Holiday 2019
 

Hello,

My family and I are planning on visiting in June of next year, Riga Latvia, Tallinn Estonia , Helsinki Finland also with around four nights in Imatra (Summer Biathlon). We have a fortnight to be able to accomplish this journey.

We plan on arriving in Riga and flying out Helsinki. What time in the cities would you suggest? As well as seeing Helsinki we are planning on going to Imatra Base Camp as our son does Biathlon and has been given a chance to practice here.

Unless there are good transport links from Helsinki to Imatra ( and the base camp) we would rent a car to get here other than that we would like to use what transport there is to get from Riga to Tallinn (bus , train?) and Tallinn to Helsinki (ferry? ) only if doable we would like to see Parmu also.

Is this journey achievable in the time we have and for us to appreciate the places we visit?

Thanks Jen.

We are planning a similar trip next May, and plan to include St. Petersburg. We have read that there are affordable and comfortable buses from Riga to Talllin, maybe 4.5 hours. Trains, we have learned are not a reasonable option, due to changes and potentially long layovers. The other option is Air Baltic, and we are waiting to see their updated rates to be posted for that period.

I spent 2 full and 2 partial days based in Tallinn last month. I also used one of the full days to take a day trip to Helsinki. In that time I was more than able to see everything of interest in Tallinn, and probably could have saved myself a night's lodging if I had been able to fly out on the last evening. My day trip to Helsinki was satisfying, insofar as much as it could be, given that I was there on the day of the Trump-Putin summit; though, I think a good long day is about enough time for Helsinki proper. My trip report is here if you are interested: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...llinn-1655837/

I traveled in the other direction in 2011 - Helsinki to Tallinn by ferry, Tallinn to Riga by bus (yes, forget the train). Of the three I much preferred Riga, and I gather that Tallinn has gotten a lot more crowded since I was there. I understand that it is possible to visit St Petersburg without a visa on an organized boat trip from Helsinki, but since I had already visited I didn't do that, and I am not sure you have time.

For my trip start here (links at the top of the page): https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...ain-and-shine/

I did a ten day trip to that area a couple years ago. Also included Vilnius Lithuania which is well worth while and I think would fit in your time frame. Here is the trip report which includes details on the buses between cities (great deal) and places I stayed.
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...lnius-1131865/


The photos are now at this site: https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f408399438

Thank you all for your kind and informative replays, especially the logs Thursdaysd and FourforTravel, your photos and report were lovely Isabel, I am glad I have put to see Riga into my journey plan, to be able to see Riga (markets and the architecture ) how many days/nights do you think I should put aside? Thursdaysd , Thank you for suggestion not to take the train, and bus is better! As you travel the 'other direction' you have now got us thinking as we are wondering which direction to take first either Helsinki and our Biathlon and outdoor activities first or cities first? Either way as we would be having to have 1 stop as travelling from Scotland we can't get direct flights from the same airport that I can see anyway. ( direct to Helsinki from Edinburgh not Riga and direct to Riga not Helsinki from Glasgow..!! ) Thanks jen.