Working in Tallinn Estonia

Airport

Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport
Tallinn Airport, also known as Ulemiste Airport, is the largest airport in Estonia and is located just 3km from the city centre. Tallinn Airport, which received extensive renovations during the 1990s, facilitates domestic and international travellers and is recognised for its efficiency.

Travellers to and from Tallinn can access the airport via a bus service that departs about every half hour. Being so close to the city centre, travel by taxi is also a very cost-effective option when travelling in numbers. Taxi stands are in place at the front entrance of the airport.

Railway Station

Baltic Station
All local commuter, long distance and international trains depart from Baltic Station in Estonia. Opened in 1870, the station, known locally as Balti jama, currently features seven platforms. Services from Baltic Station can extend through to London in the west and beyond Moscow to the east. Baltic Station is also a major bus depot that passengers use for ongoing travel throughout the city. There is also a taxi stand at the station.

Transportation

Tourists in Tallinn find that navigating the city, especially the Old Town, is best achieved by foot. The Old Town area is reasonably compact and provides visitors an ideal way to appreciate the city’s history. However, the city does have a strong public transport network consisting buses, trams and trolleybuses covering the central area and residential suburbs.

The public transport system is operated by local company, TAK. The bus network covers the entire city, while the trams focus on its central area. The trolleybus service consists of lines to the south and west. Taxis are also a cost-effective option in Tallinn and can be easily secured by tourists or commuters.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Tallinn is average to low by western standards for expats. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:

Accommodation

Hotels in Tallinn can vary greatly in price, but there are a lot of options for low and high end spenders. Backpackers, in particular, will find the city to have a broad range of places to sleep around the Old Town at often miniscule rates compared to other cities in Europe. A few to consider include:

Budget
Alur Hostel
Knight House

Mid-range
OldHouse
Nordic Hotel Forum

High-end
Sokos Hotel Viru
Radisson Blu Tallinn

Shopping

Tallinn is well equipped with shopping facilities, both in the Old Town and suburban areas. For souvenirs it is best to visit the Old Town where there are several stores down side streets. Haggling is also permitted in Tallinn so be prepared.

Tallinn’s major shopping malls or department stores include:

• Viru Keskus
• Foorum Keskus
• Kaubamaja
• Melon Kaubanduskeskus
• Stockmann
• Rocca al Mare kaubanduskeskus
• Ülemiste Keskus

Emergency

Emergency numbers
Police / Fire / Ambulance             112

Australian Consulate, Tallinn
c/- Standard Ltd
Marja 9
EE10617 Tallinn Estonia
Telephone +372 6 509 308
Facsimile +372 6 509 344
Email: mati@standard.ee

Insurance and Healthcare

Health care in Estonia is funded by general taxation through a National Health Service. The public system has experienced much reform in recent years with an aim to make it more modern and efficient. To be covered by the public system an individual must be a permanent resident of Estonia or living in the country as a temporary resident, including on a working holiday visa. Temporary residents must register for Estonia’s public health system.

Expats in Estonia can also take out private care, with a number of services available for those willing to pay extra. Costs for private health treatment in Estonia are comparable to those in Australia. Despite a good standard of health facilities in Estonia, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.