Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Unless you're bringing a car, the Linda and Viking lines are usually the
most convenient, as their docks in Helsinki and Tallinn are easy to reach
by foot or public transport.
Linda Line
uses 400-passenger, Australian-made
catamarans that zip across the Gulf of Finland in just 1.5 hours (6-7/day
March-Oct, 3-5/day Nov-Feb). Boats leave from the Makasiini terminal in
Helsinki's South Harbor (Eteläsatama), just five minutes' walk from Market
Square, and arrive in Tallinn at the Linnahall terminal. Catamarans lack the
spacious party atmosphere of larger boats, and are slightly more expensive
(but they're the only ones that offer discounts on non-same-day round-trips).
Cancellations, which can occur in stormy conditions, rarely happen in sum-
mer; still, if you have a plane to catch, play it safe and take a regular ferry.
Viking Line
leaves from the other side of Helsinki's South Harbor (Katajan-
okan terminal), and arrives at Tallinn's A-Terminal. Viking offers a more tra-
ditional experience on a big ferry with restaurants and shops (2/day, 2.5-hour
crossing, generally a few euros less than Linda Line).
Tallink Silja
and
Eckerö Line
leave from the relatively inconvenient
Länsi terminal at Helsinki's West Harbor (Länsistama), which you can reach
on tram #9 (catch it at Kamppi mall in downtown Helsinki; the terminal is the
end of the line). At the other end of the journey, Tallink Silja uses Tallinn's D-
Terminal—the farthest from the Old Town, making it a bit less convenient but
still walkable. On the other hand, Tallink Silja's ferries are frequent and fast
(6-7/day, 2-hour crossing). Eckerö Line has just one slow, inexpensive sailing
per day (3.5-hour crossing).
Slower boats—all except Linda Line—have
smörgåsbord
buffets (€10 for
breakfast, €26 for dinner). The slower the boat, the more likely it is to be
filled with “four-legged Finns” crazy about cheap booze, slot machines, and
karaoke.
Advance reservations aren't essential, but usually save a little money, en-
sure your choice of departure, and provide peace of mind. The boat lines en-
courage online booking with small discounts and, increasingly, have only toll
phone numbers—something to keep in mind if you need to talk to a real per-
son. You can also buy tickets at the port or at travel agencies. The helpful
Hel-
sinki Expert
desk in the Helsinki TI sells tickets (€8 fee per booking) and
posts a sheet clearly explaining departures and costs. The TI in Tallinn posts
