Helsinki Travel Forum

Does anyone have up-to-date information about these ferries? - cost, timetables, length of trip etc. I couldn't get far with a Google search.

Any information is appreciated. Thanks,

Have a look at these websites:

http://www.vikingline.fi/index.asp?lang=en

http://www-eng.njl.fi/

http://www.tallinksilja.com/fi/tab2/schedules/helTal/
(this one's only in Finnish and Swedish...)

All ferries listed here:

http://www.directferries.co.uk/helsinki_tallinn_ferry.htm

Hello,
The fast ferry Nordic Jet Line (njl in short) starts operating this coming weekend- I read it today in an evenign newspaper. The Linda LIne, a cheap one, is starting at Easter.
The NJL is a bit more expensive than others but it used to be quieter, too.As it takes only 1,5 hours (when the weather is good) to Tallinn, there isn't much you can do. Just enjoy a few drinks, take it easy, plan a bit what to do in Tallinn..
The longest you travel to Tallinn is abut 4 hours. Then it's a boat, like Eckero Line, less than 3o euros for a day visit. Leaving in the morning, in Tallinn for about five hours, then you will be coming back the same evening.
If you have any ideas what you're going to do then we could help you more...
regards from Finland, Soili

Thanks for your answer. This post actually should be Tallinn to Helsinki.

We were thinking of possibly joining a tour in Helsinki, but found the airfares from London quite expensive. There was a much cheaper fare to Tallinn, and we were wondering if a flight to Tallinn then a ferry to Helsinki was a viable alternative.
I saws a ferry fare of 32 Euros (one way) Tallinn/Helsinki - on that basis, its probably not viable.
There is the other problem of us getting from Tallinn airport to the seaport to catch the ferry. The time and cost of that should also be factored in.

We are also trying to decide if we should do all of our touring independently, (we also want to see the Baltic states and Poland) or take a tour which does most of what we want to see.

Getting from airport to seaport is very easy - there's a direct bus number 2, departing about every 20 minutes. Ticket costs a bit over 1 euro and the ride takes 15 minutes. You can also take a taxi, but bus is a better option, as it's a lot cheaper and the airport is almost in central Tallinn anyway. 32 euro for ferry ticket to Helsinki is normal and absolutely viable. LindaLine is the cheapest and fastest with 29 euro and 100 minutes ride. Nordic Jet Line takes the same amount of time, but is more expensive. Only drawback of LindaLine would be that their terminal in Tallinn is a bit away from other ferry terminals, but it's not far, maybe 700 metres from A-terminal bus stop. LindaLine and NJL arrive both in centre of Helsinki. See http://www.lindaliini.ee/index.php?lang=eng&sess=bed0b07e55cba4beee2e05875e5c90ec
for LindaLine timetable and fares.

Can you tell us, if with LindaLine or the other ferries to Helsinki from Tallinn, its okay just to 'turn-up' and get on? or, do these ferries have to be booked in advance?

As the ferry traffic between Tallinn and Helsinki is indeed very frequent, there's usually no need to book in advance. LindaLine may be fully booked on Saturday mornings, though.

Planning our trip for early July, so probably the 5th or 6th