Tallinn to Helsinki ferry with Tallink Silja Line

Ferry Operators for Tallinn to Helsinki

Ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki

Tallinn, Estonia’s vibrant capital city, sits on the coast of the Baltic sea and is just two hours to the Finnish capital of Helsinki by ferry. The distance from Tallinn to Helsinki is 51 miles (82 km) – 40 nautical miles – and crosses the Baltic Sea through the Gulf of Finland. The fast and easy ferry crossing gives travelers the opportunity to explore two great Baltic cultures – from the cobbled streets of Tallinn’s old town to Helsinki’s many parks and celebrated coffee culture.

There are approximately 12 ferries a day that depart from Tallinn to Helsinki with ferry services provided by Tallink Silja, Eckerö Line or Viking Line. With Helsinki being the second largest passenger port in Europe, the route is fast and affordable when booked in advance. Each ferry provider offers top notch service in entertainment, food, shopping and drink. Passengers should be advised to always carry their passport onboard as it is an international service and so subject to border control checks. Discover more about routes, schedules and facilities on the ferries from Tallinn to Helsinki.

Ferry Schedules from Tallinn to Helsinki

There is a regular, daily timetable of ferries from Tallinn to Helsinki in the week, with slightly fewer over the weekend. Sunday has the least number of sailings per day. Although there are slight variations in service from day to day, on average Tallink Silja offers the greatest number of crossings at approximately 6 departures a day. The first ferry departs from Tallinn at around 7:30 a.m. and the last departs around 10:30 p.m. each evening.

Ferries from Tallinn to Helsinki operate on a seasonal schedule. During the high season in the summer there are around 300 scheduled sailings between Tallinn and Helsinki each week. In the low season (October – May), there are closer to 240 crossings per week.

What Ferries go from Tallinn to Helsinki?

Viking Line

Viking Line: the Finnish ferry operator began services in 1959 and provides daily crossings between Finland, Sweden, Estonia and the Aland Islands. Each year, the company transports around 2 million passengers across the Northern Baltic regions and connects cities such as Turku, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm and Mariehamn.

• Sailing per day: average 4 a day
• Foot passengers: yes

Services onboard Viking Line ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki:

• M/S Viking XPRS: operating on the Tallinn–Helsinki route, the M/S Viking XPRS is a large passenger ferry with the capacity to take 2,500 people onboard. Its onboard facilities include a number of cafes and restaurants, from the Viking’s Inn to a Wine and Dine casual space. There’s a shopping world and fashion space, plus a family cafe and children’s play area onboard. The ferry is equipped with wheelchair-accessible public toilets,lift-access parking and lifts throughout.

Tallink Silja Ferries

Tallink Silja: an Estonian shipping company that operates state-of-the-art, mini-cruise ferries across the Baltic region. Tallink Silja is the largest shipping company in the Baltics, with 15 vessels operating between Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Latvia, and the Aland Islands.

• Sailing per day: average 6 a day
• Foot passengers: yes

Services onboard Tallink Silja ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki:

• MyStar: Tallink's newest and most technologically advanced shuttle ferry. Designed for ultimate comfort, MyStar offers four different travel classes, ranging from the Star Class, with different seating and dining options, a quiet and more private Comfort Lounge to the luxurious Platinum Lounge. Facilities on the this ferry include restaurants and cafes such as Chef’s Kitchen, Buffet Delight, fast food joints, a covered outdoor seating area with a garden theme, shopping superstore, family picnic area, a playroom and video games room for children.
• Megastar:the fast ferry service across the Baltic Sea.Te Megastar is 212.2 meters in length and takes 2,800 passengers aboard and includes the largest mall on the Baltic Sea – the 2,800 square meter Traveler Superstore. Facilities include the Delight Buffet, Sea Pub, gourmet Chef’s Kitchen, Burger King and coffee houses. There are also playrooms for kids, lounges (business, comfort and sitting) plus cabins for those that want privacy and rest.

Eckerö Line Ferries

Eckerö Line: a Finnish ferry company founded in 1994. Eckerö Line ferries operate between Finland and Estonia, taking passengers across the popular Tallinn–Helsinki route across the Gulf of Finland. Decked in the blue and colors of the Finnish flag, the company aims to create the finest customer experience on the Baltic Sea.

• Sailings per day: average 3 a day
• Foot passengers: yes

Services onboard Eckerö Line ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki:

• MS Finlandia: with a capacity for 2,000 passengers and 650 vehicles in the car deck. The boat is well equipped with plenty of amenities, including 6 restaurants, three shops, a children’s play area, conference rooms and an entertainment area offering live music performed by popular Finnish artists.

The fastest ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki

All ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki are direct and take around two hours to cross the Baltic Sea. The fastest ferry provider is Tallink Silja, with a journey time of exactly two hours. Eckerö ferries from Tallinn to Helsinki take 2 h 15 minutes, whereas Viking Line ferries take about 2 h 30 minutes.

Foot passengers are advised to arrive at the port a minimum of 45 minutes before boarding.. Passengers take a car typically have to arrive one hour in advance.

Is the ferry crossing rough from Tallinn to Helsinki?

The sea can get rough during certain times of the year when there is bad weather, however on the whole the Gulf of Finland is more sheltered and has relatively calm waters. The larger vessels, including the ferries operated by Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö, are stable so passengers will feel less affected by the motion than smaller boats.

Find cheap ferry tickets from Tallinn to Helsinki

The best way to find cheap ferry tickets from Tallinn to Helsinki is to depart in the low season. Tickets during the late fall, winter, and early spring can cost as little as €10. Whereas travelers making the journey during the high season – late spring, summer and early fall – can pay as much as €80. To get the cheapest ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, it’s strongly advised that passengers book ferry tickets as far in advance as possible; the best deals can be secured around 2 months in advance. Omio gathers the latest schedules and ticket options on one platform, making it easy for travelers to find the best deal for their trip.

Can I bring a pet aboard the Tallinn to Helsinki ferries?

Each different ferry operator have different guidelines for carrying a pet aboard the ship. On Eckerö Lines, small pets can be brought in a carry cage or carry bags, with the exception of the restaurant and bar areas. Viking Line accepts pets, with an additional booking fee. On Tallink Silja, small pets (under 20kg) can come aboard in a carry cage. Guide dogs can travel on all ferries. Please ensure your pet has a pet passport when traveling around the EU.

Port Information: Tallinn and Helsinki

Port of Tallinn: the main port of departure. Tallink Silja ferries depart from the D Terminal, while Viking and Eckerö ferries depart from the A Terminal, which is the closest terminal to the Old Town. Travelers can reach the Port of Tallinn on foot, which takes around 22 minutes to walk the one mile (1.6 km) distance. The number 1 tram and the 150 bus also connect the port to the city’s historic center.

Länsisatama port: ferries from Tallinn arrive Länsisatama port, which literally translates at 'Western Port' in English. The Western port is on the Western seafront of Helsinki city center, which is just a mile away. Travelers can easily reach the port on foot or via the tram 6, 7 or 9. from Helsinki city center, which takes approximately 13 minutes to reach Länsisatama port.

Katajanokanlaituri: Viking Line are the only service whose ferries arrive in Helsinki city center, instead of the port. Katajanokanlaituri ​is in close proximity to Helsinki's Old Market Square. All ports have a café providing refreshments.

Find out more about ferries in Europe and book your tickets today.