Language: Locals speak Estonian, which is part of the Finno-Ugric family of languages. English is widely used and understood among the younger generation and those involved in the tourist industry.
Currency: The Estonian currency is the Kroon (EEK) and is broken down into 100 senti; the Kroon is tied to the Euro. Foreign currency can be easily exchanged at hotels, banks and exchange bureaux in the larger towns, at the airport and main railway station. Major credit cards are generally accepted in the larger hotels, main restaurants and shops, but it is wise to check first.
Preferred travelers cheques in
Estonia are Amex,
Thomas Cook and Eurocheque. Banking hours are weekdays 9am to 4pm. Exchange bureaux are open till 6pm on weekdays and from 9am to 3pm on Saturdays. Some open on Sundays. ATMs are available in most towns.
Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: The electricity supply in Estonia is 220 volts, 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.
Communications: The international dialing code for Estonia is +372 and the outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the
United Kingdom). The country has area codes, except for the capital,
Tallinn. Pay phones using cards are widely available. Cards can be purchased from hotel reception desks, tourist information offices, post offices, newsstands and some shops. There is a GSM mobile network available. There are several Internet cafes in Tallinn.
Duty Free: Travelers over 18 years arriving from non-
EU countries do not have to pay duty on goods to the value of EUR175. The following items are duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 liter spirits higher than 22% alcohol volume or 2 liters spirits or aperitifs with alcohol content lower than 22% (includes sparkling wines, liqueur wines, still wine), and beer to the value of EUR175. Goods for personal consumption include 50g perfume, 250ml eau de toilette and medical products for personal use. Travelers arriving with goods purchased in EU countries have more leeway.
Tourist OfficeEstonian Tourist Board, Tallinn: +372 699 0420 or www.visitestonia.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 110 (Police); 112 (Ambulance).
Embassies
Estonian Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 588 0101.
Estonian Embassy,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 3428.
Estonian Embassy,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 789 4222.
Estonian Consulate-General,
New South Wales,
Australia: +61 (0)2 9810 7468.
Estonian
Honorary Consulate,
Cape Town,
South Africa: +27 (0)21 913 3850.
Estonian Embassy,
Dublin,
Ireland: +353 (0)1 219 6730.
United States Embassy, Tallinn: +372 668 8100.
British Embassy, Tallinn: +372 667 4700.
Canadian Embassy, Tallinn: +372 627 3311.
Australian Consulate, Tallinn: +372 509 308.
South
African Embassy,
Helsinki,
Finland (also responsible for Estonia): +358 (0)9 6860 3100.
Irish Embassy, Tallinn: +372 681 1888.
New
Zealand Embassy,
Warsaw,
Poland (also responsible for Estonia): +48 (0)22 521 0500.
