Car Rental in Tallinn

Why rent a car in Tallinn?

Tallinn is a great place to visit. Over the last decade, the capital of Estonia has established itself as one of the tourist hubs of the region with more and more visitors flowing to the seaside city every year. There’s a great reason for that, too - the city has everything from a beautiful old town to interesting museums and lively hipster neighborhoods. With a rental car, you can see Tallinn first, then drive to explore Estonia’s beautiful beaches, wetlands, and forests.

Top ways to enter Tallinn

• Tallinn Airport: Also known as Lennart Meri Airport after the former Estonian president, it handled 3.2 million travelers in 2019. The airport is a hub for airBaltic and SmartLynx Airlines and is also served by around 20 other airlines.
• Helsinki Airport: Also known as Helsinki-Vantaa, the busiest airport in Finland handled 21.8 million travelers in 2019. The airport, a large hub for Finnair and Norwegian Air, has flights to and from many destinations in Europe as well as in the Middle East, South and East Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Separated only by the Gulf of Finland, Helsinki and Tallinn are connected by a frequent ferry service; it takes only about two hours to travel between the two cities. Most ferry companies permit bringing a car, but you should still ask your rental car provider if they permit it and if you are allowed to cross the international border.
• Riga Airport: The busiest airport in the Baltics, Riga Airport handled seven million travelers for the first time in its history in 2018. The airport provides many European connections as well as flights to and from the Middle East and Central Asia. Located 323km (200 miles) south of Tallinn, Riga Airport can be reached in just over four hours. As with Helsinki, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the border. 
• By sea: If arriving in Tallinn by ferry, you can pick up your rental car at one of the Tallinn Port Terminals. There is a frequent ferry service connecting Tallinn with Helsinki in Finland, Mariehamn in Aland Islands, Stockholm in Sweden, and Saint Petersburg in Russia. 
• By bus: If arriving in Tallinn by bus, you can pick up your rental car at the Tallinn Bus Station or Tallinna bussijaam. There are frequent bus connections between Tallinn and other domestic destinations as well as destinations in countries like Russia, Latvia, Poland, and Germany.
• By train: If arriving in Tallinn by train, you can pick up your rental car at the Tallinn Baltic Railway Station or Balti jaam. There are frequent trains connecting Tallinn with domestic destinations as well as Valka in Latvia and Moscow and Saint Petersburg in Russia.

City facts

• Tallinn has a humid continental climate. The average high temperature is 22°C (71°F) in July, the warmest month, and minus 2°C (29 °F) in February, the coldest. Tallinn has a moderate amount of precipitation with July and August being the wettest months and March the driest. The city experiences significant snowfall every year. Due to its location at a high northern latitude, Tallinn has very little sunlight from November to January, but the city also has extremely short nights in June and July. 
• With a population of about 435,000, Tallinn is by far the largest city in Estonia and the seventh-most populous on the Baltic Sea. The city is made up of eight districts which are further divided into sub-districts. Kesklinn, which translates to city center, is the largest, while Lasnamäe is the most populous. Tallinn is also the administrative center of Harju, one of the fifteen counties that make up Estonia. 

Top sights and activities

• The Old Town. The number one place to visit for many of the travelers coming to Tallinn, Vanalinn is one of the best-preserved old towns in Europe. The area is best enjoyed via a leisurely stroll, but there are plenty of landmarks, too from the Viru Gate to St. Olaf’s Church and the Estonian Maritime Museum. You will find many of the most popular things to do in Tallinn in Vanalinn.
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. As it is arguably the most beautiful Russian Orthodox Church in the Baltics, visiting the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the highlights of any trip to Tallinn. The church was closed during Soviet times but is now open for tourists and worshipers alike. The church is named after Alexander Nevsky, an Orthodox saint who won the Battle of the Ice in what is now the territory of modern-day Estonia. 
• Kalamaja. Both the oldest and hippest part of Tallinn, Kalamaja is a seaside neighborhood in the northern part of the city. Previously inhabited by fishermen and now by upcoming artists and innovators, the area charms visitors with its wooden architecture, diverse restaurants, and many cultural events.
• Toompea Castle. This castle, first built in the 13th century and renovated over the centuries by different rulers, which can be seen by the mix of architectural styles, is now home to the Estonian Parliament. You can reserve a tour Monday-Friday of the building, or just walk around the gardens and moat on the grounds. You can also watch a parliament session from the public gallery.
• Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM). Open since 2006 and located in the Tallinn Port area, this is one of the most innovative museums in the Estonian capital. The museum is located inside a former industrial building, and, befitting a contemporary cultural institution, the innovative setting and experimental style of exhibitions are as much a part of the visiting experience as the artworks themselves. If you liked EKKM, you may also enjoy its more conventional counterpart, the KUMU art museum.
• Estonian Maritime Museum. Located in the Fat Margaret Tower, itself a notable architectural landmark of the Tallinn Old Town, the Maritime Museum records and explains the seafaring history of the Estonian nation. Recently renovated, it also has a branch in the Seaplane Harbor that is located in a historical seaplane hangar where various ships and other naval vessels are on display. 

Traffic and parking

• Estonia drives on the right-hand side of the road.
• Unless indicated otherwise, the general speed limit is 90km/h (55 mph) on all intercity roads and 50km/h (31 mph) inside urban and built-up areas. During the summer months, the speed limit is increased to 110km/h (68 mph) on some dual carriageway roads. 
• There are a number of one-way streets in the Tallinn city center. 
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. 
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.02% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding these limits will lead to large fines, a license ban, and even imprisonment. 
• Wildlife such as moose and deer crossing the road can be a serious risk, especially in the more rural and forested areas. Many sections of roads with a heightened danger of wildlife crossings are indicated by special road signs. 
• Speed cameras are in use throughout the country. The fines for speeding are high. The speeding ticket will be sent to your rental car provider and they might include an additional feel for managing the fine. 
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in it whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The general emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

In Estonia, only vehicles that are heavier than 3.5 tonnes need to purchase a vignette for driving on national and regional roads. All passenger rental cars and vans are lighter than that;  therefore, renters don’t need to purchase a vignette. Find out more on the official Estonian road toll website (you can switch the language to English on the top-right corner of the page).

Ideas for day trips

• Estonian Open Air Museum. Although nowadays Tallinn rightly prides itself as a hub for innovation and digitalization, for centuries the life of most Estonians was restricted to rural homesteads that dotted the country’s fields and forests. This unique museum, dedicated to recreating history, shows the working and social life of farming Estonians before the 19th century. Try to visit on a Saturday or Sunday when there are song and dance events put on by an Estonian folklore society. Located just 7km (4.3 miles) from the city center, the museum can be reached in about 15 minutes.
• Lahemaa National Park. Made up of woodlands, large boulders, sandy beaches, and hiking paths, Lahemaa is the largest national park in Estonia. The protected area is home to unique wildlife like red deer, brown bears, gray wolves, and many bird species. Four fancy manors are also located inside its territory. Located just 47km (29 miles) east of central Tallinn, Lahemaa can be reached in 45 minutes and is the perfect weekend getaway.
• Prangli. This little island off the coast of Tallinn is a quiet getaway from the busy city. With just three fishing villages and 100 year-round residents, you can wander through the peaceful villages, walk along the coastline, relax in a sauna, and spend a nice day in nature. A ferry runs between Tallinn and Prangli, so it’s an easily accessible day trip!
• Pärnu. Sometimes called the summer capital of Estonia, this pretty resort town in the south of the country is a great place to explore. Sure, you can only swim in the summer months, but its long and beautiful beaches can be enjoyed on long walks year-round, and the city also offers spas, vast green areas, and nice architecture. A bit inland from Pärnu is Soomaa National Park which is made up of many picturesque swamps and bogs. Located 127km (79 miles) south of Tallinn, Pärnu takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach.
• Viljandi. Punching way above its small size when it comes to folklore and history, the town of Viljandi in the south-central part of the country is known as the location of the Viljandi Culture Academy and site of the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, the latter unusually taking place during the summer months. The town is also home to a number of historical buildings and is surrounded by beautiful nature. The drive from the capital takes just under two hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in the Estonian capital is the Ford Focus, followed by the Opel Corsa and VW Golf. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact, and standard.

Further destinations

• Saaremaa. A large island to the west of mainland Estonia, Saaremaa continues to maintain a distinct culture and atmosphere. Visitors travel to the island to visit its tiny and well-preserved villages, the unique Kaali meteorite crater, ancient Gothic churches, and Vilsandi National Park. The island’s hauntingly beautiful beaches are a photographer’s dream. Kuressaare, the capital and the only town of the island, is about 215km (133 miles) southwest of Tallinn and can be reached in just over four hours; you’ll have to take a ferry to get there in summer, but an ice road might be available in winter.
• Soomaa National Park. Located in Viljandi County, Soomaa, or Bog Land, is one of the most distinct nature areas in Estonia. Characterized by various types of wetlands that can be found inside its territory, Soomaa is home to a great diversity of flora and fauna that includes brown bears, golden eagles, and willow ptarmigans. A car trip from the capital will take about two hours.
• Tartu. The former Hanseatic city, Tartu may be much smaller than Tallinn but can be a delightful place to visit. Attractions include the AHHAA science center and planetarium, many heritage buildings, and curiosities like the Old Anatomical Theater, and Tartu also provides easy access to the nearby Lake Peipus to the east. The drive from Tallinn takes only about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• Finland. Closely related linguistically and culturally to Estonia, Finland is a fascinating destination. Helsinki is not only the capital city of the country but also a capital of contemporary art and architecture. Other cities like Tampere and Turku are cute and sophisticated, Finland’s saunas are world-famous (although you can also enjoy them in Estonia), and there are more lakes and thicker forests than almost anywhere else in Europe. If you’re up for a real adventure, then you can even drive as far north as the Arctic circle with a rental car. Located on the other side of the Gulf of Finland, Helsinki is just a short ferry ride away. You can bring the rental car on the ferry, but you should ask your rental car provider if they permit you crossing the border.
• Latvia. Estonia’s southern neighbor, Latvia, has its own set of delights to be enjoyed by a traveler. Riga, the capital city, is as historic as Tallinn, but larger and different in atmosphere. Small towns like Cēsis and Kuldīga are some of the coziest and most picturesque in the region. And the eastern region of Latgale has its own unique Russian and Polish-inspired culture. Ainaži, a tiny and pretty border town, is 195km (121 miles) south of Tallinn and can be reached in 2 hours and 30 minutes; you can explore the rest of the country from there. Ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the Estonian-Latvian border. 

Car rental prices in Tallinn

• Vans - from $75 per day
• Small cars - from $30 per day
• Medium cars - from $32 per day
• Station wagons - from $37 per day
• Large cars - from $36 per day
• SUVs - from $44 per day
• Premium cars - from $199 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Try these simple tips to improve your chances of landing a great ride in Tallinn:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Tallinn is the cheapest in January when renting a car is about 67% cheaper than the yearly average. Start your year with a trip to Estonia!