+ 1h

Tallinn

Estonian

• 230 volts

• A travel plug adapter for Type F sockets is required.

Banks
9.00 a.m.–4.00 p.m. (Mon–Fri)

Shops
9.00/10.00 a.m.–6.00/7.00 p.m. (Mon–Sat)

Supermarkets
8.00/9.00 a.m.–10.00/11.00 p.m. (Mon–Fri)
10.00 a.m.–8.00/9.00 p.m. (Sat–Sun)

• 1 January: New Year’s Day (Uusaasta)
• 24 February: Independence Day (Iseseisvuspäev)
• Good Friday (Suur Reede): movable holiday
• Easter Sunday (Ülestõusmispühade 1. püha): movable holiday
• 1 May: Spring Day (Kevadpüha)
• Whit Sunday (Nelipühade 1. püha): movable holiday
• 23 June: Victory Day (Võidupüha)
• 24 June: Midsummer Day (Jaanipäev)
• 20 August: Restoration of Independence Day (Taasiseseisvumispäev)
• 24 December: Christmas Eve (Jõululaupäev)
• 25 December: Christmas Day (Esimene jõulupüha)
• 26 December: Boxing Day (Teine jõulupüha)

The following documents are required to enter Estonia:

• A valid Swiss identity card or a valid Swiss passport

• No visa is required.

• Minors: A travel consent form is recommended for minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents.

As of: July 2024

Estonia has a temperate climate, characterised by mild summers and cold, snowy winters.

In summer, average temperatures range from 16°C to 22°C, while winter temperatures often fall below 0°C, with average values between -3°C and -9°C.

The proximity of the Baltic Sea has a strong influence on the climate, resulting in relatively high humidity and frequent rainfall that is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Storms and strong winds are not uncommon, particularly in autumn and winter.

The ideal time to visit Estonia:

• Beach holidays: The best months for a beach holiday on the Baltic Sea are from June to August.

• City breaks: Ideal throughout the year, with particularly pleasant weather in spring and autumn.

• Winter holidays: December to March, especially in regions with abundant snowfall.

• Using a mobile phone in Estonia may incur roaming charges. Travellers are advised to check the applicable roaming fees before departure and, where necessary, purchase a suitable roaming package to reduce costs.

• Estonia is known for its excellent Wi-Fi coverage and is considered one of the world’s most advanced countries in terms of digital infrastructure. Numerous free Wi-Fi hotspots are available throughout the country, from cities to rural areas, including public spaces, restaurants, cafés, shopping centres and hotels.

• Tallinn Old Town (Tallinna vanalinn): UNESCO World Heritage Site with medieval buildings.

• Lahemaa National Park (Lahemaa rahvuspark): Estonia’s oldest and largest national park, featuring diverse natural landscapes.

• Kadriorg Palace and Kadriorg Park (Kadrioru loss ja park): Baroque palace surrounded by a beautiful park.

• Pärnu Beach (Pärnu rand): Popular seaside resort with long sandy beaches.

• University of Tartu and Old Town (Tartu Ülikool ja vanalinn): Estonia’s oldest university, located in a charming historic old town.

• Saaremaa Island and Kuressaare Castle (Saaremaa ja Kuressaare loss): Estonia’s largest island, home to a medieval castle.

• Soomaa National Park (Soomaa rahvuspark): Known for its annual floods and rich wildlife.

• Estonian Open Air Museum (Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum): Showcases Estonia’s rural life and traditional architecture.

• Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Toompea loss ja Aleksander Nevski katedraal): Historic castle and magnificent Orthodox cathedral.

• Hermann Castle in Narva (Narva Hermanni linnus): Medieval fortress on the border with Russia.

• Rummu Underwater Prison (Rummu veealune vangla): Flooded former prison, popular with divers.

• Hiiumaa Island (Hiiumaa): Estonia’s second-largest island, known for its picturesque landscapes and lighthouses.

• Käsmu Captains’ Village (Käsmu kapteniküla): Village with a rich maritime history and museums.

• Viljandi Castle Park and Ruins (Viljandi lossipark ja varemed): Historic park with castle ruins.

• Kihnu Island (Kihnu saar): Island known for its traditional customs and folk costumes.

Estonia is known for its diverse and traditional cuisine, reflecting the country’s natural environment and historical influences. Estonian gastronomy combines fresh, local ingredients with traditional preparation methods, resulting in simple yet flavourful dishes deeply rooted in the country’s culture.

• Black bread and dairy products: Black bread (leib) is an essential part of Estonian cuisine and is often served with cheese, curd cheese (kohupiim) and sour cream (hapukoor).

• Fish and seafood: Fresh fish, particularly smoked salmon and sprats, as well as delicious fish soups (kalasupp), are typical of the coastal regions.

• Game and meat: Try wild boar, elk and traditional meat dishes such as blood sausage (verivorst) served with sauerkraut. Another highlight is mulgikapsad, a dish made with sauerkraut and pork, often combined with pearl barley.

• Potatoes and vegetables: Potatoes are an essential part of Estonian cuisine, whether served as mash, fried potatoes or in stews. Seasonal vegetables add variety to many dishes. Do not miss rosolje, a traditional beetroot salad.

• Desserts and baked goods: Sweet treats such as kama with yoghurt, berry cakes, pasha and the delicious kringel, a braided yeast pastry, are well worth trying. Caramel toffee is another popular sweet treat.

• Drinks: Try Estonian beer (õlu), Vana Tallinn liqueur and refreshing kvass, a fermented bread drink.

• Markets and food festivals: Discover the diversity of Estonian cuisine at local markets and festivals showcasing regional specialities.

• Cafés and restaurants: Relax in cosy cafés and restaurants serving both traditional and modern dishes in a welcoming atmosphere.

• Greetings: A firm handshake and friendly eye contact are the usual forms of greeting. Among friends, hugs or a light kiss on the cheek are also common. Show openness and friendliness with a warm “Tere!”.

• Saying please and thank you: Use “palun” (please) and “aitäh” (thank you) frequently to express respect and appreciation.

• Clothing: Estonians tend to dress practically and stylishly. Smart clothing is appropriate in cities and for formal occasions, while casual clothing is preferred in rural areas and for leisure activities.

• Dining etiquette: Wait until everyone is seated before beginning to eat. Compliment the host and the quality of the meal, and remember to express your thanks afterwards.

• Smoking: Smoking is permitted in public buildings, restaurants and bars only in designated smoking areas. Outdoors, be considerate of non-smokers and always dispose of cigarette ends properly.

• Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory in Estonia, but it is appreciated for good service. Around 10% is appropriate in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate a small gratuity for good service.

• Tap water is of a high quality and is safe to drink.

• No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Estonia. From April to October, there is a nationwide risk of tick-borne encephalitis being transmitted through tick bites. Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended during this period.

• Ensure that your standard vaccinations and those of your children are up to date in accordance with the Swiss vaccination schedule issued by the Federal Office of Public Health.

• Estonia has a modern healthcare system with well-equipped hospitals and clinics. Before travelling, Swiss citizens should apply to their health insurer for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

• Pharmacies are widely available and well stocked in cities and larger towns. Many medicines can be purchased without a prescription, while prescription medicines require a valid prescription. Emergency pharmacies are also open at night and at weekends. Nevertheless, travellers are advised to bring an adequate supply of any medicines they require, particularly if they depend on specific medication.

• Before and during your trip, keep informed about the current situation through the media and remain in contact with your tour operator.

• The crime rate is low, but take care of your personal belongings, particularly in busy tourist areas and on public transport. Violent crime is rare. Vehicle theft and break-ins may occur, especially in unattended car parks or when valuables are left visible inside the vehicle.

• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

As of: July 2024

• A Swiss driving licence is recognised for car rentals.

• The minimum age for renting a car ranges from 21 to 25, depending on the company.

• A CH sticker, warning triangle, first-aid kit, two wheel chocks and a fire extinguisher must be carried in the vehicle.

• Winter tyres are compulsory from 1 December to 1 March.

• Dipped headlights must also be used during the day.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.0‰.

• Long-distance and regional trains: Estonia’s rail network is mainly operated by Elron. It connects the country’s largest cities as well as many smaller towns. The trains are modern, comfortable and very affordable. However, the rail network does not cover the entire country. The main routes are Tallinn–Tartu, Tallinn–Viljandi/Pärnu and Tallinn–Narva, with services operating particularly in the morning and evening.

• Buses: buses are the main form of public transport in cities and rural areas. They also provide reliable connections to more remote regions. Tallinn has an extensive bus network that includes night services. Domestic and international long-distance bus services are operated by companies such as Lux Express and Simple Express.

• Metro: Estonia does not have a metro system.

• Boats and ferries: ferries operated by TS Laevad connect the mainland with the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Boat services also operate on Lake Peipus and the Emajõgi River.

• Tickets: tickets can be purchased from ticket machines, sales points and often directly on board. Various ticket types are available, including single tickets, day passes and travel passes. Public transport in Tallinn is free for registered residents.

• Timetables and apps: timetables are displayed at stops and are also available online. Apps such as “Pilet.ee” and “Elron” provide up-to-date schedules and allow passengers to purchase tickets.

Estonia has a well-developed air transport system. Domestic flights are relatively uncommon, as the country is fairly small and distances between cities are short. However, Kuressaare Airport on the island of Saaremaa offers regular flights to Tallinn, operated by the Estonian airline Transaviabaltika.

• The only airport that can be reached directly from Switzerland is Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport (TLL). Direct flights are operated by Swiss International Air Lines and take approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.

• Other major airports in the country do not have direct connections to Switzerland but can be reached via major European hubs:

  • Tartu Airport (TAY)

  • Kuressaare Airport (URE)

  • Pärnu Airport (EPU)

00 41 (omit the initial zero of the Swiss area code)

• Single emergency number: 112

Consulate General of Switzerland
Lehmann & Partner OÜ
F.R. Faehlmanni 37 – 6
10125 Tallinn

Tel. +372 52 36 329
Email: tallinn@honrep.ch

• In Estonia, all activities involving drugs are strictly prohibited and are subject to severe criminal penalties.

• Estonians are generally reserved and place great value on politeness and respect. Loud or intrusive behaviour is often considered inappropriate.

• Avoid photographing military facilities, border posts and other security-sensitive sites. This may be regarded as a security risk and could lead to problems.