Difference between revisions of "Estonia"

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{{infobox Country
 
{{infobox Country
 
|country = of Estonia
 
|country = of Estonia
 +
|map = <map lat='58.75680543225761' lng='25.740966796875' zoom='6' view='0' country='Estonia'/>
 
|language = Estonian
 
|language = Estonian
 
|capital = [[Tallinn]]
 
|capital = [[Tallinn]]
 
|pop = 1,340,602
 
|pop = 1,340,602
|currency = Estonian kroon (EKK)
+
|BW = FI
|hitch = {{good}}
+
|currency = Euro (EUR)
 +
|hitch = <rating country='ee' />
 
}}
 
}}
'''Estonia''' is a small country that belongs to [[European Union]] and is a [[Schengen Agreement]] country. Thumbing and waving carton with town name are both understandable ways for drivers. In case of bad weather poster is better seen from car.
+
'''Estonia''' is a small country that is a member of the [[European Union]] and is a [[Schengen Agreement]] country. Thumbing and waving a sign with your destination town are both understandable to the drivers ways of [[hitchhiking]] in this country. In case of a bad weather it is recommended to use a sign since it is better seen from a car.
  
Estonia is relatively a good country for hitch-hiking. The cars stop easily next to highways and small roads. Cars of the drivers that pick you up are various – trucks, old soviet cars, nice new cars and even tractors. Officially there is no difference if a truck driver or a car driver offers you a ride – everyone (except tractors) is allowed to go 90km/h. Except – in the summer on some roads it is allowed to go up to 110 km/h. But unofficially – even truck drivers like speeding.
+
Estonia is relatively a good country for hitch-hiking. The cars (can) stop easily both on the highways and small roads. You can hitch trucks, old Soviet cars, new neat personal cars - and even tractors! Officially there is no difference if a truck driver or a car driver offers you a ride – everyone (except tractors) is allowed to go up to 90km/h, although during the summer period the speed limit on some main roads is lifted up to 110 km/h. However, over-speeding is usual in this country, and so getting a personal car usually is a better choice than traveling with a truck in case you value your time a lot.
Hitch-hiking during night is quite impossible because there aren't many roads for traveling through country neither people enough long ways they have to drive during night. As it is not big transit country you shouldn't hope on truck drivers neither.
+
 
 +
[[Hitchhiking at night]] can be much less successful due to the usually low night traffic on the roads in Estonia. Since Estonia is not a very good transit country one shouldn't hope for a truck either. '''''Be aware that if you happen to stand on a dark road at night you must (by law) wear a light reflector so that the drivers can see you'''''. Or better yet - reflector vest - too many people have left their lives on the roads during dark autumn evenings! (Be careful with wearing a vest though as many drivers might think that you are a police officer measuring the speed of cars and will not stop.)
  
 
== Weather ==
 
== Weather ==
Weather is a lot worse problem than small roads or lack of cars. Winters are cold, snow in midland (harder to walk to good spot), early darkening most time of year, rainy weather sometimes for long periods.
+
Weather is not the biggest deal in comparison with low car traffic on more local roads (which are very bumpy, too!). Winters, however, are cold, with usually a lot of snow that makes you harder to walk to a good hitchhiking spot. It darkens early during the cold season, and there are rainy weather conditions for long periods once in a while otherwise.
"Thanks to" climate warming it is a lot easier to hitch-hike in winter nowadays. But i wouldn't advise trying it on smaller roads.
 
<map lat='58.75680543225761' lng='25.740966796875' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' height='320' width='450'/>
 
  
== Food ==
+
== Eating on the road ==
Many people from rural places goes to work in bigger towns. That means you can get stuck easily because of night on highway next to turnaway from main road. And no gas station near. It is smart to keep some bread, water and chocolate in your bag. Water is almost everywhere drinkable from tap and wells. Even from lakes. The color of lake water might be brown but that is pure turf water.
+
Although Estonia is quite a small country, you might get stuck on its roads for the night since the traffic is usually low on smaller roads, and for that reason it would be smart to have some food with you - there is hardly any [[rest area|service area]] on the roads and you won't be able to buy food unless you are in some town.
 +
 
 +
You can drink water from the tap and wells almost anywhere in Estonia. Some say that even lakes contain pure enough water to drink.
  
 
== People ==
 
== People ==
In Estonia share their rides younger and older, Estonian and Russian origin people, men and women. Even taxi drivers on their way home (for free). You can expect driver to start conversation in Estonian or Russian. English is widely spoken amongst young and middle aged people. Experiences show that Russian-speaking drivers understand well Estonian even if they don't speak it. And Estonian drivers understand Russian same way.
+
You can get a ride from almost anyone in Estonia - from any 18+ person of any social group, age, nationality (both Estonian and Russian), or sex. [[Taxi]] drivers might drive you for free on their way home. You can expect a driver to start a conversation in either Estonian or Russian. English is widely spoken amongst young and middle aged people, although some might have a better knowledge of German and/or other Western languages. Experiences show that Russian-speaking drivers understand well Estonian even if they don't speak it. Estonian drivers understand Russian pretty much in the same way, too.
Estonians love foreign visitors and are very helpful showing the right direction and giving instructions.
+
 
 +
Generally, Estonians love foreign visitors and are very helpful with providing the right directions or any other instructions. Don't forget to thank them for that and/or show your gratitude!
  
 
== Public transport ==
 
== Public transport ==
Not much money can be saved trying to hitch-hike instead of using public transport. But there are places that have lousy bus connection so hitch-hiking is great help then.
+
Not much money can be saved trying to hitch-hike instead of using public transport although prices for the latter one lately go up (as prices for the petrol get higher). There are places that have lousy bus connections, though, so hitch-hiking comes in handy then.
Buses that depart from smaller and bigger towns can be found on [http://bussireisid.ee/index.html?MENU=&KEEL=en].
 
Trains to towns: [http://www.edel.ee/]
 
Air planes: [http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/index.php?page=162]
 
  
Only Tallinn is big enough you need public transport to get out of the city: [http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/?a=p.routes&transport_id=bus&t=xhtml&l=en].
+
Some useful links are:
 +
* [http://bussireisid.ee/index.html?MENU=&KEEL=en Intercity buses]
 +
* [http://www.edel.ee/ Trains] [http://www.elektriraudtee.ee/ Trains]
 +
* [http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/index.php?page=162 Air travel]
 +
 
 +
In Tallinn you will most likely need to take a public transport to get out of the city, see info [http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/?a=p.routes&transport_id=bus&t=xhtml&l=en here].
  
 
== Carpooling ==
 
== Carpooling ==
[[Image:Paldiski liftausta 2007-06-03.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
+
[[File:Paldiski liftausta 2007-06-03.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
In Estonia there is national carpooling website that gives the opportunity to the driver to post their journey in search of passenger to share the cost of the ride. And vice versa. The website http://www.kyyt.eu/ which is unfortunately in Estonian language only. Although, it's system is pretty basic as you can scroll search from your departure point (kust) to a destination (kuhu) with a date and # of passengers. On main page there are most recent offers. The page isn't very popular though. Similar system also exists in [[Germany]], [[Belgium]], etc.
+
There is a national carpooling website in Estonia that gives a driver the opportunity to search for passengers who would be able to share the cost of a planned ride; and vice versus. See the website http://www.kyydiga.ee/ (in Estonian only). Using it is quite possible for foreign travelers, too: you can scroll-search from your departure point (''kust'') to a destination (''kuhu'') with a date and # of passengers. On a main page you can see most recent offers. The page isn't very popular, though, since many practice hitchhiking in Estonia anyway.  
I would certainly recommend rather hitch-hiking.
+
 
 +
Similar systems exists also in [[Germany]], [[Belgium]] and some other countries.
 +
 
 +
== Cities and towns ==
 +
* Over 100.000 inhabitants:
 +
** [[Tallinn]]
 +
** [[Tartu]]
 +
* 30.000-100.000 inhabitants:
 +
** [[Narva]]
 +
** [[Pärnu]]
 +
** [[Kohtla-Järve]]
 +
* 10.000-30.000 inhabitants:
 +
** [[Viljandi]]
 +
** [[Sillamäe]]
 +
** [[Rakvere]]
 +
** [[Maardu]]
 +
** [[Valga]]
 +
** [[Kuressaare]]
 +
** [[Võru]]
 +
** [[Jõhvi]]
 +
** [[Haapsalu]]
  
== Cities ==
+
== Border crossings ==
* [[Tallinn]], * [[Tartu]] – inhabitants over 100.000
+
* towards [[Latvia]]
* [[Narva]], * [[Kohtla-Järve]], * [[Pärnu]] – inhabitants over 30.000
+
** [[Ainaži-Ikla border crossing|Ainaži-Ikla]] on [[Tallinn]]-[[Pärnu]]-[[Riga]] road
* [[Viljandi]], * [[Sillamäe]], * [[Rakvere]], * [[Maardu]], * [[Valga]], * [[Kuressaare]], * [[Võru]], * [[Jõhvi]], * [[Haapsalu]] – inhabitants over 10.000
+
** [[Valka-Valga border crossing|Valka-Valga]] on [[Tartu]]-[[Valga]]-[[Valka]]-[[Riga]] road
 +
** and several smaller ones
 +
* towards [[Russia]]
 +
** [[Narva-Ivangorod border crossing|Narva-Ivangorod]] on [[Tallinn]]-[[Narva]]-[[Ivangorod]]-[[St. Petersburg]] road.
 +
** [[Koidula-Pechory border crossing|Koidula-Pechory]] on a smaller road between Värska and Pechory (Печоры, Petseri).
 +
** [[Luhamaa-Kashino border crossing|Luhamaa-Kashino]] on the [[Riga]]-[[Pskov]]-[[St. Petersburg]] road which passes through a small corner of South-East Estonia.
 +
 
 +
For crossing the border to Russia from Estonia (not the other way around), drivers can register on [http://www.estonianborder.eu estonianborder.eu] and pay a small fee to reserve a time at any border crossing. The system significantly decreases queues and waiting times.  
  
 
== Crimes ==
 
== Crimes ==
Crimes related to hitch-hiking '''are not''' common in Estonia. But a hitch-hiker should be totally sober and avoid cars where is even drunken co-passenger.
+
Crimes related to hitch-hiking '''are not''' common in Estonia. However, it is recommended to be completely sober and careful when hitchhiking, and avoid cars with (slightly) drunk driver and/or passenger(s) which might, unfortunately, occur in this country.
In 2005 a (drunken) guy who asked for a ride got beaten and robbed. In 2001 happened same thing, but the hitch-hiker was sober.
+
 
In the end of November 2007 an hitch-hiker demanded driver to make stop for smoking, waving self-made pistol. Luckily everything went well.
+
There are some known stories regarding crime and hitchhiking in Estonia:
Also there have been situations where hitch-hiker stole valuables from back seat.
+
* In 2005, a drunk guy who asked for a ride got beaten, and then robbed. Before that, in 2001, same thing happened to a sober hitch-hiker.
In 2002 convicted two men who grabbed two girls (not hitch-hikers), put them in their car, took to their house and raped. The girls were lucky to escape later.
+
* In November 2007, a hitch-hiker with a gun demanded that the driver would make a stop for smoking. Luckily, everything went well eventually.
The conclusion is – no matter is you're as driver or traveler – safety first. Better be late or sleep on mother Earth than get in untrustworthy vehicle.
+
* There are known several stories when hitch-hikers stole valuables from a back seat.
And be aware there you are all times. No “shorter cuts” are necessary.
+
 
 +
Basically, be careful and avoid situations when you feel that it can bring you troubles. No matter if you're a driver or a traveler – [[hitchhiker's safety|safety]] first. Better sleep on a mother Earth than get into untrustworthy vehicle.
 +
 
 +
Please also be (more or less) aware of where are you going and where you are, especially if you are a [[women hitchhiking|female hitchhiker]]. Trust your intuition when it comes to "shortcuts".
  
 
== Useful phrases ==
 
== Useful phrases ==
* Tere – Hello!
+
* '''Tere''' – Hello!
* Kas ma saaksin... [town name]? – Could I get to...[town name]?
+
* '''Palun''' – Please
* Kui kaugele te lähete? – How far are you going?
+
* '''Tänan!''' – Thank you!
* Palun näidake kaartil – Please show on map
+
* '''Kas ma saaksin... [town name]?''' – Could I get a ride to...[town name]?
* Palun peatuge siin – Please stop here
+
* '''Kui kaugele te lähete?''' – How far are you going?
* Aitäh sõidu eest – Thanks for the ride
+
* '''Kui kaugel see on (jala)?''' - How far is it (on foot)?
* Vabandust – Excuse me
+
* '''Palun näidake kaardil''' – Please show on a map
 +
* '''Palun peatuge siin''' – Please, stop here
 +
* '''Aitäh sõidu eest''' – Thanks for the ride
 +
* '''Vabandust''' – Excuse me
 +
* '''Kas sõit on tasuta? Ma ei saa maksta.''' - Is the lift free? I can't pay.
 +
* '''Jah\Ei\Võib-olla\Ei tänan''' - Yes\No\Maybe\No thanks
 +
* '''Kas te räägite... \teisi keeli? (inglise keelt, vene keelt, saksa keelt)''' - Do you speak... \other languages? (english, russian, german)
 +
* '''Kas te võiksite palun aeglasemalt rääkida?''' - Could you speak slower please?
 +
* '''Ma ei tea\ Ma ei saa aru''' - I don't know\ I don't understand
 +
* '''Ära puuduta mind! Lase mind välja! Stop! Appi!''' - Don't touch me! Let me out! Stop! Help!
 +
* '''null\üks\kaks\kolm\neli\viis\kuus\seitse\kaheksa\üheksa\kümme\üksteist\kaksteist''' - zero\one\two... so on until twelwe
 +
* '''parem\vasak\paremale\vasakule\otse edasi''' - right\left\to right\to left\straight on
  
----
+
== Links ==
'''Find hitch-hiking spots on Hitchbase.org [http://www.hitchbase.com/orte.php?LANG=eng&l_id=62]'''
+
* [http://www.hitchbase.com/orte.php?LANG=eng&l_id=62 Estonia on Hitchbase]
 +
* [http://www.ikaart.net Map of Estonia]
  
 +
== Personal Experiences ==
 +
 +
Pls add info
 +
 +
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
 +
 +
{{nomadwiki}}
 +
 +
 +
{{IsIn|Northern Europe}}
 +
__NOTOC__
  
 
[[Category:Estonia| ]]
 
[[Category:Estonia| ]]
{{IsIn|Europe}}
+
[[Category:Northern Europe]]
 +
 
 
[[de:Estland]]
 
[[de:Estland]]
 
[[fi:Viro]]
 
[[fi:Viro]]
 
__NOTOC__
 

Revision as of 15:47, 5 February 2021

Flag of Estonia Estonia
Information
Language: Estonian
Capital: Tallinn
Population: 1,340,602
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Hitchability: <rating country='ee' />
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots or BeWelcome
<map lat='58.75680543225761' lng='25.740966796875' zoom='6' view='0' country='Estonia'/>

Estonia is a small country that is a member of the European Union and is a Schengen Agreement country. Thumbing and waving a sign with your destination town are both understandable to the drivers ways of hitchhiking in this country. In case of a bad weather it is recommended to use a sign since it is better seen from a car.

Estonia is relatively a good country for hitch-hiking. The cars (can) stop easily both on the highways and small roads. You can hitch trucks, old Soviet cars, new neat personal cars - and even tractors! Officially there is no difference if a truck driver or a car driver offers you a ride – everyone (except tractors) is allowed to go up to 90km/h, although during the summer period the speed limit on some main roads is lifted up to 110 km/h. However, over-speeding is usual in this country, and so getting a personal car usually is a better choice than traveling with a truck in case you value your time a lot.

Hitchhiking at night can be much less successful due to the usually low night traffic on the roads in Estonia. Since Estonia is not a very good transit country one shouldn't hope for a truck either. Be aware that if you happen to stand on a dark road at night you must (by law) wear a light reflector so that the drivers can see you. Or better yet - reflector vest - too many people have left their lives on the roads during dark autumn evenings! (Be careful with wearing a vest though as many drivers might think that you are a police officer measuring the speed of cars and will not stop.)

Weather

Weather is not the biggest deal in comparison with low car traffic on more local roads (which are very bumpy, too!). Winters, however, are cold, with usually a lot of snow that makes you harder to walk to a good hitchhiking spot. It darkens early during the cold season, and there are rainy weather conditions for long periods once in a while otherwise.

Eating on the road

Although Estonia is quite a small country, you might get stuck on its roads for the night since the traffic is usually low on smaller roads, and for that reason it would be smart to have some food with you - there is hardly any service area on the roads and you won't be able to buy food unless you are in some town.

You can drink water from the tap and wells almost anywhere in Estonia. Some say that even lakes contain pure enough water to drink.

People

You can get a ride from almost anyone in Estonia - from any 18+ person of any social group, age, nationality (both Estonian and Russian), or sex. Taxi drivers might drive you for free on their way home. You can expect a driver to start a conversation in either Estonian or Russian. English is widely spoken amongst young and middle aged people, although some might have a better knowledge of German and/or other Western languages. Experiences show that Russian-speaking drivers understand well Estonian even if they don't speak it. Estonian drivers understand Russian pretty much in the same way, too.

Generally, Estonians love foreign visitors and are very helpful with providing the right directions or any other instructions. Don't forget to thank them for that and/or show your gratitude!

Public transport

Not much money can be saved trying to hitch-hike instead of using public transport although prices for the latter one lately go up (as prices for the petrol get higher). There are places that have lousy bus connections, though, so hitch-hiking comes in handy then.

Some useful links are:

In Tallinn you will most likely need to take a public transport to get out of the city, see info here.

Carpooling

Paldiski liftausta 2007-06-03.jpg

There is a national carpooling website in Estonia that gives a driver the opportunity to search for passengers who would be able to share the cost of a planned ride; and vice versus. See the website http://www.kyydiga.ee/ (in Estonian only). Using it is quite possible for foreign travelers, too: you can scroll-search from your departure point (kust) to a destination (kuhu) with a date and # of passengers. On a main page you can see most recent offers. The page isn't very popular, though, since many practice hitchhiking in Estonia anyway.

Similar systems exists also in Germany, Belgium and some other countries.

Cities and towns

Border crossings

For crossing the border to Russia from Estonia (not the other way around), drivers can register on estonianborder.eu and pay a small fee to reserve a time at any border crossing. The system significantly decreases queues and waiting times.

Crimes

Crimes related to hitch-hiking are not common in Estonia. However, it is recommended to be completely sober and careful when hitchhiking, and avoid cars with (slightly) drunk driver and/or passenger(s) which might, unfortunately, occur in this country.

There are some known stories regarding crime and hitchhiking in Estonia:

  • In 2005, a drunk guy who asked for a ride got beaten, and then robbed. Before that, in 2001, same thing happened to a sober hitch-hiker.
  • In November 2007, a hitch-hiker with a gun demanded that the driver would make a stop for smoking. Luckily, everything went well eventually.
  • There are known several stories when hitch-hikers stole valuables from a back seat.

Basically, be careful and avoid situations when you feel that it can bring you troubles. No matter if you're a driver or a traveler – safety first. Better sleep on a mother Earth than get into untrustworthy vehicle.

Please also be (more or less) aware of where are you going and where you are, especially if you are a female hitchhiker. Trust your intuition when it comes to "shortcuts".

Useful phrases

  • Tere – Hello!
  • Palun – Please
  • Tänan! – Thank you!
  • Kas ma saaksin... [town name]? – Could I get a ride to...[town name]?
  • Kui kaugele te lähete? – How far are you going?
  • Kui kaugel see on (jala)? - How far is it (on foot)?
  • Palun näidake kaardil – Please show on a map
  • Palun peatuge siin – Please, stop here
  • Aitäh sõidu eest – Thanks for the ride
  • Vabandust – Excuse me
  • Kas sõit on tasuta? Ma ei saa maksta. - Is the lift free? I can't pay.
  • Jah\Ei\Võib-olla\Ei tänan - Yes\No\Maybe\No thanks
  • Kas te räägite... \teisi keeli? (inglise keelt, vene keelt, saksa keelt) - Do you speak... \other languages? (english, russian, german)
  • Kas te võiksite palun aeglasemalt rääkida? - Could you speak slower please?
  • Ma ei tea\ Ma ei saa aru - I don't know\ I don't understand
  • Ära puuduta mind! Lase mind välja! Stop! Appi! - Don't touch me! Let me out! Stop! Help!
  • null\üks\kaks\kolm\neli\viis\kuus\seitse\kaheksa\üheksa\kümme\üksteist\kaksteist - zero\one\two... so on until twelwe
  • parem\vasak\paremale\vasakule\otse edasi - right\left\to right\to left\straight on

Links

Personal Experiences

Pls add info

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Check Nomadwiki for info on accommodation, showers etc. or Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :)