Travelling by motorhome in Estonia - all you need to know

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What is it like to travel by camper in Estonia? We traveled around the country by camper for almost three weeks and quickly fell in love. The roads are good, the traffic is relatively quiet and there is plenty of beautiful nature, nice campsites and opportunities to spend the night near the sea, forests and lakes.

Since our trip, some rules and practical information have changed, so we have updated this guide with current information for those of you planning to travel by motorhome in Estonia.

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Travelling by motorhome in Estonia

Estonia is very suitable for a motorhome holiday. The country is about a tenth the size of Sweden and the distances are relatively short. At the same time, there is a lot to discover – from medieval Tallinn and long sandy beaches to national parks, manor houses, small coastal towns and islands.

For us, one of the big advantages was the feeling of freedom. Outside Tallinn, traffic is often calm and it is easy to get close to nature. The official Estonian Tourist Board also highlights campervans and caravans as a great way to discover the country.

Take your campervan to Estonia

From Sweden you can take your camper directly to Estonia by ferry. Which route is best depends on where you are coming from and where in Estonia you want to continue.

Ferry from Stockholm to Tallinn

Tallink Silja Line operates the route Stockholm–Tallinn with the Baltic Queen. The ferry normally runs every other day and the journey takes around 17 hours. This is the option for those who want to get directly to central Tallinn and at the same time have a classic cruise ferry with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

Ferry from Kapellskar to Paldiski

Another option is DFDS between Kapellskär and Paldiski. The crossing takes around ten hours and you will need to travel with a vehicle. Paldiski is around 50 km west of Tallinn, making it a convenient route if you want to avoid driving into the capital. This was the route we took home after our motorhome trip through Estonia.

READ MORE: Ferry to Estonia – our experiences

Ferries to Saaremaa, Daugava and other Estonian islands

Estonia has over 2,000 islands and some of them are perfect for exploring by motorhome. The largest are Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, but there are also smaller islands such as Kihnu, Vormsi and Ruhnu. We travelled by motorhome to Saaremaa, Dagö and Kynö and thought the islands were one of the highlights of the trip.

During the summer it may be wise to book a ferry seat in advance, especially if you are travelling with a larger vehicle. Timetables and routes may also change, so always check current departures before travelling. You can book ferries at Veeted.com and on Praamid.ee.

Driving a motorhome in Estonia

Driving a motorhome in Estonia is easy. The country has right-hand traffic and the road network is well developed. The major roads are generally of a good standard, while smaller roads in the countryside can sometimes be gravel roads.

As we traveled around the country, we found the traffic to be calm, especially when we got away from Tallinn. Estonia is sparsely populated and in the countryside there can be a lot of traffic.

Speed limits in Estonia

The basic rule is 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside built-up areas, unless otherwise stated. On some major roads, the speed limit is increased during the summer months. In 2026, there will be sections with posted speed limits of up to 120 km/h on four-lane roads with separated carriageways and up to 100 km/h on some 2+1 roads. Always follow the signs, as the limits may vary depending on the road and the time of year.

For motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes, the same speed rules apply as for passenger cars and lighter motorhomes, as long as the motorhome belongs to vehicle category M1. For freight traffic, different speeds apply.

Road tolls in Estonia

There is no general Estonian road toll for regular motorhomes. The Estonian road toll applies to trucks with a permissible total weight of over 3.5 tonnes. A regular motorhome weighing over 3.5 tonnes, which is not a truck, is not subject to the toll.

Important traffic rules in Estonia

The traffic rules are broadly similar to those in Sweden, but there are a few things that are good to know:

• Low beam or equivalent driving lights must also be used during the day.
• Seat belt to be used by drivers and passengers.
• Estonia applies zero tolerance against alcohol in traffic.
• Mobile phone must not be used handheld while driving.
• Driving licence and registration documents must be present during the trip.

Equipment in the motorhome

In Estonia, the car must be equipped with a warning triangle and a fire extinguisher, among other things. The requirements for a fire extinguisher depend on the weight and vehicle category of the vehicle. Please check the current requirements before your trip, especially if you are driving a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes.

Winter tires in Estonia

For passenger cars and motorhomes registered in category M1, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 1. Studded tires may normally be used between October 15 and March 31 and, if winter road conditions require it, between October 1 and April 30. For other vehicle categories, the rules may differ.

Non-studded winter tires for affected vehicle categories must have the 3PMSF symbol – the three mountain peaks and a snowflake symbol. If you are traveling with a heavier motorhome, you should check which tire regulations apply to your particular vehicle category.

Free camping with a campervan in Estonia

One of the things we appreciated most during our trip was the opportunity to get close to nature. We free-camped in several fantastically beautiful places, preferably with a view of the sea.

Estonia has a tradition of free access to nature, but you have to take into account landowners, protected areas, local regulations and signage. Being allowed to move around in nature does not automatically mean you can drive or park a camper anywhere. However, there are plenty of legal opportunities to spend the night close to nature.

Motorhome parking spaces in Estonia

There are also parking spaces and simple overnight places for campers. The service varies greatly. Some places only offer parking, while others offer electricity, water and emptying. For example, during our trip we stopped at a simple place by the water in Haapsalu, designated for campers but without service.

Campsites in Estonia

If you want a shower, electricity, water and the possibility of emptying your camper, there are of course also regular campsites. Many are small and personal and are beautifully situated in nature. The standard varies, so check what services are available before you drive there. It is common for campsites to be open from around May to October, although this can of course vary.

Refuel your campervan in Estonia

There are plenty of petrol stations, especially along the main roads and around the cities. In rural areas and on the islands, distances can be greater, so it may be wise not to wait until your tank is almost empty.

Pay in Estonia

Estonia uses the euro and card payments are very widespread. We paid for most things with cards even when we were traveling in the countryside. It's still not a bad idea to bring some cash. In small farm shops, markets or other small businesses, payment options may vary.

Keep in mind that it may be a good idea to choose a card without exchange rate surcharges if you don't want to incur unnecessary high costs on your trip. The Northmill card is an example of a card that is completely free of fees both at home and abroad. Travel insurance is included and you become a customer in 3 minutes with BankID. Click here to access the registration of a Northmill card.

Food and restaurants in Estonia

For us, food was an unexpectedly big part of our trip to Estonia. The grocery stores have pretty much what you'd expect in a Northern European country, but it's fun to also look for Estonian products.

Along the coast, on the islands and at Lake Peipus we found a lot of fish, not least smoked fish. We also tried local bread, cheeses, cider and beer and shopped from small farm shops.

READ MORE: Estonian food – classic dishes to try

The restaurant scene is also much more exciting than you might imagine. Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu in particular have plenty of modern restaurants, but we also found good food in much smaller towns.

READ MORE: Restaurants in Tallinn you don't want to miss

Can you get by with English in Estonia?

Yes, it is generally easy to travel in Estonia with English. Especially younger Estonians and people working in tourism often speak very good English. Estonian is the country's official language and Russian is also spoken by some of the population.

The Estonian countryside is perfect for a motorhome trip

One of our strongest memories of Estonia is the tranquility. Leaving Tallinn behind, you are greeted by forests, small villages, agricultural landscapes and a long coastline.

On the islands, the pace is even slower, if possible. We found several places where we would have liked to stay much longer than we had planned. It is precisely the combination of short distances and the feeling of having a lot of space that makes Estonia so nice with a motorhome.

Destinations to discover by motorhome in Estonia

We traveled around Estonia for just under three weeks and managed to experience a surprising amount. Some places we would like to recommend are:

Cities

• Tallinn – medieval city center, restaurants and lots of attractions.
• Tartu – Estonia's vibrant university city.
• Pärnu – classic bathing and health resort with a long sandy beach.
• Haapsalu – charming coastal town with wooden houses and a beautiful promenade.

islands

• Kihnu Island – a very special island with a vibrant traditional culture.
• Saaremaa – Estonia's largest island with Kuressaare, windmills and dramatic coastal landscapes.
• Dago (Hiiumaa) – a green and peaceful island with lighthouses and exciting Swedish history.

Experiencing nature

• Lahemaa National Park – nature, hiking and historic mansions.
• Lake Peipus – small villages, Old Believer culture, onions and smoked fish.
• Rummu – the old quarry and prison area which is today a very different place to visit.
• Keila-Joa – waterfall, park and historic mansion.

Our experiences of Estonia with a campervan

We loved traveling by campervan in Estonia. What stuck out most was how easy everything felt. The distances are manageable, the traffic is often calm and there is a lot of nature.

Moreover, Estonia is a country where it pays to get off the beaten track. Some of our best memories come from small islands, farm shops, beaches, fishing villages and places where we hadn't really planned to stay.

We traveled here in the summer of 2019, so of course some things have changed since then. But the feeling itself – that Estonia is a very nice country to discover by motorhome – definitely stands out.

READ MORE: Travel to Estonia – our comprehensive guide to Estonia's best travel destinations

Programme "Promoting Estonia as a Tourism Destination" is supported by European Union Regional Development Fund.