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There’s no reason to be intimidated at the
thought of arriving in Tallinn and quickly getting to where you need
to go; getting out, when that time comes, is just as manageable. The
airport, bus and train stations are smallish, rarely ever crowded and
increasingly passenger friendly—especially the airport.
Customs and passport procedures at the airport rarely take more than a
few minutes, but can take over an hour at the harbor. While road
borders are less predictable—they too have vastly improved, and are
getting better all the time.
To and From the Airport—Tallinn’s airport
(or lennujaam) is spectacularly modern, user friendly, and
small—so finding almost everything is a no brainer. After massive
renovations recently, it now boasts several lovely business-class
lounges, with computer/Internet facilities.
The airport is a mere 3 km from the city center—about 10 minutes by
car or bus—so you don’t have to sweat if you’re running a little
late.
Car rental companies are on the ground floor, just where the main
entrance opens to the parking lot. Taxis are the least
complicated way to get to where you’re staying (see TAXIS
below); a taxi to the city center costs the equivalent of about four
dollars. Bus #2 leaves the airport, from just in front of the
departures hall, every 20 minutes and costs less than a euro—it
stops at the Sokos Hotel Viru, in the city center and right next to the old
city.
Airport Information is on the first floor, across from the
check-in counters—they can help you with any inquiries. The airport
also has a 24-hour info telephone at tel. 605-8888; also see www.tallinn-airport.ee.
To and From Tallinn Harbor—Tallinn’s
ever expanding, high-tech passenger harbor (or reisisadam) has
four separate terminals, A through D. A, B and C are on the north side
of a water inlet, and D on the other side; all have bag storage
services that cost less than the equivalent of a dollar for 24 hours.
Buses #92 and 90 stop here and can take you further into the heart of
the city center; but the old city is only three or four blocks away,
so walking is a credible option.
Some speed boats leave from another harbor behind the Linnahall
building several blocks away the main passenger harbor. The old city
is a skip and a hop away from it, too.
Taxis are the easiest option to get to or from these harbors—but
prices can get jacked up on the unsuspecting arrivee.
There’s also a tram stop a short walk from both harbor areas,
on Rannamäe tee. Take any of them heading southeast to get into the
city center; just go a stop or two.
To and From the Train station—The train
station (or rongijaam) is literally across the street from the
old city. The train station hasn’t come nearly as far as the
airport, and services still can leave something to be desired. A case
in point is that they haven’t had a bag storage service for a while,
though—that could change given the obvious need. There’s an
information desk in the main hallway (tel. 615-6851)—which looks
towards the old city. Walk across the main Rannamäe tee road (through
the underpass, though) and head up Nunne street, which will take you
into the heart of the old city. You can also take several trams at
stops just next to the station to the north; take any heading to the
northwest and go three or four stops—they’ll deliver you to the
city center.
A taxi (or takso) from one point in the city
center to another should never cost more than 50 or 60 kroons. There are still some
dishonest taxi drivers, so a few tips: make sure there’s a visible
meter in the taxi, that it works, and that the driver turns it on. The
driver should also have his registration, complete with photo and
stamps, prominently displayed. Also make sure you’re not charged the
evening rate during the day.
Ordering cabs by phone is mostly trouble free; many dispatchers speak
English, and you can get your message across to the ones that don’t.
The better taxi companies:
Linnatakso: tel.644-2442 or 1242.
Silver Takso: tel. 15222 or 627-8850.
Tulika Takso: tel. 1200 from any phone.
Velotaxi: tel. 508-8810. Efficient friendly bicycle taxis in
the city center. Operates seasonally.
Info Points
The Tallinn Tourist Information Center is in the old city at
Kullassepa 4 / Niguliste 2 (I-2), tel. 645-7777, fax 645-7778; their e-mail is turismiinfo@tallinnlv.ee;
their website is www.tourism.tallinn.ee.
There’s also an info point at the A Terminal in the harbor, tel.
631-8321. Also, try the Tourist Board’s website www.visitestonia.com;
e-mail info@visitestonia.com;
tel. 699-0420. You can get detailed information about accommodation in
the countryside and different activities from Maaturism, tel.
600-9999; www.maaturism.ee.
Estonia launched its currency in 1992—the first
ex-Soviet subject to ditch the ruble. The kroon (around 15 kroons to 1
euro) has remained stable. Credit cards are now
widely accepted; traveler’s checks aren’t, but banks cash them. Big Mac Index: a Big Mac in Estonia is the
equivalent of about 1 US dollar 50 cents; a bottle of beer’s around
50 cents and a standard loaf of bread is about 30-40 cents.
Estonia is on Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of Greenwich
Mean Time in winter and three hours in summer. A good website
that always has the right Estonian time, plus Estonia’s time relative
to other countries, is www.worldtimeserver.com.
The phone system’s quite reliable. For dialing details, plus more numbers, see
YELLOW PAGES on this site. For pay phones, you’ll need a phone
card; buy them at
kiosks, post offices and some stores.
Tallinn’s Central Post Office is at Narva mnt. 1 (I-4); it’s very
functional and centrally located, tel. 661-6616. There are outlets elsewhere around the city. Postage for
cards/letters to Europe is around 6 kroons— 8 kroons to the US and Canada.
You can also take a look at the Estonian postal
service’s website, at www.post.ee.
You dial the same number from all phones, including mobiles,
anywhere in Estonia.
For police, dial 110. Police station is located at Lootsi 15
(B-3), tel. 612-4210.
For the Fire Department, dial 112.
For ambulances, dial 112. Emergency centers are at Sütiste
19 in Mustamäe, tel. 697-1100; and Ravi 18 (C-3), tel. 620-7040.
Tallinn Central Hospital: (C-3) Ravi 18, tel. 602-7015.
Mustamäe Hospital: Sütiste tee 19, tel. 697-1400.
Tallinn Children Hospital: Tervise 28, tel. 697-4113 or 697-7194. 24h.
Private clinics are service-friendly, the quality of care tends to
be higher, but not always equipped for
emergencies:
CityMed:
(H-4) Ahtri 8, tel. 661-6333, info@citymed.ee.
A modern health and beauty center. The only one in Estonia that has an
international ISO9002 quality standard. Dental care, plastic surgery,
heart diagnostics, stress and other treatments. www.citymed.ee.
ESMED: Ehitajate tee 137, tel. 657-9118.
Medicover: Gonsiori 33 (C-4), tel. 605-1500. www.medicover.ee
Medisfäär: (B-3) Karu 17, tel. 662-3700.
Maxilla: (B-4)
Hobujaama 4, tel. 667-4174. Dental care. www.maxilla.ee
Eurodent: (C-4) Tartu mnt. 63, tel.
611-5551. Dental care. www.eurodent.ee
In an emergency, Finnish Keskiuudenmaan Sairankuljetus can provide
transportation to Finland and back, tel. (358) 400- 463-875.
Familiarizing yourself with gender designations
will help to avoid embarrassment as you head to a bathroom: an
N or pyramid means a women’s toilet; an M or upside down pyramid
means it’s for men. The N stands for naine (woman); an
M is for mees (man).
Pedestrians should walk defensively. Don’t
expect cars to yield at crosswalks.
Crime shouldn’t be a huge concern. But
caution’s advisable. There’s some auto theft; at night, keep your
car in a guarded lot.
Hitchhiking’s fairly safe. If you’re
Riga- or Pärnu-bound, start way out on Pärnu mnt., past the Nõmme
suburb. If you’re going to Tartu, the road running by the airport is
a good bet. To Narva, go to Peterburi tee, a bit beyond the Susi hotel.
Arrival Taxis Info Points
Money
Time Telephones City Transit Post Office
Emergencies Medical
Help Other Tips
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