Estonia
Forests, bogs, islands and old Tallinn.
Introduction
To Estonia with the family
Estonia is the northernmost of the three Baltic countries. For families with a car or camper van it is a quiet nature country: forests, boardwalks through bogs, a long coast and islands like Saaremaa. Tallinn has a complete medieval centre.
Overview
In brief
- Travel time
- 8–12 days (our estimate)
- Best time to travel
- jun–Aug (our estimate · Full table)
- Distance from London
- ± 2,550 km to Tallinn (approx., via route planner · plus the Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or ferry)
- Driving days
- 4 driving days (our estimate)
- Tolls and vignettes
- No vignette or toll for passenger cars (Details and source)
- Paying
- euro
- EU member
- yes
Distances were calculated once with OpenStreetMap (OSRM) from London to the capital; your actual route may be longer or shorter. For London, the Channel crossing (Eurotunnel or ferry) is not included. Driving days assume at most about 750 km per day with children (our estimate).
Practical
Good to know
Money and payments
You pay with the euro. With a map and contactless pay works in cities, supermarkets and larger campsites usually easily. Nevertheless, have some cash with you for small campsites, market stalls and parking machines (our experience).
Language and handy words
A few words work wonders, even with the campsite neighbour's kids:
- Hello: hello
- Aitäh: thank you
- Please: please
- Goodbye: goodbye
Documents and border
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.
Health and safety
Take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, on the back of your health insurance card or available from your health insurer): it gives you necessary care in public healthcare under local conditions. Travel insurance is still wise, for example for repatriation. The European emergency number is 112.
Source: europa.eu (EHIC)
Traffic rules that matter
In Estonia the alcohol limit is 0.2 per mille, so in effect do not drink. You also drive with dipped headlights or daytime running lights during the day. From 1 December to 1 March winter tyres are mandatory (the period may be extended). Must be carried: warning triangle, safety vest and fire extinguisher. Children shorter than 150 cm go in a suitable child seat. A vignette is not needed.
Source: ANWB
Best time to travel
June to August: long light days and the warmest weather (our estimate).
Always check the current rules (tolls, vignette, entry requirements) just before you leave.
On the road by car
Tolls and vignettes
| What | Price passenger car | Where to arrange it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road charge | none for passenger cars (only lorries above 3.5 t) | No action needed | Transpordiamet price checked Oct 2026 |
Buy vignettes only through the official channels: other sites often charge extra. A caravan or camper van may fall into a different class; check this with the source.
Destinations
Most beautiful places in Estonia
Where are you going?
Regions explained
Tallinn
A medieval old town with city walls and towers, on the World Heritage list. Compact and easy to walk with children.
Source: UNESCO: Tallinn
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Lahemaa
A national park east of Tallinn, with coast, forests, erratic boulders and boardwalks through the Viru bog. Quiet and natural.
Source: visitestonia.com
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Saaremaa and the islands
By ferry to the large islands in the west: windmills, an episcopal castle in Kuressaare and empty roads.
Source: visitestonia.com
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
South Estonia and Soomaa
Hills, lakes and the Soomaa bog area, where you can canoe. In Tartu stands the AHHAA science centre.
Source: visitestonia.com
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
On the road
Suggested route by car
A route of 8 to 12 days, easy to combine with Latvia and Lithuania in a Baltic tour (our estimate). Check the driving times in your route planner.
- Days 1-3: Tallinn and the Seaplane Harbour Museum.
- Days 4-5: Lahemaa and the Viru bog.
- Days 6-7: Tartu and AHHAA.
- Days 8-11: Soomaa or the islands (Saaremaa).
Camping
Where do you camp?
Free RMK camping spots
The Estonian state forest manager RMK manages many free camping spots in the forest, often with a fireplace and wooden tables. Ideal for a budget trip.
Source: rmk.ee
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Free in nature
On uninhabited, unmarked private land you may camp for 24 hours, unless the owner forbids it; in protected areas only at designated places.
Source: rmk.ee
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Campsites on the coast
For those who want showers and electricity: there are campsites on the coast and on the islands (our experience).
Source: visitestonia.com
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Gear for this region → (tent, gas, mosquitoes, sleeping bag)
Outings
With kids
Seaplane Harbour (Lennusadam)
A maritime museum in Tallinn in an old hangar, with a submarine you can go inside.
Source: meremuuseum.ee
AHHAA in Tartu
A science centre with experiments and a planetarium; ideal for a rainy day.
Source: ahhaa.ee
Outings
Fun activities with kids
Water parks, karting, trampolines, bowling, zoos and outings for a rainy day: concrete addresses, chosen with children of about 7 and 9 in mind. We only mention places with their own website, which we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening times and prices change: always check the website.
Our favourites
PROTO Avastustehas
A discovery factory with VR and inventions from earlier times to try out yourself.
Kalev Spa Waterpark
An indoor swimming pool with slides in the centre of Tallinn.
Local cuisine
Food to taste
A few dishes you can try with the whole family:
Show all dishes (4)
Rye bread (leib)
Dark rye bread goes with every meal.
Kama
A mixture of roasted grain flour, often with buttermilk or yoghurt; also as ice cream or sweets.
Kiluvõileib
Rye bread with small pickled fish (sprats) and egg.
Pannkoogid
Pancakes with jam or sour cream, found everywhere.
Look further
Discover more
Campsites by name, day trips, events and things you had better avoid, each with a source.
Show all tips (3)
Campsites and free camping
Campsites lie along the coast and on the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa; ACSI lists Mereoja Camping and Solar Caravan Park, among others. In the countryside you may camp freely; in national parks it is restricted. The state forest service RMK has free camping and fire sites.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Estonia
Old Town of Tallinn
The medieval inner city with city walls and towers is on the World Heritage list. In summer the sun sets late, so you can stay outside long into the evening.
Source: UNESCO: Tallinn
Avoid: forgetting the fire extinguisher
In Estonia a warning triangle and a fire extinguisher are mandatory in the car, and the rear lights of a caravan must always be on.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Estonia
Camping & on the road
Rules worth knowing
Camping freely in nature
In Estonia you may camp for 24 hours on uninhabited, unmarked private land, unless the owner clearly forbids it. Stay away from houses. In protected areas you camp only at designated places. RMK manages many free camping spots in the forest. Source: rmk.ee (Estonian state forest management)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Sources
Where does this information come from?
- rmk.ee (Estonian state forest management)
- UNESCO: Tallinn
- visitestonia.com
- meremuuseum.ee
- ahhaa.ee
- tallinnzoo.ee
- ANWB (traffic rules)
- ACSI Eurocampings: Estonia
Checked on 14 October 2026. "Our estimate" is personal advice, not official information.
Affiliate disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book or buy through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Our experiences and tips remain independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette in Estonia?
No vignette or toll for passenger cars. Prices, where to arrange it and the official source are in the 'Tolls and vignettes' block on this page. To tolls and vignettes
Can you wild camp in Estonia?
Allowed in the countryside, restricted in national parks; RMK has free camping spots. (source: ACSI Eurocampings)
What is the best time to travel to Estonia?
June to August: long light days and the warmest weather (our estimate).
How far is Estonia from London?
From London to Tallinn it is about 2,550 km (calculated with OpenStreetMap; check your route planner). The Channel crossing is not included: with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) it takes 35 minutes according to the operator; a Dover–Calais ferry is the alternative. With children, expect about 4 driving days (our estimate).
What must you carry in the car in Estonia?
Must be carried: warning triangle, safety vest and fire extinguisher. Source: ANWB. All traffic rules are on our Traffic rules & equipment page. To traffic rules · ANWB
Which travel documents do I need for Estonia?
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.