Helsinki day cruise from Tallinn: 2-hour ferry crossing

Pick your hours in Helsinki and sail back on your own schedule

A one-way ferry crossing from Tallinn to Helsinki on an LNG-powered Tallink Shuttle takes 2 hours, leaving you 4–10 hours to explore Finland's capital independently. You choose your departure time from early morning to late afternoon, board without assigned seating, and can shop or eat on the ferry before arrival. Valid travel documents are required, and check-in at Tallink Terminal D is 45 minutes before sailing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ferry trip and Helsinki exploration

• Arrive at Tallink Terminal D
• Check in at least 45 minutes before departure
• Board the Tallink Shuttle ferry
• Enjoy 2-hour ferry crossing to Helsinki
• Shop and dine onboard the ferry
• Explore Helsinki for 4-10 hours

The experience

The ferry itself is part of the day: the Tallink Megastar or MyStar are modern LNG-powered vessels with restaurants, cafes, bars and a Traveller Superstore on board, so you can eat or shop during the 2-hour crossing. WiFi is available throughout, and the ship is fully air-conditioned. You have access to all public areas without assigned seating, so you can watch the archipelago pass or settle into a meal depending on what the crossing feels like.

Once in Helsinki, the time is yours. The city sits on the water and spreads inland from the terminal: museums, galleries, boutiques and the maritime waterfront are all within reach of a day visit. How much you see depends on which departure slot you pick: an early morning sailing gives you nearly ten hours in the city, while a midday departure leaves you five or six. The ferry terminal is your anchor point for the return, and you board the same way you arrived, checking in 45 minutes before your chosen return time.

You'll need valid travel documents (passport or ID card) and should arrive at Tallink Terminal D on Uus-Sadama 24 in Tallinn with time to spare: check-in closes 30 minutes before departure and boarding 20 minutes after that. Children must travel with an adult. If you miss your departure, refunds are not issued, so building in a buffer is worth the peace of mind.

What’s included

• One-way ferry crossing on an LNG-powered Tallink Shuttle.
• access to all public areas on board without assigned seating.
• WiFi.
• air-conditioned cabins and public spaces.
• restroom facilities.
• restaurants, cafes and bars (food and drinks available to purchase).
• Traveller Superstore for shopping.

Options for this experience

8 options

7:30-19:30(21:30) Helsinki Day07:309.5-hour day cruise in Helsinki: outbound from Tallinn at 7:30, arriving in Helsinki at 9:30. 9.5 hours in Helsinki. Return from Helsinki at 19:30, arriving in Tallinn at 21:30.

10:30-19:30(21:30) Helsinki Day10:306.5-hour day cruise in Helsinki: outbound from Tallinn at 10:30, arriving in Helsinki at 12:30. 6.5 hours in Helsinki. Return from Helsinki at 19:30, arriving in Tallinn at 21:30.

13:30-19:30(21:30) Helsinki Day13:303.5-hour day cruise in Helsinki: outbound from Tallinn at 13:30, arriving in Helsinki at 15:30. 3.5 hours in Helsinki. Return from Helsinki at 19:30, arriving in Tallinn at 21:30.

See 5 more options

7:30-13:30(15:30) Helsinki Day07:303.5-hour day cruise in Helsinki: outbound from Tallinn at 7:30, arriving in Helsinki at 9:30. 3.5 hours in Helsinki. Return from Helsinki at 13:30, arriving in Tallinn at 15:30.

7:30-16:30(18.30) Helsinki Day07:306.5-hour day cruise in Helsinki: outbound from Tallinn at 7:30, arriving in Helsinki at 9:30. 6.5 hours in Helsinki. Return from Helsinki at 16:30, arriving in Tallinn at 18:30.

10:30-16:30(18:30) Helsinki Day10:303.5-hour day cruise in Helsinki: outbound from Tallinn at 10:30, arriving in Helsinki at 12:30. 3.5 hours in Helsinki. Return from Helsinki at 16:30, arriving in Tallinn at 18:30.

07:30-22:30(00:30) Helsinki Day07:3012.5-hour day cruise in Helsinki: outbound from Tallinn at 7:30, arriving in Helsinki at 9:30. 11.5 hours in Helsinki. Return from Helsinki at 22:30, arriving in Tallinn at 0:30.

13:30-22:30(00:30) Helsinki Day13:308.5-hour day cruise in Helsinki: outbound from Tallinn at 13:30, arriving in Helsinki at 15:30. 6.5 hours in Helsinki. Return from Helsinki at 22:30, arriving in Tallinn at 0:30.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 10:30 and 13:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 50

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tallink Silja Line

Is this one for you?Choose an early departure if you want a full day in Helsinki. Pick a midday sailing if you prefer a shorter visit or want to spend the morning in Tallinn. The flexibility to select your own return time means you control how long you stay, rather than following a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How much time do I actually get to spend in Helsinki?

It depends on which departure you choose. The ferry crossing takes 2 hours each way, so an early 7:30am departure gives you up to 10 hours in the city, while a 1:30pm sailing leaves you around 6 hours before an evening return. Eight different time slots are available, so you can match the day to what you want to see.

What's on the ferry during the crossing?

The Tallink Megastar and MyStar both have restaurants, cafes and bars where you can buy meals and drinks; a Traveller Superstore for shopping; and WiFi throughout the ship. You can eat, browse or simply watch the archipelago from the deck. There's no assigned seating, so you move around freely.

Do I need to book anything in Helsinki in advance, or can I just explore on arrival?

You can explore on your own schedule once you arrive. The ferry terminal is your starting point, and museums, galleries and boutiques are all within reach of a day visit. No pre-booking is required unless you want to reserve a specific attraction or restaurant.

What documents do I need to bring?

A valid passport or ID card is required for travel between Estonia and Finland. You'll exchange your booking number and travel documents for a boarding card at check-in, so have them ready when you arrive at Tallink Terminal D at least 45 minutes before departure.