Travel tips · Tallinn · Estonia
Tallinn travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Estonians tend to be reserved, practical and direct, and value personal space and quiet. The country is famously digital: most public services run online, Skype was developed here and Bolt was founded here. Singing traditions run deep, and the Song Festival and Midsummer are central to national identity. A sizeable share of Tallinn's population is Russian-speaking.
Key facts
- Language
- Estonian
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink, though some visitors notice a mineral taste…
- Emergency
- 112 (all emergencies)
Things to know
- Greet shopkeepers and waiters with 'Tere'; a simple 'Aitäh' (thank you) is appreciated.
- Estonians are comfortable with silence, so short answers are not unfriendly.
- Take your shoes off when entering a home.
- In Orthodox churches, dress modestly and keep quiet during services.
- In saunas, shower first and follow the local rules on swimwear.
- Cross at pedestrian crossings and wait for green lights; jaywalking is frowned upon.
- Book Kiek in de Kök and the Bastion Tunnels ahead: Tunnel tours have limited places; reserve a time online in summer.
- Eat lunch away from Town Hall Square; the same dishes cost noticeably less a few streets away or in Kalamaja.
Tipping
Tipping around 10% for good table service is common in Tallinn restaurants but not mandatory; check the bill, as some add a service charge. Tipping in cafés and bars is optional.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tere | Hello |
| Aitäh | Thank you |
| Palun | Please / you're welcome |
| Vabandust | Excuse me / sorry |
| Terviseks | Cheers |
| Head aega | Goodbye |
What to wear
Casual and practical. Bring flat, grippy shoes for the cobbles, which are slippery when wet or icy, and warm layers and a hat from October to April.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink, though some visitors notice a mineral taste; bottled water is inexpensive.
- Emergency number
- 112 (all emergencies)
- Phone and internet
- Free public Wi-Fi is common in cafés and public spaces; mobile coverage is excellent and card payments are accepted almost everywhere.
- Time zone
- Europe/Tallinn
Tallinn is generally low-risk, but pickpocketing occurs in the Old Town on busy summer days and around the port. At night, stay alert around bars frequented by stag groups, and use ride-hailing apps instead of unmarked taxis.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Estonia's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Tallinn?
Tipping around 10% for good table service is common in Tallinn restaurants but not mandatory; check the bill, as some add a service charge. Tipping in cafés and bars is optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Tallinn?
Tap water is safe to drink, though some visitors notice a mineral taste; bottled water is inexpensive.
+What plugs are used in Tallinn?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Tallinn?
Estonian.