Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

112 NORTH EASTERN EUROPE

Practical & Travel Information

Estonia has a well-developed network of visitor
information centres, even in small towns. There is an
abundance of useful literature to help visitors get the
best out of their trip. Several major international carriers
from many European cities provide links to Estonia’s
capital, Tallinn. The country is also well served by both
domestic and international ferries, with regular services
to Tallinn and the popular island of Saaremaa.

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit Estonia is
from May to September when
it is pleasantly warm. July
and August are the warmest
months. Winter, between
October and March, is cold,
dark and damp but very
atmos pheric when forests
are laden with snow. January,
the cold est month, is best
avoided, as is the rainy month
of April, when the snow melts
and turns sludgy.

HEALTH AND SECURITY

Estonian haigla (hospitals)

tend to be in poor condition.

Private clinics exist in all major

cities and are a better option

for non-emergency treatment.

EU citizens with an EHIC card

are entitled to free treatment.

Visitors are also advised to

drink bottled mineral water

rather than tap water.

Using common sense is the

best way to ensure personal

safety. Visitors should never

accept drinks from strangers

and avoid disreputable-

looking nightclubs. It is wise

not to carry any luxury items.

FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

Although there has been a

significant improvement in

recent years, Estonia is not

very well equipped in pro-

viding facilities for the

disabled. In Tallinn, there are

several steep winding cobble-

stoned streets. Trolleybuses,

trams and trains do not

provide wheelchair access

and only a few buses do.

ARRIVING BY AIR

The sleek-looking Lennart

Meri Tallinn Airport is the

main Estonian airport with

DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of EU member-states,
the US, Canada, Australia and
New Zealand can enter
Estonia for a period of up to
90 days in a half-year period
on presentation of a valid pass-
port. Those wishing to stay
beyond 90 days will need to
apply for a national long-term
visa or a residence permit.
Visitors from other countries
should enquire at their local
Estonian embassy or con su late
to check visa requirements
before travel ling. The official
website of the Estonian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
offers infor mation on visa reg-
ulations. EU citizens are not
subject to customs regulations,

provided they adhere to EU

guidelines. All visitors should

check for any customs duty or

special per mis sion required to

export a cultural object, before

buying it. For detailed infor-

mation on all these guidelines,

entrance regu lations and visa

charges, it is advisable to visit

the offi cial website of the

European Commission.

COMMUNICATIONS

Estonia’s communications

infrastructure is very efficient.

All phone lines are digital,

ensuring high-quality connec-

tions. Mobile phone usage is

particularly high. The post

offices offer a range of express

delivery options. Internet

access is limited in provinces.

VISITOR INFORMATION

The network of information

centres in the country is sup-

ported by an equally advanced

structure of tourism web sites.

Most towns have a tourist

information office located in

or close to the town square.

There are no tourist offices at

the land borders or at Tallinn

airport but there is one at the

Tallinn harbour. Offices are

generally open from 9am to

6pm on week days and for

shorter hours on Saturdays;

many are also open on

Sundays. The staff is friendly

and speak English. Free bro-

chures listing local sights and

events are available at these

offices, which also sell maps

and guide books. Estonia’s

official tour ism web site has a

list of all the tourist information

offices in the country.

BANKING AND CURRENCY

In Estonia, banks are usually

open from Monday to Friday

between 9am and 6pm. Major

banks stay open on Saturdays

from 9am to 2pm. Exchange

bureaus are widespread and

have better exchange rates

than hotels. ATMs are found

everywhere, including petrol

stations. Estonia’s mone tary

unit is the kroon (EEK),

translated as crown, and is

divided into 100 sentis.

THE CLIMATE OF

ESTONIA

From May to September

there is little risk of cold

weather, but winters are

freezing, with temperatures

dipping to -12° C (10° F).

Rain comes in brief, sharp

outburst throughout the year.

Days are short in December

and January, with 18 hours

of darkness, but between

March and October, the long

12-hour days are excellent for

outdoor activities.

AprJul Oct Jan

4 /39

6

hrs

10

hrs

2

hrs

1

hrs

31

mm

68

mm

68

mm

39

mm

-10/14

20 /75

10 /61

7 /61

0 /46

12 /63

4 /48

month

TALLINN

° C/F

0°C

32°F