Estonia

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Flag of Estonia Estonia
Information
Language: Estonian
Capital: Tallinn
Population: 1,340,602
Currency: Estonian kroon (EEK)
Hitchability: Good.png (good)
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<map lat='58.75680543225761' lng='25.740966796875' zoom='6' view='0' country='Estonia'/>

Estonia is a small country that is a member of the European Union and is a Schengen Agreement country. Thumbing and waving a sign with your destination town are both understandable ways for drivers. In case of bad weather, a poster is better seen from car.

Estonia is relatively a good country for hitch-hiking. The cars stop easily next to highways and small roads. Cars of the drivers that pick you up are varied – trucks, old soviet cars, nice new 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 90km/h. Except – in the summer on some roads it is allowed to go up to 110 km/h. But unofficially – even truck drivers like speeding.

Hitch-hiking during night is quite impossible because there aren't many roads for traveling through country neither people enough long ways they have to drive during night. As it is not big transit country you shouldn't hope on truck drivers neither. If you are standing on an unlit road at night, you must (by law) wear a reflector so that drivers can see you.

Weather

Weather is a lot worse problem than small roads or lack of cars. Winters are cold, snow in midland (harder to walk to good spot), early darkening most time of year, rainy weather sometimes for long periods. "Thanks to" climate warming it is a lot easier to hitch-hike in winter nowadays. But i wouldn't advise trying it on smaller roads.

Food

Many people from rural places goes to work in bigger towns. That means you can get stuck easily because of night on highway next to turnaway from main road. And no gas station near. It is smart to keep some bread, water and chocolate in 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 water.

People

In Estonia share their rides younger and older, Estonian and Russian origin people, men and women. Even taxi drivers on their way home (for free). You can expect driver 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.

Public transport

Not much money can be saved trying to hitch-hike instead of using public transport. But there are places that have lousy bus connection so hitch-hiking is great help then. Buses that depart from smaller and bigger towns can be found on [1]. Trains to towns: [2] Air planes: [3]

Only Tallinn is big enough you need public transport to get out of the city: [4].

Carpooling

Paldiski liftausta 2007-06-03.jpg

In 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.

Cities

Crimes

Crimes related to hitch-hiking are not common in Estonia. But a hitch-hiker should be totally sober and avoid cars where is even drunken co-passenger. In 2005 a (drunken) guy who asked for a ride got beaten and robbed. In 2001 happened same thing, but the hitch-hiker was sober. In the end of November 2007 an hitch-hiker demanded driver to make stop for smoking, waving self-made pistol. Luckily everything went well. Also there have been situations where hitch-hiker stole valuables from back seat. In 2002 convicted two men who grabbed two girls (not hitch-hikers), put them in their car, took to their house and raped. The girls were lucky to escape later. The conclusion is – no matter is you're as driver or traveler – safety first. Better be late or sleep on mother Earth than get in untrustworthy vehicle. And be aware there you are all times. No “shorter cuts” are necessary.

Useful phrases

  • Tere – Hello!
  • Kas ma saaksin... [town name]? – Could I get to...[town name]?
  • Kui kaugele te lähete? – How far are you going?
  • Palun näidake kaardil – Please show on map
  • Palun peatuge siin – Please stop here
  • Aitäh sõidu eest – Thanks for the ride
  • Vabandust – Excuse me

Find hitch-hiking spots on Hitchbase.org [5]