EstoniaHarju CountyChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Tallinn Christmas Market

Tallinn's Christmas market fills the medieval Town Hall Square in the Old Town, often under snow. This guide covers the direct flights from London this winter, how to get from the airport to the Old Town in about 20 minutes, and a backup route via Helsinki.

20 Nov – 6 JanChristmas market 2026/27
Tallinn (TLL)Direct from Stansted and Gatwick
~2h 45mFlight time from London

The short answer

Fly direct from London Stansted to Tallinn with Ryanair (about 2h 45m), or from Gatwick with Jet2 on Thursdays and Sundays between 19 November and 13 December. From Tallinn Airport, take a tram or bus 2 into the centre (about 20 minutes, €2), then walk a few minutes into the Old Town.

Market essentials

Tallinn has one main market, on the cobbled square below the Gothic Town Hall.

Dates

Visit Tallinn says the Christmas market runs from 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. It stays open over Christmas and New Year.

Opening hours

The stalls usually open daily from about 10:00 to 20:00, with drinks stalls open later. Check visittallinn.ee closer to the time.

Where

Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats), in the heart of the Old Town. Everything in the lower Old Town is within a 10-minute walk, and the viewpoints on Toompea hill are a short climb away.

Good to know

Entry is free. Estonia uses the euro and cards are taken almost everywhere. December days are very short, with sunset around 15:20, and temperatures are often below freezing, so pack warm boots for the icy cobbles.

Every way to get there

From London to Tallinn, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly Stansted to Tallinn, then tram or bus

Best for most
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost£
Best forMost trips, any time in the season
  1. London Stansted (STN) to Tallinn (TLL)About 2h 45m. Ryanair flies most days of the week, usually once a day. Ryanair has cut some winter flying in Estonia, so check current schedules before you plan.
  2. Tallinn Airport to the Old TownTrams 2 and 4 leave from the stop next to the terminal, and bus 2 stops nearby. All take about 20 minutes into the centre. Get off at Hobujaama or Viru for the Old Town. A single ticket costs €2: buy a QR ticket at the machine in the terminal or online, or tap a contactless bank card on board. A taxi or Bolt takes 10–15 minutes and usually costs about €10–€15.
Find STN–TLL flightsExpediaSkyscannerBook a private transferWelcome PickupsBus and train: Tallinn Airport → Tallinn Old Town

Typical return fares are about £50–£180. Add a cabin bag if you plan to bring gifts home.

2

Jet2 Christmas market flights from Gatwick

Door to door5–6h
£ Cost££
Best forShort breaks, or a flight-and-hotel package
  1. London Gatwick (LGW) to Tallinn (TLL)About 2h 50m. Jet2 is adding seasonal flights on Thursdays and Sundays from 19 November to 13 December 2026, sold as flights only or as Jet2CityBreaks packages.
  2. Tallinn Airport to the Old TownThe same as above: tram, bus 2 or a short taxi ride, about 20 minutes.
Find LGW–TLL flightsExpediaSkyscanner

airBaltic's Gatwick–Tallinn flights have been cancelled for this winter, so Jet2 is the only Gatwick option.

3

Fly to Helsinki, then the ferry across

Door to door8–9h
£ Cost££
Best forMore flight choice, or adding Helsinki to the trip
  1. London (LHR or LGW) to Helsinki (HEL)About 2h 50m. Finnair flies from Heathrow several times a day, and Norwegian flies from Gatwick a few times a week. Check current schedules.
  2. Helsinki Airport to the ferry terminalTake the train to Helsinki Central (about 30 minutes), then a tram to the West Harbour (for Tallink and Eckerö) or Katajanokka (for Viking Line).
  3. Ferry: Helsinki to TallinnAbout 2h with Tallink, or up to 2h 45m with Viking Line or Eckerö Line, with several sailings a day. Foot-passenger fares are often €20–€40 one way. Both Tallinn terminals are a short walk or taxi ride from the Old Town.
Find LHR–HEL flightsExpediaSkyscannerFerries Helsinki–Tallinn

Helsinki has its own Christmas market on Senate Square, so you can see two capitals in one trip.

Where to stay in Tallinn

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Tallinn Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 🚕 Airport transfer 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly Stansted to Tallinn, then tram or bus5–6h£Most trips, any time in the season
Jet2 Christmas market flights from Gatwick5–6h££Short breaks, or a flight-and-hotel package
Fly to Helsinki, then the ferry across8–9h££More flight choice, or adding Helsinki to the trip

Where to stay and day trips

Tallinn is compact, so a central base means you can walk almost everywhere.

Your base

Tallinn Old Town

Stay inside or just outside the Old Town walls to walk to Town Hall Square. Hotels near Viru Gate and the Rotermann Quarter are handy for the airport tram and bus.

Hotels in Tallinn Expedia
15–20 min walk

Telliskivi and Kalamaja

The old factory buildings of Telliskivi Creative City are full of cafes, shops and street art, and the wooden houses of Kalamaja are next door.

Hotels in Tallinn Expedia
About 2h by ferry

Helsinki, Finland

Ferries cross the Gulf of Finland several times a day, so Helsinki works as a long day trip or a second stop.

Hotels in Helsinki Expedia

Local tip: Pay for trams and buses by tapping a contactless bank card on the validator. It's simpler than buying a travel card for a short stay.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When is the Tallinn Christmas market in 2026?

From 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, on Town Hall Square in the Old Town, according to Visit Tallinn.

Which airlines fly direct from London to Tallinn?

This winter, Ryanair flies from Stansted, and Jet2 has seasonal flights from Gatwick on Thursdays and Sundays between 19 November and 13 December 2026. airBaltic's Gatwick flights are cancelled for the winter. Wizz Air has flown from Luton, but it looks like that route stops in autumn 2026, so check before you plan around it.

How long is the flight from London to Tallinn?

About 2h 45m to 2h 55m direct.

How do I get from Tallinn Airport to the Old Town?

Take tram 2 or 4, or bus 2, into the centre in about 20 minutes. A ticket costs €2, or tap a contactless card on board. A taxi or Bolt takes 10–15 minutes and usually costs €10–€15.

How cold is Tallinn in December?

Usually around or below freezing, and it can be much colder. Snow is common but not guaranteed. Bring a warm coat, hat, gloves and boots with good grip.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.