Many passenger transport companies have reduced the numbers of departures or even cancelled departures, but there are still travel options available for returning to Estonia. All travellers must remember that restrictions imposed by many countries can become even stricter at very short notice and be extended, so there will be less options for travelling.
According to the information available to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the current travel options for returning to Estonia are the following:
- From Malaga, Spain a Nordica special flight, register for the flight here: nordica.ee/lendamekoju
- Berlin (Ryanair)
- UK:
– London (Ryanair, Easyjet) – see also: flight from Norwichist.
– Norwich-Stockholm-Tallinn (Nordica), 21 March, information: www.nordica.ee/lendamekoju
– Edinburgh (Ryanair)
- Frankfurt (Lufthansa) – up to 31.03
- Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) – it is possible to fly from 19.03 until 26.03, flights are suspended from 27.03 until 17.04
- Copenhagen (SAS) – although Danish borders are closed for foreigners, Estonians are allowed to transit through Copenhagen
- Malta (Ryanair) – according to current information regular flights will be suspended from 21.03
- Minsk (Belavia) – next flights 19.03, 26.03, 28.03
- Moscow (Aeroflot) – up to 19.03 inclusive. The Moscow-Tallinn train will suspend operations on 20.03
- Pahphos (Ryanair)
- Stockholm (SAS)
- Weeze (Ryanair)
- Passenger ferries between Helsinki and Tallinn continue to operate. At present Tallink continues to operate vessels between Estonia and Finland according to a changed Schedule, but passengers are urged to check that they have the right to enter the destination country, before purchasing a ticket. Passengers should monitor the ferry operators’ websites for the latest information from Tallinki, Eckerö Line or Viking Line.
- Tallink has announced that its vessel Star will start to operate between Sassnitz, Germany and Paldiski, departing from Paldiski every other day at 20.00 local time and from Sassnitz every other day at 19.00 local time. The first trip will take place from Tallinn to Sassnitz today, 19 March at 18.00 local time. The duration of the journey is approximately 20 hours. The vessel accommodates 100 lorries and 10 passenger vehicles and the ship can take 330 passengers. Only passengers with vehicles and those who have the right to enter the destination country, will be allowed to travel, providing the vessel has capacity for passengers in addition to cargo. Passengers without vehicles will not be allowed to travel. The vessel will prioritise transport of food and medical supplies. All passengers will be accommodated in cabins. Bookings for Star can be made via the Tallink Cargo Estonian call centre: [email protected] or +372 612 8686.
Flights from other locations:
- Finnair will continue to fly to Thailand until the end of March. 01.04-30.06 flights have been cancelled. Travellers are allowed to transit through Finland from international airports and ports. For example, people are allowed to travel from Vantaa Airport or Port of Turku to the Port of Helsinki in order to take the ferries to Tallinn. No additional travel documents (e.g. ferry tickets, etc) have to be presented.
- From Vietnam to Europe Qatar, Emirates, Turkish and China Airlines. Flight schedules are published one day in advance: http://noibaiairport.vn/HOME/Lichbay.aspx; Noibai Airport hotline: 1900 636 535
- From the USA to Europe (for example larger capital cities):
-
- New York JFK à London Heathrow (Delta), 1 x per day, from 16.03
- Detroit à Amsterdam (Delta), 1 x per day
- New York Newark à Frankfurt, München, Brussels (United), according to current information until the end of March once per day
- Washington DC à Frankfurt (United), according to current information until the end of March once per day
Travellers should contact the passenger service providers for bookings.
In partnership with the Estonian company AlphaGIS the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also created a new digital overview map with the current transit options available when returning to Estonia (valid at 19.03.2020 at 9.00AM). This can be found here: https://bit.ly/3b0Sv4S.
Estonians returning from abroad must self-isolate at home for a period of 14 days. The aim of the self-isolation is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to remind all Estonian residents that non-essential travel should be avoided where possible, even is the travelling is allowed. Additionally, all travellers must monitor their health.
In relation to commuting between Estonia and Finland, and Estonia and Latvia, travellers must note that the Finnish authorities yesterday clarified that cross-border workers will not have to adhere to the 14-day self-isolation requirement. The Head of the Estonian State of Emergency also issued a decree according to which people who are permanent residents of Estonia, but who work in Finland and who do not have virus symptoms, are exempt from the 14-day self-isolation requirement. It is possible to travel between Estonia and Finland without the self-isolation requirement once in a period of seven days – i.e. it is not possible to return to Estonia more frequently than once a week. All travellers must consider their own and other people’s health.
Please also read the frequently asked questions (FAQ): https://vm.ee/et/koroonaviirus-2019-ncov.
Additional information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
https://vm.ee/en/news/updated-travel-information-flight-information-and-travel-options-returning-estonia