Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport Layover Guide (TLL)

What are you looking for in TLL?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Tallinn Airport (TLL) is an international airport located in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It’s situated about 4 km (2.5 miles) from downtown Tallinn. The airport officially opened in 1936. Tallinn is the largest city in Estonia and is known for its rich medieval history and vibrant tech scene. The city offers a blend of old-world charm and modern innovation, along with scenic views of the Baltic Sea and lively cultural experiences.

Can you leave Tallinn Airport (TLL) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
During a layover at Tallinn Airport, passengers holding onward Schengen tickets plus valid visas or residence permits may leave the terminal and visit Estonia. Citizens of visa-exempt nations enjoy visa-free entry for short stays up to ninety days within a 180-day period. Other travelers must obtain a Schengen C-visa beforehand. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Tallinn Old Town Explore Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture, Town Hall Square, cozy cafés, local crafts and hidden courtyards, offering a charming glimpse into history and panoramic views. (Time required: 1–2 hours. / Airport to here: Take tram 4 to Viru Keskus (20 min), then a 5 min walk.)
• Kadriorg Palace & Park Visit the baroque Kadriorg Palace and its lush park, housing Estonia’s art museum collections, strolling through manicured gardens, fountains and pavilions built by Peter the Great’s decree and ornate sculptures. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Tram 4 to Kadriorg stop (20 min), then a 3 min walk.)
• Seaplane Harbour Discover the Seaplane Harbour museum housed in historic hangars, featuring immersive, hands-on exhibits, educational activities, interactive simulators, panoramic harbour views, submarines and icebreaker ships showcasing Estonia’s maritime artifacts and heritage. (Time required: 2–3 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (15 min) or bus 73 to Hobujaama, then a 10 min walk.)
• Telliskivi Creative City Wander through Telliskivi Creative City’s vibrant streets, admiring street art murals, independent boutiques, trendy cafés, pop-up galleries housed in repurposed industrial buildings, live performances, food trucks and weekend markets. (Time required: 1–2 hours. / Airport to here: Tram 4 to Balti Jaam, then a 7 min walk.)
• Kumu Art Museum Explore Kumu Art Museum’s modern galleries displaying Estonian art from classical to contemporary alongside rotating exhibitions, interactive multimedia displays, a sculpture park and panoramic city views from its café terrace. (Time required: 1–1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Bus 2 or 65 to Kumu stop (25 min), then a 2 min walk.)
• Tallinn TV Tower Ascend the Tallinn TV Tower for a thrilling glass-floor experience, interactive science exhibits and panoramic vistas spanning the city, Gulf of Finland and distant islands, perfect for aerial photo opportunities. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Bus 614 to TV Tower stop (30 min), then a 5 min walk; taxi (~20 min).)
• St. Olaf’s Church Climb St. Olaf’s Church tower to reach its historic observation deck, offering sweeping views over Tallinn’s red-tiled roofs, spires and surrounding landscapes, accompanied by echoes of ancient medieval bell chimes. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Tram 4 to Viru Keskus, then a 5 min walk.)
• Patarei Sea Fortress Visit the haunting Patarei Sea Fortress, exploring its imposing prison cells, fortress walls and maritime battlements, interactive audio-guided tours, learning about Estonia’s turbulent history through atmospheric corridors and informative displays. (Time required: 1–1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (15 min) or bus 73 to Hobujaama, then a 10 min walk.)

Things to Do in Tallinn Airport (TLL)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Tallinn Airport offers the Nordea Lounge for business class passengers of Air Baltic, Finnair, LOT, Lufthansa and SAS, as well as Priority Pass members. Cozy seating, complimentary refreshments, newspapers and high-speed WiFi create a tranquil retreat. Additional public rest zones with charging stations are located near gates throughout the terminal. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Several hotels within 2 km of Tallinn Airport include Radisson Blu Hotel Tallinn, Go Hotel Shnelli and Hampton by Hilton Ülemiste. The modern Nordic Hotel Forum also offers convenient shuttle service. Comfortable rooms, 24-hour reception and in-lobby check-in kiosks allow early departure flexibility and a restful stay close to the terminal. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
Although Tallinn Airport lacks dedicated sleep pods, it provides quiet rest zones near gates 3–6 with padded benches and leaning seats. Power outlets and dimmable lighting support overnight stays. Floor-level seating is tolerated. Terminal opens 24/7, and staff can provide blankets and pillows upon request for dozing between flights if needed.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Tallinn Airport provides free unlimited WiFi throughout the terminal. Connect to the ‘Tallinn-Airport-Free-WiFi’ network without registration and enjoy high-speed internet for browsing, streaming or business. Dedicated hotspots in lounges and public areas ensure stable connectivity. No time limits or hidden fees apply to devices and mobile apps across all zones.

SIM/eSIM Card: Travelers can purchase SIM cards from Telia or Elisa kiosks located in the arrivals hall, or buy eSIM packages online prior to arrival. Physical SIMs include data, calls and texts, starting from €10. Prepaid eSIM options offer flexible data plans with instant activation and mobile top-up via operator apps worldwide. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: The official taxi rank sits directly outside the arrivals hall. Licensed operators such as Tulika Takso, Tallink Takso and Tallinna Takso serve the airport with fixed fares to the city centre from around €15. Ride-hailing services Uber, Bolt and local apps also operate, enabling cashless payment and real-time tracking and convenience.

Train: Ülemiste railway station lies about 800 m from the terminal, linked by bus lines 49 and 65 or tram 4. Elron commuter and regional trains run hourly between Ülemiste and Balti Jaam (Tallinn Central), with tickets from €1 to €2 per journey. Passengers can buy tickets online, via the Elron mobile app or on board. (more info)

Bus: Public buses 2, 15, 49 and 65 serve Tallinn Airport from the stop outside the terminal every 15–20 minutes. Single-ride QR tickets cost €2 and are valid for one hour; Ühiskaart and contactless bank cards are accepted. Purchase tickets from station machines or validate onboard by tapping. Off-peak service frequencies may seasonally vary. (more info)

Shuttle: Various private shuttle services operate between Tallinn Airport and downtown or hotels. Companies like Go Bus, AirportShuttle.ee and local providers offer door-to-door minibus transfers. Pre-booking online guarantees pickup in arrivals, luggage assistance and English-speaking drivers. Rates start from approximately €8 per person one way, including curbside service options.

Car rentals: Major car rental companies Avis, Sixt, Europcar, Budget, Hertz and National have desks inside the arrivals hall at Tallinn Airport. Vehicles range from compact cars to SUVs and vans. Bookings can be made onsite or online in advance. Drop-off is available 24 hours, and collision damage waivers can be purchased directly. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Tallinn Airport offers short-stay parking zones P1, P2 and P3 adjacent to the terminal for quick stops. Long-term lots P6 and P7 are situated at Ülemiste, reachable by free shuttle or tram 4. Payment is by card, mobile app or kiosk; the first ten minutes are complimentary. EV charging stations available.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage lockers on the ground floor of the passenger terminal are available 24/7. Sizes range from S to XXL with fees of €2 to €9.5 per 24 hours. Payment is via Internet banking or card. Lockers can be reserved online. Reclaim lockers in the car park hold up to 48 hours. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Tallinn Airport (TLL) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks