Helsinki - Tallinn Ferry question
 

Hi,

Quick question as I'm struggling to find good info online and I have limited internet connection!

I'm thinking about getting the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn in a week or so. Does anyoneone know if I'll be able to just turn up and buy a ticket or will I need to book in advance?

Looks like there's several ferries a day so I'm hoping to be able to just rock up.

Oh, any idea of the cost for 1 person and 1 motorbike?

Many Thanks,

Matt

I did this a couple of years ago in September: drove right up, bought a ticket and onto the boat. I imagine (but don't guarantee) it'll be similar this time of year.

I'm sure you can look up the cost easily enough, but I vaguely remember something like 50 euros for self and bike. I suggest you not trust my memory, however. The whole thing was effortless....until the only hostel I found in Tallin turned out somewhat unwelcoming. I've heard there are more options now.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Edit to add: Ok, I took pity on you and your subpar internet connection (Seriously? In Finland?). There are several options for ferry companies, and a variety of boats. Cost should be as I remembered: about 50 euros. Space still available on at least some ferries.

Thanks Mark, very useful. I'm actually in Estonia right now (planning a wee loop via St Petersburg) and the internet connection varies between excellent and awful! The place I'm staying in now is awful!

Thanks again!

Matt :)

Here is a links for

TallinkSilja

Viking Line

Eckerö Line

There is normally room, just ride on to terminal an 1 or 2 before ferry departure time. Friday and Sunday are the busy ones and can be full booked, but normally there is room for bikes.

Site Search turned up this thread from 2013..

*Blows dust off*

Same Question here: need to cross from Tallinn to Helsinki approx 20May and return around 25May.
I dont want to "fix" my ferry-times, as I like to wander around and have friends to visit in EE, FI and LV, but not fixed schedule yet.

Ideally, I just ride up tot the ferry (tallinnk, I've used them before, but always with "reservation")


So Questions:
1. Does a Motorcycle always fit in? (as it should, and as hinted above)
2. And is an adhoc-ticket much more expensive compared to a long-time-in-advance booking ?

I'm ok to wait a few hrs, but not to skip a complete day.

1. Does a Motorcycle always fit in? (as it should, and as hinted above) Yes.
Except Ascension Day. Hel - TAL, Wednesday May 9 and Thursday May 10 and TAL - HEL Sunday 13.
And Midsummer HEL - TAL Thursday June 22, Friday June 23 and TAL - HEL Sunday Jun 24.

2. And is an adhoc-ticket much more expensive compared to a long-time-in-advance booking ? No.

What you can do is to download the app for Tallink and Viking Line on your mobile. Makes it easy to book the trip. And if lucky you get a discount :thumbup1:

Thx Juuz0. Kiitos
That is the information I was after.

Looks like I'll be OK on that particular weekend
Will most likely cross on Monday 21May.

1. A motorcycle will always fit, but a human may not. They have a strict limit on how many passengers can be onboard - basically defined by the number of lifeboats and lifejackets - and while the ferries hold something like two thousand passengers, they absolutely can and do sell out.

May 20th (Sunday late afternoon) Helsinki>Tallinn, you're not likely to sell out, at most you're competing with families coming back from Serena/Linnanmäki/Ikea. May 25th (Friday late afternoon) Tallinn>Helsinki, same thing. But the OTHER way around, you've got the masses of Estonian builders going home for the weekend and Finns coming over to party on cheap booze, and yes, even a big Tallink boat can sell out.

2. Not much, in absolute numbers. You can get an advance ticket on a campaign for something like 15-20 euros, just showing up will cost you something like 60 euros - but buying in advance without a special campaign will be 40-50. They depend much more on the popularity of the particular sailing than on how far in advance you buy.

Also note that while in Tallinn, all the Helsinki ferries go from A-terminal and D-terminal, which are close to each other - so you can quickly switch from one to another - in Helsinki you've got Viking going to Katajanokka in the center, and Tallink and Eckerö going to Länsisatama about fifteen-twenty minutes' ride away.

Edit: Also, PRO TIP. If you get a Louis.de loyal customer card, and then phone Tallink's booking line or email them, and quote the number, you will get your bike across for free with a deck ticket. Ctrl+F and enter Tallink here for details: https://www.louis.eu/service/louis-funcard/partner

Thx Antyx. Aitah.
Sounds ok.

I know where the terminals are (been with both Viking and Tallink once or twice, even tried the business-lounge on Tallink - snacks!).

Once I know the north-trip, I can probably buy a return, my schedule should be clear by then. They may even do "open returns" ?

The Louis-card tip: thx, I just singed up for the fun+mailings+vouchers..... can always try.

They don't do open returns as a separate product, but if you show up early and there is space on the boat, they will often let you exchange the ticket, for free or for a small fee.