Getting Around Estonia

Air

Domestic flights within Estonia are not common. Avies (www.flyavies.ee) operates flights between Tallinn and Kärdla on the island of Hiiumaa. Flyest (www.flyest.eu) runs domestic private charter flights.

Departure tax

None.

Road

Getting around Estonia by car is safe and convenient. Estonia is a relatively small country and has a good network of roads although there are few major highways. Standards of driving vary, but as well as others, drivers should watch out for deer and moose.

Side of the road

Road Quality

Roads are generally of good quality, with main routes usually adequately signposted. However roads in town can suffer from potholes. Signs are not always illuminated and fairly small, so driving at night can be tricky if you do not know the route.

Road Classification

Roads fall into three categories: main road (intercity highways), basic roads and smaller secondary roads (usually covered with gravel or sand).

Car Hire

Car hire is simple and well catered for, with all the international operators and plenty of local companies offering rental.

Taxi

Private taxis must display the name of the company and their number on the roof. Fares should be agreed upon beforehand; most taxis have prices for various journeys marked. Taxis are best ordered in advance, rather than on the street.

Bike

Cycling is a great way to see Estonia. The terrain is flat, there’s a low volume of traffic to contend with, and marked cycle paths and trails and bike infrastructure around both city and country make touring a perfectly viable option.

Coach

Estonia has an extensive coach network, with regional coaches between all main towns. Tallinn to Tartu and Tartu to Narva are popular routes and should be booked in advance, especially in summer. Check local route planner Peatus (www.peatus.ee) for up to date schedules.

Regulations

The minimum driving age is 18, and EU licences are valid for foreign drivers. Speed limits are well marked, and range from 30-50kmph (19-31mph) in towns to 90-110kmph (56-68mph) on main intercity roads. Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory. There is a zero tolerance policy towards drink-driving so blood alcohol level must be 0%. Car headlights must be used 24 hours a day.

Use of mobiles while driving is forbidden, but use of a hands-free device is fine. From 1 December to 1 March drivers must use winter tyres, although this can vary slightly depending on the weather so check conditions in advance.

Breakdown services

In the event of a breakdown call the Automobile Club of Estonia (tel: 1888).

Documentation

Drivers must have the original V5 C (Vehicle Registration Document) as well as insurance documents covering them for Estonia if driving into the country.

Urban travel

Most of the major towns are small enough to get around on foot but all main cities in Estonia have an established public transport system served by bus, trolleybus and tram. You can pay the driver directly for single journeys (they don’t sell returns) but if you plan to do much travelling on public transport it is cheaper to buy a book of tickets in advance from stalls in the main shopping areas. Alternatively, taxis in Tallinn are relatively inexpensive.

Rail

Domestic trains run by ELRON (tel: +372 673 7400; www.elron.ee) link Tallinn with many Estonian towns, including Pärnu, Viljandi, Valga, Narva, Tapa and Tartu.

Water

Frequent ferry services connect the mainland with the larger islands Saaremaa and Muhumaa, while boats operated by Kihnu Veeteed (tel: +372 443 1069; www.veeteed.com) connect Parnu to the small islands of Kihnu and Ruhnu. Boats operate on Lake Peipsi and the Emajõgi River.