General information about Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania

Good to know:

• There are Tourist Information Centres in cities, towns and many rural villages. They offer maps, guidebooks, guide services and advice to tourists. 
• Major payment cards in use: Cash and card payments are accepted in shops. When visiting the countryside, it is advised to be prepared for using cash as card payments might not be accepted in all places. ATMs are easy to find in cities and towns.
• People in cities and young people usually speak English as their first foreign language. In the countryside, older generations might not speak any foreign language. Even if so, out of their natural hospitality they will always do their best to understand visitors and take good care. 
• Prepaid SIM-cards are available from grocery stores and other distributors.
• There is a good Wi-fi network coverage, however, in some remote rural areas internet might not always be available. 
• Driving is on the right side of the road.
• European C-type sockets.
• Tap water is drinkable.
• Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  are considered to be a safe destination.
• National speed limits: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside if no other speed limit is signposted. In Lithuania motorways have a speed limit of 110/130 km/h.

The capital cities

Tallinn

Tallinn is a medieval Hanseatic town situated side by side with the 21st century city of modern glass buildings. The Old Town of Tallinn is an outstanding and exceptionally well preserved example of a medieval northern European trading city and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tallinn Tourist Information Centre:
Niguliste 2, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia
Phone: + 372 645 7777
www.visittallinn.ee

Riga

Riga is the metropolis of the Baltics, featuring a picturesque medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Art Nouveau architecture, and a modern city that has maintained its’ close connection with the nature. Many parks within the city, river Daugava, woods and lakes of the region makes it a destination of every interest.

Riga Tourist Information Centre:
Rātslaukums 6, Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371 6703 7900
www.liveriga.com

Vilnius

Vilnius has many historic buildings representing the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical style. The historic centre of Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Vilnius is the cultural centre of Lithuania with art galleries, theatres and museums.

Vilnius Tourist Information Centre:
Pilies 2, LT-01123 Vilnius, Lithuania
Phone: +370 5 262 9660
www.govilnius.lt 

Getting there & around

It is very easy to visit Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in one trip for a variety of reasons: relatively short travelling distances between and within countries due to their relatively small size, no border formalities between them since them all three belong to the European Union and the same time zone, the same currency, and similar climate.

The main airports are located in the capitals: Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Ferry ports are located in the cities of Tallinn in Estonia, in the cities of Riga, Liepāja and Ventspils in Latvia, and in the city Klaipėda in Lithuania. Local ferries connect the Estonian islands with the mainland. There are good bus services between Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn. Tickets are also available to buy online.

Sites on the route can be reached by rented car, public transportation or through a pick-up service from the accommodation provider. When travelling by local public transportation it is recommended to check schedules in advance and pre-arrange pick-up transfers from bus or train stations with the hosts in the countryside.

Airports

Lithuania

Vilnius www.vilnius-airport.lt
Kaunas www.kaunas-airport.lt   
Palanga www.palanga-airport.lt

Latvia

Riga www.riga-airport.com
Liepaja www.liepaja-airport.lv

Estonia

Tallinn www.tallinn-airport.ee
Tartu www.tartu-airport.ee
Kuressaare www.kuressaare-airport.ee
Kärdla www.kardla-airport.ee
Pärnu www.parnu-airport.ee

Coaches

Lux Express: www.luxexpress.eu
Ecolines: www.ecolines.eu
Eurolines: www.eurolines.lt

The bus trip between Tallinn and Riga takes approximately 4.5 hours.
The bus trip between Riga and Vilnius takes approximately 3.5 hours.

Car rental

Avis, Budget, Sixt, Hertz and other international car rental companies with a wide worldwide network and standardised level of service operate throughout the region. Driving is on the right side. Headlights must be on at all times. 

Local busses and trains

Lithuania

Busses: www.autobusubilietai.lt 
Trains: www.ltglink.lt 

Latvia

Busses: www.autoosta.lv. Busses are the most convenient means for reaching local destinations outside Riga sub-urban area.
Trains: www.pv.lv. Train travel is most convenient for travelling to destinations such as Jūrmala, Gauja National Park and Daugavpils. 
Enquiry service, including public transport: www.1188.lv

Estonia

Busses: www.tpilet.ee (regional transport and online tickets)
www.peatus.ee  (route search, city transport, regional transport)
Trains: www.elron.ee

Ferries

Stenalines

Passenger transport services from Germany, Travemunde to Liepaja (LV) and from Sweden, Nynashamn to Ventspils (LV).
www.stenaline.lv

Tallink Silja Line

The leading provider of high-quality mini-cruise and passenger transport services in the northern Baltic Sea region.
Routes: Helsinki – Tallinn, Helsinki – Stockholm, Riga – Stockholm, Tallinn - Stockholm. 
www.tallinksilja.com

Viking Line

A market-leading brand in passenger traffic on the northern Baltic Sea. Routes: Tallinn - Helsinki.
www.vikingline.com

Eckerö Line

Estonian ferry line and a travel agency. Route: Tallinn - Helsinki.
www.eckeroline.ee/en 

DFDS Seaways

Routes: Kiel - Klaipeda, Karlshamn – Klaipeda
www.dfds.com 

TT-Line

Route: Trelleborg - Klaipeda, Rostock - Klaipeda
www.ttline.com 

Local ferries in Estonia

Local ferries operate between the islands and mainland Estonia:
• Aegna, Prangli and other small islands www.veeteed.com
• Naissaar www.monica.ee
• Muhumaa, Hiiumaa and Saaremaa www.praamid.ee