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{{infobox Country|country = of Estonia|map = <map lat='58.75680543225761' lng='25.740966796875' zoom='76' view='0' floatcountry='rightEstonia' height/>|language = Estonian|capital ='320' width[[Tallinn]]|pop = 1,340,602|BW = FI|currency = Euro (EUR)|hitch = <rating country='450ee'/>}}'''Estonia''' is a small country that belongs to is a member of the [[European Union]] and is a [[Schengen Agreement]] country. Thumbing and waving carton a sign with your destination town name are both understandable to the drivers ways for driversof [[hitchhiking]] in this country. In case of a bad weather poster it is recommended to use a sign since it is better seen from a car.__NOTOC__Estonia is relatively a good country for hitch-hiking. The cars (can) stop easily next to both on the highways and small roads. Cars of the drivers that pick you up are various - You can hitch trucks, old soviet Soviet cars, nice new neat personal cars - and even tractors. ! Officially there is no difference if a truck driver or a car driver offers you a ride - – everyone (except tractors) is allowed to go up to 90km/h. Except - in , although during the summer period the speed limit on some main roads it is allowed to go lifted up to 110km110 km/h. But unofficially However, over- even speeding is usual in this country, and so getting a personal car usually is a better choice than traveling with a truck in case you value your time a lot. [[Hitchhiking at night]] can be much less successful due to the usually low night traffic on the roads in Estonia. Since Estonia is not a very good transit country one shouldn't hope for a truck either. '''''Be aware that if you happen to stand on a dark road at night you must (by law) wear a light reflector so that the drivers can see you'''''. Or better yet - reflector vest - too many people have left their lives on the roads during dark autumn evenings! (Be careful with wearing a vest though as many drivers like speedingmight think that you are a police officer measuring the speed of cars and will not stop.) Hitch-hiking == Weather ==Weather is not the biggest deal in comparison with low car traffic on more local roads (which are very bumpy, too!). Winters, however, are cold, with usually a lot of snow that makes you harder to walk to a good hitchhiking spot. It darkens early during the cold season, and there are rainy weather conditions for long periods once in a while otherwise. == Eating on the road ==Although Estonia is quite a small country, you might get stuck on its roads for the night since the traffic is quite impossible because usually low on smaller roads, and for that reason it would be smart to have some food with you - there arenis hardly any [[rest area|service area]] on the roads and you won't many roads be able to buy food unless you are in some town. You can drink water from the tap and wells almost anywhere in Estonia. Some say that even lakes contain pure enough water to drink. == People ==You can get a ride from almost anyone in Estonia - from any 18+ person of any social group, age, nationality (both Estonian and Russian), or sex. [[Taxi]] drivers might drive you for traveling through country neither free on their way home. You can expect a driver to start a conversation in either Estonian or Russian. English is widely spoken amongst young and middle aged people enough long ways , although some might have a better knowledge of German and/or other Western languages. Experiences show that Russian-speaking drivers understand well Estonian even if they don't speak it. Estonian drivers understand Russian pretty much in the same way, too. Generally, Estonians love foreign visitors and are very helpful with providing the right directions or any other instructions. Don't forget to thank them for that and/or show your gratitude! == Public transport ==Not much money can be saved trying to hitch-hike instead of using public transport although prices for the latter one lately go up (as prices for the petrol get higher). There are places that have lousy bus connections, though, so hitch-hiking comes in handy then. Some useful links are:* [http://bussireisid.ee/index.html?MENU=&KEEL=en Intercity buses]* [http://www.edel.ee/ Trains] [http://www.elektriraudtee.ee/ Trains]* [http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/index.php?page=162 Air travel] In Tallinn you will most likely need to take a public transport to get out of the city, see info [http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/?a=p.routes&transport_id=bus&t=xhtml&l=en here]. == Carpooling ==[[File:Paldiski liftausta 2007-06-03.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]There is a national carpooling website in Estonia that gives a driver the opportunity to drive during nightsearch for passengers who would be able to share the cost of a planned ride; and vice versus. See the website http://www.kyydiga.ee/ (in Estonian only). As Using it is not big transit country quite possible for foreign travelers, too: you can scroll-search from your departure point (''kust'') to a destination (''kuhu'') with a date and # of passengers. On a main page you shouldncan see most recent offers. The page isn't hope very popular, though, since many practice hitchhiking in Estonia anyway.  Similar systems exists also in [[Germany]], [[Belgium]] and some other countries. == Cities and towns ==* Over 100.000 inhabitants:** [[Tallinn]]** [[Tartu]]* 30.000-100.000 inhabitants:** [[Narva]]** [[Pärnu]]** [[Kohtla-Järve]]* 10.000-30.000 inhabitants:** [[Viljandi]]** [[Sillamäe]]** [[Rakvere]]** [[Maardu]]** [[Valga]]** [[Kuressaare]]** [[Võru]]** [[Jõhvi]]** [[Haapsalu]] == Regions ==* [[Pärnu County|Pärnumaa]]* [[Harjumaa]]* [[Raplamaa]]* [[Lääne-Virumaa]]* [[Ida-Virumaa]]* [[Jõgevamaa]]* [[Järvamaa]]* [[Hiiumaa]]* [[Saaremaa]]* [[Läänemaa]]* [[Viljandimaa]]* [[Võrumaa]]* [[Valgamaa]]* [[Põlvamaa]]* [[Tartumaa]] == Border crossings ==* towards [[Latvia]] ** [[Ainaži-Ikla border crossing|Ainaži-Ikla]] on [[Tallinn]]-[[Pärnu]]-[[Riga]] road** [[Valka-Valga border crossing|Valka-Valga]] on [[Tartu]]-[[Valga]]-[[Valka]]-[[Riga]] road** and several smaller ones* towards [[Russia]]** [[Narva-Ivangorod border crossing|Narva-Ivangorod]] on [[Tallinn]]-[[Narva]]-[[Ivangorod]]-[[St. Petersburg]] road.** [[Koidula-Pechory border crossing|Koidula-Pechory]] on a smaller road between Värska and Pechory (Печоры, Petseri).** [[Luhamaa-Kashino border crossing|Luhamaa-Kashino]] on truck the [[Riga]]-[[Pskov]]-[[St. Petersburg]] road which passes through a small corner of South-East Estonia. For crossing the border to Russia from Estonia (not the other way around), drivers neithercan register on [http://www.estonianborder.eu estonianborder.eu] and pay a small fee to reserve a time at any border crossing. The system significantly decreases queues and waiting times.  == Crimes ==Crimes related to hitch-hiking '''are not''' common in Estonia. However, it is recommended to be completely sober and careful when hitchhiking, and avoid cars with (slightly) drunk driver and/or passenger(s) which might, unfortunately, occur in this country.

==Weather==There are some known stories regarding crime and hitchhiking in Estonia:Weather is * In 2005, a drunk guy who asked for a lot worse problem than small roads or lack of carsride got beaten, and then robbed. Winters are coldBefore that, snow in midland (harder 2001, same thing happened to walk to good spot)a sober hitch-hiker.* In November 2007, early darkening most time of yeara hitch-hiker with a gun demanded that the driver would make a stop for smoking. Luckily, rainy weather sometimes for long periodseverything went well eventually."Thanks to" climate warming it is a lot easier to * There are known several stories when hitch-hike in winter nowadays. But i wouldn't advise trying it on smaller roadshikers stole valuables from a back seat.

==Food==Many people from rural places goes to work in bigger towns. That means Basically, be careful and avoid situations when you feel that it can get stuck easily because of night on highway next to turnaway from main roadbring you troubles. And no gas station nearNo matter if you're a driver or a traveler – [[hitchhiker's safety|safety]] first. It is smart to keep some bread, water and chocolate n your bag. Water is almost everywhere drinkable from tap and wells. Even from lakes. The color of lake water might be brown but that is pure turf waterBetter sleep on a mother Earth than get into untrustworthy vehicle.

==People==In Estonia share their rides younger Please also be (more or less) aware of where are you going and olderwhere you are, Estonian and Russian origin people, men and especially if you are a [[womenhitchhiking|female hitchhiker]]. Even taxi drivers on their way home (for free). You can expect driver Trust your intuition when it comes to start conversation in Estonian or Russian. English is widely spoken amongst young and middle aged people. Experiences show that Russian-speaking drivers understand well Estonian even if they don't speak it. And Estonian drivers understand Russian same way.Estonians love foreign visitors and are very helpful showing the right direction and giving instructions"shortcuts".

==Public transportUseful phrases ==Not much money can be saved trying * '''Tere''' – Hello!* '''Palun''' – Please* '''Tänan!''' – Thank you!* '''Kas ma saaksin... [town name]?''' – Could I get a ride to hitch-hike instead of using public transport. But there ..[town name]?* '''Kui kaugele te lähete?''' – How far are places that have lousy bus connection so hitchyou going?* '''Kui kaugel see on (jala)?''' -hiking How far is great help then.it (on foot)?* '''Palun näidake kaardil''' – Please show on a map* '''Palun peatuge siin''' – Please, stop here* '''Aitäh sõidu eest''' – Thanks for the ride* '''Vabandust''' – Excuse meBuses that depart from smaller and bigger towns can be found * '''Kas sõit on [http://bussireisidtasuta? Ma ei saa maksta.ee/index.html''' - Is the lift free?MENU=&KEEL=en]I can't pay.Trains to towns: [http://www* '''Jah\Ei\Võib-olla\Ei tänan''' - Yes\No\Maybe\No thanks* '''Kas te räägite.edel.ee/]Air planes: [http://www.tallinn\teisi keeli? (inglise keelt, vene keelt, saksa keelt)''' -airportDo you speak.ee/index.php. \other languages? (english, russian, german)* '''Kas te võiksite palun aeglasemalt rääkida?''' - Could you speak slower please?page=162]* '''Ma ei tea\ Ma ei saa aru''' - I don't know\ I don't understand* '''Ära puuduta mind! Lase mind välja! Stop! Appi!''' - Don't touch me! Let me out! Stop! Help!* '''null\üks\kaks\kolm\neli\viis\kuus\seitse\kaheksa\üheksa\kümme\üksteist\kaksteist''' - zero\one\two... so on until twelwe* '''parem\vasak\paremale\vasakule\otse edasi''' - right\left\to right\to left\straight on

Only Tallinn is big enough you need public transport to get out of the city: == Links ==* [http://soiduplaanwww.tallinnhitchbase.eecom/orte.php?aLANG=p.routes&transport_id=bus&t=xhtmleng&ll_id=en62 Estonia on Hitchbase]* [http://www.ikaart.net Map of Estonia][[wikipedia:Estonia]]

==CarpoolingNomadwiki & Trashwiki ==[edit] CarpoolingIn Estonia there is national carpooling website that gives the opportunity to the driver to post their journey in search of passenger to share the cost of the ride. And vice versa. The website http://www.kyyt.eu/ which is unfortunately in Estonian language only. Although, it's system is pretty basic as you can scroll search from your departure point (kust) to a destination (kuhu) with a date and # of passengers. On main page there are most recent offers. The page isn't very popular though. Similar system also exists in [[Germany]], [[Belgium]], etc.I would certainly recommend rather hitch-hiking.

[[Category:Estonia|*]][[Category:Northern Europe]]

----[[de:Estland]]'''Find hitch-hiking spots on Hitchbase.org [http[fi://www.hitchbase.com/orte.php?LANG=eng&l_id=62Viro]]'''