Service delays due to lengthy checks at the Estonian-Russian border

Dear passengers, we remind you of the need to take into account possible long checks and queues when passing through border and customs controls at the border between Russia and Estonia. This is especially true when transferring from regular buses to other types of transport. Allow at least two hours for the time of arrival in the direction from St. Petersburg to Tallinn and at least six hours in the direction from Tallinn to St. Petersburg.

Baltic Shuttle cannot in any way influence the duration of border checks, which lead to significant delays for buses on route Tallinn — Saint Petersburg — Tallinn.

From February 1, 2024, at the Narva-Ivangorod border checkpoints, passengers cross the border on foot.
From 1 May 2024, these checkpoints are open daily from 7 to 23 hours.

Due to the gradual introduction of full customs control by Estonia by the end of August 2024, the time for customs checks when entering Russia from Estonia will increase. We strongly recommend that you get acquainted with all sanctions restrictions and customs rules for entering Russia in advance. Estonian customs pays special attention to the prohibition of importing EU cash currencies (euros, zloty, forints, etc.), therefore we recommend to exchange EU currencies for roubles in Narva or Tallinn in advance, or to take currencies not prohibited for import to Russia (e.g. US dollars, sterling, Swiss francs, yuan, etc.).

Estimated service delays as of April 10, 2025 (updated)

Tallinn — Saint Petersburg — Tallinn route (Narva — Ivangorod checkpoint):

• in the direction from Estonia to Russia, bus arrival delays up to five hours (minimal delays on the night bus from Tallinn);
• in the direction from Russia to Estonia, bus arrival delays up to one and a half hours.

Tallinn — Pskov — Tallinn route (Koidula — Kunichina Mountain checkpoint):

• in the direction from Estonia to Russia up to two hours;
• in the direction from Russia to Estonia up to one hour.

On this route, the duration of delays is directly related to the number of passengers on the bus.

Please note that the increase in passenger traffic during the Easter and May holidays will lead to longer border crossing times and delays in bus arrivals.