The ultimate solo travel guide to Estonia: Everything you need to know

As a destination for solo travelers, Estonia is small but mighty – and it won’t be long before everyone catches on to its unique blend of Baltic-Nordic culture. Sharing land borders with Latvia and Russia, with Finland a mere hop over the Baltic Sea, Estonia is rich in tradition, history and natural beauty, while being a tech-savvy pioneer of the digital age to boot.

Wilderness lovers can pick from any number of pristine forests, meadows and wetlands in the national parks, as well as at the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve. There’s plenty in the cities on a group solo trip to Estonia, too. Enchanting medieval capital Tallinn has art museums and Michelin-starred restaurants amongst its Gothic spires, while Tartu – the oldest town in the Baltics – boasts a lively street art scene.

Visitors can ferry to Saaremaa Island to check out ancient castles and craters left by meteorites many millennia ago, or canoe the forests of Soomaa National Park when the “fifth season” floods the landscape. In winter, think snowy woodland feasts lit by lanterns, city ice skating and fiery saunas, while the long summer days bring sunset cocktails on picturesque Pärnu beaches, foraging for fruits and cycling the length of this compact country.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about group solo travel to Estonia; from the unmissable travel highlights, to how to get around. Terviseks! Learn more about group solo travel with Flash Pack.

Estonia travel facts

It’s possibly surprising given its size, but Estonia is one of the most digitized nations in the world. The birthplace of Skype, Estonia has pioneered digital citizenship, brought most state services online and long fostered computer literacy and tech innovation – treating internet access as a human right. Simultaneously, the country is serious about looking after its history, culture and beautiful natural landscape; Tallinn’s Old Town is Unesco-recognised, as are the age-old traditions of smoke sauna and dugout canoes. Over half the country is forested, with remarkable bird diversity and air among the cleanest in Europe. Fun fact: in Estonia, you are never more than 10km from a bog.

Is Estonia good for solo travel?

If your dream solo travel trip involves vast pristine forests, foodie trails, medieval castles and unique Baltic-Nordic flavor, Estonia is for you. In winter, the country transforms into a magical snow-topped wonderland of icy lakes, cozy saunas and husky safaris, while in summer the rugged coast comes into its own, with late sunsets spent on Pärnu’s golden beaches and Estonia’s many islands. Compact, with good transport links and plenty to see, Estonia is built for solo travel. Alternatively, with Flash Pack you can explore with a small group of fellow solo travellers, ensuring great company, top-tier accommodation and no treasure missed, all curated by local experts/ Pack Leaders. 

Best places to visit in Estonia

What should you do on a group solo trip to Estonia? Flash Pack’s solo travel adventure lays out the best of winter Estonia for you, from experiencing the enchanting, Gothic charms of capital Tallinn via ice skating and festive Christmas markets, to snowy hikes and lantern-lit feasts in the country’s largest and oldest national park, Lahemaa. You’ll experience the unmissable thrill of husky-led sledging through the forest and warm up with a sauna (an Estonian tradition that’s endured over thousands of years for good reason). Cap it off with hearty Estonian cuisine and a taste of local schnapps.

Where to stay as a solo traveler in Estonia

As you might expect, hotels in Estonia reflect the mix of history, modernity and nature that characterizes the country. In the heart of Tallinn’s cobblestoned Old Town, there are boutique hotels with classic charm but luxurious modern comforts, while near Tartu you might find a 17th-century fairytale castle. Head out of the capital for stays closer to nature, including reed-roofed huts with outdoor jacuzzis in the Estonian wetlands, raft villas floating on the Vigala River and opulent 16th-century manors nestled in Lahemaa National Park. Flash Pack sorts everything for you, and group solo travel means you can skip the solo supplements by sharing a room; often in beautiful, local and original hotels (although if you prefer to pay extra for your own private room, that’s fine too).

How to get to Estonia

Several European cities fly direct to Tallinn Airport (TLL) – from London, it’s around three hours. Those wanting to start in the south can fly to Tartu, though currently only from Helsinki in Finland. There are coach routes from plenty of European and Baltic destinations, as well as regular ferries from Helsinki and Stockholm into Tallinn (around two hours and 12 hours, respectively). Train-wise, it is possible to travel from Latvia, Lithuania and Poland by rail via Valga on the Latvian border, however the Tallinn-Moscow train service is currently suspended. The upcoming Rail Baltica project will eventually provide a direct line between Warsaw and Tallinn, through Latvia and Lithuania.

How to get around Estonia

Estonia is compact and therefore fairly easy to get around. Most areas have their own bus networks, and there are long-distance coaches crossing the country (which will usually take you under four hours, no matter where you’re headed). You can catch domestic flights from Tallinn to regional hubs such as Kuressaare on Saaremaa Island and Tartu in the south, but there are also trains between cities and ferries to the various islands, such as Hiiumaa, Vormsi, Kihnu, Ruhnu, and Aegna. Driving is a flexible option, while in summer many love to cycle the country, making the most of the scenery. With Flash Pack, all in-country travel for Estonia is arranged for you via private transfer, and built into the price of the trip.

Best time to visit Estonia

Here, each season has its attractions – Estonia excels itself in winter, with its snowy forests, icy lakes, centuries-old sauna culture and alpine skiing, plus Tallinn’s magical Christmas market. Temperatures average between -1°C and -10°C, with February the coldest month. Meanwhile, summer hovers between 16°C and 20°C, with highs of 30°C, boasting 19 hours of daylight and “white nights” no darker than twilight, celebrated with the Midsummer festivities in June. Spring brings peak birdwatching, and the “fifth season” late March to early April – when melting snow floods the forests and meadows of Soomaa National Park and visitors can canoe through the trees.

Estonia travel itineraries

Flash Pack’s Estonian escape is four days of Baltic-Nordic wonder, taking you from medieval charm to quintessential winter wonderland via modern boutique hotels and gourmet dining. You’ll walk and eat the best of Tallinn, with its Unesco-listed Old Town and fairytale architecture, and explore the snowy, Narnia-esque forests of Lahemaa National Park, complete with bonfires and decadent woodland feasts. You’ll experience husky sledding and sauna culture (as well as your fair share of schnapps), and get cozy in an elegant countryside manor. Invigorating icy lake plunge optional, but oh-so refreshing.

What to pack for solo travel in Estonia

As well as your passport and travel insurance, we recommend carrying some cash (Estonia uses Euros) alongside your credit/debit cards, though they’re widely accepted. Plugs are type F, so bring an adaptor if needed, and consider the season: warm clothing is vital for winter temperatures, as is waterproof footwear, while in spring and autumn rain showers are frequent. Depending on your trip, you may want swimwear, and breathable, light activewear. Also, it is mandatory for pedestrians to wear reflectors in winter as a traffic safety measure – they’re widely available, or you can bring your own reflective clothing.

Solo travel advice for Estonia

Pocket-sized Estonia is definitely worth a solo travel jaunt. Its cities run on modern charm alongside gothic architecture, while elsewhere the deep-rooted Estonian love of the natural world is apparent in its clean air, untouched forests and copious bogs, meadows and beaches. To experience this unique Baltic-Nordic country – also ideally placed to explore other European destinations – with the security of a carefully curated group format, check out Flash Pack’s Estonian getaway, combining local expertise with fun activities and great hotels, all arranged in advance.

Is it safe to travel solo in Estonia?

Thousands of visitors travel to Estonia every year and most trips are trouble-free. However, do check out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (for UK solo travelers), the Department of State Travel Advisories (for US solo travelers) or your country’s local government guidelines for the latest advice before traveling, and ensure you have adequate travel insurance. Once there, take usual sensible precautions against crime, such as taking extra care with your belongings in busy tourist areas and only using pre-arranged or official taxis with TASKO signage. With Flash Pack, you can combine the security of a group trip with the adventure of solo travel; exploring Estonia in the company of a small group of solo travelers and an experienced local guide. 

Ready for your next adventure? Try group solo travel to Estonia with Flash Pack – designed exclusively for people in their 30s and 40s, seeking the independence of solo travel within the safety of a group.

A cool 98% of Flashpackers arrive solo to join our group adventures. So, you’ll be in good company – whether you’re a first-time solo traveler or a seasoned pro looking for like-minded new friends.

Images: Flash Pack, Unsplash, Adobe Stock