Travel tips for Estonia - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

Traveling to Estonia can be one of the best and most memorable experiences for any tourist. A pleasant pastime is guaranteed if you familiarize yourself in advance with the rules and peculiarities of your stay in this country. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the trip.

1. It is best to go to Estonia in the spring, late summer or fall, when the weather is mild and the tourist inflow is relatively weak.

2. If the tour program includes visits to forest tracts, you should get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.

3. Estonians have great respect for tourists who are able to pronounce at least a couple of words in Estonian. You can learn a few common phrases before the trip.

4. Residents of the country do not like to seem intrusive and almost never show resourcefulness. When interacting with service personnel, it is often necessary for the client to initiate communication.

5. As a greeting, Estonians nod their head or use a traditional handshake. A woman can afford to just smile. The most popular Estonian greeting is “Tere!”.

6. When communicating with an unfamiliar person, you can talk about art, Estonian cuisine or beer. On the other hand, do not touch on topics related to World War II or the Soviet period of the country’s history. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

7. The official currency of Estonia is the euro. Tourists do not have to worry about changing money since you can make payments using a bank card anywhere in the country.

8. In order to save money, it is worth choosing an inexpensive hotel in the sleeping area, a camp or farm for a stay. It is also important to inquire whether breakfast and bed sheets are offered.

9. It is best to move from one city to another by bus. It is also quite cheap to travel by taxi. If you plan to actively use public transport, then it is worth buying a travel card.

10. You would need an international driver’s license and a road insurance document if you wish to drive yourself in Estonia. In large cities and historic centers, you have to pay for parking.

11. It is strictly prohibited to smoke in public places such as stations, underground passages and catering establishments. The fine for smoking in an unintended place is 80 euros.

12. Drinking alcoholic beverages on the street is also subject to a fine.

13. While in Estonia, preparing food yourself is much cheaper than eating in cafes and restaurants. The latter options can be chosen when your wish is to explore the national cuisine. Inexpensive already cooked meals are sold in culinary departments of supermarkets.

14. Tipping in Estonian institutions is included in the bill. Additional incentives are left to the client’s discretion and usually constitute 10% of the cost of services.

15. When visiting a public toilet, you need to read and adhere to the signs so as to avoid getting confused. The triangle in the upright position indicates the male toilet, and in the inverted position it indicates the female toilet.