Ferry ticket prices will not rise, but flying to Estonia's islands will be more expensive

TALLINN - The Estonian Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture has an agreement with the island municipalities of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa that the prices of ferry tickets will not increase in 2025, but flying to and from the islands will become significantly more expensive.

Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Piret Hartman said that meetings with municipal executives and local leaders over the past six months have led to the conclusion that we cannot raise ferry fares. As the ferry connections to the islands are vital connections, the ministry must make sure that the prices of transport services do not start to hinder the coping of island residents. However, agreements have been made on other moves to ensure the financing of public transport, the minister said.

The conditions for discount ferry tickets will change. From Feb. 1, 2025, the student discount will apply to persons up to 26 years of age and the local resident discount will apply to residents whose place of residence as at Jan. 1 is on the islands. The latter condition will apply from 2026.

In order to ensure sustainable regular connections to the large islands, air fares on the Kuressaare and Kärdla routes, meaning routes to the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, will increase from Feb. 1. Currently, ticket revenue covers less than 20 percent of the cost of the service. The increase is due to a general rise in costs and airport charges.

On the Kuressaare route, the standard ticket will cost 36 euros instead of the current 30 euros. The flexible ticket, which allows travel details to be changed without paying a fee, will increase from 38 euros to 46 euros. On the Kärdla route, the standard ticket will cost 34 euros and the flexible ticket 44 euros. Additionally, a price multiplier will be introduced, meaning that flights from Monday to Thursday will cost ten percent less than on Fridays and weekends.

The existing discounts on both air routes will continue to apply.

Air fares will not increase on the Ruhnu route, as from November to the end of April, the air service is the only regular connection for the Gulf of Riga small island.