Helsinki to Tallinn: travel options
Approximate direct distance: 82 km • Travel distance depends on the route and transport you choose.
Compare the options
Recorded fares and journey times. Check each operator before booking.
| Transport Mode | Operator | Duration | Price guide | Stations / Airports | Key Booking Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ferry Direct | Tallink Silja (MyStar & Megastar) | About 2h |
Check fare
Fare source checked: 6 Oct 2026 Fares vary by departure and ticket conditions. Tickets and times: Tallink Silja (MyStar & Megastar) |
Dep: Helsinki West Terminal 2
Arr: Tallinn Terminal D
|
MyStar and Megastar passenger shuttles take about 2 hours from Helsinki West Terminal 2 to Tallinn Terminal D. Check the complete one-way or return quote and passenger boarding deadline. Allow separately for local travel from Terminal D towards your accommodation or the old town. |
| ferry Direct | Eckerö Line (m/s Finlandia) | About 2h 15m |
Check fare
Fare source checked: 6 Oct 2026 Fares vary by departure and ticket conditions. Tickets and times: Eckerö Line (m/s Finlandia) |
Dep: Helsinki West Terminal 2
Arr: Tallinn Terminal A
|
Finlandia daytime sailings take about 2h15; the late sailing takes about 2h30 and arrives the next day. Compare the dated passenger fare and both directions for an excursion. |
| ferry Direct | Viking Line (Viking XPRS) | About 2h 40m |
Check fare
Fare source checked: 6 Oct 2026 Fares vary by departure and ticket conditions. Tickets and times: Viking Line (Viking XPRS) |
Dep: Helsinki Katajanokka Terminal
Arr: Tallinn Terminal A
|
Viking XPRS takes roughly 2h15–2h40 depending on the departure. Several weekday sailings take 2h40. Check the dated passenger timetable, terminal and full price. |
Choosing your journey
Compare the sailing time, both terminals and the hours you will have ashore. Tallink shuttles take about two hours; other passenger departures take longer. Book the return before treating Tallinn as a day trip.
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Start with the terminal on your booking
Tallink MyStar and Megastar use Helsinki West Terminal 2 and Tallinn Terminal D. Eckerö’s Finlandia also leaves West Terminal 2 but arrives at Terminal A. Viking XPRS uses Katajanokka in Helsinki and Terminal A in Tallinn. Check the Helsinki terminal guide before choosing a tram or taxi.
Compare the actual departure
Tallink’s shuttles cross in about two hours. Eckerö’s current timetable gives Finlandia roughly 2 hours 15 minutes on daytime departures and 2 hours 30 minutes on the late sailing. Viking XPRS varies from about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes. Read the arrival date as well as the time for a late departure.
Allow for boarding and the journey into town
The crossing is only part of the outing. Tallink’s passenger guidance closes online check-in 30 minutes before departure and the boarding gate 20 minutes before. Use your operator’s instructions and arrive earlier, especially with bags or a vehicle. From Terminal D, allow roughly 20–25 minutes to walk towards the old town, more if your pace or destination requires it.
Give the day trip enough time ashore
Buy both directions and work backwards from the return boarding deadline. Keep the city visit compact: a walk, lunch and one main indoor stop are easier than a schedule spread across Tallinn. If you want a late dinner, compare an overnight stay. Helsinki and Tallinn use the same local time.
Compare the complete ticket
Select a one-way journey or a return day trip deliberately. A cruise with limited disembarkation or a vehicle-focused sailing is a different product. Check passengers, baggage, meals and fees before comparing totals. Vuosaari and Muuga are not the central passenger terminals listed above.
Plan the arrival
The Helsinki guide and Tallinn guide explain the local journeys, places to stay and visits. Add the main travel ticket separately to your daily spending plan. The distance above is a straight-line comparison between the city centres; your train, road or flight route can be longer.
