How to Take a Day Trip to Helsinki From Tallinn

My first encounters with Finland began around twenty years ago, through a postcard exchange website. I remember the snowy, icy landscapes printed on small, thick cards, with my name and address handwritten on the back. Or that giant white cathedral perched atop what seemed like an infinite flight of stairs, always portrayed as the face of Helsinki. One postcard even arrived accompanied by a couple of Geisha chocolates, tucked inside a white envelope. From that moment, Finland felt like a magical land with endless bodies of water, dense forests, and green night skies. It stayed in my imagination all these years… until this month, when, quite by chance, I found myself in Helsinki.

It was a last-minute decision, and many friends warned me I’d be disappointed. Oh, how wrong they were! They had no idea how long I had waited to set foot in Finland, to climb those never-ending stairs and gaze at the white cathedral from just meters away.

At the beginning of December, I was already on a winter trip to Tallinn when the opportunity arose to hop over to Helsinki. Did you know it’s only 80 kilometres from Tallinn to Helsinki? And that a direct ferry runs several times a day, connecting the two capitals in just over two hours? In this article, I’ll share how to make the most of a day trip to Helsinki from Tallinn, based on my own experience, with tips to help you enjoy the Finnish capital in a short time.

Booking Tickets for the Ferry Between Tallinn and Helsinki

I started my research on how to take a day trip to Helsinki from Tallinn about a week before the trip. Having little experience with travelling by ferry around Europe, I initially searched for tickets directly on the Viking Line website. And the prices were a bit dear, at £40 each way per person.

However, as I went deeper with my research, I managed to find an offer on Openferry, a third party website, for £47 for a return ticket, for 2 people. That included the cancel for any reason insurance, priced at £5.50. I have no idea why the price was so cheap compared to the official website, but with such a great deal, I went ahead and booked the trip.

There are three companies that run trips between Tallinn and Helsinki: Viking Line, Silja Line and Eckero Line. Out of the three, Viking Line is the slowest, taking 2.5 hours to cross, whilst Silja Line is the fastest, taking only 2 hours. That half an hour difference is quite dear when it comes to the ticket price. For us it didn’t matter that we would be just a tad longer on board, so we chose the cheaper, longer crossing.

We chose to go to Helsinki on the first ferry of the day, at 7 am, and return on the last, at 8:30 pm.

My tip is, for the best price, check the official website, but also look at deals on third party websites. You can also check GetYourGuide if you can’t find a good deal. They are usually selling return tickets for £37. Click here to check their offers.  

The Port in Tallinn

The harbour in Tallinn is very close to the city centre. We were staying at Nordic Forum Hotel, just at the entrance to the Old Town, and it took us 20 minutes to walk to the port. Officially, boarding starts one hour before the departure time, but for us it started 45 minutes before.

The port building is quite small, with only a few seating areas around. When we arrived we first had to check in at one of the machines, with the code in our reservation. We could check-in for the evening return at the same time, which was very handy.

Once boarding started, we were directed upstairs, where we scanned the paper cards and proceeding to walk to the ship. A lot of the people went straight to queue to the restaurants. We later found out why. We found a table on the eight deck and claimed it for the journey.

It didn’t take long before everyone was on board and we were on our way to Helsinki. Why were people queuing for the restaurant? Because they offer an all you can eat breakfast for around 20 euros, and they have very comfortable cushioned seats, compared to the wooden ones on the common area.

We had a small breakfast from the takeaway café, then I slept for most of the way. When I woke up we were entering the port of Helsinki.

The Port in Helsinki

The port in Helsinki is conveniently close to the city centre as well, just a 15–20 minute walk to the Cathedral. It felt a little bit larger than the one in Tallinn, with more seating areas and space to linger. There are toilets downstairs too, which were very welcome after a couple of coffees on board the ship.

When we returned to the harbour for our journey back, we were able to walk straight through the departures area without having to wait around for boarding to begin. Boarding itself started quite late, but with several gates operating at once, the process moved quickly and we still departed on time.

On the return crossing, tired after a full day of exploring and with the weather turning noticeably harsher we decided to book a cabin. For just 34 euros, we had a private two-bed cabin complete with its own toilet and shower. It felt like an indulgence at the time, but it quickly proved to be a very wise decision. The sea was very rough on the way back, and being able to lie down prevented me from getting sea sick.

Here’s a fun fact I didn’t see coming: when we arrived back in Tallinn, nobody woke us up. I’ve crossed the English Channel several times, and there’s always some form of music or announcement to gently rouse sleeping passengers as the ferry approaches its destination. On the Viking XPRS, there was none of that. We eventually woke up on our own, realised the ship wasn’t moving anymore, and went to investigate, only to discover that everyone else had already disembarked.

So, consider this a small insider tip: if you’re taking the last ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn and book a cabin, it seems you can comfortably stay on board until morning, when the ship sets off back to Helsinki. Not exactly planned, but I guess a great way to save paying for an extra night in a hotel.

Viking XPRS Ferry

Viking XPRS is a high-speed ferry that connect Tallinn to Helsinki in just 2.5 hours. There are plenty of things to do on board, to make the time pass faster. Firstly, there are plenty of restaurants and bars (open for the evening crossings), where you can spend the time. The most popular one seemed to be the Buffet, where people queued as soon as they boarded the ship. They clearly have done this trip before and knew what they were doing.

As we were on deck 8, we got a couple of breakfast sandwiches from the Bistro & Coffee, which is a takeaway café where you order at the counter. On the same deck I noticed a burger restaurant, as well as a self-serve café as well.

There are shops as well where you can buy interesting things such as cans of elk meat, or fridge magnets, if you forgot to pick up one.

All the cabins are located on deck 6. From my experience on Brittany Ferries, you can always get a better deal on cabins if you book on the day, at the information centre, than online. And this proved to be true on Viking Line as well. For 34 euros we got an interior cabin with two beds, one on top of the other, perfect to rest for the short journey. The ship has fancier cabins too, with windows and double beds, but to be honest, we didn’t see the point for such a short journey. When I crossed with Brittany Ferries, from Plymouth to Santander, I had a large cabin with a window because the journey took 34 hours. But for 2.5, any flat bed would do.

How to Spend A Day in Helsinki

Visit the Cathedral

I am not going to lie. Whilst the Cathedral is quite impressive on the outside, on the top of those infinite looking stairs, on the inside is quite disappointing.

Built in the 19th century as a tribute to Tsar Nicholas I, Helsinki Cathedral is a striking example of neoclassical architecture. The exterior is symmetrical and monumental, crowned by green domes that add just enough contrast to break the uniformity of white. Climbing the wide steps leading up to the entrance feels ceremonial in itself, drawing you out of the bustle below and into a calmer space above the city.

The interior is very minimalist and almost austere, with clean lines, muted colours and very little ornamentation. The crypt is very different again, with exposed brickwork and solid support columns. Very different from the space above. We followed the signs towards the underground, and we found ourselves in the middle of a local charity fair, with handmade products and cakes. In a corner I spotted a little café with a huge queue of people buying one thing only: rice pudding topped with prune compote and cinnamon.

I couldn’t resist buying a pair of knitted socks from an elderly lady for just a few euros. I’m actually wearing them as I write this, and they are incredibly warm. After all, who knows how to make winter clothes better than those who truly understand the cold?

Check Out the Market

I love visiting local markets, and the one in Helsinki wasn’t an exception. The building housing the market is striking compared with the scenery around it, with sturdy red brick and tall arched windows. It was built in the 19^th century on the side of the harbour to house traders but also protect them from the wind and harsh weather at the same time.

Inside, the market stretches on two parallel aisles and it is aimed mostly at tourists rather than at locals. Most of the stalls are selling exotic meats and fish, from bear salami to smoked reindeer sandwiches and hundreds of euros tiny boxes of beluga caviar.

 Go to a Sauna

There’s a very good reason why last year’s Finnish Eurovision entry was “Bara Bada Bastu”,  a song entirely dedicated to going to the sauna. In Finland, sauna culture isn’t just popular, it’s everywhere. In Helsinki, you’ll find saunas in places you might not expect including in a Burger King. Although I’m not entirely convinced that’s the most appealing setting for a moment of relaxation.

I spotted my first sauna less than ten minutes after leaving the harbour. Sitting right there in the waterfront area is the Helsinki SkyWheel and yes, one of its cabins is a sauna. A fully functioning sauna, gently rotating above the city. It felt like the most Finnish introduction imaginable.

For a more classic and accessible experience, Loyly sauna is the perfect choice. This urban sauna complex sits right by the water and offers beautiful views over the harbour and the city skyline. There are several saunas to choose from, both indoors and outdoors, as well as two open-air pools: one heated, and one filled with naturally cold seawater straight from the Baltic.

One practical tip: bring your own towel. While the access ticket costs 23 euros, towel hire is an additional 9 euros!

Eat Salmon Soup by the Water  

The salmon soup is one of the staple of the Finnish cuisine. It’s a traditional recipe that tastes heavenly. It reminded me a little bit of the divine chowders I had in Nova Scotia. It’s creamy, with generous amounts of salmon, potatoes, leeks, garnished with tons of fresh dill. The broth is light and simply delightful.

A friend who has visited Helsinki before me recommended me to try the stalls in the harbour, which in winter are inside cosy orange tents. The chairs are covered with furs, and to keep warm, the tables have heaters above them. The kitchen is small, but that’s ok as the only thing these places sell is fish soup and typical Finnish meat pies.

We ordered a bowl of soup, which arrived with a slice of buttered rye bread. It was the perfect way to warm up from the cold weather outside.

Visit the Fazer Café

Remember those Geisha chocolates I mentioned earlier? They’re made by Fazer, Finland’s most iconic chocolate producer. The company began as a family business in 1894, crafting chocolate by hand using high-quality ingredients, a philosophy that clearly still holds true today. To this day, Fazer chocolate remains some of the best I’ve ever tasted.

Fazer products are surprisingly hard to find outside the Nordic countries, so you can imagine my excitement when I stepped into the Fazer Café. I felt like a child in a sweet shop, quite literally. Boxes of chocolates, limited winter editions and beautifully packaged confections lined the shelves, and I left with far more than I had planned to buy.

Of course, a stop at the café wouldn’t be complete without sampling the hot chocolate. Served with a square of milk chocolate on the side, a thoughtful and very welcome touch, it was rich, creamy and deeply indulgent. I paired it with a cardamom and pistachio bun for a warming up snack, fragrant, exactly what you want on a cold winter’s day.

Go Shopping for Cute Stuff

If there’s one thing Helsinki does exceptionally well, it’s design which is practical and deeply inspired by nature. Finland is home to some of the most recognisable lifestyle brands in the Nordics, including Moomin and Marimekko, and you’ll find their shops dotted throughout the city centre.

Walking into a Moomin store feels like stepping straight into childhood nostalgia, even if you didn’t grow up with the stories. Soft colours, gentle illustrations and thoughtfully designed objects make it impossible to leave empty-handed. From mugs and notebooks to cosy winter accessories, everything feels comforting rather than gimmicky.

Marimekko, on the other hand, celebrates bold patterns and confident design. Their iconic prints are instantly recognisable, splashed across clothing, homeware and accessories in a way that feels timeless rather than trend-led.

Beyond these well-known names, Helsinki is full of smaller design stores and concept shops selling ceramics, textiles, stationery and nature-inspired gifts that feel uniquely Finnish. Everything seems to strike that perfect balance between beauty and usefulness, nothing excessive, nothing unnecessary.

Honestly, I could come back to Helsinki for a city break just to shop. There are so many thoughtfully designed, genuinely cute things here that it’s hard not to be tempted.

See the Sibelius Monument

From the city centre, we made our way to Toolo to see the Sibelius Monument, one of Helsinki’s most recognisable landmarks. Set within a quiet park, the monument feels deliberately removed from the bustle of the city, giving it space to be experienced slowly.

Created by sculptor Eila Hiltunen and unveiled in 1967, the monument is dedicated to composer Jean Sibelius, one of Finland’s most celebrated cultural figures. Rather than a traditional statue, the artwork consists of over 600 steel pipes welded together, forming an abstract, organ-like structure. The design was controversial when it was first revealed, but today it’s widely regarded as one of Helsinki’s most distinctive pieces of public art.

I loved walking towards the monument, leaving the city centre behind and wondering through residential neighbourhoods, discovering a different side of the city. It felt very quiet and peaceful, away from the all-glass buildings in the centre. We even found a large local supermarket where we bought typical Finnish Christmas pastries for a fraction of the price in the Christmas market, as well as packs of local herb seasonings, lingonberries jam, and  gingerbread.

Visit the Christmas Market – If You Visit in Winter

We visited Helsinki on the second day of the Christmas Market, which was very exciting. The market takes over the Senate Square and it is just wonderful. Unlike some of the larger, more commercial markets elsewhere in Europe, Helsinki’s feels intimate and local.

Wooden stalls are filled with handmade gifts, warm treats, and seasonal decorations, all arranged beneath the cathedral’s soaring white façade. The air is fragrant with glogg, grilled meats, and fresh pastries, giving the square an irresistible warmth against the crisp winter air. It’s good to know that the restaurants area is separated, and you are not allowed to leave with alcoholic drinks into the main market. There are places to buy food outside of this area, but they won’t be selling anything alcoholic.

We visited the market both in the morning and in the afternoon, after dark. In the morning I bought a cute handmade pair of wooden earrings, representing the world, with a glimpse of my beloved Nova Scotia visible as well. In the evening we tried elk and reindeer sausages, served with mustard and weirdly, no bun or bread.  

Conclusion

A day trip to Helsinki from Tallinn is absolutely worth it. The city is compact enough to explore at a relaxed pace, which makes it easy to take in the sights without feeling rushed. Even with cold and rainy weather, I loved every minute of the trip and would happily do it again.

Despite what others have told me, that Helsinki isn’t worth visiting, I completely disagree. It’s an underrated gem, quietly elegant, full of design, culture, and winter charm, yet still largely undiscovered by the crowds of tourists that flock to other European capitals. For me, Helsinki easily earns a spot high on the list of great cities to visit in Europe, especially for those who enjoy wandering, discovering, and experiencing a city on its own rhythm.

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