Is Tallinn expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Tallinn is moderately priced: cheaper than Helsinki, Stockholm or Copenhagen, but no longer a bargain, and pricier than Vilnius or Riga in many places. A budget day is about €80 per person and a mid-range day about €160; the Old Town's restaurants and hotels are where prices are highest.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €40 | €80 | €180 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €30 | €60 |
| Local transport | €3 | €6 | €20 |
| Per person, per day | €78 | €161 | €350 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Tallinn day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | about €3–4 |
| Pint of local beer in a bar | about €5–7 |
| Lunch special (päevapakkumine) | about €8–12 |
| Old Town dinner main | about €15–25 |
| Tram or bus ride | about €1–2 with contactless or the app |
| Kiek in de Kök and bastion tunnels combined ticket | about €15 |
| Seaplane Harbour museum | about €20–25 |
| Kalamaja or Telliskivi hotel double | about €70–120 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest share: Kalamaja and Telliskivi have cheaper rooms at about €70–120 a double, the Old Town €120–220 and boutique merchants' houses €250–500, plus a small accommodation tax. Eating in the Old Town (including themed restaurants) costs noticeably more than in Telliskivi or Kalamaja. Museums such as the Seaplane Harbour and Kadriorg add €10–25 each, which is why the Tallinn Card can pay off over two days. Transport costs little, as the centre is walkable and the airport is only 15 minutes away by tram.
When it is cheaper
From October to April (outside Christmas market weeks and New Year), hotel prices are usually lower, often by 20–40%, and weekdays are cheaper than weekends.
How to spend less
- Eat weekday lunch specials, which are much cheaper than dinner.
- Stay in Kalamaja or Telliskivi, 10 minutes' walk from the Old Town, for lower prices.
- Visit the Old Town before 10:00 and after 17:00, when cruise passengers have gone and prices for tours drop.
- Use the Tallinn Card if you will visit several museums and use public transport.
- Take tram 4 from the airport instead of a taxi.
- Eat at the Balti Jaam Market food hall rather than on Town Hall Square.
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Common questions
Is Tallinn expensive?
Moderately: cheaper than Helsinki or Stockholm, about €80 a day on a budget and €160 mid-range.
Is the Tallinn Card worth it?
It covers public transport and most museums, including the Seaplane Harbour and Kadriorg, and can pay off over two busy days.
Is a day trip from Helsinki worth it?
Yes, the ferry takes about 2 hours each way, but staying overnight lets you see the Old Town without cruise crowds.