Social ConventionsEstonians are generally quite reserved and polite. A hand shake is the customary greeting. Normal courtesies should be observed. The Estonians are proud of their culture and their national heritage, and visitors should take care to respect this.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Estonian Air (OV) (tel: (6) 401 163; website:
www.estonian-air.ee).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsTallinn (TLL) (website:
www.tallinn-airport.ee) is located 5km
(3 miles) northwest of the city.
To/from the airport: Buses run between the city and the airport (journey time – 15 minutes). A shuttle bus to the main hotels and the city center meets all flights. Taxis are also available.
Facilities: Banks/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, shops, post office, restaurants, business lounges, tourist information and car hire.
Kärdla (KDL) (website:
www.hiiumaa.ee) is located 5km (3 miles) east of the city.
To/from the airport: Taxis run from central Kärdla to the airport (journey time – 20 minutes).
Facilities: Banks/bureaux de change, post office, tourist information, car hire, travel agent, parking, a hotel and restaurants/bars.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Tallinn (website:
www.portoftallinn.com), from where ferries operate to
Helsinki (Finland) (journey time – 2 hours 30 minutes, express service – 1 hour 30 minutes), Rostok (Germany) and
Stockholm (Sweden) (journey time – 15 hours).
There are also services between
Paldiski and
Kapellskär (Sweden).
Getting There by RailEesti Raudtee (Estonian Railways) (tel: (6) 158 610; website:
www.evr.ee) is underdeveloped, although there is a daily overnight
EVR Ekspress (tel: (6) 310 044; website:
www.evrekspress.ee) train from Tallinn to Moscow (Russian Federation) (journey time – 14-16 hours).
There is no longer a direct train route between Estonia and Latvia. Travel is slower than by bus. Children up to seven years old may travel free if accompanied by an adult and not taking a separate seat.
Getting There by RoadThere are direct routes along the Baltic coast into Latvia, Lithuania and Kaliningrad, and also east into the Russian Federation. Routes into the Baltic states are via Poland and Belarus or Poland and Lithuania; border points: Terespol (Poland) – Brest (Belarus) and Ogrodniki (Poland) – Lazdijai (Lithuania).
Bus: Long-distance services run regularly to Riga, Vilnius, Kaliningrad and St Petersburg. There are numerous excellent road links with all neighboring countries.
Eurolines (tel: 08705 808 080, in the UK;
www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services from the UK and other EU countries to Estonia.
Passes: There are passes available that combine stops in other European cities.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Estonia without incurring customs duty, by persons aged 18 or over:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco;
1l of alcohol over 22% or 2l of alcohol up to 22% and 2l of wine;
1kg of food products; 50g perfume; 250ml eau de toilette.Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU
On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only.
Prohibited ImportsIt is not permitted to import meat or milk into Estonia. Contact the authorities for further information (tel: (6) 835 700; website:
www.customs.ee).
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirDomestic air travel is expensive.
Airest (website:
www.airest.ee) runs domestic charter flights.
Avies (website:
www.avies.ee) operates flights between Tallinn and Kuressaare.
Getting Around by WaterFrequent ferry services connect the mainland with the larger islands, and boats operate on Lake Peipsi and the Emajõgi River.
Getting Around by RailLocal trains run by
Edelarautee (tel: (3) 857 123
or 848 301; website:
www.edel.ee) link Tallinn with many Estonian towns, including Pärnu, Viljandi, Valga, Tapa and Tartu. There are suburban electric trains to the Tallinn suburbs (tel: (6) 737 400; website:
www.elektriraudtee.ee).
Getting Around by RoadEstonia has a high density of roads although there are few major highways. Signs are not illuminated and fairly small, so driving at night is best avoided. Traffic drives on the right.
Bus: There is a wide network covering most of the country, including express services.
GoBus (tel: (6) 310 000; website:
www.gobus.ee) provides affordable and reliable public transportation service in cities, counties, as well as charter transportation. Buses are still the most important means of transport. The buses to and from Tallinn are generally quite fast and there are more of them compared to the other cities. Tickets bought from the driver are more expensive than if bought on a news stand. Travelers can also buy a 10-ticket package or anything from a one-hour to a three-day ticket. Buses tend to be overcrowded. Tickets for minivans have to be paid for on board. Buses, trolleys and trams generally run between 0530-0030.
Taxi: Private taxis must display the name of the company and their number on the roof. Fares should be agreed upon beforehand. Taxis are best ordered from hotels, rather than in the street.
Marshrut-taxis are minibuses which operate on fixed routes stopping on request. They can take up to 10 people.
Car hire: Can be arranged at the airport or in Tallinn. Available from international and local companies.
Regulations: Speed limits are maximum 90kph (55mph) or 110kph (68mph) in summer, outside built-up areas, 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, and 20kph (12mph) in residential areas. Seatbelts must be worn by both the driver and any passengers at all times. Car headlights must be used 24 hours a day. The minimum driving age is 18.
Documentation: EU nationals should be in possession of a valid EU or international driving license and insurance. Drivers must have the original V5 C (Vehicle Registration Document) if driving into Estonia.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesTaxis in Tallinn are inexpensive. All parts of the city are served by bus, trolley-bus and tram. Tickets can be bought at stalls in the main shopping areas.
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