Taxis companies in Estonia are very unregulated with regards to what they are allowed to charge. You will see small notes on their side windows with the:-  
i)    starting prices (usually 18-50 kroons)
ii)   the prices per km (usually 5-12kroons)
iii)  and an important but often over looked element, the "waiting charge" (120 to 300 kroons an hour).
iv)  most taxis operate a minimum charge of 35 kroons
v)   tips are always welcome.

Most often the starting price will be between 18 and 25 kroons, the km charge between 5.5 and 7 kroons but when getting two taxis at either end of this smallish price difference for the same journey you can find that the slightly more expensive taxi becomes almost twice as much.

How so, I hear you ask. Well if the traffic is slow or the taxi is generally not moving at at pre determined minimum speed the "waiting charge" can kick in. Whereas the difference between the starting charge and per km charge is often a small one between various taxi companies the difference in the "waiting charges" is often very large. Its this jump from a decent price of around 120 an hour to 300 an hour (which is a usual jump between several larger taxi companies here) that bumps what you would think should be a 15-20% price difference up to a 50-100% one.

The general rule to follow is "the lower the per km charge the lower the waiting charge."

You might think that it would be the other way around with taxis trying to lure unsuspecting tourists with the premise of cheap per km fees but it is just not so!

In Tallinn's case, cheaper is in fact, cheaper.

The worst offenders for excessive charging are those parked at the airport and at various places around town. Its always best to call for a taxi rather than jump in the most convenient one.

There have been a few reported cases of suspected meter rigging and the like. With charges of around 200 kroons being reported from airport taxis for short rides to the city centre which should cost no more than 50-60 with a cheap taxi, you can understand the suspicion.

This is a list of the tried and tested taxi companies with lower rates all round. They also have receptionist that speak enough English to deal with your taxi ordering requirements.

Reval - 5264111
Krooni - 6381111/56606000
Viking - 6014333
Kiisu (lots of female drivers) - 6550777
Sõbra - 53474474

There are all the usual car hire options with offices at the airport and in the city centre. they generally offer similar rates and terms (but watch out for varying Km allowances) but one stands out. Its a locally run company with English speaking staff. What makes then different is that not only are the fees slightly cheaper than the others but they often deliver the car to your door and collect it also. There inventory is as up to date as anyone else's and the paper work is unfussy. I have used them twice with no problems. On the first occasion the booking was such a casual affair that I doubted if the car would actual show up, but it did to my slight surprise and reassurance that I wasn't compromising reliability for price.

So try R-Rent, info@rrent.ee, 5036446

All car hire companies usually quote for a the car with comprehensive insurance (Liability and CDW) with some kind of smallish excess/co-payment.

coming soon