Tallinn to Helsinki Adventure

Tallinn to Helsinki Adventure Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Destination: Estonia, Finland
Programmes: Culture
Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
5 Days: Land Only
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: ASO

Trip Overview

Explore the capitals of Estonia and Finland on a compact trip packed with culture and nature

Combine Baltic and Nordic, city and countryside, on this compact adventure in northern Europe. You’ll see the best of Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland, with your expert tour leader unravelling their history and culture, while also venturing into the wild surrounds for gentle walks within national parks. For an extra-magical adventure, come in winter to soak up the Christmas spirit of both capitals, enjoying the twinkling lights and seasonal cheer.

At a Glance

Accommodation: 4 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by bus and ferry

Highlights

Discover the wonders of Tallinn and Helsinki with your expert tour leader
Journey into the wild at Lahemaa National Park, visiting Jägala Waterfall
Hike in the beautiful Sipoonkorpi National Park on the outskirts of Helsinki
Soak up history in the scenic old town of Porvoo
Explore the island fortress of Suomenlinna, a World Heritage site

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Group

Normally four to 20, plus local tour leader.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 5

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: Tallinn
End City: Helsinki

Land Only Itinerary

Begin your adventure in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, where the historic old town rubs shoulders with an innovative tech scene.

Around 6pm, say tere to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Estonian welcome by arranging dinner at a great local restaurant.

Want to explore Tallinn further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Go Shnelli Hotel/Metropol Hotel (or similar)

Begin today with a walking tour of the medieval old town. Guided by our expert tour leader, we explore the key monuments, including Toompea Palace and Castle, the Town Hall Square, and the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

It’s worth picking up a boxed lunch here too, which we can eat on our transfer (one hour) to Lahemaa National Park. Our drive offers a glimpse at the scenic Estonian countryside, and we stop en route at Käsmu Museum, a fascinating maritime museum in an old sea captain’s village.

Arriving at Lahemaa, the oldest national park in the former Soviet Union, we explore the wilderness on a 2.5mi (4km) hike. It takes us to Jägala Waterfall, the widest natural waterfall in Estonia at 26ft (8m), where we can enjoy breathtaking views and rock formations.

After, we head back to Tallinn with the rest of the evening to enjoy at leisure.

Accommodation: Go Shnelli Hotel/Metropol Hotel (or similar)

Bid farewell to Tallinn, catching the ferry (at approximately 7.30am) to Helsinki. Arriving around 9.30am, we transfer (40-60 minutes) to Sipoonkorpi National Park, a blissful wild spot where Helsinkians come when they want to escape the city.

Here, we stretch our legs with a 3mi (5km) hike, mostly along the Fisktrack trail. Over 1hr 30min, we pass through spruce woods, mixed forests and wooded mires.

After, we stop in the city of Porvoo, where you have three hours of free time to explore and enjoy lunch. We recommend strolling through the beautiful Old Town, wandering among the riverside warehouses and cobbled streets

After, we head to Helsinki. Arriving around 4pm, we have the rest of the day to explore.

Accommodation: Original Sokos Hotel Albert/Hotel Arthur (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Discover Helsinki on a walking tour this morning, making use of the public transport (ticket included). Our tour leader takes us past the harbours, into Mannerheim Street, and to the landmark buildings, such as Parliament Building, Finland Hall and the Rock Church

After, we hop on a ferry for the 15-minute journey to Suomenlinna, an 18^th-century island fortress built by the Swedish. Here, we can soak up history as we tour the stone walls, bunkers and cannons, while also visiting the museum to learn about the fascinating story of the fortress.

Returning to Helsinki, we have free time for further exploration.

Accommodation: Original Sokos Hotel Albert/Hotel Arthur (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

The adventure ends in Helsinki after breakfast. If you’d like more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Single supplement from CAD 332

Food & Drink

There will be buffet breakfasts in the hotels offering plenty of choice including cold meats, cheese, eggs, bread, jams, juice and coffee.

Transport

Travel is by private bus and scheduled boat services.

Weather & Seasonality

The weather in Tallinn and Helsinki is pleasant during summer (reaching around 22C/72F in July) and fairly cold during winter (expect -7C to 4C/20F to 40F from November to March).

Joining Instructions

Key information

Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There is a welcome briefing around 6pm
Airport: Tallinn Airport (TLL)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 25-minute drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to Helsinki Airport (VNO). Please speak to your sales representative for times and to book your seat. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Tallinn
Location end: Helsinki

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Small backpack for water, camera and guidebook
Water bottle
Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Comfortable pair of sports shoes or walking shoes
Towel and swimwear
Warm jacket or fleece for cool evenings, waterproofs and warm clothes
Insect repellent

Water included

Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.

Practical Information

Passport

Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.

Visa

Estonia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Estonia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/estonia
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/estonia
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/estonia/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Estonia.html

Finland

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Finland. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccinations and Health

Estonia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Finland

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies (bat lyssavirus) and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Estonia's time zone: Europe/Tallinn (UTC +03:00)

Finland's time zone: Europe/Helsinki (UTC +03:00)

Electricity

Money

Estonia's currency: Euro (EUR)

Finland's currency: Euro (EUR)

ATM Availability

It is best to change your money on arrival as the exchange rates are fair. ATMs and banks are available in both capitals. You can use credit/debit cards in many shops and restaurants though cash is usually preferred for smaller purchases.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

Lunch costs vary depending on the venue. If you buy lunch at a local shop, €10-€12 is enough, but if we stop at a cafe you are likely to spend closer to €15. Dinner is usually about €23-€35. A beer costs €5-€8 and a bottle of wine €20-€35. Budget around €30-€40 per day for meals.

Tipping

Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. Tipping is at your discretion, but many wish to tip their tour leader at the end of the trip. We suggest €4 per day for the guide. Most groups prefer to present the money to the tour leader at the end of the week. This is completely at your own discretion and to be used as a guideline only.

If you wish to tip hotel staff and local guides, we have found it useful for the group to have a tipping kitty. Your leader can advise you on the amount, but as a guide expect it to be €20 per person.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

Seatbelts

All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.

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