Tallinn's historic old town.

Tallinn old town  Larger photo

UK to Estonia without flying

You can travel to Estonia by train through Brussels, Berlin, Warsaw, Vilnius & Riga, or you can take a train from the UK to Stockholm then a luxurious overnight ferry to Tallinn.  Or take Eurostar and connecting trains to Travemünde in Germany then sail to Helsinki by ferry, for another ferry to Tallinn.  The journey from London to Tallinn takes 3 nights, a great adventure with lots to see on the way.  This page explains how to plan and book these journeys.

small bullet point  Which option to choose?

small bullet point  Option 1, London to Tallinn via Warsaw

small bullet point  Option 2, London to Tallinn via Stockholm

small bullet point  Option 3, London to Tallinn via Helsinki

small bullet point  Useful country information

small bullet point  Recommended hotels in Tallinn

On other pages

small bullet point  Train service in Estonia

small bullet point  Tallinn to Helsinki by ferry

small bullet point  Tallinn to Riga & Vilnius by train

small bullet point  Vilnius to Warsaw by train

Route map:  UK to the Baltic States by train & ferry

Route map:  London to the Baltic States by train & ferry

Useful country information

Train operators in Estonia:

Internal trains run by Elron:  elron.ee.

For trains from Tallinn to Riga & Vilnius book at ltglink.lt.

Train times in Europe: int.bahn.de.

Ferry operators to Estonia:

www.tallink.com (Stockholm-Tallinn, Helsinki-Tallinn)

Time zone & dialling code:  

GMT+2 (GMT+3 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October).  Dial code +372

Estonia implemented summer time in 2002

Currency:

£1 = approx €1.15.  Estonia adopted the euro in 2011.  Currency converter

Tourist information:

www.inyourpocket.com/estonia  & http://tourism.tallinn.ee.  

Recommended guidebooks.   Map of Tallinn

Hotels in Tallinn:

Find a hotel in Tallinn.    Hotel reviews:  www.tripadvisor.com    Backpacker hostels:  www.hostelworld.com

Visas

UK citizens do not need a visa for Estonia for stays of up to 6 months.

Page last updated:

5 June 2025


Which option to choose?

There are several options for travel between the UK and Estonia.  By all means go out one way and back another, all trains are priced one-way except for the London-Brussels Eurostar which you should try to book as a round trip.

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Option 1, London to Tallinn via Warsaw

This is the overland option, London to Tallinn via Brussels, Berlin, Warsaw, Vilnius and Riga.  Departures are daily, it takes 3 nights.

London ► Tallinn

Tallinn ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

Or use an Interrail pass

Or have your trip arranged as a package

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedureSt Pancras station guide Brussels Midi station guide.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.

 

1st class: Plus or Premier seating.

Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

 

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3

These superb ICE3neo trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, restaurant orders are taken and served at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE3 trains Brussels Midi station guideCologne Hbf station guide.

ICE3neo at Brussels Midi

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs.  Photo above courtesy of Christian Hunt.

ICE3neo at Cologne   ICE3neo at Cologne

The restaurant car.  See current month's menu.

 

1st class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.

ICE3neo at Cologne   Lunch on an ICE3neo

2nd class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo

 

Lunch:  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

3. Cologne to Berlin by ICE

ICE trains have a restaurant car, bar car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken and served at your seat.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf, the train crosses the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine.  It passes through the industrial Ruhr via Wuppertal & Hamm.  After leaving Hannover, the train passes non-stop through Wolfsburg - look out for the original Volkswagen factory on the left, built in 1938.  The train then travels at up to 280 km/h (174 mph) on the high-speed line to Berlin Hbf, where it arrives at the low-level platforms.  More about ICE trainsCologne Hbf station guide Berlin Hbf station guide.

High-speed ICE train from Cologne to Berlin   ICE second class

ICE1 at Cologne Hbf.

 

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.

ICE2 restaurant car   ICE2 bar car

Restaurant car.  Larger photo.

 

Bar car.  Larger photo.

ICE first class   Lunch served in the restaurant car or at seat in 1st class

1st class seats.  Larger photo.

 

Lunch in the restaurant (or at seat in 1st).

4. Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train

These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch.  More about these EuroCity trainsWarsaw Centralna station guide.

Berlin to Warsaw train about to leave Berlin Hbf

A Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train on platform 12 at Berlin Hbf.

1st class compartment on a Berlin to Warsaw train.   2nd class car on the Berlin to Warsaw train

1st class compartment.

 

2nd class, some like this, some in compartments.

Restaurant car on the Berlin to Warsaw train

Restaurant car.

Food in therestaurant car on the Berlin-Krakow train   Food in therestaurant car on the Berlin-Krakow train

Above left, Zurek soup, a tasty starter.  Above right, kotlet schabowy, served on proper china.

5. Warsaw to Vilnius

A comfortable daily train service links Warsaw & Vilnius, consisting of a Polish Intercity train from Warsaw to Mockava and a connecting Lithuanian train from Mockava to Vilnius, for details see the Warsaw to Vilnius by train page.

The Warsaw-Mockava train at Warsaw Centralna

The Intercity Hacza about to leave Warsaw Centralna for Mockava.

2nd class compartment on the train from Warsaw to Mockava   2nd class open-plan seats on the train from Warsaw to Mockava

You can select a 2nd class seat in a classic 6-seat compartment (above left) or an open-plan car (above right).  Most travellers prefer open-plan seating, but if you're a family or group of friends you may prefer a compartment.

Restaurant car on the Krakow-Warsaw-Mockava train   Polish cooked breakfast on the Warsaw-Mockava train

Restaurant car on the Warsaw to Mockava Hancza.  I recommend the Polish Breakfast eastbound (above right), a sort of tasty ham-and-cheese omelette.  For lunch eastbound and dinner westbound, try the wonderful zurek soup and the kotlet schabowy (schnitzel).  Or just go along for a coffee or beer!

Warsaw to Vilnius by train:  Interchange at Mockava

Above, the easy cross-platform change at Mockava from the Polish train (left) to the Lithuanian train for Vilnius.

2nd class on the Vilnius to Riga train   2nd class on the Vilnius to Riga train

2nd class seats.

 

1st class seats, at one end of the train.

Scenery between Mockava and Vilnius   Menu on the Vilnius to Riga train

Lithuanian scenery.

 

I recommend the hot ham & cheese sandwich!

Pesa 730 traiin to Vilnius

The Lithuanian train arrived on platform 1 at Vilnius station, right on time!

6. Vilnius to Tallinn

A comfortable daily train service links Vilnius & Tallinn, consisting of a Lithuanian train from Vilnius to Valga and a connecting Estonian train from Valga to Tallinn, for full details see the Vilnius to Tallinn by train page.

Vilnius to Riga traiin at Vilnius

The Vilnius-Riga-Valga train ready to leave Vilnius station platform 1, track 1.

2nd class on the Vilnius to Riga train   2nd class on the Vilnius to Riga train

2nd class seats.

 

1st class seats, at one end of the train.

Crossing the Daugava river at Riga

Just before arriving at Riga Central Station, the train crosses the Daugava river, with geat views of Riga's old town to your left.

Changing trains at Valga

Easy cross-platform change at Valga:  That's the Lithuanian train arrived from Vilnius & Riga on the left, and the Estonian train for Tallinn on the right.

2nd class the Estonian train   2nd class the Estonian train

1st class on the Estonian train.

 

2nd class on the Estonian train.

Estonian train at Tallinn station

Valga to train by Estonian train, seen here at Tallinn Balti Jaam (Baltic station).

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Option 2, London to Tallinn via Stockholm

This takes 3 nights 2 days and one of those two days is spent exploring Stockholm.  Departures are daily as far as Stockholm, but the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry only runs every second day.  This route is shown in red on the route map above.

In the westbound direction this route only takes 2 nights 2 days (as you can reach London without an additional overnight stop in Brussels), which makes it the fastest way from Tallinn to London, taking little more than 48 hours.

London ► Tallinn

  • Days 1-3, travel from London St Pancras to Stockholm as shown on the Sweden page.

    You can leave London on any afternoon or evening Eurostar you like on day 1, stay overnight in Brussels, take daytime trains to Hamburg on day 2 then the SJ EuroNight sleeper to Stockholm, arriving in the morning of day 3.  Or use any other option shown on that page.

    Enjoy the best part of a day free in Stockholm.

    When it's time for the ferry, the easiest way to reach the Värtahamnen ferry terminal is to take the Tunnelbana (metro) from T-Centralen (Central Station) to Gärdet, just 3 stops on line T13 towards Ropsten.  The Tunnelbana accepts contactless bank cards, you can just touch in and out.  From Gärdet station it's a easy well-signed 13-minute 800m walk to the Värtahamnen terminal, see walking map.  You won't be the only person walking it!

  • Day 3, sail from Stockholm to Tallinn by overnight ferry, leaving Stockholm every second day at 17:30, arriving Tallinn at 10:45 next morning.

    The ferry is run by Tallink, check sailing dates & times at www.tallink.com or the Direct Ferries website.

    The m/v Baltic Queen offers a range of comfortable cabins:  E-category inside cabins are below the car deck, I recommend paying for a B-category inside cabin (all on upper decks) or an A-category outside cabin with sea view.  There are also deluxe cabins and suites, all cabins have toilet & shower.  There is a large buffet restaurant (Grande Buffet), 3 à la carte restaurants (Grill House, Aleksandra & Chef's Kitchen), 2 pubs, and (of course!) a sauna.  Make sure you're on deck as the ship sails out of Stockholm past the many islands.

    In Stockholm, the ferry sails from the Värtahamnen terminal.  A transfer bus leaves from the Cityterminal (the bus station next to Stockholm Central Station) at 14:45 & 15:50 to connect with the ferry (check times with Tallink).  Alternatively, take the tunnelbana (metro) to Gärdet metro station, just 3 stops on line T13 towards Ropsten, the tunnelbana accepts contactless payment.  it's then an easy well-signed 1km 13-minute walk to the Värtahamnen ferry terminal, see walking map.  A taxi from Central Station to the terminal costs around £20.

    The ferry arrives at Tallinn's D-Terminal - make sure you're on deck next morning to see the spires of Tallinn's old town as the ferry arrives.  The D-Terminal is a 24-minute 1.7 km walk from Tallinn's old town square or a 28-minute 1.9 km walk from the railway station (Balti Jaam).  Alternatively, tram 2 links the harbour tram stop (a short walk from D-Terminal) to the railway station, the tram accepts contactless payment on board.  Map of Tallinn showing ferry terminal.

Tallinn ► London

  • Day 1, sail from Tallinn to Stockholm by overnight ferry, leaving Tallinn every second day at 18:00, arriving Stockholm 10:30 next morning.

    The ferry is run by Tallink, check sailing dates & times at www.tallink.com or the Direct Ferries website.

    The m/v Baltic Queen offers a range of comfortable cabins:  E-category inside cabins are below the car deck, I recommend paying for a B-category inside cabin or ideally an A-category outside cabin with sea view.  There are also deluxe cabins and suites, all cabins have toilet & shower.  There is a large buffet restaurant (Grande Buffet), 3 à la carte restaurants (Grill House, Aleksandra & Chef's Kitchen), 2 pubs, and (of course!) a sauna.  Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails into Stockholm past the many islands.

    In Tallinn, the ferry sails from the D-Terminal, a 22-minute 1.7 km walk from Tallinn's old town square or a 26-minute 1.9 km walk from the railway station (Balti Jaam).  Alternatively, tram 2 links the the railway station with the harbour tram stop, a short walk from D-Terminal, the tram accepts contactless payment.

    At the D-Terminal, walk in and go straight up the escalator to the first floor.  Go to one of the touch-screen check-in machines and click Check-in.  Scan your ticket QR code and out pops your boarding pass.  Starting 3h before sailing time you can go through the automatic check-in gates and enjoy a coffee or beer in the departure lounge.  From around 1h45 before sailing time you can walk through another boarding pass check straight onto the ferry.  Painless!  Check-in closes 30 minutes before sailing time.

    In Stockholm, the ferry arrives at the Värtahamnen ferry terminal, walk 800m to Gärdet metro station and take the Tunnelbana (metro) to T-Centralen (Central Station).  The walk is clearly signed (see walking map) or just follow all the other foot passengers!  The Tunnelbana accepts contactless bank cards, you can just touch in and out.  Or take a taxi from the ferry terminal to Central Station.

    You now have the best part of day 2 free to explore Stockholm.

  • Day 2 & 3, travel from Stockholm to London as shown on the Sweden page, leaving Stockholm in the early evening on the SJ EuroNight sleeper to Hamburg then taking daytime trains to Brussels & London arriving in the evening of day 3.

How much does it cost?

  • For fares between London & Stockholm, see the London to Sweden page.

  • Stockholm to Tallinn by overnight ferry with private cabin with shower & toilet starts at €122 each way.

How to buy tickets

  • See the London to Sweden page for how to buy tickets from London to Stockholm.

  • Book the Stockholm to Tallinn ferry at www.tallink.com or use the Direct Ferries website.

    When using www.tallink.com, if you want the cheapest option, one bed in shared 4-berth or 2-berth cabins, you'll need to open the 'shared places' section when the cabin choice page appears.  (1/4) means 1 berth in a 4-berth cabin.  You'll be offered lots of optional meals and hotels, just click through unless you want to pre-book dinner and breakfast on board - not a bad idea!

Or have it arranged as a package

  • Tailor Made Rail can organise a trip to the Baltic States by train, with hotels and transfers. Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/estonia.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedureSt Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.

 

1st class: Plus or Premier seating.

Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

 

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3

Germany's superb ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICEs Brussels Midi station guideCologne Hbf station guide.

ICE3neo at Brussels Midi

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Photo above courtesy of Christian Hunt.

ICE3neo at Cologne   ICE3neo at Cologne

The restaurant car.  See current month's menu.

 

1st class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.

ICE3neo at Cologne   Lunch on an ICE3neo

2nd class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo

 

Lunch:  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

3. Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4

ICE4s have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and are capable of 265 km/h (165 mph).  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf, Cologne-Hamburg trains cross the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine, then pass through the industrial Ruhr.  More about ICEsHamburg Hbf station guide.

ICE4 at Hamburg Hbf

An ICE4 at Hamburg Hbf.  Click on the images below for larger photos.

1st class on an ICE4 train   Restaurant car on an ICE4 train

1st class on an ICE4.

 

Restaurant car on an ICE4.  Sample menu.

Bar counter car on an ICE4 train   2nd class on an ICE4 train

Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.

 

2nd class seats on an ICE4.

4. Hamburg to Stockholm by SJ sleeper train

Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight train has one or two sleeping-cars, several couchette cars and two seats cars.  Each sleeping-car has 13 narrow standard compartments with washbasin which can be sold as single or double, plus two slightly larger deluxe compartments with shower & toilet which can be sold as single, double or triple.  The couchettes are all 6-berth compartments.  The seats cars have 6-seat compartments, but you should always book a couchette or sleeper if you can.  The sleepers convert to private sitting rooms for evening or morning use, the couchettes convert to seats.  Limited food & drink (including beer & wine) can be ordered from the train staff, you can see the menu at www.sj.se/en/travel-info/sj-euronight.html.  A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö in both directions selling beer, wine, snacks and sandwiches.  A simple breakfast box with jam, butter, rolls, yoghurt and a tea or coffee is included in the sleepers and can be ordered the night before in the couchettes.  Unlike most other European night trains, as this train is Swedish you are not permitted to consume your own alcohol.  More about SJ's Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

AB32 sleeping-car to Hamburg & Berlin at Stockholm Central

A sleeping car on the SJ EuroNight at Stockholm Central.

Standard 1 or 2 bed sleeper, night mode   Standard 1 or 2 bed sleeper, day mode   Deluxe sleeper, set up as 2-berth   En suite in deluxe sleeper compartment

Standard sleeper with washbasin, night mode.

Standard sleeper in day mode.

Deluxe sleeper with shower & toilet.

Deluxe sleeper shower & toilet.

6-berth couchette on the Hamburg-Stockholm SJ night train   Hamburg-Stockholm SJ EuroNight at Padborg

6-berth couchettes.

Hamburg-Stockholm couchette car at Padborg on the Danish border.

Hamburg-Stockholm SJ EuroNight at Stockholm Central   Hamburg-Stockholm couchette compartment in day mode

Couchette car at Stockholm Central.

Couchette compartment in day mode.

Scenery from the Hamburg to Stockholm train

Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm.

5. Sail overnight from Stockholm to Tallinn by ferry.

Tallink ferry 'Baltic Queen' from Stockholm to Tallinn   A A-class seaview cabin on the ferry from Stockholm to Tallinn

The ferry Baltic Queen at Stockholm Värtahamnen.

 

A-class seaview cabin.

Dinner on the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry in the Chef's Restaurant   Passing through the many islands near Stockholm

Dinner in the Chef's Restaurant.

 

Passing the many islands near Stockholm.

The ferry sails through the Stockholm archipelago

In the evening for the first few hours, the ferry sails through the many islands of the Stockholm archipelago.

The Tallinn-Stockholm ferry sails from Tallinn

As the ferry arrives at Tallinn, the old town's spires will be visible in the distance (taken from a departing ferry).

Tallinn's D-Terminal, used by the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry

Tallinn D-Terminal, used by the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry.  It's a 24-minute 1.7 km walk from here to Tallinn's old town square or a 28-minute 1.9 km walk to the railway station.  Alternatively, tram 2 links the harbour (a short walk from D-Terminal) to the railway station, the tram accepts contactless payment on board.

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Option 3, London to Tallinn via the Germany-Helsinki ferry

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Train travel in Estonia

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Moving on from Estonia

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European Rail Timetable & maps

Thomas Cook European Timetable -  click to buy onlineTraveller's Railway Map of Europe - buy onlineThe European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable) has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  It is essential for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.  You can buy it online at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).  More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map.  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).


make sure you invest in a good guidebook.  For the serious independent traveller this means either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  Both books provide a similarly excellent level of practical detail and cultural and historical background.  You won't regret buying one..! 

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk

My own book, an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called "The Man in Seat 61", was published in June 2008, and is available from Amazon with shipping worldwide.


Hotels in Tallinn

In Tallinn I recommend the Nunne Boutique Hotel, perfectly located a 5-minute 350m walk from Tallinn railway station (Balti Jaam), see walking map, and just 4 minute 300m walk from Tallinn's old town square, see walking map.  The hotel has beautifully modernised rooms and a decent restaurant and bar too.  Try their Blue Marguerita!

Nunne Boutique Hotel, Tallinn   Nunne Boutique Hotel, Tallinn

Find hotels at Booking.comMy favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

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Travel insurance & other tips

 

Staysure travel insurance

 

Columbus Direct logo

Always take out travel insurance

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here.  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

UK flag  www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

UK flag  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

US flag  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

 

Maya.net logo

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

 

Curve card

Curve card

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:  1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

 

Express VPN

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explainedExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

 

Anker Powerrbank

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

 


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