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On our recent visit to Helsinki we arranged a trip on the flagship Tallink MyStar.  As ferries depart up to seven times a day we opted to take the popular 10.30 a.m. service.  MyStar entered operational service in December 2022 and has since been sailing on Tallink’s Gulf of Finland route between its homeport of Tallinn and the city of Helsinki, completing six departures per day alongside its sister ship Megastar.

Built to Finnish-Swedish Ice Class 1A requirements, MyStar can take up to 2,800 passengers and 208 crew members plus assorted freight up to the equivalent of 750 cars.  The ferry has 12 decks housing various facilities including 46 passenger cabins, bars, lounges, a cafe, restaurants, a children’s play area, a computer gaming room, kennels and a vast shopping area extending to more than 2,500 square metres on two decks.

The Helsinki West Terminal 2 is quick and easy to reach from the city centre as both Trams 7 and 9 terminate there with a journey time of around 15 minutes.  On arrival at the terminal we printed out our boarding cards but it’s also possible to download the Tallink and Silja Line app which allows passengers to check-in online and store boarding passes on their phones.

We arrived about an hour prior to departure allowing us 20 minutes to explore the terminal and to watch our ferry arrive from the boarding lounge windows.  Standard return fares with seven hours in either port start at only €33 with upgrades to Comfort and Business Class available at an extra supplement.

Boarding the ferry begins 40 minutes prior to departure and as we’d arrived promptly this allowed us ample time to explore the ship and its many facilities before relaxing and enjoying a meal.

MyStar can carry many passengers but with so much space on board I doubt it ever feels overcrowded as there is plenty of room for everyone.  As we were sailing mid-week the ferry wasn’t quite so busy and as we stepped onto MyStar it felt as though we were on a cruise ship as it was so luxurious and fitted out to a very high standard.

As a special treat we were booked into the Business Lounge which is conveniently located on Deck 8 with a door leading into it from just inside the main foyer.  This premium lounge is positioned at the front of the ferry and boasts panoramic views through its large windows looking out to sea.

There is a €69 supplement for access to the Business Lounge and although not in everyone’s budget range, it definitely transforms the crossing into a memorable occasion.

Facilities include premium super fast Wi-Fi, a full hot and cold buffet and a ‘serve yourself drinks bar’ which includes everything from soft drinks to wine, beer and spirits.  On the outbound sailing we tucked into a delicious brunch buffet with a wide range of dishes including smoked salmon, pâté, fresh fruit, bacon, eggs and pastries.

For business travellers heading to either Tallinn or Helsinki I would recommend taking MyStar as with the short crossing time between the city centres it is actually much quicker than travelling by air.  The Business Lounge is very comfortable and its facilities comparable with any airport business lounges that we have used.  There is ample room to relax and/ or work and as it is just by the entrance/exit customers enjoy priority disembarkation so can swiftly be on their way.  The same applies for business travellers who have taken a car on board.

As we departed, we hardly noticed the ferry had started moving as it is powered on LPG and is silent in operation.  During the two hour crossing we also had time to take a look at the other facilities available on MyStar all of which exceeded our expectations.

The Comfort Lounge is located on the same deck as the Business Lounge and also has cosy seating in a relaxed atmosphere.  A €29 surcharge is payable to access this area with passengers being offered a selection of savoury and sweet snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.

All other areas of the ship are included in the basic ticket price including the Sitting Lounge which is a quiet, separate area with reclining, airline type seats.  Another option if you don’t want to splurge on upgrading to either business or comfort class is to enjoy a meal in the Delight Buffet Restaurant.  

This ‘all you can eat’ restaurant has a changing menu depending on the time of sailing and with the exception of the breakfast sailings also includes wine and beer.  Late breakfast on the 10.30 a.m. sailing is €20 or €18 if booked in advance) and dinner €32 (€29 if pre-booked).  Whilst lunchtime menus in Finnish restaurants are reasonably priced, dining out in the evenings can be expensive especially if you add wine to accompany your meal.  This makes the MyStar buffet restaurant a good alternative and a pleasant way to round off a day trip to either port.

On board, there’s also the Chef’s Kitchen, a stylish restaurant with an open kitchen and a relaxed atmosphere.  The menu is moderately priced and has selections appealing to most tastes.

For light bites there are even more options including the Fast Lane, Coffee & Co., a floating Burger King and two pubs, the Garden and the Sea Pub.

Moving on from dining options, the MyStar shopping experience extends the full length of the ferry and is stocked with international brands including the Finnish designer favourites of Marimekko and Iittala.

On the floor below, passengers can purchase beer, wine and spirits which are all priced considerably cheaper than in Finland so much so that stocking up on the return trip can more than pay for the cost of the ferry with the savings made.  We bought some wine and of course couldn’t resist adding several boxes of the delicious Fazer Finnish chocolate to our shopping basket.

Our ferry docked promptly at 12.30 and as we were in business class we were able to disembark first.  The nicest part was being offered some Fazer chocolates as we left!

Spending the day in Tallinn

The ferry terminal in Tallinn is just a 15-minute walk southwest of the old town.  If you want to save your energy for exploring the city centre then you can take Bus 2 which leaves from Reisisadam in Terminal D.

Explore the medieval old town

The walking route from the ferry leads to the imposing city walls that enclose the old town.  Many sections of the walls and the defensive towers are beautifully preserved as they would have looked hundreds of years ago.  The walls were constructed in 1265 and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enter through Viru Gate which is flanked by two towers and one of the most picturesque sections.  Just inside the gate, a daily flower market takes place which is lovely to see with its large displays of fresh flowers.  Tallinn’s old town is an absolute delight with its exceptionally well preserved maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with cosy cafes, interesting small shops, beer halls and restaurants.

Old Town Square 

At the heart of the Old Town lies the Town Hall Square which was once a market square and the centre of the city’s government.  This cobblestone square is named after the Gothic town hall which stands on one edge of the square and is surrounded by quaint, Hanseatic buildings.  During the summer it’s home to numerous events and it is where a fairy-tale like Christmas market takes place each December.

Toompea Hill

Climb to the top of the old town via Toompea Hill for views of the medieval fortress, Toompea Castle.  The fortress towers above the old town and is the seat of the Estonian Parliament.  The blue, black and white Estonian flag is raised every morning at sunrise to the sounds of the National Anthem.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

This spectacular, onion-domed cathedral perched on top of Toompea Hill is Estonia’s Orthodox cathedral and the grandest, most opulent church in Tallinn.  Entrance is free but photography is not permitted.

City Viewpoints 

Enjoy a walk on part of the walls which span 1.9 km.  Located on the northern side of Toompea Hill is the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform.  From here there are stunning views over the old town across to the port beyond.  The Patkuli Viewing Platform is located slightly further along the city walls and also offers breathtaking views over the city rooftops and of the new town.  From there, descend the 157 steps to the town below.

Balti Jaam Market

It’s always interesting to visit an overseas market and the one at Tallinn is no exception.  Balti Jaan is located next to the railway station and contains around 300 stalls over its three floors.  There are large halls for fresh fish and meat, an entire lane devoted to fruit and vegetables and lots of inviting dining options in the street food zone.  Upstairs visitors can take a look at Estonian design, crafts, clothing and household goods.

Overall

Back at the ferry terminal we were able to access the Tallinn Business Lounge for  a cup of coffee before boarding the 19.30 return crossing to Helsinki.  Back on board and seated by the window we watched the sun set whilst enjoying the delicious dinner buffet accompanied with a glass of wine.

We then relaxed in our comfortable business class armchairs sipping freshly brewed coffee reflecting on what a lovely day we’d just had.  I’d highly recommend taking the Tallink MyStar ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn whether in standard, comfort or business class as the journey definitely adds to the experience.

In addition to Tallink’s two ferries between Helsinki and Tallinn,  Tallink also operates day cruises on their Silja Line ferries between Helsinki and Stockholm which include two nights on board either Silja Symphony or Silja Serenade and a whole day in either capital city.  Further details can be found on Tallink’s website by clicking here.

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During our ferry trip we were guests of Tallink and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.