thursdaysd

I'm planning a lengthy trip using the One World Explorer pass for most of the flights. In order to get a cheap flight into Central Asia (my first main destination, and not reachable on a One World carrier), I plan to fly Baltic Air out of Riga. Finnair will get me to Riga via Helsinki, and I'm thinking of spending two or three days in each city. However, I could also finish that leg of the award in Helsinki and take the ferry to Tallinn and the bus to Riga, but I'd be passing up free transport. Do people who have been think two or three days in Tallinn would be worth the added transport costs?

alihutch

It's somewhere I've always wanted to visit...

gillyfilly

Been to both Riga and Tallin each of them for a long weekend. I thought Tallin was beautiful, very historic, interesting place for a couple days - different altogether from Riga which is more compact and there is less to see. Certainly Tallin is worth dropping in for a day - the sea was frozen and it was -33OC - not to be forgotten

RainyDay09

Hi, thursdaysd! Where in Central Asia are you going? I am from Kazakhstan originally. I haven't been to Tallinn, but I hear it is beautiful. More interesting than Riga or Vilnius even (according to my Mom, who was there in the 80s).

thursdaysd

Hi RainyDay - I'll be posting my itinerary on the Asia board when it's a bit more settled. Any input welcome! Right now:

Riga - Almaty (3-5 days) - Bishkek - loop around Issyk-Kol with excursion into the Tian Shan - Kochkor - back to Bishkek via Tor-Ashuu pass and Kara-Balta.

Fly to Dushanbe and to Khorog then south by private transport to Ishkashim, and back to Dushanbe. North to Khokand, then through the Fan mountains to Penjikent and the border.

Overland to Samarkand - Bukhara (train) - Urgench for Khiva (shared taxi) - Tashkent (fly) - Fergana Valley (shared taxi) - Tashkent (fly to Delhi)

I really liked Vilnius when I was there in 2004. I am tempted to see both Riga and Tallinn, but I can't leave until late August, and I figured I need to be out of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikstan by the end of September. Sounds like I should really consider it, though.

Frances

I spent an overnight in Tallin from Helsinki in 2001 and I loved it. I've subsequently visited both Riga and Vilnius and liked them all. I wouldn't pass up the chance to go.

bratsandbeer

We took the ferry from Helsinki to Tallin for a day trip. The old town of Tallin is a short walking distance from the boat dock. It was a great day - at that time 2002 they were busy renovating the old buildings. A lady was sweeping the sidewalk of the old church with a broom made of twigs. The old church was interesting.
One shopkeeper came out and told us to watch our cameras as a group of Russian boys were following us and probably were looking at the cameras. We put our camera away and went shopping in a store and they left.

spaarne

<i>Do people who have been think two or three days in Tallinn would be worth the added transport costs?</i>

Do bears poop in the woods? YES!!

Tallinn has a beautiful old town. The city is inexpensive except for rooms. I was there 4 years ago.

The bus from Tallinn to Riga is a chore, but it is cheap. And it is worth it. Do it. These times will never come again.

kenav

OK. Now I really want to go to Tallinn! So glad to hear good things about it.

(I have a thread about the sagacity of going to Russia right now. Before heading into Russia we thought to go to Tallinn for 4 days - and out to a nature preserve in Estonia for bird watching one day - in Sept.)

Michael

Tallin is definitely worthwhile. We were there for one long day (arriving at 6 a.m. and leaving in the late afternoon). The last section of this photo set is from Tallin:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622876280077/

Debs

Yes, Tallinn is definitely worth visiting for a few days. We visited last May (flew in via Vilnius, with a brief connection in Riga on Baltic Air) and stayed in Old Town (in fact our hotel was built around part of the old city wall)and found the medieval flavor of the city quite interesting. Two or 3 full days will allow plenty of time to explore the city, inclduding the lower town and the sights at Toompea Hill. Lots of history everywhere you turn. The Old Town is an easy walk to the port. The restaurant scene if fantastic!

After Tallinn, we flew (via Finnair) to Helsinki for 2 full days. Helsinki is decidely more expensive than Tallinn, and Tallinn was more expensive than Vilnius. Things in Helsinki center around Senate Square and the waterfront. The Old Market is a must see, as are all the tents around the waterfront selling fruits, veggies, flowers, crafts and delicious food (chicken, fish, yummy baltic sea herring). You can take a tram (if memory serves, it's tram #4) for a quick tour of the general area) and there's a boat option for touring as well.

I would highly recommend stopping in Tallinn and Helsinki if your schedule allows for it. ENJOY!

thursdaysd

OK, thanks everyone! I think I'll fly Finnair to Helsinki, stop over 2-3 days, then fly on to Tallinn (that's "free" on FF miles), stop for another 2-3 days, and then take the bus to Riga.

Debs - could you give me the contact info for your hotel in Tallinn?

spaarne - what was the problem with the bus? I don't think trains run that route any more.

rhkkmk

thurs... tallinn is simply fantastic... we actually liked it better than st petersburg....the hotel imperial there in the old town is really nice---seniors rate at 50%...

skip helsinki and spend several days in T....its way cheaper than helsinki too....the ferry ride is nice

thursdaysd

Thanks bob - good to know about the senior rate. I was underwhelmed by St. P. too, although it's almost heresy to say so!

elina

>>>(if memory serves, it's tram #4)<<<

It is tram 3T.

iris1745

Tallinn is a great old city. We spent three days, but two would have been OK. Also took the bus to Riga. Get your ticket the day before you leave, as the bus can fill up. A little information to download on both cities. Our hotel had a very good location. www.baronshotel.ee www.inyourpocket.com

bratsandbeer

Don't skip Helsinki! I love Helsinki. Don't forget to get your Hesburger! with fries!

SemiMike

It's been a few years since these photos were taken, but I found Helsinki to be a fine walking city for several days touring, and Tallinn great for a day by ferry.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&x=0&y=-95hdl3

thursdaysd

Thanks for the links and the photos!

I will definitely stop off in Helsinki - and after reading this in Tallinn as well. Question now is whether to fly Helsinki-Tallinn (more or less free) or take the ferry.

spaarne

<i>spaarne - what was the problem with the bus? I don't think trains run that route any more.</i>

That's right. No trains.

The highway speed limit is 70 kph (~45 mph) and it takes 5 hours. The road has plenty of speed bumps so the bus slows down for each of those. Drain your bladder before boarding.

The Tallinn Riga bus ride is about $15. The Helsinki Tallinn ferry is ~$40.

If you go the other way, Tallinn to Helsinki, stock up on duty free booze before getting to Helsinki.

The Stockmann department store in Tallinn has good exchange rates, and an excellent seafood buffet breakfast/lunch.

Ditto Iris. Get your bus ticket early, and be on time. The bus sticks to its schedule.