Capital city in Harju County, Estonia
Tallinn
Medieval old town, a strong startup scene, Estonia's digital nomad visa and fast e-services, all at mid-Europe prices. Compact and safe; winters are dark and cold, and nightlife is low-key.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,250–3,150Comfortable, one person · €2,000–2,800Details
- Value for money25/100Better value than 24% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 21°CDetails
- Air quality4 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · Meets the WHO guidelineDetails
- Internet94 MbpsFixed broadband, Estonia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe and good; filter jugs are optional.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–101Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and phones work almost everywhere, including markets; keep a few euros for rural cafés.Details
Where to stay in Tallinn
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old Town (Vanalinn) | First-timers: medieval streets, walkable; touristy and pricey |
| Kalamaja and Telliskivi | Nomads: cafés, creative hub, wooden houses, near the Baltic station |
| Kadriorg | Quiet, leafy, near the palace park and Kumu museum |
| Rotermann Quarter and Ülemiste | Modern flats and offices near the harbour and airport tram |
Apps that work in Tallinn
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, Messenger
- Elron: Train tickets
- Lux Express: Coaches across the Baltics
- Taxis: Use Bolt or Uber; street taxis often charge much more. Fixed-price airport rides are cheap.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Estonia.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and phones work almost everywhere, including markets; keep a few euros for rural cafés.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs (Swedbank, SEB, LHV) are fine; avoid Euronet machines and decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Tipping: Optional: around 10% in restaurants for good service; round up taxis.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted, including in Bolt and most shops.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telia, Elisa and Tele2 sell at R-Kiosk and supermarkets for a few euros; EU roaming rules apply. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Estonia
Going to Tallinn solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.