The highest number of passengers, 7.3 million, travelled on the Tallinn–Helsinki route. Compared to the previous year, passenger numbers on this route increased by 1.3%. Ferry traffic between Tallinn and Helsinki was operated by three shipping companies – Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line – with a total of seven vessels. The most popular vessel on the route was Eckerö Line’s FINLANDIA, chosen by 26% of all passengers.

Half of the journeys between the Estonian and Finnish capitals, nearly 3.6 million trips, were made by Finnish citizens, while Estonian passengers accounted for one quarter. Compared to the previous year, the total number of Finnish passengers remained at the same level, but the age structure changed: travel increased among Finns aged 15–35 and decreased among those aged 55–75. Among Estonian passengers, teenagers and pensioners travelled more frequently between the two capitals, while younger adults travelled less. Overall, the number of trips made by Estonian passengers declined when comparing the past two years.

At the same time, ferry travel between Tallinn and Helsinki was increasingly popular among passengers from long-haul markets such as China, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. For example, the number of passengers from China exceeded 90,000, representing a 56% increase year on year. We assume this growth is driven by tourists arriving in Helsinki by air who are looking to expand their travel experience, with a day trip to Tallinn offering an attractive opportunity.

The second ferry route between Estonia and Finland, the Muuga–Vuosaari route, was used by 195,000 passengers in 2025. Of these, 25% were Finnish and 23% Estonian citizens. Although passenger numbers remained at the same level compared to the previous year, it is encouraging that, in addition to Estonian and neighbouring countries’ freight drivers, the convenience of this route has been discovered by passengers travelling beyond the two capital cities on both sides of the Gulf of Finland. Vehicle occupancy rates on the route are very high, and Port of Tallinn is actively seeking additional capacity either through an additional vessel or an additional operator.

Passenger numbers on the Paldiski South Harbour–Kapellskär passenger and freight route increased by as much as 46% year on year up 42,5 thousand. This growth was driven by the shipping company Tallink’s decision to operate the route with the more passenger-friendly vessel SUPERFAST IX. Two thirds of the passengers on this route were Estonian citizens, whose numbers increased by 30%, but the shorter sea crossing between Estonia and Sweden has also been discovered by Swedish and other international passengers.

On the Tallinn–Stockholm route, 495,000 passengers travelled in 2025, which was 12% fewer than in the previous year. The decline in passenger numbers was primarily due to the fact that Tallink operated the route year-round with one vessel, BALTIC QUEEN, instead of two. Of the passengers on the Tallinn–Stockholm route, 38% were Estonian and 30% Swedish citizens. In terms of age, the route was particularly popular among schoolchildren from both countries. Compared to the previous year, the number of passengers from Estonia and Sweden decreased, while the number of passengers from Poland, China and Japan increased.

In 2025, Tallinn hosted a total of 118 cruise ship calls, which is 18 more than in the previous year. Of the nearly 190,000 cruise passengers, 44% were German citizens, 27% from the United States and 14% from the United Kingdom. The number of cruise passengers from the United States doubled, arrivals from Germany increased by a quarter, and arrivals from the United Kingdom increased by five percent. A total of 50 different cruise vessels visited Tallinn, 11 of them for the first time. Significantly more winter cruises and winter cruise passengers were served during the year. In November and December, cruise ships called at Tallinn five times, bringing 15,588 cruise passengers to the city during the winter season.

In addition to the extended season, cruise ships stayed in Tallinn for two days on 15 occasions. A positive sign is the increased participation in organised excursions, and cruise companies are increasingly considering deploying additional vessels in the Baltic Sea.

Saaremaa Harbour was visited last year by six different cruise ships on seven occasions, bringing 1,203 passengers to the island. Most of these passengers were from the United States, but visitors also arrived from France, Canada and Germany.

Rest of the Port of Tallinn's passengers were onboard other passenger and cargo ferries. 

Global tourism trends provide optimism that more tourists will continue to find their way to Estonia, and it can be expected that passenger numbers on both regular ferry routes and cruise traffic will continue to grow in 2026.