Search

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Capital Cities of Finland, Estonia & Latvia

Eight-day escorted tour through Helsinki, Tallinn, and Riga by rail and ferry

Illustration of Capital Cities of Finland, Estonia & Latvia

Vacations By Rail's eight-day Capital Cities tour traverses three Baltic nations from Helsinki, Finland to Riga, Latvia, stopping in Tallinn, Estonia along the way. The escorted itinerary emphasizes cultural immersion and historical discovery across the three capital cities on the Baltic Sea. Days unfold as a mix of guided sightseeing and free time: Helsinki opens with a walking tour past Senate Square and Finlandia Hall, followed by a shoreline cruise past Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. A ferry carries the group across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, where three days allow exploration of the medieval Old Town and the Seaplane Harbor. A scenic train journey on Day 6 crosses Estonia to the border at Valga, switches to a Latvian service, and arrives in Riga. The final days in Latvia's capital include a guided tour of the Old Town's cobbled streets, painted merchant houses, and St Peter's Cathedral. Throughout, Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager, four-star hotel accommodation, breakfast each day, three included dinners, and all guided tours and transfers. This package suits first-time rail travelers seeking comfort and cultural immersion without independent planning.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights to Helsinki and airport transfers are not included; book separately
  • Only three dinners are included; other meals are independent or free time
  • The rail segment is one day (Day 6); the majority of travel involves ferry and coach

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Helsinki

    Arrival in Finland's capital, Helsinki

    Transfer independently to the four-star hotel near Helsinki's main shopping streets. Gather in the hotel restaurant for the first dinner together.

  2. Day 2overnight: Helsinki

    Exploring stylish Helsinki

    Walking tour of Senate Square, Finlandia Hall, the national opera house and Central Library Oodi, followed by a guided cruise of Helsinki's shoreline past Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. Free time and independent dinner.

  3. Day 3overnight: Tallinn

    Across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn

    Board a ferry across the Gulf of Finland (around 55 miles) to Tallinn, Estonia. Check in to the hotel and dine in its on-site restaurant.

  4. Day 4overnight: Tallinn

    Medieval sights of Tallinn

    Guided sightseeing tour of Tallinn's medieval center, including Town Hall Square and the oldest pharmacy in Europe (standing since at least 1422). Dine independently in the evening.

  5. Day 5overnight: Tallinn

    Tallinn's maritime history

    Visit the Seaplane Harbor and Estonian Maritime Museum, housed in a historic seaplane hangar. Free afternoon to explore Tallinn independently.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Riga

    Embracing Latvian culture on the way to Riga

    Transfer to Tallinn's railway station for a scenic train journey through Estonia to Valga, switching trains at the border into Latvia and arriving in Riga. Check in to the hotel on the edge of the Old Town; dinner at a local restaurant.

  7. Day 7overnight: Riga

    Stepping into history on a tour of Old Riga

    Guided walking tour of Riga's Old Town, including the House of the Black Heads, Jauniela's painted houses, the Three Brothers, the Swedish Gate and St Peter's Cathedral. Free afternoon.

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    Tour of Finland, Estonia and Latvia concludes after breakfast; transfer independently to Riga airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided cruise of Helsinki's shoreline past Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and walk through Senate Square and the national opera house
  • Day 3Ferry crossing across the Gulf of Finland (around 55 miles) to arrive in Tallinn
  • Day 4Guided tour of Tallinn's medieval center including the oldest pharmacy in Europe, standing since at least 1422
  • Day 6Scenic train journey through Estonia to Valga, switching trains at the Latvian border and arriving in Riga
  • Day 7Guided walking tour of Riga's Old Town including the House of the Black Heads, Three Brothers, Swedish Gate, and St Peter's Cathedral

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Standard Class rail travel on local networks, including the scenic train journey from Tallinn through Estonia to Riga on Day 6. Ferry and coach travel are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail assigns a Tour Manager to accompany the group throughout the eight days.
Which hotels are included?
The tour stays at Radisson Blu hotels: Aleksanteri in Helsinki (2 nights), Olümpia in Tallinn (3 nights), and Latvija in Riga (2 nights).
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. Three dinners are provided: the first night in Helsinki, and the first nights in Tallinn and Riga. Other dinners are independent.
How much walking is involved?
The tour carries a Mobility Rating 2, which includes guided walking tours of each capital's city center, stairs, and standard urban navigation.
What is the physical activity level?
The itinerary involves city walking tours in Helsinki, Tallinn, and Riga, plus visits to museums and historical sites. The Seaplane Harbor in Tallinn and exploration of medieval streets require comfortable shoes and moderate mobility.

Similar journeys