General Info

Money and Banks

The currency in Estonia is Estonian kroon (EEK). EEK is pegged to EUR at the rate of 1 EUR = 15.64664 EEK. Euro is not accepted in cash in most contexts.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Tallinn and Tartu, but a bit less so in the countryside. You may be asked to present your passport or some other proof of identity when paying with a card.

There are bank offices and currency exchange points in many major shopping centers and they have very reasonable opening hours. You may also use ATMs for cash advance, but your bank's usual service charges apply.

We would not recommend exchanging your currency into Estonian kroons at home. All major currencies are exchanged easily, and the rates are probably more favourable here.

Buses and Taxis

Buses and most taxis take cash only (and this also includes the ticket counters in bus stations in both Tallinn and Tartu).

Bus tickets may be bought either from the driver or in advance. Inner-city bus tickets are cheaper when bought from a newsstand. Single-trip inner-city bus tickets have to be marked when entering the bus.

Inter-city bus tickets have the same price either way. Most inter-city buses have reduced rates for students, and some extend this to foreign students as well. You have to carry a student ID card to get the discount. One company (Sebe) has an age-based discount for under-26 instead.

Many drivers don't speak English (or any other foreign languages).

Phones and Electricity

International calls to Estonia: dial the prefix for international calls (00 in most countries; + on most mobile phones), then the country code 372, and then the subscriber's number. Local calls within Estonia: dial just the subscriber's number. There are no trunk codes in Estonia, and all phone numbers are 7 or 8 digits long.

International calls from Estonia: dial the prefix 00 for international calls, then your country code, the trunk number, and the subscriber's number.

The general emergency number is 112, specifically police is 110.

Almost all of Estonia has GSM coverage, Tallinn and Tartu also have 3G. Of course, you need a roaming service contract with your provider for your phone to work here. Payphones are basically extinct.

Domestic power grid runs on 220V AC, and sockets in most buildings take both Schuko and Euro plugs.

General Tourist Information

For tourist information on Estonia, check the Estonian Tourist Board. For tourist information specifically on Tallinn, check the Tallinn Tourist Board. For tourist information specifically on Tartu, check the Tartu Tourist Board. For weather information, click here.