Viking Line to invest in its Helsinki–Tallinn route, tripling departuresin July
The Helsinki–Tallinn route is increasingly popular. Estonia, a favourite destination of Finns, attracts leisure and business travellers as well as foreign tourists. Viking Line is responding to this strong demand by adding a new vessel, the Viking Faster, or FSTR, which will serve the route during the period April 10–October 22. The new vessel is a catamaran that will cross the sea between Helsinki and Tallinn in less than two hours.
The catamaran will offer a number of departures, and during the summer Viking Line will make up to 12 daily sailings between Helsinki and Tallinn. This timetable and the short travel time will provide greater flexibility to everyone sailing across the Gulf of Finland.
The Helsinki–Tallinn route is by far one of the most popular with cruise passengers on the Baltic Sea. Many travel to Tallinn on business trips or to shop. In past years, aside from the usual service on the Viking XPRS, additional sailings were provided by the M/S Mariella and M/S Gabriella. This year, Viking Line also wanted to offer customers the chance to get to Tallinn even faster than before. The large amount of departures means it is possible to visit Tallinn easier than before.
“Some people like to spend time on the vessel, while others want to get where they are going as fast as possible. So we decided to rent a vessel to make express sailings. This year we also want to start up the additional sailings beginning in the spring and continue them well into the autumn. There is such a great demand, and we do not want to leave anyone on shore”, says Kaj Takolander,Vice President Marketing and Sales at Viking Line.
To Tallinn in less than two hours
Travel time on the Viking FSTR from Helsinki to Tallinn is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Passengers can conveniently work on board since window seats on the upper deck are equipped with outlets for charging computers. Although the vessel travels the distance quickly, people have an opportunity to shop on board or relax in the restaurant and pub.
The vessel has capacity for about 850 passengers and 120 cars. It also features an additional class, Club Lounge, where food and beverages are included in the ticket price. People can continue their journey by car from Tallinn to attractive Estonian destinations such as Vihula Manor, where they can enjoy a spa weekend, or the remote sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea. Naturally, Tallinn also offers city holidays with relaxation, shopping, culture and food experiences all day long. The last departures to Helsinki are in the evening.
During the spring and autumn, the Viking FSTR will make four to six daily sailings in addition to the Viking XPRS’ usual four departures. In July, there will be a full 12 daily departures on the Helsinki–Tallinn route since the vessels that serve the Helsinki–Stockholm route will also make one return sailing to Tallinn during the day.
The new departures will be bookable from March 15, 2017. The preliminary timetable, Viking Line reserves the right to changes:
Kaj Takolander
Vice President Marketing & Sales
358 400 507908 kaj.takolander@vikingline.com
Jan Hanses
President and CEO
358 18 270 00
Christa Grönlund
Communication Manager, Marketing Communications
358 9 123 5242 christa.gronlund@vikingline.com
Viking Line is a public limited company and a market-leading brand in passenger traffic on the northern Baltic Sea. It offers passenger services, recreation and cargo carrier services on the vessels Gabriella, Mariella, Amorella, Rosella, Viking Cinderella, Viking XPRS and on the flagship Viking Grace.
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