Viking XPRS Review - a Ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn
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Every year, we sail multiple times from Helsinki to Tallinn. This time, we took M/S Viking XPRS by Viking Line. Although it is not the newest ferry, it is still modern. You can have a drink, eat or enjoy entertainment onboard. There is also a tax-free store where you can shop. Please read our review of Viking XPRS.
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M/S Viking XPRS - a Ferry Built in Finland
Viking XPRS is a fast ferry built in Finland in 2007. It operates between Helsinki, Finland, and Tallinn, Estonia. Unlike traditional ferries, it's designed for quicker crossings, making multiple trips daily. The vessel can carry passengers (up to 2,800), cars, trucks, and cargo, making it a crucial link for transportation and commerce between Finland and Estonia. While other ferries operate on this route, the Viking XPRS offers an efficient travel option.
Our Viking XPRS Experiences
We have boarded Viking XPRS more than ten times. This review is primarily based on an experience from 2024, with some outdated information corrected subsequently.
In April 2024, we booked a one-way ticket because we wanted to sail back on Eckerö Line's M/S Finlandia. We visit Tallinn a few times a year. The reason is natural: Tallinn is near Helsinki, and the sail takes only two and a half hours. In this article, we share details of our experiences onboard Viking XPRS combined with facts.
Viking Cinderella is another ferry of Viking Line sailing between Helsinki and Tallinn.
Modern but a Little Worn Ferry
Viking XPRS offers a roomy but quite small cruise ship interior. It has ten decks in total. The bottom three decks house vehicles, while deck 6 is filled with cabins. Decks 7 to 9 feature passenger areas with commercial services. The top two decks are outer areas.
Passenger count on the route varies a lot. Our Friday morning trip had plenty of free seating, but the ferry can become very crowded at times. Weekdays are generally less busy than weekends, so consider planning accordingly. Weekdays are also cheaper to travel.
During the summer, Viking XPRS allows passengers to relax outside on the decks. Keep in mind it can get windy, with only the sheltered area at the back offering protection. Still, enjoying a drink and the fresh air is a pleasant way to travel.
Fast - Two and a Half Hours to Tallinn
Viking XPRS lives up to its name, completing the journey to Tallinn fast, in two and a half hours. Embarcation and disembarkation are swift, too, usually without immigration checks. Our spring cruise was on schedule, as always.
The high speed comes with a caveat. The fast pace can be less pleasant in rough seas, especially for those prone to seasickness. Fortunately, the trip is short, with the roughest section only about an hour. The winds were only moderate during our spring sail to Tallinn, but the journey was still a little unpleasant. The worst conditions lasted, luckily, only 30 minutes. As a tip, we recommend heading to the rear area on the outer deck to breathe fresh outside air to feel better.
Cabins
For quick Helsinki-Tallinn crossings, cabins on Viking XPRS might not be necessary. For example, we have never booked a cabin on this ferry because the 2-hour journey would offer limited time to utilise the cabin space. If you're catching the last evening ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, cabins are more useful. The ferry docks overnight in Tallinn's port, allowing passengers to stay onboard until morning. A cabin becomes a valuable amenity for this extended stay, providing a comfortable space to rest before continuing the journey in Tallinn.
The compact cabins feature beds, a small table, and a private bathroom. Some cabins even have windows. Opting for a cabin can be a cost-effective alternative to booking a hotel for overnight trips.
Restaurants, Cafes and Entertainment
While the journey is fast, plenty keeps you entertained on Viking XPRS. Here are some ideas on what to do onboard, along with a breakdown of Viking Line's enticing offerings.
The majority of passengers like to eat onboard. Grill & Steak offers a comprehensive buffet featuring salads, hot dishes, desserts, and drinks for a reasonable price (approximately 29 euros on the Helsinki-Tallinn route). À la Carte Restaurant Wine & Dine offers a more refined dining experience, perfect for a special occasion.
Deli Shop is for those looking for a budget-friendly option: You grab a quick bite and pay only for what you take. Deli Shop offers Finnish homestyle food like meatballs and hamburgers.
The panorama-style Red Rose Cafe at the ferry's bow offers a laid-back atmosphere with beverages and alcoholic drinks.
Robert's Coffee is also a well-known brand in Finland.
The ferry has a dance club, Club X. This nightclub transforms into a daytime venue featuring a live band and singer, creating a lively atmosphere. Adjacent to Club X, Viking Inn offers a more intimate setting, sometimes hosting karaokor troubadourur.
Tax-Free Store
Like most ferries departing Finland, the Viking XPRS boasts a tax-free shop. This store offers a variety of items, including sweets, alcoholic beverages, clothing, and souvenirs. While we opted to skip this time, focusing on exploring Tallinn upon arrival, the tax-free shop is a convenient option for last-minute shopping or grabbing souvenirs before disembarking.
The Tax-Free Store was renewed in 2025.
The tax-free stores on the Helsinki-Tallinn route are affordable.
Entertainment
While Viking XPRS is known for its quick sailing between Helsinki and Tallinn, it also features some live entertainment for its passengers, like the bigger cruise ships. Some passengers do not intend to leave Tallinn but return immediately. This gives them plenty of time to enjoy the ferry's services.
On our trip, we were pleasantly surprised by a talented Finnish band with a great singer performing in Club X. Although the band was new to us, their vocals were exceptional. Despite the ferry's primary function as a fast ferry link, Viking XPRS offers a surprisingly fun atmosphere. We also enjoyed karaoke and live music (troubadour) on our earlier trips, making it a great way to spend your time onboard.
Coffee & Seat Lounge
In 2025, this lounge does not exist anymore.
Although we are fans of airport lounges, we have not tried Coffee & Seat Lounge on Viking XPRS. It is a concept similar to that of airports. You pay a small fee and get complimentary services in a closed area.
The lounge costs only 12 euros each way. It features a peaceful sitting area with coffee, tea, cookies, and fresh fruits. It is also possible to purchase more snacks. There is Wi-Fi, so Coffee & Seat lounge is especially suitable for people who need a peaceful area for working together with simple complimentary snacks.
Rating
Viking XPRS offers an enjoyable ferry experience between Helsinki and Tallinn. It's a modern vessel, but its frequent use already shows signs of wear and tear. Although it may not be the newest ferry on the route, it makes up for it in other ways. In our opinion, Viking XPRS is a solid 3.5-star option for travellers looking for a fast, affordable, and comfortable ferry experience.
We list four reasons why boarding Viking XPRS is a good choice:
- Fast and affordable: Viking XPRS boasts quick crossing times and competitive ticket prices compared to other ferries.
- Amenities: Passengers have access to a variety of dining options, cafes, entertainment venues, and a tax-free shop.
- Convenient schedule: The ferry's schedule allows for flexibility in planning your trip.
- Friendly crew: The service onboard is friendly and helpful. We think Viking Line has a friendlier crew compared to its competitors.
Where to Buy Tickets
There are two equally good options to buy tickets for Viking XPRS:
You can visit the Viking Line website and buy tickets there. By joining Club Viking, you can get a few euros discount.
Another option is to compare ferry prices on Ferryscanner. You can view the prices of many ferry companies with a single search and book a ticket directly. This is perhaps the fastest way to get a good overview of the prices.
Prices
Setting sail between Helsinki and Tallinn is easy on your wallet. One-way tickets and day cruises start at a budget-friendly €15 and go up to €40.Please note that day cruises require a return on the same day. If you want more flexibility and plan to return on a different day, expect to pay roughly double the price. Like flights, prices are higher on weekends, holidays, and peak season.
Consider staying overnight on the ferry and booking a cabin. While it adds a bit to the cost of your trip, it's often still cheaper than staying in a hotel in Tallinn. This will also turn your journey into a mini-cruise.
Booking Ferry and Cruise Tickets
Navigating options from multiple ferry operators on the same route can feel overwhelming. We recommend using Ferryscanner to quickly view a range of fares in one search. To book, just follow these steps:
- Search ferries for your intended route.
- Select the desired ferry service. Fill and double-check all booking information.
- Understand the terms for cancellation.
- Add any additional services you may require. The same service may cost more later.
- Finalise your booking using a payment card.
Head to Ferryscanner and book your sail.
Bottom Line
Our Viking XPRS journeys from Helsinki to Tallinn have been pleasant, even though the sea can sometimes become rough. Our experiences show Viking XPRS is always a good choice and affordable. It is operated by the Finnish company Viking Line.
Viking XPRS provides a budget-friendly option with its day cruise tickets, which include same-day outbound and return journeys with Viking Line. However, we sometimes choose to skip this option to have a different ferry on return, for example, Eckerö Line’s M/S Finlandia. Also, Viking Line operates two other ferries to Tallinn in the summer.
Have you sailed onboard Viking XPRS? Did you like it? Comment below.
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