore, one of the trams – 9, 7 or 1T – is the best option. They usually take about 20 minutes to get you to the city center.
Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry Terminals and Boarding
The ferries depart from Port of Tallinn Terminal A and arrive at Katajanokka Terminal (Viking Line) or West Terminal 2 (Tallink and Eckerö Line).
If you purchase online, your ticket with QR code is your boarding pass. You need to bring your passport or ID with you.
There were no specific checks, when we traveled. We only had to provide our tickets and passports to board.
We arrived about 30 minutes before departure, which is the recommended timing. We noticed that boarding gates closed around 15 minutes before departure. Anyone arriving later than that would likely miss the ferry, even if the ship is still there.
What to Expect on the Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry
The ferries are large and feel more like small cruise ships than simple transport. If you book the option, these ferries also have cabins with beds.
You don’t usually have any assigned seats, unless you buy specific cabins. So you can find a place anywhere in the common areas to sit. However, the ferry can get quite crowded. On our trip, it was relatively easy to find a seat at the beginning, while many people were outside, but as the weather got colder and people moved indoors, it became noticeably harder. At one point, finding a place to sit required walking around for a while.
One thing that surprised us was how well-equipped the ferry is. You will find cafes, restaurants, shops, and various seating areas. On our Viking Line ferry, there was Robert’s Coffee, which we enjoyed on our early morning trip. You can also find a lot of items at the shops, including sanitary pads and toothbrushes.
Food is available, but not cheap. There are buffet options and à la carte meals, but unless you specifically want to eat on board, it is better to plan your meals in the city.
Views on the Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry
The real highlight of the trip is being outside on the deck. If the weather is mild, it’s a very pleasant experience.
As you approach Helsinki, on your left side you will see Suomenlinna, a UNESCO-listed sea fortress, which is spread across several islands. From the water, it looks far more impressive than from land, and it is definitely worth seeing this beautiful view. At the end of your journey, you will see the Helsinki seaside areas themselves.
We made sure to go on deck both when arriving in Helsinki and when leaving in the evening. The return trip was especially memorable, as it coincided with sunset. The light over the sea and the islands was beautiful and we had amazing views in the dwindling rays of the sun. Although it was very windy (as you would expect in these areas) and very cold even on an August day.
On the note of weather, the journey is usually smooth, but the Baltic Sea can occasionally be rough, especially outside summer months. If you are sensitive to motion, it may be worth choosing a larger ship or bringing motion sickness tablets.
Is a Day Trip from Tallinn to Helsinki Worth It?
Based on our experience, it absolutely is worth the trip. Even though it would be better to spend more time in Helsinki, if you have a very limited vacation time, like us, you should take this opportunity for a day trip.
Make sure to choose the correct timing for your trips though. I booked a 7 am ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki and an 8.30 pm departure back. With this scheduling, we had over 10 hours to explore Helsinki at a comfortable pace and still enjoy the journey itself. If we had chosen the earlier return, the day would have felt rushed.
For details on what to do in Helsinki in a day, see my detailed 1-day Helsinki itinerary.
For us, the combination of the short journey, the views, and the contrast between Tallinn and Helsinki made it one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
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