Tallinn to St Petersburg
border transfer from €170
There is no longer a direct road route through Narva. We drive you to whichever border crossing actually fits your trip — fixed price per car, pickup at the airport, the cruise port or your hotel.
Lexus ES
Toyota Camry
Why you cannot simply drive to St Petersburg
The short, obvious route — Tallinn, Narva, Ivangorod, St Petersburg — no longer works for cars. The Narva — Ivangorod crossing has been open to pedestrians only since 1 February 2024: vehicles are not let through, and travellers cross the bridge over the Narva river on foot, carrying their own bags. That is roughly a kilometre between the Estonian and Russian checkpoints.
Two southern crossings remain open to vehicles — Koidula — Kunichina Gora and Luhamaa — Shumilkino. Both are further from Tallinn and come out near Pskov rather than Kingisepp, so the total journey to St Petersburg is longer — but there is no walking section.
That single fact drives the whole decision: travelling light — take Narva; travelling with suitcases or children — take Koidula or Luhamaa. Both scenarios are laid out below.
Crossing status is external information, sourced from the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (politsei.ee) and the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (emta.ee). The rules change by government decision, so check the official source before you travel. We are responsible for the transfer to the border, not for how the border operates.
Three crossings: price, drive, what comes next
The price is fixed per car — a Lexus ES or Toyota Camry, up to 3 passengers with luggage — and does not change with the time of day. Pay in cash or by card, no meter, no surcharges.
| Crossing | Price per car | Distance | Drive | At the border | Onward route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narva — Ivangorod | €170 | ~220 km | from 2.5 h | Pedestrians only | Ivangorod → Kingisepp → St Petersburg |
| Koidula — Kunichina Gora | €230 | ~280 km | from 3 h | Open to vehicles | Pechory → Pskov → St Petersburg |
| Luhamaa — Shumilkino | €250 | ~290 km | from 3.5 h | Open to vehicles | Pskov → St Petersburg |
Travelling light
Narva — €170, ~220 km, from 2.5 hours along the E20 via Rakvere, Kohtla-Järve and Jõhvi. We drop you at the crossing itself. From there it is a walk across the bridge and your own onward transport from Ivangorod. Best with a backpack or one small case.
Narva border transfer →With luggage, no walking
Koidula — €230, ~280 km, from 3 hours. The crossing takes vehicles and is usually less congested than Narva. By separate arrangement we can continue to Pechory or Pskov; the price for that leg is confirmed on request.
Koidula border transfer →If Pskov is your gateway
Luhamaa — €250, ~290 km, from 3.5 hours via Tartu and Võru. The southernmost road crossing and the closest one to Pskov, from where trains and buses run on to St Petersburg.
Luhamaa border transfer →When to leave: the border only works in daylight hours
This is where the trip most often falls apart. All three crossings — Narva, Koidula and Luhamaa now run daytime hours, 07:00 to 19:00. They are shut overnight; arriving at 21:00 achieves nothing. Below is the arithmetic based on our drive times, with margin for traffic and for the checks themselves.
Leaving before 04:00 is equally pointless: the crossing is closed until 07:00 and you would simply wait in the car. The calmest option is a morning departure between 07:00 and 10:00 — you reach the border with hours to spare even if you hit a queue.
Opening hours are set by the Estonian government, not by us. Current information is published on politsei.ee — check it before you travel. We confirm your departure time for the specific date when you book.
What the transfer includes
Pickup
Tallinn Airport, the cruise port, your hotel or any city address. For airport pickups we track your flight number.
Drop-off
At the Narva, Koidula or Luhamaa crossing, or at any address in Narva. From Koidula we can continue to Pechory or Pskov by arrangement.
The car
Lexus ES or Toyota Camry — comfort class, air conditioning, up to 3 passengers with luggage.
What we do not do
We do not run a through service to St Petersburg and we cannot clear the border on your behalf. Visas, documents and the queue are your part of the journey.
While you are still in Tallinn
Old Town walking tour — €35
A 2-hour guided group walk through medieval Tallinn, daily at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:30 from Town Hall Square. Children under 12 free with one paying adult. The 10:00 departure fits neatly before a midday run to the border.
See the tour →Flying into Tallinn?
Meet and greet in the arrivals hall, flight tracking, free waiting time if you are delayed. The Old Town is ~4 km away, 10–15 minutes. We can also go straight from the airport to the border — just say so in your request.
Airport transfer →Frequently asked questions
Can you drive straight from Tallinn to St Petersburg?
Not by the direct route. The Narva — Ivangorod crossing has been open to pedestrians only since 1 February 2024, so no car goes through it. Vehicles use Koidula — Kunichina Gora or Luhamaa — Shumilkino instead. We drive you to whichever of the three crossings suits you at a fixed price; you clear the border yourself, except where we agree in advance to continue from Koidula to Pechory or Pskov.
How much does a transfer from Tallinn to the border cost?
The price is per car, not per person: €170 to the Narva crossing, €230 to Koidula, €250 to Luhamaa. A Lexus ES or Toyota Camry takes up to 3 passengers with luggage, and the price does not change with the number of passengers or the time of day.
Which crossing should I pick if I am heading to St Petersburg?
Travelling light, Narva is the shortest and cheapest option: 220 km, from 2.5 hours, €170, then on foot across the bridge and onward from Ivangorod via Kingisepp. With heavy luggage, small children, or if you continue by car, Koidula (€230) or Luhamaa (€250) makes more sense — both are open to vehicles, though the road to St Petersburg is longer because it runs via Pskov.
What time do I need to leave Tallinn to reach the border in time?
The Narva, Koidula and Luhamaa crossings run on daytime hours — according to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, 07:00 to 19:00. Allowing for traffic and for the checks themselves, that means leaving Tallinn by 15:00 for Narva, by 14:30 for Koidula and by 14:00 for Luhamaa. Opening hours are set by the state and do change, so check politsei.ee before you travel; we confirm the departure time with you when you book.
How far is the walk across the border at Narva?
Roughly a kilometre between the Estonian and Russian checkpoints, across the bridge over the Narva river, and you carry your own luggage the whole way. That is the main reason to choose Koidula or Luhamaa if you are travelling with suitcases — there you cross by car.
Will you drive me all the way to St Petersburg?
No. We do not run a through service to St Petersburg. We work up to the border, and by separate arrangement we can continue from Koidula to Pechory or Pskov — the price for that leg is confirmed individually on request.
Where in Tallinn do you pick up?
Tallinn Airport, the cruise port, your hotel or any address in the city. For airport pickups we track your flight number, so a delayed plane does not cost you the transfer.
What happens if the border is closed or the queue is very long?
We do not control how the crossings operate and cannot guarantee how long the checks take. Our responsibility is to get you to the crossing at the agreed time. Leave yourself a few hours of margin and do not plan a train or flight connection for the same evening.
Can I fit a tour of Tallinn in before I leave?
Yes. The guided Old Town walking tour is €35 per adult and departs from Town Hall Square daily at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:30, with children under 12 free with one paying adult. The 10:00 departure sits comfortably before a midday transfer to the border.
Request a transfer to the border
Tell us the date, the crossing you want and where to pick you up — we reply with confirmation, the price and a recommended departure time.