Population:
1.4 million
Size:
45,227 km2. Estonia is the 140th biggest country in the world and is about the same size as the Himalayan mountain kingdom of Bhutan.
Distances from Tallinn (km):
Amsterdam 1,940
Athens 3,110
Berlin 1,270
Bern 2,190
Brussels 2,050
Budapest 1,640
Copenhagen 1,670
Dublin 2,700
Helsinki 85
Kiev 1,250
London 2,330
Madrid 3,600
Moscow 1,050
Oslo 650
Rome 2,750
Stockholm 400
Warsaw 970
Time difference:
GMT +2 hours
Ethnic population:
68% Estonian. 25% Russian. Minority groups include Ukrainians and Belorussians.
Electricity:
The electricity current is 220V/380 AC 50Hz so if you are coming from the UK bring a European plug adaptor with you.
Taxis:
After one Estonian national daily newspaper exposed rip-off taxi drivers a couple of years ago many foreign visitors became wary of using their services. Much has been done to clean up their act but, as always, watch out for unscrupulous taxi drivers.
It is better to phone a major taxi company such as Tulika Takso (tel 1200), Linnatakso (tel 6442442), Klubi Takso (tel 6380638) and Krooni Takso (tel 6381111) rather than hail one from the street.
Emergencies:
General emergency number is 112. Police only is 110
Theft of property should be reported in person to Tallinn Central Police Station, Parnu maantee 11, tel 6124200.
General costs:
It is Estonia, arguably, that has gained most from EU entry. Prices have shot up in recent years although it does not yet face the inflationary problems experienced in Latvia, and remains good value for many goods and services when compared with western Europe.
Dining in Tallinn:
Estonian food could be described as a mix of Scandinavian, German and Russian influences. The tourism boom in the capital means that you can find dozens of different types of international cuisine. If you wander 400 metres from the old town you might see as much as a 50% decrease in the price of your meal.
Real estate:
Last year Tallinn experienced one of the biggest increases in commercial real estate values in the world.
Transport to Tallinn:
Tallinn International Airport is about 4 kilometres from the old town. The main airlines operating to/from Tallinn are as follows: easyJet, Finnair, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, Norwegian, SAS and airBaltic. The airport is being expanded at the moment.
Tallinn has a number of bus connections to Russia, Latvia and beyond. The train service is slow and old although a large amount of foreign investment looks likely to change matters in the next 5 years. The ferry routes to/from Tallinn to Helsinki and Stockholm are amongst the busiest and most profitable in the world. You can get a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki in under two hours.
Money matters:
Estonia feels rather Scandinavian these days and this is reflected in the increasing use of credit cards for everything from paying for cinema tickets to buying a Mars bar in a petrol station.
The Estonian Kroon has been pegged to the Euro since 2004. Virtually all cash is in note form rather than in coins. €1 is around 15 Kroons.
Driving regulations
You must have the original V5 C (Vehicle Registration Document) if driving into Estonia
You can drive in Estonia on a UK driving licence. The Estonian Border Guards will impound your vehicle if you do not have this.
Road traffic accidents are common. Extra care must be taken at all times when driving, particularly after dark and on major highways.
By law, headlights of vehicles must be on at all times, including daylight hours. Winter tyres are a legal requirement from 1 December to 1 March every year, but if there are severe weather conditions outside these dates (likely in most years) the dates will change accordingly. You should therefore check local conditions if driving in Estonia between October and April.
Do not drink and drive. The legal limit is zero. Those found over the limit face a fine and possible imprisonment.
Health and visa regulations:
Visas are not required for EU citizens to enter Estonia. EU passport holders can remain in Estonia for up to 90 days without a residence permit so long as you have a valid passport
The entry requirements for children between ages 7-15 entering into Estonia are as follows:
1)The child must have his/her own passport or 2) The name, date of birth, and photograph of the child must be entered in the passport held by the accompanying parent (a photograph is not needed if the child is under seven years of age).
Health:
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You must have valid health insurance to the value of 400,000 Estonian Kroons for the duration of any stay. You are advised to re-check the exchange rate before travelling to ensure you have adequate cover. You should check any ‘exclusions’ and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. UK passport holders should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Estonian nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature
Football Tours, Bachelor Parties, City Breaks are all included in our Tallinn Package deals.
