Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry: Our Unique Cruise Experience
We initially planned to take the two-hour ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, like most travelers do. But while researching our options, we stumbled upon something more exciting — the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry, which offered a unique cruise experience between the two capitals. It sounded like the perfect way to combine travel with a comfortable night’s rest.
Instead of rushing through a short ferry ride, we opted for the overnight journey, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip. The cruise gave us time to relax, enjoy the onboard amenities, and wake up refreshed in Tallinn, ready to explore Estonia’s charming capital.
If you’re planning to visit Tallinn from Helsinki, taking the overnight ferry is an excellent alternative to the standard day trip. Here’s everything you need to know about booking the cruise, what to expect onboard, and tips to make the most of your journey.
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we've used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Our Travel Planning Recommendations
Skyscanner (flights)
Booking.com (hotels)
🎫 Get Your Guide (tours)
Ticket Master (events)
📸 Best Buy (equipment)
🚗 Rental Cars (car rentals)
Train Line (train tickets)
Bus Bud (bus tickets)
Direct Ferries (ferries)
Cruise Direct (cruises)
Why Choose the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry vs the Regular Ferry?
Here are some of the things that we personally enjoyed about taking the overnight cruise as opposed to the normal ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn:
- Unique experience compared to the standard 2-hour trip.
- Comfortable accommodations on fully equipped cruise ships.
- Opportunity to enjoy onboard amenities like bars, restaurants, a spa, and entertainment.
- Convenient arrival times in Tallinn, allowing for a full day of exploration.
- Cost efficient way to travel while saving a night of accommodation expenses in Tallinn.
There are a lot of great reasons to do the overnight sailing to Tallinn.
Where is the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry?
The Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry leaves from the city of Helsinki, and arrives to the city of Tallinn.
It's important to make sure you are at the right pier, since there are several ferry terminals in Helsinki. The Helsinki to Tallinn overnight cruise is operated by Tallink, and leaves from West Harbour terminal 2 (T2), Tyynenmerenkatu 14.
The cruise sails into D-Terminal, Uus-Sadama 24, which is just a short distance from the Old Town of Tallinn.
How to Get to the West Harbour Terminal in Helsinki
Here's how you can get to the West Harbour Terminal from the center of Helsinki:
- Take an Uber , Bolt, or Taxi (15 minutes from the center)
- Take the 7 or 9 tram
How to Get to the Old Town of Tallinn From the Ferry Terminal
Here are the ways that you can get to the the Old Town of Tallinn from the Tallink ferry terminal:
- Walk 15-20 minutes
- Take an Uber, Bolt, or Taxi (s from the center)
- Take bus #20
The Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry Experience
Now that you know how to get to terminal, we're going to share our personal experience, and a little bit about what the night looks like when you take the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry.
Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
Checking in
While cruise ship check-ins can many times take several hours, checking in for the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry is easy peasy.
You should arrive to the terminal within an hour before the ship leaves (which is at 6:35 PM), and board no later than 6:15 PM.
As soon as we arrived we went right to one of the kiosks, printed our ticket, and went upstairs to board. There is a small cafe and bathrooms upstairs, and boarding was pretty seamless, taking about 10 minutes.
Settling in
As soon as you print your boarding pass you'll be given your room number, and can bring your luggage straight there. Unlike traditional cruise ships, there is no waiting around.
You'll notice that there are a ton of people playing music in their rooms and getting ready for a fun night out.
Once the ship sails away and it is far enough from land, the duty-free shops will open, and the that's where all the action is. But this isn't because people want to go shopping, it's actually because there is a supermarket onboard!
People can go and buy drinks and snacks directly from the shop rather than having to check the bottle until you get off the ship. You'll notice most people have full carts of alcohol ready to go back to their rooms and pregame.
A Fun Night Onboard
When we first got onboard we decided to go straight for the spa, where you can stay for an hour and a half. We then showered and watched the ship sail away, and head to the shops to pick out some drinks.
We got a bottle of liquor, and made ourselves a little charcuterie board of cheeses, salamis, and even some moose sausage.
After a few drinks we decided to explore the ship. In the early evening most people are either dining, getting ready in their rooms, or relaxing.
You can also enjoy the smaller pub with live music, gamble in the casino, or bring your little ones to one of the kids' activities.
Come 9:00 is when the main entertainment happens in the theater. There are different artists every night, and the one that we had is actually a pretty famous Finnish artist. It was actually more like a concert, and the floor was full of people singing and dancing!
Later on in the night (around 11:00 or midnight) people start to head over the club. We stayed until 3 am, and it was still packed when we left!
Checking Out
The ship is actually docked from the night before, but passengers can start disembarking at 8:00 AM.
Those that are returning back to Helsinki after can actually leave everything in their rooms, while those that have one-way tickets must leave the room by 10:00 AM.
As the ferry actually stays there all day though, passengers who are disembarking may stay on the ship for another few hours before the embarkation for the return cuts off.
Passengers can just walk off the ship, and there is actually no real protocol for leaving as there if for most cruise ships, since there are no outstanding accounts, and no key that needs to be returned.
Want To Learn How To Get Paid To Travel?
We'll teach you everything you need.
The Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry Amenities
For a ferry option, we couldn't believe the number of amenities offered on this ship. It truly was a full cruise experience, and included everything from accommodation to dining and entertainment.
Here is a bit of a breakdown of the different amenities you can expect onboard:
- Cabin options for different budgets.
- Dining choices for sit down and buffet
- Nightlife including bars and a club
- Entertainment options such as live music and concerts
- Availability of Wi-Fi
- Casino
- Kid's club
- Spa with jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room
- Duty Free shops including a supermarket
There are a lot of areas to enjoy on the ship.
The Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry Cabin Options
There are a variety of cabin options to choose from on the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry.
We decided to choose the most budget-friendly option, which was around $30/person, which included 4 bunk beds, a desk, and a small bathroom with a shower.
Here are all of the different cabin options that you can choose from:
- E-Economy Lite: Budget-friendly cabins (9 m²) on decks 5 and 8 for max. 5 travelers: up to 4 adults and either 1 child (0–5 yrs) without own bed or 1 child (0–2 yrs) in a baby bed.
- B-Standard: Comfortable cabins (8 m²) on decks 5, 8 and 9 for max. 5 travelers: up to 4 adults and either 1 child (0–5 yrs) without own bed or 1 child (0–2 yrs) in a baby bed. *pet friendly
- A-Standard Sea View: Comfortable cabins (9 m²) on decks 5, 8 and 9 for max. 5 travelers: up to 4 adults and either 1 child (0–5 yrs) without own bed or 1 child (0–2 yrs) in baby bed. *has a window and is allergy free
- A- Standard Premium: Comfortable cabins (9 m²) on decks 8 and 9 for max. 3 travelers: up to 2 adults and 1 child (0–5 yrs) without own bed. *has a double bed and a window
- Accessible Cabins: Comfortable accessible cabins (14 m²) on decks 5, 8 and 9 for max. 3 travelers: up to 2 adults and either 1 child (0–5 yrs) without own bed or 1 child (0–2 yrs) in baby bed. *has a window, tv, and SOS button
- Deluxe Sea View: a comfortable cabin with a window, 11 m², for up to 2 people. *includes a special breakfast, chocolate, and drinks from the mini bar
- Deluxe Plus Sea View: comfortable cabins on deck 9 for 2 people. *includes special breakfast and refreshments
- Suite Sea View: Spacious cabins on decks 8 & 9 for 2 people. The sofa can be used as an extra bed for two children up to 17 years. *includes a special breakfast and refreshments
We chose the most basic room onboard.
Dining Options Aboard the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry Cabin Options
There are a variety of paid dining options onboard, whether you're looking for a quick snack or a nice sit-down meal. Here are the different places you can eat around the ship:
- Grande Buffet: 7:00 am-10:00 am/5:45 pm- 10:30 pm (19.50€ online/21.50€ onboard for breakfast, 30.50€ online/33.50€ onboard for lunch/ 41.50€ online/44.50€ onboard for dinner)
- Grill House: a la carte dining with hearty meals like steaks and burgers (7:00 am-10:00 am/5:45 pm- 10:30 pm)
- The Chef's Kitchen: a premium a la carte restaurant with Nordic flavors and a seasonal menu (6:00 pm-11:00 pm)
- Fast Food 25h: quick and simple options like sandwiches and salads (only closed for half hour)
- Coffee & Co: Starbucks coffee shop
Nightlife on the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry Cabin Options
Whether you want a relaxed drink with live music or a wild night out, there are quite a few places to enjoy your night on the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry, which include:
- Sea Pub: small bar with live music and karaoke (5:00 pm-2:00 am)
- Piano Bar: elegant and relaxed bar next to the restaurants (5:30 pm-midnight)
- Starlight Theater: a 2-story theater with nightly shows, a bar, casino, and arcade
- Aluminum Disco: the night club onboard (11:00 pm-6:00 am)
There are various options for nightlife onboard.
Entertainment Onboard the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry Cabin Options
There are plenty of activities to enjoy on the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry, and the cruise program changes daily.
Some of the activities include bingo, karaoke, and live music.
We were honestly pleasantly surprised with the entertainment onboard, and found that there was something for all age groups.
There are a few different artists that play on each sailing.
Shopping on the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry
There are quite a few shops onboard, and they're all duty free. The hours are 9:00 am-11:30 am and 5:00 pm-11:00 pm. Here are the different shops you can expect:
- Cosmetic boutique (perfumes and make up)
- Fashion Street (clothing and accessories)
- Gifts & Toys (souvenirs and Nordic clothing)
- Supermarket (snacks and alcohol)
Amenities for Children Onboard
While the majority of passengers onboard were young adults, you can also enjoy the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry with your little ones. Here are some of the things you can enjoy for children onboard:
- Activities like face painting, balloon sculptures, fun competitions, and games
- Arcade with games and competitions
- Playroom with toys and a slide
- Mascots like Harry the Seal, Moomin, or puppy girl Lotte
The Spa Onboard the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry
The spa onboard is open from 1:00 pm-10:00 pm and is 12€ for a 1 1/2 hour time slot. You can show up on the spot, and freely use the sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi.
There are 2 separate fitting rooms with showers and saunas, while the jacuzzi and steam room are shared.
Will You Buy Us A Coffee? ☕
As coffee lovers, we always enjoy the energy of caffeine. It helps us get the best free travel guides out there for you! 😄
The Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry Cabin Options Booking and Pricing
Bookings for the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry can be done directly on the Tallink website, paid with credit card.
Unlike traditional cruises, meals are not included, and prices are per room, rather than per person, which makes this super affordable if you are a family or group of friends.
Rooms start around 80€ and go up to a little over 400€ for the top suite.
How To Travel Cheaper and Better in 15 minutes!
How much more would you travel, if it costed you less resources?
With our Free eBook, you will learn how to save money and time on your future trips. Plus, you'll see the exact system we use.
Grab your copy for free when you sign up for our newsletter 👇
Personal Experience and Review of the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry
We absolutely loved our time cruising overnight, and think it was well worth it! The regular ferry ticket was around 25 euros, and our room was 100 euros, so it really was only a few extra euros each, and we didn't have to pay for accommodation in Tallinn, and we had a super fun night out.
The staff were mostly Estonian, and were quite grumpy. However, our experience was still amazing, and we were blown away by the cleanliness and modern amenities onboard.
The ship we sailed on was very modern.
If you're looking for something unique and are traveling in a group, we highly recommend booking a trip on the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry!
If you plan on doing a trip to Helsinki for serveral days, then we'd definitely recommend doing the round trip ferry, as you can enjoy 24 hours on the ship for an awesome little getaway to the stunning city of Tallinn.
Transform your photos
One click is all it takes to make your photos look stunning. Get our latest package of Lightroom presets, Into The Wild.
Other Things to Keep in Mind for the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry
Now you know pretty much everything for an epic cruise! But don't go just yet - here are a few other things to keep in mind.
Traveling With a Car
One of the coolest perks of taking the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn is that you can bring your car with you! There is a designated area on the ship, and if you are bringing your car we'd recommend getting there a bit earlier.
If you plan on doing the trip multiple times, you can also look into their serial tickets, which are a smart option for saving money.
Prices for different vehicles are as follows:
- Bicycle/Electric Scooter: 5€
- Motorcycle: 31€
- Motorcycle with Side Car: 59€
- Small car: 59.50€
- Large car: 74.50€
- Van: 92.50€
- Car w/ Trailer: 147.50€-212.50€
Traveling With Pets
If you have a furry friend, don't worry! Pets are allowed onboard, as long as they are not considered dangerous. They must be leashed, and require a pet passport to ride.
Service animals are free of charge, you'll just need proper documentation stating so.
The number of pets onboard is limited, so it's important that you book in advance.
How to Prepare for the Helsinki to Tallinn Overnight Ferry
Honestly, chances are if you plan on taking the Helsinki to Tallinn overnight ferry that you'll be bringing all of your belongings with you (if you're a tourist that is). But just in case, here are some of the things we'd recommend bringing:
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc)
- Bathing suit for the spa
- Towel for showering (the spa rents them out)
- Nice outfit for a night out
- Phone charger
- Small Handbag
Don't forget to pack for the different activities!
Looking To Travel Somewhere?
Off The Beaten Trips is our travel agency.
But this isn't anything like you've ever experienced before. You'll have an epic trip without having to break the piggy bank.
Unique locations. Epic adventures. Lifetime memories.
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
So are you ready to experience the Helinski to Tallinn overnight ferry? We hope our guide has helped you decide which option is right for you, and that if you choose the cruise, this has helped you properly prepare for a fun night onboard.
Want to learn more about the different things to do and see in the area? We have a few other Finland travel guides and Estonia travel travel guides, as well as a few more coming up. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our weekly updates!
Ready to start planning the most incredible trip of your life? Well, it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg! We offer custom travel planning services, designed to find you the most affordable flights, and to create you the perfect itinerary for you and your group. Want to learn more? Send us an email for your free consultation!
Here are some other articles you'll love:
Like this article? Please share it with your family and friends, so that we can continue to keep creating free travel guides for you! It takes just a second, and would mean the world to us. Thanks for being here!
