Group trips to Estonia

Estonia is in the Eastern European Time Zone (EET), which is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2). During daylight saving time, which typically runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, it switches to Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), UTC+3.

If it's 12pm in the UK, it will be 2pm in Estonia during standard time and 3pm during daylight saving time. If it's 12pm on the east coast of the USA, it will be 7pm in Estonia during standard time and 8pm during daylight saving time.

Estonia uses the Euro (EUR) as its currency. If you're exchanging money, you can do so at banks, currency exchange offices, or ATMs, which are widely available. Keep in mind the daily exchange rates:

• 1 GBP is approximately 1.16 EUR
• 1 USD is about 0.93 EUR
• 1 EUR is 1 EUR

Always check the latest rates before exchanging your money.

In Estonia, you can use cash, credit cards, and mobile payments for transactions. Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels. Mobile payment options, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, are also popular and convenient. Keep in mind that while cash is accepted, Estonia is known for being a digital-friendly country, so you will find that card payments are often preferred.

Tipping in Estonia isn't obligatory, but it's appreciated for good service. In restaurants, leaving a tip of about 5-10% of the bill is common if you're happy with the service. For taxis, rounding up the fare is a nice gesture. In hotels, you might tip porters a small amount for helping with your backpack. Remember, tipping is always at your discretion based on the service you receive.

Estonia is known for its excellent internet connectivity. Wi-Fi is widely available and free in most public places like cafes, restaurants, and even parks. If you're from Europe or the Schengen area, you can use your mobile data plan with roaming at no extra cost. If you're not from the Schengen area, consider buying a local SIM card or an e-SIM data plan for convenience. Popular providers include:

• Telia
• Elisa
• Tele2

They offer good coverage and affordable data packages to keep you connected.

In Estonia, the official language is Estonian. It's a Uralic language, closely related to Finnish. Here are some useful expressions you might hear or use:

• Hello: Tere
• Thank you: Aitäh
• Yes: Jah
• No: Ei
• Please: Palun

Most Estonians also speak English, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, making it easier for travelers to communicate.

In Estonia, the standard electricity plug is the Type C or Type F plug, which are the European standard. They operate on a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. If your plugs aren't the same, it's a good idea to bring a universal adapter to charge your devices. Make sure your gadgets support 230V to avoid any issues while using them.

In Estonia, there isn't a single dominant religion. The country is known for its secularism, with a significant portion of the population identifying as non-religious. Among those who do practice a religion, the most common is Christianity, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church having the largest followings. Religious holidays in Estonia include Christmas and Easter, which are celebrated by many regardless of religious affiliation.

For Estonia, you'll want to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Here's a handy packing list for your backpack:

• Clothing:
  • Warm layers like sweaters or fleeces
  • A waterproof jacket
  • Comfortable t-shirts
  • A pair of jeans or long pants
  • Thermal undergarments for colder months
• Shoes:
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Waterproof boots for rain or snow
  • Casual shoes for evenings out
• Accessories and Technology:
  • A universal adapter for outlets
  • A power bank
  • A camera or smartphone for photos
  • Travel guide or app
• Toiletries and Medication:
  • Basic toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Personal medications
  • Basic first-aid kit with band-aids, pain relievers like ibuprofen, and antihistamines

Make sure to check the weather forecast before you go, as Estonia can be quite chilly, especially in the fall and winter months.

Estonia experiences a variety of weather conditions depending on the season and region.

• Coastal areas: Milder winters and cooler summers due to the Baltic Sea.
• Inland regions: Colder winters and warmer summers.

Winter can be quite cold with temperatures often dropping below freezing, while summer is mild and pleasant. The best time to visit Estonia for favorable weather is from late spring to early autumn, usually May to September.