Riga - Tallinn - Finland - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**MeTurk** · 10-10-2007, 10:39 AM

I'm flying into Riga staying for about 3 days getting the bus to Tallinn staying 3 days, then getting the ferry across to Helsinki (how long is the ferry?) staying for the rest of the week in Finland and flying out from

Tampere

back to Dublin.

Anyone take the bus from Riga to Tallinn? I don't want to spend 8hrs on the bus so I'm looking for a place to stop off along the way. I was looking at

Pranu

but I don't know what it's like and I'd have to book into a fancy hotel (which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world).

**DC_Jessica** · 10-10-2007, 01:28 PM

I'm JEALOUS of you MeTurk! No advice on which bus to take, I know that one was way long and I had to do maneuvering to avoid doubling-back. But, I haven't taken that trip yet so I'm no expert.

I'll know to ask you when I'm ready though!

**aliz** · 10-10-2007, 05:35 PM

do you know which ferry you're going on? The 'Silja Line' is the one that's included on the eurail passes and it is freakin awesome... we were expecting a ferry like on sydney harbour, you know, a boat with lots of seats and thats it! this was actually like a cruise ship. we went from stockholm to helsinki and it was an overnight trip, i'm not sure how long your trip would be.

**freakypete** · 10-11-2007, 05:30 AM

We stopped in Pärnu (i assume thats where you mean?) when we were travelling between riga and tallinn last summer, It broke the journey up great. I think there was a kind of hostel there, if i remember right it was about €10 a night. No idea what it was called, it was more like a hotel, but with 6/8 beds in a room.

Its a nice little town, but there wasnt much happening when we were there. we only stayed one night, and didnt get to see that much because it rained the whole time we were there. i'll see if ive got any information about it when i get home from work.

**mbo108** · 10-11-2007, 06:06 AM

yeah, this is gonna be one of those posts where i don't actually help you at all, i just mention that i think thats an awesome little trip you put together for yourself. I would love to see pics when you get back, i'm thinking of a similar route for summer '08.

**MeTurk** · 10-11-2007, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliz

do you know which ferry you're going on? The 'Silja Line' is the one that's included on the eurail passes and it is freakin awesome...

I got the websites for a few ferry's through that inyourpocket.com and they seem to run all year and cost between €20 - €50 so that's that part sorted I'm sure I don't need to book or anything. I'll worry about it when I get there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakypete

We stopped in Pärnu (i assume thats where you mean?) when we were travelling between riga and tallinn last summer, It broke the journey up great.

Ya that's the one, looks like a nice town with allot of traditional buildings. There are some very high class hotels there from the looks of things but they cost in the region of €80 which by Irish standards is very cheap for the type of hotels they are.

**MeTurk** · 10-11-2007, 08:06 AM

I just rechecked the prices and all travel including flights, buses and ferry's (not inc. local traveling) should come in around the €160 mark. I should have just over €1000 for the two weeks.

Dublin to Riga = €23 Ryanair
Riga to Tallinn = €20 set aside for this, should be enough.
Ferry to Helsinki = €40 average it could be cheaper
Bus to Tampere = €20 aroundebouts that I'd say.
Tampere to Dublin = €50 Ryanair

I'll be couchsurfing in Finland so no accommodation costs. I'd say I'll be hard pushed spending €200 on accommodation even with a stay at one of the fancy hotels in Parnu.

**freakypete** · 10-14-2007, 04:39 AM

We definitely didnt spend very much for accomodation when we were there. maybe €15-20 a night but not more than that.

Theres an inyourpocket guide to pärnu, that will definitely have cheaper accomodation in it