Linda Line

I know it%26#39;s a bit of a long time off, but what%26#39;s the likelihood of the fast ferry service operating to Tallinn at the end of March? Over the last few years has the ice and weather put paid to the service? Any info appreciated.

Tony

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It%26#39;s really too early to say. Even when the ice is clear, bad weather can easily lead to cancellations early in the season.

If you%26#39;re really keen to make plans so far in advance, go with Viking Line - you%26#39;ll only lose half an hour one-way compared with Linda.

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Thanks for the info John, the problem we have is that we%26#39;ll be on a flight that lands at 1620, and ideally want to get to Tallinn as quickly as possible. If LL is running we%26#39;ll be ok, if not we have a problem.

Tony

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If you%26#39;re really pushed for time, take a connecting flight from the airport. In any case, Linda may not save you any time at all compared to other ferries, depending on departure times.

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I agree with John, if you%26#39;re really in a rush, you%26#39;d better take a flight from Helsinki-Vantaa airport thus saving you from the trip to the ferry port for which you should allow at least 40 min + the check in deadline for the ferry (30 min).

There are numerous daily flights from Helsinki-Vantaa to Tallinn. And if you are flying into Helsinki by Finnair, you could book a flight from your point of origin to Tallinn via Helsinki, this will make the connecting flight from Helsinki to Tallinn way cheaper than if booked separately.

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But if you really want to make it by a ferry and plan it so long ahead, check also Tallink as they have more departures than Viking Line. The travel times of the ferries: Linda Line 1.5 h, Tallink 2 h, Viking XPRS 2.5 h.

Notice that all ferry companies to Tallinn operate from different terminals in Helsinki (Linda Line: Makasiini Terminal of the South Harbour; Viking Line: Katajanokka Terminal of the South Harbour; Tallink: West Harbour). In Tallinn they all arrive very near each other (Linda Line: Linnahall Terminal; Viking Line: A terminal of the passenger harbour; Tallink D terminal of the passenger harbour).

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Agree with all others, Linda Line is the weakest point and riskiest choise as it%26#39;s the smallers vessel. Bigger ferries are much safer choise in season starts (and ends).

Linda Line is also like a bus trip, you can hardly more around during the trip and seating is prerry tight and not very comfortable. Linna Harbour in Talllinn is further away than other harbours/terminals and it means taxi trip if you have anyheavier luggage. It looks like only estonian workers use Linda line as a busline between home and work due it%26#39;s slightly cheaper than other.

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You%26#39;re being a bit unfair to Linda, MEKANS. It%26#39;s not at all like bus seating and there is a café/bar. You can also go on deck if the weather permits. I find it no more or less comfortable than any other ferry.

Maybe you haven%26#39;t been on Linda Line recently. They put a new vessel on the route some time ago.

Also, you say the harbour used by Linda is %26#39;further away%26#39; - from what? Most passengers are going to the Old Town, and the distance is practically the same as from the other ports. If you%26#39;re heading for a hotel in the business district it is slightly farther, but anyone with luggage will need a taxi in any case.

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Dear JohntheFinn,

my opinion of Linda Line is based just on a very recent trip - out with the new vessel and return on the old vessel. Did that just because of the inspection purpose and at least for me it was the first and last trip on Linda Line if I can choose. I%26#39;m travelling quite a lot and this was my honest opinion of Linda, I might have higher expectations for my travel standard and understand well that there area also another opinions of this matter.

Also my opinion of the TLL harbour is still in my opinion %26quot;far away%26quot;, it%26#39;s not very accessible by foot; on arrival we were thinking to follow the cars or follow the pedestrians, choosed the pedestrians and found huge amount of steps ahead and in a fresh wind and rain it was not a happy memory. That makes the walking distance feel much longer. Returned to the harbour by taxi and could see that that way the road had no uphills but of course the route was longer...The terminal itself is kind of a joke (still my opinion), not very professional by service or standart of anything...lost cost is always low cost in all meanings. Sorry...

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OK, that%26#39;s your take. I make this trip 10 or 15 times a year and I use Linda Line 80% of the time. I like Linda%26#39;s small terminal in Tallinn, which you consider %26#39;a joke%26#39;, as one does not have to wait in long, slow-moving lines there as with Tallink, Viking or Eckerö, but mainly I use it because it%26#39;s the fastest service. On a day trip, it gives you an extra hour ashore, and that doesn%26#39;t include the time you gain from short queues. The Linda terminal at the Helsinki end is more convenient for most travellers than West Harbour.

All the ferry lines have pluses and minuses and I%26#39;m sure this discussion will benefit a lot of travellers.