Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Capital Cities of Finland, Estonia & Latvia

Escorted Baltic capitals tour with one train journey between countries

Capital Cities of Finland, Estonia & Latvia, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys operates this 8-day escorted tour of the Baltic capitals, with a UK Tour Manager travelling from London Heathrow to Helsinki and home from Riga. Two nights in Helsinki include a walking tour of Senate Square and the Sibelius monument, plus a guided cruise of the shoreline past the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. A ferry across the Gulf of Finland leads to three nights in Tallinn, where a guided tour explores the medieval centre, including the oldest pharmacy in Europe, in operation since at least 1422. The only rail leg of the trip is a scenic Standard Class train journey from Tallinn to the border town of Valga, switching trains on to Riga for two final nights, with a walking tour of the Old Town's House of the Black Heads and Three Brothers buildings. It suits travellers who want a guided introduction to three Baltic capitals, with one train journey between countries rather than a rail-based itinerary throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • Rail travel on this trip is limited to one day, a scenic Standard Class train journey from Tallinn to Valga and on to Riga; the rest of the trip uses flights, a ferry, and coach transport.
  • Only 3 dinners are included across the 7 nights; several evenings are left free for independent dining.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Helsinki

    Flight to Finland's capital, Helsinki

    Meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow ahead of a flight to Helsinki. On arrival, transfer to the four-star hotel in the city centre, near Helsinki's main shopping streets, art galleries and museums. This evening, gather in the hotel restaurant for the first dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Helsinki

    Exploring stylish Helsinki

    Set out to discover Helsinki's sights on a walking tour including Senate Square, Finlandia Hall, the modernist national opera house, the Sibelius monument and Central Library Oodi. Join a guided cruise of Helsinki's shoreline viewing Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, the icebreaker fleet and Korkeasaari island. The rest of the day is at leisure; dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Tallinn

    Across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn

    After breakfast, board a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia's capital, Tallinn. Check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner in the on-site restaurant this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Tallinn

    Medieval sights of Tallinn

    Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of one of the best-preserved medieval centres in northern Europe, exploring cobblestone lanes, centuries-old buildings, hidden courtyards, Town Hall Square and the oldest pharmacy in Europe (in operation since at least 1422). Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Tallinn

    Tallinn's maritime history

    Visit the Seaplane Harbour and Estonian Maritime Museum, housed in a historic seaplane hangar, showcasing Estonia's naval history through maritime artefacts, ship models, a Russian submarine, a seaplane and interactive displays. The afternoon is free to explore Tallinn at your own pace. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Riga

    Embracing Latvian culture on the way to Riga

    After breakfast, transfer to Tallinn's railway station for a scenic train journey through Estonia to the border town of Valga. Switch trains and enter Latvia, arriving in the capital Riga. Check in to the hotel on the edge of the Old Town. Visit a local restaurant for dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Riga

    Stepping into history on a tour of Old Riga

    After breakfast, embark on a guided walking tour of Old Riga's beautiful sights including the House of the Black Heads (built 1334), the town hall square, the painted houses of Jauniela, the Three Brothers medieval buildings, the 17th-century Swedish Gate and St Peter's Cathedral. Free afternoon to explore further, including Riga's Art Nouveau buildings on Albert Street. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    A morning and afternoon at leisure before transferring to Riga airport for the flight back to London Heathrow. On landing, the tour comes to an end and travellers make their way home independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided cruise of Helsinki's shoreline passes the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and the icebreaker fleet.
  • Day 4A guided tour of Tallinn's medieval centre includes the oldest pharmacy in Europe, in operation since at least 1422.
  • Day 6A scenic train journey crosses Estonia from Tallinn to the border town of Valga, where you switch trains to continue into Latvia and on to Riga.
  • Day 7A walking tour of Old Riga takes in the House of the Black Heads, built in 1334, the Three Brothers medieval buildings, and St Peter's Cathedral.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Helsinki and Riga to London Heathrow
  • Breakfast each day
  • 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, a scenic Standard Class train journey from Tallinn to Valga and on to Riga is included, though it is only one day of the trip.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's an escorted tour with a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, in groups of up to 40.
Which route does the train cover?
The train runs from Tallinn to the border town of Valga, where you switch trains to continue into Latvia and on to Riga.
What hotels are used?
4-star Radisson Blu hotels throughout: the Aleksanteri in Helsinki, the Olümpia in Tallinn, and the Latvija in Riga.
When does it run?
Departures run in May, June, July, August and September in 2026 and 2027.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, and dinner on most evenings, since only 3 dinners are included.

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