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Toompea Hill, Tallinn, Estonia

© 123rf.com / Andrei Nekrassov

Getting around in Estonia

Air: 

Domestic air travel is expensive. Airest (www.airest.ee) runs domestic charter flights. Avies (www.avies.ee) operates flights between Tallinn and Kärdla on the island of Hiiumaa and between Pärnu and the small island of Kihnu.

Side of road: 
Right
Road quality: 

Estonia has a high density of roads although there are few major highways.

Signs are not always illuminated and fairly small, so driving at night can be tricky if you do not know the route.

Car hire: 

Car hire is simple and well catered for, with all the international operators and plenty of local companies offering rental.

Taxi: 

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.

Coach: 

Regulations: 

Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18, and EU licenses are valid for foreign drivers. Speed limits are well marked, and range from 30-50kmph in towns to 90-110kmph on main intercity roads. Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory. The national breakdown number is 112. Blood alcohol level must be 0%. Car headlights must be used 24 hours a day.

Documentation: 

Documentation: Drivers must have the original V5 C (Vehicle Registration Document) as well as insurance documents covering them for Estonia if driving into the country.

Getting around towns and cities: 

Taxis in Tallinn are inexpensive. All parts of the city are served by bus, trolleybus and tram. Tickets can be bought at stalls in the main shopping areas.

Rail: 

Domestic trains run by Edelarautee (tel: (3) 857 123 or 848 301; www.edel.ee) link Tallinn with many Estonian towns, including Pärnu, Viljandi, Valga, Narva, Tapa and Tartu. There are suburban electric trains to the Tallinn suburbs (tel: (6) 737 400; www.elektriraudtee.ee).

By water: 

Frequent ferry services connect the mainland with the larger islands, and boats operate on Lake Peipsi and the Emajõgi River.

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