Helsinki to Tallinn guided tour: Cruise ticket & hotel pickup

Walk Tallinn's UNESCO Old Town with a guide, then three hours free to explore on your own

A same-day round-trip tour from Helsinki to Tallinn combines hotel pickup, ferry passage across the Gulf of Finland, a 3-hour guided walking tour of the medieval Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and 3 hours of free time for lunch and shopping before the return cruise. The tour runs 13 to 14 hours total and includes Star Class seating on a modern, eco-friendly ship. A valid passport is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Toompea Castlepass by
2. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral15m

Helsinki to Tallinn guided tour

• Hotel pickup in Helsinki
• Transfer to Helsinki ferry terminal
• Board ferry to Tallinn
• Cruise across Gulf of Finland
• 3 hour guided walking tour of Tallinn Old Town
• Visit Viru Gates
• Walk St. Catherine’s Passage
• Visit Dominican Monastery
• See St. Olaf’s Church viewing platform
• Explore Toompea Castle area
• Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• Enjoy views from Kohtuotsa
• 3 hours free time in Tallinn Old Town
• Board return ferry to Helsinki
• Cruise back across Gulf of Finland
• Arrive Helsinki port and transfer to hotel

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup in Helsinki between 9:10 and 9:45 AM, then transport to the terminal for a 2 hour 15 minute ferry crossing to Tallinn. Your guide meets you at the port and leads a 3-hour walking tour through the Old Town's cobbled streets and narrow alleys, passing the twin-towered Viru Gates, the 14th-century tower that once held weapons and prisoners, St. Catherine's Passage with its working craft studios, and the Dominican Monastery. The route takes in St. Olaf's Church (a Gothic tower with a viewing platform), and climbs Toompea hill to see Toompea Castle, home to Estonia's Parliament, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest Orthodox cathedral in the city.

After the guided portion ends, you have 3 hours free to have lunch, browse souvenir shops, and take photographs in the Old Town before your guide escorts you back to the harbour. The return ferry departs Tallinn and takes another 2 hour 15 minutes to cross back to Helsinki, where you're transferred to your hotel. On both crossings, you can explore the ship's amenities: duty-free shopping, a buffet, and deck time along the Baltic coastline. Star Class seating means you travel on a modern, eco-friendly vessel with reserved accommodation.

What’s included

• Return ferry ticket with Star Class seating on an eco-friendly Tallink ship.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Helsinki.
• 3-hour guided walking tour of Tallinn's medieval Old Town led by a live English-speaking guide.
• 3 hours of free time in Tallinn for lunch, shopping and photography.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 40 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by JeeTravels OY

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're based in Helsinki and prefer a guided introduction to Tallinn's medieval Old Town followed by three hours to explore independently or grab lunch before your evening return.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What's included in the ferry ticket for this tour?

The return ferry ticket is included in the tour price, along with Star Class seating on the Tallink Megastar or Tallink MyStar ship. You'll receive boarding passes 24 hours before departure via email.

How much time do I have to explore Tallinn on my own?

You get 3 hours of free time after the guided tour ends. This is enough time to have lunch at a traditional restaurant, visit souvenir shops, or walk around the Old Town and take photographs before heading back to the port.

What are the main stops on the walking tour?

The 3-hour guided tour covers the Viru Gates (the main historical entrance), St. Catherine's Passage (a 700-year-old alley with craft workshops), the Dominican Monastery, St. Olaf's Church with its viewing platform, Toompea Castle and the Parliament building, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Kohtuotsa viewpoint overlooking the medieval rooftops and modern skyline.

What should I bring and wear for this tour?

Bring a valid passport. It's required for ferry travel between Finland and Estonia. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the guided portion is 3 hours of walking on cobbled streets and uphill climbs. The tour suits all fitness levels.

How does hotel pickup work?

Your hotel in Helsinki will be picked up between 9:10 and 9:45 AM. You'll be transported to the ferry terminal, and after the return crossing, transferred back to your hotel in the city center. Public transportation options are also available near the terminal if you prefer to meet the group there.