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Russian Association of Tourist Agencies announced on 31 March, referring to Rosbalt agency, that a new ferry line connecting Helsinki Tallin and St. Petersburg will be opened on the 1st of April this year. The ferry will be operated by Estonian company Tallink Grupp (http://www.tallink.ee/en.html.

This means that for the first time tourists will be able to travel from St. Petersburg to Finland and Estonia by boat.

The ferry route will be served by Fantaasia ferry, which can accommodate up to 1700 passengers. Fantaasia will have an entertainment programme, as well as restaurants and tax free shops.

The price of the cheapest ticket will be 395 Estonian cron (~ $32 US) one way from Tallin to St. Petersburg or back (a sleeping place in a 4-berth room), while the price of the whole cruise (Tallin - St. Petersburg - Helsinki - Tallin) will be 630 Estonian cron (~ $50 US) for a place in a 4-berth sleeping cabin.
The prices for more luxury accommodation are about 80% higher.

The ferry will be departing on even (2, 4...) dates from St. Petersburg at 17.00, arriving next day to Helsinki, Finland at 10.00, departing Helsinki at 16.00 and arriving to Tallin, Estonia at 19.15. On the way back the ferry will be departing Tallin at 20.00, arriving to St. Petersburg at 9.00 next morning.

Note, that even if you travel to St. Petersburg for one day, you will need a Russian visa.

Original news by RATA news http://ratanews.ru
Завтра открывается паромная линия Хельсинки - Таллинн - Петербург
Эстонская компания Tallink Grupp 1 апреля официально открывает паромную линию Хельсинки - Таллинн - Санкт-Петербург. Судоходная фирма надеется обслуживать на этой линии до 400 тыс. пассажиров в год. В будущем, в случае интереса со стороны туристов, на эту линию должен выйти и второй паром компании.
Как сообщила корреспонденту «Росбалта» руководитель по маркетингу фирмы Tallink Grupp Тийна Мандер, обслуживать линию станет построенный по заказу компании в 2002 году паром Fantaasia. Длина парома составляет 136 м, ширина 24,6 м, он имеет десять палуб, 913 мест в каютах и вмещает 1,7 тыс. пассажиров.
Самый дешевый билет в один конец вместе с размещением в четырехместной каюте будет стоить 395 крон. Стоимость всего круиза начинается с 630 крон. В ходе всего путешествия на пароме будет организована развлекательная программа. Также здесь будут работать магазины tax free. «Санкт-Петербург, несомненно, станет тем городом, который жители Эстонии в ближайшие годы вновь откроют для себя», - отметила г-жа Мандер, выразив надежду, что новая линия привлечет и российских туристов.
По словам Тийны Мандер, в день первого прибытия Fantaasia в Санкт-Петербург, 2 апреля, ознакомиться с эстонским паромом приглашены представители российских властей и местных СМИ. Сейчас паромы Tallink Grupp обслуживают линии Таллинн - Хельсинки, Таллинн - Стокгольм и Палдиски - Каппельшер.
http://www.eands.narod.ru/tallink.html

plinam · Frequent Guest Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 15

I wanted to clarify that the Tallink boat in June leaves Helsinki on even dates and St Pete on odd dates because of the odd number of days in May. I booked for a cruise in June and I'm leaving Helsinki on June 12 and arriving in St Pete on June 13.

tokyoazza · Just Starting Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 4

Thanks for that information, I was just looking at boats yesterday actually but couldn't find anything!!!

Could you tell me how much it costs for a ticket from St.Petersburg to Helsinki, I don't think you mentioned that? Also, where can we book a ticket in St.Peterburg?

Many thanks for the great site
Aaron

ba739 · Just Starting Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 8

Want to travel from St. Petersburg to Tallinn then to Helsinki, is this ferry a good choice. Can't find the schedule on the website. Need help. Thanks

plinam · Frequent Guest Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 15

The ferry goes from St. Pete, then to Helsinki, then to Tallinn, back to St. Pete, etc. I don't believe there is a ferry that goes from St. Pete to Tallinn to Helsinki.

I haven't done this trip yet, but I will next month. From articles and postings on other boards, it is supposed to be a nice trip.

The website is: tallink.fi

ba739 · Just Starting Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 8

I will be taking this trip on May 27. Don't know whether is quicker to take the bus from St. Petersburg to Tallinn , spent a night, take a quick boat to Helsink, stay two night back home. I know the boat would be a more relax way to do, however time is not on my side.

plinam · Frequent Guest Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 15

From what I understand, this is a slow cruise ship. The trip from St. Pete directly to Helsinki is like 13 hours.

ba739 · Just Starting Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 8

Thanks plinam..Any suggestions as to a reasonable place to stay for 1 night ?

plinam · Frequent Guest Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 15

In what city?

ba739 · Just Starting Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 8

Tallinn

plinam · Frequent Guest Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 15

Don't know.

Try: inyourpocket.com

rapper57 · Just Starting Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Posts: 2

Hi Great site. Flying into Tallin and was then going to get a ferry to Helsinki. Then travel onto St Petersburg. Does this ferry service do this route? Can I get the ferry from St Petersburg back to Tallin?

Many Thanks

WayToRussia · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 10:21 pm Post subject:

No the ferry goes St. Petersburg -> Helsinki -> Tallin -> St. Petersburg this is the only route.

Anton · Just Starting Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 1

Do you know how to book ferry if I live in Saint-Petersburg? No special notice shows on the Tallink web pages. They only tell about Tallin, Helsinki and Stockholm offices. Help please

toiq · Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2004 5:50 pm Post subject:

copy from this site http://www.tallink.ee/en/merel/laevad/fan/petend.html

PRESS RELEASE

Starting from January 2005 Tallink suspends operation of its line to St. Petersburg

Tallink Grupp announces that due to unexpected rise of St. Petersburg port fees it suspends operation of its Helsinki-Tallinn-St. Petersburg line starting from January 2, 2005. The decision concerning resumption of line operation will be taken in spring.