Guidebook Updates for ‘Rick Steves Snapshot: St. Petersburg, Helsinki & Tallinn’
When we learn of important changes to the information in our St. Petersburg, Helsinki & Tallinn Snapshot guidebook, we post them here. (Of course, it's still smart to reconfirm critical transportation and sightseeing details locally.) Armed with a Rick Steves guidebook and these late-breaking updates, you're set for a great trip!
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Helsinki's
tourist information office has moved to a new location on Senate Square (Mon–Fri 9:30–17:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–16:00, shorter weekend hours off-season, Aleksanterinkatu 24 — at the corner with Sofiankatu street, +358 9 3101 3300). All other tourism office locations, including at the airport, have closed.
- The National Museum of Finland has reopened following an overhaul of its permanent collection.
For books printed before July 2021, the following may also apply:
- Because of route changes, the Helsinki Tram Tour, which features a loop through Helsinki on public trams #2 and #3, now requires a transfer at the Auroran Sairaala stop (which is several stops past the original transfer point of Töölön halli).
- Helsinki's main tourist information office is now in the train station. The location near the Esplanade has closed.
- Hotel Torni, home to the Ateljée Bar, with excellent city views, has reopened.
- Academica Summer Hostel has closed.
- Linda Line has ceased ferry service between Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia.
For books printed before July 2021, the following may apply:
- Tickets for Tallinn's public transportation are now available as QR tickets for use on a mobile phone (€1.50 for any ride up to 1 hour, can purchase up to 10 rides per ticket, shareable with other riders, purchase at tallinn.pilet.ee or with the mobile app Pilet.ee). For travelers staying longer, the Ühiskaart smartcard can be purchased for €2, then loaded up with credit (€1.50 per ride, €4.50/24 hours, €7.50/72 hours).
- Linda Line has ceased ferry service between Helsinki and Tallinn.
- The Museum of Occupations is now called the "Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom." The museum has been upgraded and expanded to include a new permanent exhibit exploring Estonia's occupations, resistance, and rise to freedom. The former audioguide has been replaced with an "etour guide" mobile device that brings the displays to life.
- The KGB Prison Cells in Tallinn's former KGB headquarters are now open to the public, with a small exhibit presented, in part, in English.
- Baltic Hotel Imperial has closed.
- Rixwell Old Town Hotel is now, as part of the Rija chain, Rija Old Town Hotel.
- Recommended restaurants Grillhaus Daub and Wadabus have closed.