Practical information
Time zone: GMT +2 in winter and GMT +3 in summer.
Country dialling code: +372.
Plug socket: type F, with voltage of 230V and frequency of 50Hz.
Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, please talk to a specialist and inform the course organisers. Also, inform us about any food allergies on the registration sheet.
Climate
Maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers. Weather in Estonia is very seasonal. The average summer temperature is fairly mild, varying between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius, but can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. However, summer nights can get fairly chilly. Rain is not so infrequent in summer but does not usually come as a surprise, so before you start your journey a short term weather forecast will give you an idea what to expect. Nevertheless, grab something warm with you.
Clothing and equipment
Come as you are.
Criminality
Tartu is a safe place. Pickpocketing is not common, however, reasonable care over your belongings should still be exercised. Night-time street brawls among drunk people is a main concern. Those who travel through Tallinn and wish to visit touristy places, should take caution against pick-pockets and cheating taxi drivers.
Customs
Estonia is part of the EU. Different rules apply if you travel from inside the EU or from outside it.
Driving in Estonia
- Driving in Estonia is done on the right-hand side of the road.
- Seat belts in front and rear are mandatory, as are infant and child seats.
- No drink and drive, zero-tolerance!
- People of 18 years of age and older are allowed to drive. EU and EEA driving licences are ok, all others should see this (scroll to the end).
- Dipped headlights or day lights must be used at all time.
- Speed limits in urban areas 50 km/h, highways 90 km/h, dual carriageways 110 km/h.
- Most petrol stations are self-service and are open 24/7. Petrol service stations in Estonia are generally open from 8 am. to 8 pm. with big stations in major cities and on the motorways open 24 hours.
- Elmo.ee rents out electric cars on need-only basis, so you pay for the time you use the car.
Emergency
112 is the general emergency line throughout the European Union (similar to 911 in the U.S.). The number can be dialled from any phone, and the call is free.
Food and Drink
Estonians have not paid much attention to their diet, mostly because of lack of choice and probably also ingenuity in our history. Therefore we advise you not to expect a local culinary heaven. However, many people in many restaurants give their best to satisfy more demanding tastes and good food has become purpose of its own. The quality of average food is good and comes with reasonable price.
Local beer is the choice of many, with wine and vodka trailing close behind. The two largest breweries are Saku and A. Le Coq, which both offer a variety of different beers as well as other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Recent years have seen a surge in local micro-breweries, the products of which have become increasingly available.
Immigration
Estonia is an associate member of the Schengen agreement which exempts travellers from regular personal border controls between 22 European Union (EU) countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) and four Non-EU countries (Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland). People living in Great Britain and Ireland are subject to personal border controls upon entry to the Schengen area. So, if you are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: you will just need a valid passport or ID card.
A list of countries whose citizens DO NOT need a visa to visit Estonia is extensive. This includes the US, New Zealand and Australia. If you need a visa, please start the paperwork AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and contact the Estonian embassy or a foreign consulate that represents Estonia in issuing Schengen visas in your country or city. Please note that the organizers only issue invitation letters for accepted oral and poster presenters.
Internet
Internet and free Wi-Fi is widely available in major towns, in hotels, cafes and public buildings. Cellular internet (LTE, 4G) through roaming comes with reasonable price for mobile device owners using EU service providers.
Language
Estonians speak the Estonian language, which is distinct from other European languages and resembles only to Finnish. Younger generation speaks fairly good English and older generation speaks more Russian and less German or English.
Medical Services
In case of emergency, call 112 (general emergency).
EU residents who are covered by a social security scheme in their country of residence are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card simplifies the procedure when receiving unforeseen medical assistance during their visit to a member state. It should be carried when travelling within the European Economic Area, (i.e. the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland. The EHIC entitles the holder to the same treatment at the same cost as a national of that country. Presentation of the EHIC guarantees reimbursement of the medical costs on the spot, or soon after returning home. The card is only valid for state provided services and not private hospitals or treatments. Please obtain your EHIC card in good time before the conference. General information about EHIC can be found here. In case you have to pay, keep a receipt for refund.
Attendees from non-EU countries who are not EU residents are advised to get an adequate travel insurance.
Money and banks
The currency of Estonia is Euro. ATMs are available across the city. Credit cards are widely accepted, but outside urban areas cash is preferred.
All of the biggest banks (pank) in Estonia have their branches in Tartu. Opening hours are usually from 9 am. to 5 pm. or 6 pm. (M-F) and 10 am. to 4 pm. (Sat).
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (apteek) can be found in most supermarkets and in several places in city centre. Opening hours Mon to Fri 9 am. to 8 or 9. pm., many pharmacies have the same opening hours during the weekend. There is a pharmacy open around the clock in the city centre. Bring along your prescription medications or otherwise you have to visit a doctor to get a prescription and that takes time.
Post office
Post offices (Omniva) (postkontor) have become scarce nowadays. One can be found at the city centre at the shopping mall Kvartal. It is open from Mon to Fri from 09 am. to 7 pm. and Sat from 9 am. to 3 pm.
Public transport
Public transport between major cities is good, but to more remote locations services are scarce, mostly once or twice a day. Information about timetables and price of tickets is found at the tpilet.ee (bus) and elron.ee (train) website. You can buy tickets online or from the driver or onboard (on train). Please note that bus tickets and 1st class train tickets to and from Tallinn sell out well before the departure time on Fridays and Sundays.
Public holidays
There are no public holidays during the conference period.
Sightseeing
A comprehensive coverage of what to see and do in Estonia and in Tartu can be found on travel websites. See visitestonia, visittartu, lonelyplanet, wikitravel.
Shopping
Like any city, a place to shop is not something that is hard to find. There are several shopping malls in city centre. Opening hours can vary but generally shops are open from Mon to Sat from 9 am. to 8 or 9 pm, on Sunday from 10 am. to 7 pm. There is a souvenir shop right next to a Town Hall square (Raekoja plats). Supermarkets have longer opening hours, usually until 10 pm. In shops alcohol can be purchased from 10 am. to 22 pm. only. Bars and pubs, of course, serve well into night or until early morning hours.
Taxis
Taxis are plenty and several companies service Tartu. All taxis are metered and display price list on a window of a right side rear door. A taxi ride costs from 0.55 to 0.70 euros per km, plus basic fee, which is about 3 euros. Minibuses and night-time rides are more expensive (around 20% surcharge). You can download the Bolt app to order a taxi. Elektritakso (electric taxi, ph: 1918) drives Nissan Leaf electric cars and is an environmentally conscious choice.
Telephone
The country code for Estonia is +372
There should be no worries using your local phone in Estonia. Within EU, roaming costs have been brought down centrally by European Commission and calling and data usage won’t push you into bankruptcy anymore.
Tipping
Tipping is not must do in Estonia. However, since salaries are low in that business sector then tipping for a good service is appreciated.
Restrooms
The gentlemen’s room is usually marked with a triangle pointing down “▼” (represents strong shoulders), and the ladies’ one with a triangle pointing up “▲” (represents a skirt or hips). They can also be marked with an “H” for “Härrad” (Gents) or a “D” for “Daamid” (Ladies). In many places, the restrooms are unisex.
Weights and measures
Estonia uses the metric system.
! DISCLAIMER !
All the information given above is to the best of our knowledge. However, we cannot accept any liability for inadvertently false or incomplete information on this site.
Tere tulemast Tartusse!
