Estonia
WHERE IS ESTONIA?
Estonia is a country in Northern Europe and bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland. With over 1,500 islands, Estonia’s terrain ranges from rocky beaches to old-growth forest and is dotted with castles, churches and hilltop fortresses.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
There are multiple reasons why, but the best time to visit Estonia is between the months of May and September.
Not only are accommodations cheaper for international travelers, the weather is absolutely perfect and the crowds are low!
WEATHER IN ESTONIA
Seasons in Estonia very widely throughout the year. The average summer temperature in July is around 20 degrees Celsius (68 F) and the mean winter temperature is -8 degrees Celsius (17 F). With mostly beautiful weather year-round, Estonia is the perfect destination for outdoor activities!
Winter: late November – late March
- Average temps of (-22) – 50°F ( (-30) – 10°C)
- Wet and chilly conditions
- Great time to visit with less tourists and crowds
- Perfect weather for outdoor activities
- Experience driving from the mainland to the islands across Europe’s longest ice road.
Spring: March – May
- Average temps of 19 – 59°F ((-7) – 14°C)
- Best weather conditions to roam around the country
- Mornings and evenings are still pretty cool
- Ice on sea, rivers and lakes begin to melt
Summer: June – August
- Average temps of 50 – 68°F (10 -20°C)
- Most daylight for visitors to explore with
- Popular season for swimming and other summer outdoor activities
- Most touristy
Fall: September – November
- Average temps of (-1)- 15°F (30 – 59°C)
- Changes of colors in nature
- Less crowded in touristy areas
- Partly cloudy and frequent rain chances
WHAT TO EXPECT
Language: The official language of Estonia is Estonian, a Uralic language of the Finnic language, which is related to Finnish English. English however is very common and most local do try and speak it!
Credit Cards and ATMs: The most common method of payment is debit, as they are accepted by 99% of the businesses and are usually operated by chip-and-PIN machines. You should not have any troubles using a major credit card in Estonia, although you may be asked to show an ID (passport, license). ATMs are also widely available throughout the country and are most commonly found near gas stations, shopping centers, and bus and train stations. Always make sure to have some cash on you though, you never know when you may need it!
Plugs/Outlets: In Estonia, the power plugs are type C and type F. Estonia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I recommend buying a converter like this to use for your hair products and a adapter like this for everything else.
Safety: Estonia is overall a really safe country with minimal petty crime in major cities. With that being said, it is always smart to carry as little cash with you when exploring the busy city centers. The capital of Tallinn can get dangerous depending on what you are doing but, like any other major city, always be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye on your belongings and be smart!
TRANSPORTATION
The best and most efficient way to travel around Estonia is by far train. The railways in Estonia are run by Elron (domestic services) and Go Rail (services to destinations in Russia). Depending on where you are heading and how fast you want to get there, other options include bus and taxi.
Bus: For in city travel through Tallinn, the bus, trolleybus and streetcar network is punctual and reliable. Public transport operates from 5 am to midnight and tickets can be bought on the vehicle. If you wish to travel more economically, I recommend buying a prepaid card at the beginning of your stay from any R-kiosk.
Taxi: Although taxis are not as popular, they still operate throughout Estonia. There is no standard or regulated meter rate in Estonia and you also need to order a taxi or choose one from a rank, rather than hail it from the street. I recommend using the app Taxify to find available taxis near you.
More Travel guides HERE!