Tallink · Viking Line · Eckerö Line
Ferries to Estonia
The crossing to Estonia compared: via Helsinki in just over two hours, or overnight from Stockholm.
- Helsinki - Tallinn: the fast shuttle, up to around 13 departures a day in just over two hours
- Stockholm - Tallinn: the overnight ferry past the Åland Islands, arriving in the morning
- Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line compared - with car, motorhome and dog
Connections to Estonia
The most booked connections to Estonia: the fast Helsinki - Tallinn shuttle first, plus the Stockholm - Tallinn overnight ferry. Book directly with the operator.
Prices for a car incl. driver, one way
Estonia route map
Ferry routes to Estonia at a glance
Interactive map of the ferry connections to Estonia. The fast Helsinki - Tallinn shuttle crosses the Gulf of Finland, while the Stockholm - Tallinn overnight ferry crosses the Baltic Sea. Click a route for details.
- Tallink & Silja Line
- Eckerö Line
- Viking Line
Ferries to Estonia
Estonia as a ferry destination
Estonia sits on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, across the water from Finland and Sweden. There's no direct car ferry from the rest of Europe, so you'll reach it via one of these two neighbours. The fastest way is via Helsinki, from where the busiest ferry route on the Baltic gets you to Tallinn in just over two hours. If you want the crossing itself to be part of the trip, take the overnight ferry from Stockholm past the Åland Islands. And if you're bringing your own car or motorhome, you can combine one of the ferries with the overland route through the Baltic states.
Via Helsinki: the fast crossing
The shortest way to Estonia is the crossing from Helsinki to Tallinn over the Gulf of Finland. Three operators serve the route: Tallink & Silja Line with the modern high-speed ferries Megastar and MyStar, Viking Line, and Eckerö Line with the Finlandia. Together they run up to around 13 departures a day, from the first morning sailings until late evening. The crossing itself takes just over two hours (Eckerö Line around 2 hours 15 minutes), you travel during the day and don't need a cabin.
This shuttle is especially convenient if you're already travelling via Finland - for example on a ferry into Helsinki from elsewhere in the Baltic region. In Helsinki, the Estonia ferries depart from the West Harbour (Länsisatama); in Tallinn you arrive at the terminal close to the Old Town. Full details are on the route page Helsinki - Tallinn.
Via Stockholm: the overnight ferry
From Stockholm, Tallink sails overnight to Tallinn, with a short stop in Mariehamn on the Åland Islands. The crossing takes around 16 hours: the ship departs in the late afternoon and reaches Tallinn the next morning. Because it's an overnight sailing, a cabin is included, and the journey itself becomes part of the experience, with restaurants, bars and outdoor decks on board.
This route is worth it if your starting point is in central Sweden, or if you'd rather treat the crossing as a relaxed start to your trip than a pure connection. It's also popular for those travelling by vehicle, since you spend the night on board and arrive in Estonia well rested the next morning. More on the route page Stockholm - Tallinn.
Overland: the Via Baltica
If you're driving your own car or motorhome from elsewhere in Europe, you can also reach Estonia largely overland. The Via Baltica (European route E67) runs from Poland through Lithuania and Latvia to Tallinn. In practice, most travellers combine this overland route with a short ferry crossing - either via Helsinki or via Stockholm for the final leg across the Baltic Sea. Within Estonia distances are short, and islands such as Saaremaa are reached by a separate short domestic ferry.
On board, with car, motorhome and dog
Estonia is part of the EU and the Schengen Area. Travelling via Finland or Sweden means no customs formalities and no border checks, though you should still carry a valid passport or national ID card. You register your vehicle's length and height when booking, since this determines its space on board - all the rules are covered in the guide Travelling to Estonia by motorhome.
Travelling with a dog is straightforward too: as a journey within the EU's border-free area, all you need is an EU pet passport with microchip and current rabies vaccination, with no quarantine required. On board, your pet travels in a pet cabin, kennel or - on the short Helsinki shuttle - in the vehicle on the car deck, depending on the operator. Each line's onboard rules are explained in the guide Travelling to Estonia with a dog.
Estonia ferry FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the ferry to Estonia - routes, duration, vehicles and travelling with a dog.
Which ferries sail to Estonia?+
There are two ferry routes to Estonia. The fast one is the crossing Helsinki - Tallinn over the Gulf of Finland: it takes just over two hours and is served by Tallink & Silja, Viking Line and Eckerö Line together up to around 13 times a day. The relaxed option is the Stockholm - Tallinn overnight ferry from Tallink, which calls at the Åland Islands and arrives in the morning.
How long does the crossing to Estonia take?+
It depends on the route. The Helsinki - Tallinn shuttle takes just over two hours (Eckerö Line around 2 hours 15 minutes), you travel during the day and don't need a cabin. The Stockholm - Tallinn overnight ferry sails with a short stop in Mariehamn on Åland overnight, around 16 hours, and you sleep in a cabin. The exact times for your date are shown in the timetable.
Can I take a car or motorhome on the ferry?+
Yes. All ferries to Estonia carry vehicles, from cars to motorhomes and cars towing a caravan. The vehicle price depends on length and height, so you enter the dimensions when booking. On the short Helsinki shuttle the vehicle stays on the car deck for the crossing; on the Stockholm overnight ferry you also book a cabin.
Can my dog come on board?+
Yes. Estonia is part of the EU, so travelling with your dog is straightforward: a valid EU pet passport with microchip and current rabies vaccination is all you need, with no quarantine. On board, your dog travels in a pet cabin, kennel or - on the short Helsinki shuttle - in the vehicle, depending on the operator. Each line's onboard rules are covered in the guide.
Where can I find the Estonia ferry timetable?+
All departures with date, operator and arrival time are listed in the timetable. The Helsinki - Tallinn shuttle runs frequently year-round, from early morning until late evening; the Stockholm - Tallinn overnight ferry departs once in the late afternoon and arrives the next morning. Set your travel date in the timetable to see the exact times.