Warsaw to Tallinn, Estonia
I´m thinking that I will simply hop on another train from Warsaw north to Tallinn. I´m thinking wrong. There is no such train. My friend in Warsaw tells me that a high-speed train from Warsaw into the Baltic states is under discussion, but perhaps not until 2013, as the Baltic states continue to be brought into the EU fold.
How fascinating, I think, that the desire for high-speed rail increases as the EU continues to expand. If, in this new century, the EU recognizes the value of high-speed rail, why does the United States continue to scoff at the idea? I would think that connecting major cities in different regions of the United States with high-speed rail would be a smart cultural, economic and environmental undertaking.
But I face a more immediate dilemna in Warsaw. How to get to Tallinn? There is 1 train per day that leaves Warsaw at 7:20 for Vilnius, Lithuania, arriving 10 hours later. And a train that operates on odd days from Vilnius to Riga, Latvia. But no train connection from Riga to Tallinn. It all sounds like too much for me, especially since I´m in a rush to catch a ferry in Tallinn.
My friend tells me about the Eurolines bus line. They have 1 bus per day that leaves Warsaw at 19:30 and arrives in Tallinn at 13:15 the next day. As much as I hate the idea of being stuck in a bus seat over-night, I take it. Knowing full well that a trip like this requires pills or liquor, I choose the former and wash down a sleeping pill with water as the children in the seats surrounding me gobble candies with juice. These children are from Chechny, and if I´m having difficulty getting to Tallinn, I can´t imagine their journey home to Chechnya. One of the childern sees my sleeping pill bottle and attempts to share his candies. I think, if only I could share my “candies” to keep these kids quiet for the bus ride.
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5 Responses to “Warsaw to Tallinn, Estonia”
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ben,
im in warsaw now 5th of july, same problem as you want to go to tallinn, i am inclined to take the train to vilnius first class, as i am a big guy and hate busses.
ill just figure out the Vil to Tal part when im further north. did you get any better tips once you arrived in estonia?
good travels,
ben
Hi Ben,
The only means of transportation that I am familiar with connecting Vilnius to Tallinn is the bus. Eurolines was the bus company that I used. Hopefully one day they will have a high-speed train.
Have fun,
Benjamin
An option could be to train to Berlin then get a cheap easjet flight to Tallin (as long as you can book ahead)? One a day departs at 11:25 and arrives 14:10 (Friday is 18:55 – 21:40)
Such train lines are in discussion for the whole eastern part of the EU but … of course it would be great if they do it as fast as possible..
Thumbs Up!
Mary
Yes, this railway is in discussion. The project is called Rail Baltica and you can read more about it at wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_Baltica
I would also like to have a fast railway from Estonia to center Europe, but the problem with Baltic states is that the population density is low and this is fast railway is a really big investment and doesn’t pay off that quickly.