Cost of living in Estonia: Food, transport, and more

The cost of living in Estonia is lower than in other European destinations, so moving to this Baltic country is an excellent choice. Moreover, it’s a calm and safe place with a strong digital infrastructure, perfect for remote work or studies. So, if you’re thinking about moving to a city like Tallinn, the capital, Tartu, the university city, or Pärnu, famous for its beaches, pay attention to this article.

We’ll explore the prices of different rental options, supermarket shopping or eating out at restaurants, transport, healthcare costs and leisure activities. We’ll also review the main operators in the country and how to pick the right plan for a stable connection everywhere. Welcome to Estonia!

Average cost of accommodation in Estonia

Unlike neighbouring countries, accommodation costs in Estonia are far more affordable for foreigners like digital nomads, students or long-term tourists. Prices vary depending on the city where you want to live. In the capital, Tallinn, they’re higher than in less touristy towns. These are the main rental options with approximate prices:

• One-bedroom flat: in the capital you’ll find places from €700 ($800) per month in the city centre, €490 ($560) in the suburbs, and from €350 ($400) in cities like Tartu, Pärnu or Püssi.
• Coliving: at Scandium Coliving, you’ll find shared spaces to live and work in Tallinn from €440 ($502) per month with services included.
• Airbnb: this platform offers affordable flats in Pärnu from €390 ($445) per month, a tiny house in Tallinn with a garden for €570 ($650), or a studio near the beach for €630 ($720).
• 3-star hotel: the least affordable option, but it gives you comfort like cleaning and included services from €1,135 ($1,297) per month for a double room at City Yard Inn Hotel, in central Tallinn.

Cost of food

Eating here won’t cost much, so the cost of living in Estonia regarding food, whether shopping at a store or eating at restaurants, is far cheaper than in many European cities. You can stock your fridge at well-known supermarket chains like Rimi or Maxima, where most locals shop, and find prices like these:

• Pasta (500 g): $1.26 (€1.10)
• Eggs (12 units): $3.15 (€2.75)
• Milk (1 litre): $1.37 (€1.20)
• Beef (1 kg): $12.57 (€11.00)
• Chicken (1 kg): $7.83 (€6.85)
• Chocolate (100 g): $1.55 (€1.35)
• Coffee (250 g): $4.17 (€3.65)
• Bread (500 g): $2.05 (€1.80)
• Apples (1 kg): $2.63 (€2.30)
• Water (1.5 litres): $0.86 (€0.75)

Usually, foreign travellers visiting this country get surprised by the affordable restaurant menu prices, so they often eat out almost daily. A great spot to try local dishes is Lido restaurant, located inside the Solaris shopping centre in Tallinn. It’s a buffet-style place, popular with both locals and tourists, offering meals like these:

Typical menu at a local Estonian restaurant.

Transport prices in Estonia

If you’ve been to Paris, London or Amsterdam, you’ll notice transport here is far cheaper. Moreover, public transport is free for residents, and discounted passes exist for tourists. Estonia’s government has built a modern, accessible and digital system we’ll explain below.

1. How public transport works

As mentioned earlier, residents have free access to buses, trams and trolleybuses, a type of electric bus. If you’re in this country as a short- or long-term tourist, working remotely as a digital nomad, or a student needing transport to university, these are the fares you’ll need to pay:

• 1-hour ticket:  $2.16 (€1.89)
• Day pass: $6.29 (€5.50)
• Monthly pass: $34.30 (€30)

2. Order a Taxi, Uber or Bolt

Many travellers prefer a more comfortable and quicker option like on-demand private transport. In Estonia, you can book a taxi via app, which is cheaper than hailing one on the street. For instance, a five-kilometre ride in Tallinn costs around €8.00 ($9.15).

Other choices are Uber or Bolt, both booked from their own apps, usually cheaper than taxis. The same five-kilometre ride with Uber costs €5.00 ($5.70), while Bolt charges €4.50 ($5.15). You can always confirm the fare before booking, making it easy to compare and pick the cheapest.

3. Rent a bike in Estonia

If you prefer a more sustainable option, you can rent a bicycle. The cycle lane network in Tallinn and other cities like Tartu or Pärnu has improved in recent years, although it’s still not as extensive as in Copenhagen or Amsterdam.

This way of travelling is popular among students and for short trips to work. With the Tuul Bike system, you can rent both electric and regular bikes via the app. Activation costs €2.00 ($2.30), and then you can pay by hour or day depending on use.

4. Get a new car with insurance

If you plan to stay long term and want full freedom to visit the most beautiful towns, you can always buy a new car. Car costs in Estonia are similar to neighbouring countries. One of the most popular models is the Volkswagen Golf, a practical, mid-range car priced around €36,500 ($39,600). For fuel or charging, costs are:

• Petrol (95 octane): €1.60 ($1.83) per litre.
• Diesel: €1.47 ($1.68) per litre.
• Public electric charge 50 kW: €0.35 ($0.40)/kWh.

To drive in Estonia, you must get car insurance, which is much cheaper than in other countries. Reasons include the country’s small size, lighter traffic and fewer serious accidents. For example, basic third-party cover costs around €140 ($160) per year, while full coverage is about €375 ($428) annually.

Healthcare costs in Estonia

When calculating Estonia’s cost of living, you must also consider its healthcare system and foreigner access. Public healthcare covers residents and workers paying local social security, but as a foreign citizen you can access care in these ways:

• EU citizens: Request the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in your country before travelling, and you’ll get the same services as Estonians.
• Non-EU foreigners: If you don’t work legally in the country, you’ll need a private health insurance, with prices from €40 ($45) per month.

Healthcare service rates in Estonia.

Internet and call plan prices

Did you know Estonia is one of the world’s most digitalised countries? Here you’ll enjoy fast internet services at fair prices. The cost of living in Estonia related to internet connectivity is slightly lower than in other EU nations. The main providers are Elisa, Telia and Tele2, with these rates:

• Speed 100 Mbps: €17.50 ($20) – €26.25 ($30)
• Speed 300 Mbps: €21.87 ($25) – €30.60 ($35)
• Speed 500 Mbps: €26.25 ($30) – €51.40 ($45)
• 5 GB plan: €14 ($16) with unlimited calls.
• 20 GB plan: €21.87 ($25) with unlimited calls.

Holafly monthly plans are a safer and more stable option, with no disconnections or extra roaming charges across Europe. If you need a 5G connection nationwide and want to travel to other countries, you won’t need to change your SIM, as it works in over 170 destinations.

Features of Holafly’s monthly plans

With Holafly, you can also get unlimited data through an eSIM for Estonia. Choose the days you need, keep your SIM, and avoid roaming costs. best esim internet for digital nomads

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

Leisure activity costs in Estonia

What can you do for fun in this country? Let’s look at the cost of living in Estonia related to leisure and cultural activities. You can choose between exploring the nature of its parks, visiting museums, discovering historic medieval monuments or going to the cinema with friends. Ticket prices in Tallinn are much cheaper than in many European capitals, so you’ll enjoy different weekend plans without spending too much. Activities in Estonia

• Cinema: a ticket costs €8.00 ($9.15).
• Zoo: Tallinn Zoo entry costs €10.00 ($11.45).
• Theatre: tickets at the Estonian National Theatre cost between €15-€30 ($17.15-$34.30).
• Streaming platforms: Netflix subscription costs €8.99 ($10.27) per month.
• Museums: entry to Tallinn’s Open-Air Museum costs €8.40 ($9.60).
• Toompea Castle: free entry to visit this medieval fortress in Tallinn.
• St Olaf’s Church Tower: climbing this medieval tower in Tallinn’s old town to enjoy views from 60 metres up costs €4.70 ($5.37).
• Kadriorg Palace and Art Museum: explore this baroque palace with its foreign art collection for €7.50 ($8.57).
• Lahemaa National Park: one of the country’s largest protected nature reserves, with free entry.

To sum up, throughout this article you’ve seen that Estonia’s cost of living is medium-level compared with European cities like Paris or London. If you’re searching for a country to stay temporarily, work remotely, study, or simply travel as a tourist, this is a great choice for a tight budget. Live in a safe place, with excellent services for its people and affordable prices that let you enjoy life comfortably. Is your suitcase ready for Estonia?

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