I took a FERRY from Estonia to Finland! (VERY Unexpected!)

Estonia and Finland are very close to each other, so I took a ferry across the Gulf of Finland! It was definitely bigger than I expected and very fast! Estonia was great but now it’s time to explore a new country. See you in Finland! Enjoy!
Instagram: bencoleman121
Email: [e-mail]
#british #english #travel #viral #vlog #europe #tourist #estonia #finland #tallinn #helsinki

[@hauskalainen]

Another fun fact. There were many countries in Europe that fought in WW2 but only 3 capitals were never occupied by foreign forces. LONDON and MOSCOW were two. HELSINKI was the other one.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Great fact! I didn’t know that 😁🙏

[@senkoonblitz7802]

What about Madrid and Lisbon? Or Dublin

[@vibingwithvinyl]

@@senkoonblitz7802 Spain, Portugal and Ireland were technically neutral in WW2, so they didn't fight in the war.

[@k8tina]

My Vanaema told me this fact about Helsingi growing up. She was Estonian with family (& family ancestry) from Finland. Thank you for reminding me of this awesome historical fact!!

[@bohemianbluu]

The president's residence is actually few kilometers outside of the city center. The palace is only for official events etc

[@TravelWithBen121]

It’s in a great location!

[@riku3716]

@@TravelWithBen121 There are three presidential residences. 1. The palace or castle as Fins call it in the city centre for official purposes. 2. Mäntyniemi house outside but near Helsinki city centre where president mainly live and 3. president's summer house Kultaranta in Naantali.

[@Lahiss]

The Helsinki - Tallinn ferry route is one of the busiest ship routes in the world. Several different companies sail the route multiple times per day.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Great! It’s fast and convenient.

[@fdk7014]

It's Eckerö with a hard K sound, like Ekkerö. Eckerö is a municipality on Åland which is where the company was founded and has its main base.

[@TravelWithBen121]

I hope you know that in not from either of these countries 😁

[@fdk7014]

@@TravelWithBen121Of course, I just wanted to help out

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@fdk7014 Thanks!

[@olli8977]

Yes i Would say eekkerö line. First i was confuded that what ship ? Then ahh… ofcourse

[@miikahamalainen5343]

Also, Åland is part of Finland 😀

[@darkmage7280]

"Scandinavian countries like Finland." Scandinavians: Oh, God, no! NOOOOO!!! Finland isn't Scandinavian! Finns: Damn right! And we don't want to be, either! Scandinavians: Yeah!!! (beat) What? Why not?

[@TravelWithBen121]

It’s not that serious 😂

[@kristianvepsalainen1746]

Nordic countries = Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland Fennoscandia = Finland, Sweden and Norway Skandinavia = Norway, Sweden and Denmark

[@butterflies655]

Finland is partly located on the Scandinavian peninsula. No difference.

[@jurgenkoks9142]

@@butterflies655 and Denmark actually isnt :D

[@ravenfin1916]

@@butterflies655 Only a very small part in the northernmost part of the country. And the difference is big, a bit like saying all the countries south of the US as Mexico.

[@GGLEGO]

These Eckerö line express ferries aren't the most fun though, the overnight ferries between Helsinki&Tallinn or Helsinki&Stockholm are the party & tax free (alcohol) shopping ferries.

[@TravelWithBen121]

It takes 2 hours, why would you stay on all night? 😂

[@HenritheHorse]

@@TravelWithBen121 Cheap alcohol and karaoke for most I guess.

[@Koski_Sampo]

@@TravelWithBen121 We love our booze cruises. Been on them since I was a kid.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@Koski_Sampo You went on a booze cruise when you were a kid? 🤣 Fun!

[@akinav]

@@TravelWithBen121 You should try it, it is very fun,

[@mikrokupu]

You got one of the oldest and smallest ferries, the Stocknolm route has the biggest ones :) The ferries to Estonia, Sweden, Germany are a big part of the infrastructure in Finland, carrying people and cargo, for some these are party boats. A lot of Estonians work/live in Finland, for them the ferries are vital.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Thanks, Mik! It’s crazy that people work in a different country than their house 😂 this ferry is huge so the others must be something else!

[@mikkolaine4883]

@@TravelWithBen121 ⁠M/S Finlandia is not that big actually. 175m long and taking in 2080 passengers. It’s one of the smallest in these waters. The ferries in Tallinn route differ from the others by speed when their cruising speed is 27 knots! Mostly the other ferries go 20-23kn. You saw one of the biggest in the harbour near the the Senat Square. That was either Silja Serenade or Silja Symphony operating between Helsinki and Stockholm. Turku-Stockholm/Kapelskär has 3 more bigger ones. All the mentioned here can carry 2800-3000 passengers and length 203-210m. We just had a two night cruise with my fiancé on Silja Serenade last week. Cost around 200€ in a sea view cabin and one breakfast and dinner 👌

[@avlehtine]

@@TravelWithBen121Mikrokupu is actually "microwave cover/lid" in Finnish :)

[@POSTIEPLAYS]

Never been on a cruise, I really need to get that arranged. Great vlog, really natural and enjoyable to watch! Look forward to seeing more! That Cathedral was lovely!

[@TravelWithBen121]

Talking of cruises, my cruise vlog series starts tomorrow! Look out for that 😁 thank you for watching!

[@mikeyinthecity]

I love all your educational tidbits!

[@TravelWithBen121]

Cheers, Mikey! I am always learning 😁👍

[@tegrqbruh4158]

ive been on this particular route and ship so many times now that i know the layout of it by heart my uncle lives in Helsinki and i live in Tallinn so i tend to visit him atleast once every year

[@TravelWithBen121]

That’s great 👍 you only go once a year?! The trip is only 2 hours 😂 go and see your uncle more often!

[@david1234lee]

Good morning, Ben ! That was the "mother of all ferries" !that can transport trucks ! You had s nice walk in what seemed to be a large garden !

[@TravelWithBen121]

Cheers, David! Big boat!

[@david1234lee]

Nice big boat and with bars ! Cheer ! Well, Ben, the shooting at the Super Bowl parade dampened lots of hearts here !@@TravelWithBen121

[@eesti919]

That's actually not even the biggest ferry between Estonia and Finland 😅

[@david1234lee]

@@eesti919 Very impressive ! Europe is the start of modern civilization !

[@seneca983]

8:40 I think Canada has something like 2 million lakes. However, the percentage of area taken by lakes and rivers is higher in Finland.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Right!

[@tubeToBeFree]

Back in the days Finns were very concerned what other people would think of us. Our culture, customs and the way live. Finland is similar but still very different from other nordic countries. Language is the biggest one. Other nordics can understand each others but they can’t understand us. So that has been kind of a point that has kept us apart from the other countries. Visitors are most welcomed but sometimes I wish visitors should go to north or eastern part of Finland. There are so many other things to see and explore, different customs and traditions outside Helsinki. That represents a small majority but not the whole of Finnish culture.

[@TravelWithBen121]

It seems like Finns still care what other people think of them because some commented things on my video 😂 this was my first time to Finland so I wanted to go to a major city, when I go back to Finland, I will check out the north and go to other cities 👍

[@benburns5995]

Hi Ben, it is amazing in that in both Estonia and Finland how many brick streets and town squares they have. Must say that the architecture in the Scandinavia countries is very unique and beautiful. It was interesting hearing the facts you gave about boats from your Cruise Ship employment days. The engineering used to build and design large ferries or Cruise Ships is really remarkable. You mentioned that you teach English. Since you are traveling do you teach the English classes remotely online?

[@TravelWithBen121]

I agree, Ben 👍 beautiful buildings in Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. A lot of ‘town squares’, Estonia was definitely my favorite! No teaching right now, just traveling 😁 thanks for watching!

[@SekaiWolffy]

Neither is Estonia or Finland part of the Scandinavia though....

[@middlekingdomproductions]

Nice video! I once made this journey by ferry in the other direction 😂

[@TravelWithBen121]

Cheers, Adam! Really nice ride! Fast and comfortable! Did you take a big ferry like this? 😂 I was expecting a 20 seater or something!

[@middlekingdomproductions]

@@TravelWithBen121 😂it was a long time ago but I think it was a similar size! Surprising for a fairly short journey.

[@Silveirias]

Interesting facts about ferries/ships!

[@TravelWithBen121]

Right!

[@Ama-Elaini]

This particular type of ferry is called a cruiseferry. Since it bears similarities with both ferries and cruise ships.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Great 😊

[@djnorth2020]

I used to love the ferry to Stockholm from Turku or Helsinki, as a kid. Tax free candy, arcade games, and just the whole trip. Few decades later it's still something I like to do every now and then, but the tax free isn't that much cheaper anymore, novelty has sort of ran out. But with few friends, drinks dancing and good food at the buffet or a'la carte... it's pretty fun.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Many people told me that they took this ferry to get cheap alcohol 😂 I thought I would still be worth it now because Estonia is soooo much cheaper than Finland.

[@djnorth2020]

@@TravelWithBen121 Oh absolutely. Estonia had cheaper alcohol and is one big reason Finns take the ferry. Although prices gave rised slightly and cheaper countries further south look promising for the alcohol fueled Finns. 😁 It's still a great place to visit and people in Estonia are just the best.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

8:00 It's insane that one round in skywheel costs basically the same as ferry from Estonia to Finland!

[@TravelWithBen121]

I agree, Mikko 😂 I was surprised at the price too!

[@MrTachi]

@@TravelWithBen121 Yes that sounds like an odd price. I just checked their website and it says 14€ per ride for adults and something like 28€ if you want a 12 minute ride including glass of champagne. Well of course there is the "195€/30 min ride in our unique gondola and a bottle of champagne". Well it might have been the "time of the year price" who knows.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Very expensive in my opinion!

[@Steppeni]

Hopefully you enjoyed your stay in Finland.. About the park and drunken people... You should visit 1st of May in any of finnish parks ;)

[@TravelWithBen121]

I did enjoy Finland! I’ll go back one day, maybe on the 1st of May 👀 please tell me what happened on this day? 😂

[@Koski_Sampo]

@@TravelWithBen121 One of the several National Finnish drinking days. I don't even know what we're celebrating, but you put your funny high school hat on that means you've graduated and drink alcohol. Also you referred to the park as the "homeless & drunk" park. Note we don't have homeless in Finland... just alcoholics. LOTS of alcoholics.

[@magicofshootingstar5825]

@TravelWithBen121 May 1st is celebration of workers officially. In reality people know it more from parties of (technical) universities students, picnics, helium balloons and start of spring. Oh and political marches and speeches too, if you are into those. But yeah, there are also alot of people who are drunk then and possibly in a public places. Koski_Sampo said well though that we don't have homeless living outside in Finland. Our social services politic is that first there should be home and then people can be hold accountable for their use of alcohol, substances etc. In many countries you need to be "clean" first to get apartment and that's why there is lot more homeless. Finnish homelessness is more of a type of couch surfing with relatives and friends when people don't want to deal with social services.

[@JohannesNikitin91]

Our president does not live in this presidents palace. But there we have Independence celebrations when president shakes hands with more than 2000 special guests every year. Also when foreign presidents/ministers etc. visit Finland then that's the place :) btw. Last year brand new TallinkMyStar-ferry began to operate between Helsinki and Tallinn :) I highly recommend that. EckeröLine or VikingLine is ok but they are for us just normal ferry's. MyStar has fancy design around the ship, garden bar etc :)

[@TravelWithBen121]

Thanks, Johannes! The ferry ride is only 2 hours so the one I took was definitely great! The new one sounds better!

[@SPPhotography89]

I will never travel on those LNG ships. Diesel is still the future, as long as we get out of this green cloud. I don't recommend it to others either.

[@FastGuy1]

Underrated channel

[@TravelWithBen121]

Thanks man! I appreciate your compliment 👍

[@mariahuertas4985]

How far was the ferry terminal to Helsinki city center? Is it a short walkable distance or did you take a taxi? I’m planning to do this but the opposite way, from Helsinki to Estonia this summer. Do you remember how much was a cabin in the ferry? Is there a place to leave the luggage secure in the ferry instead of carrying it around up and down the stairs?

[@TravelWithBen121]

Maria, the port wasn’t near the city centre, there’s a tram station right outside so I did that, I think it took around 20 minutes. The cabins weren’t too expensive, maybe €30-40, the trip is only 2 hours so not really worth it unless you want to shower or have space to lay down. There isn’t a luggage storage unless you have your own cabin. Good luck! 🤞

[@mariahuertas4985]

@@TravelWithBen121 thank you for the information. I appreciate it.

[@A_Casual_Observer]

@@TravelWithBen121 There is luggage storage. You can see the lockers at 2:43. :)

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@A_Casual_Observer Right, I think the lockers were 5 euros for small and 10 euros for big.

[@timoterava7108]

The port in Helsinki depends on the cruise line. The Viking Line operates from the South Port, which is right in the centre of Helsinki - walking distance away from e.g. the Presidential Palace, the Market Square and the Senate Square. The others - the Eckerö Line and the Tallink-Silja Line - operate from the West Port, which is a bit further away, but still within a tramride distance.

[@kaksikymmenta3]

Fun fact about Finland it isn't in Scandinavia.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Fun fact: you’re the 10th person to write the same comment. Thanks for watching!

[@kaksikymmenta3]

@@TravelWithBen121 Only tenth? I guess there will be more in the future.

[@butterflies655]

I wish Finns would be as eager to defend their country, when foreign ppl think Finland is a part of Russia.

[@annil.9640]

@@butterflies655 we are eager to defend our country when Russia thinks Finland is a part of Russia.

[@kajerikgranlund8537]

@@TravelWithBen121 And to me that is ten too much. As a Finn I also can use Nordic and Scaninavian as synonyms. Maybe we not strictly tehnically are on the Scandinavian penininsula. But our culture, menthality and history is indeed a variation of Scaninavia. Even the Finnish language though different from the Scandinavian languages have over 1000 words orginating from Swedish

[@dalfgan817]

That looks like cruise ship. Are you sure you didn't board one without cabin?

[@TravelWithBen121]

Right! It looks like a cruise ship 😂 lots of cabins on this ferry but I didn’t get one, only 2 hour trips.

[@oh2mp]

I usually use that exact same ship when travelling between Finland and Estonia because the terminal in Helsinki side is in more suitable location for me. Actually there are not very much difference between the shipping companies or prices. The ships and prices are all quite similar.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Great! Why do you go between Finland and Estonia so often?

[@oh2mp]

@@TravelWithBen121 just for fun like other Finns. Last year I did it thrice.

[@SPPhotography89]

ms Finlandia is the old ms Moby freedom

[@TravelWithBen121]

Great!

[@j.p.h.8126]

You made a new channel Ben and reupploaded some vids? I remember commenting on this video some time ago.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Yes! Moving the travel videos to this channel 👍

[@j.p.h.8126]

@@TravelWithBen121 Ok good to know. 🙂

[@gharghkull1013]

Finland is not in Scandinavia and therefore not a Scandinavian country

[@TravelWithBen121]

Neither is Estonia 😂

[@mikrokupu]

Terms "Scandinavia" and "Nordic" get easily mixed. This is an old saga but officially, in the happy Nordic family of DEN FIN ICE NOR SWE, the 3 monarchies DEN NOR SWE are called Scandinavia. FInland has close links to Sweden, was a part of Sweden for 600+ years. Swedish still is the 2nd official language in Finland, that's why even the street signs in Helsinki are in both languages.

[@rockrane1]

Little part of it belongs To skandinavia. Actually only norway an sweden belongs To skandinavia. Fenno-skandia, thats the different story. But after all, lets just say dordic countries, is it okey To ya, our lovely neighbours?

[@EerikRed]

It's a Fennoscandia 😉🖐️

[@butterflies655]

​​@@EerikRedFinland 🇫🇮 is a Nordic country culturally, politically, economically, religiously and geographically with Sweden 🇸🇪 Norway 🇸🇯 Denmark 🇩🇰 and Iceland 🇮🇸 Partly Finland is located on the Scandinavian peninsula too.

[@pamkrantz6977]

Salmon roll,

[@TravelWithBen121]

Thank you, Pam! 🙏

[@pamkrantz6977]

Thank you Ben. Just discovered you a few days ago and I’m hooked. You and your travels are so interesting.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@pamkrantz6977 Thanks for finding me! Lots more adventures to come :)

[@ilkkak3065]

Fun fact: In Finland there are more saunas than cars

[@TravelWithBen121]

They need it, too cold 🥶

[@LTS79]

Helsinki does not have the most public saunas, Tampere does.

[@TravelWithBen121]

I just said what a Finnish tour guide told me :)

[@LTS79]

@@TravelWithBen121 Oh, ok. I thought you said that's a fact.

[@jarmopaakkonen2045]

hope you dident pay him.@@TravelWithBen121

[@TravelWithBen121]

Free tour! There’s a video 👍

[@OldieBugger]

A lot more expensive... well, that's Helsinki for you! Just get to some other city and the prices are going to be much more reasonable.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Yup! I saw it 👍

[@pipfield1901]

I did this trip on Talink ferry, highlight for me, I enjoyed it more than Helsinki , it was amazing!

[@TravelWithBen121]

The ferry was great! Estonia was also great! Finland was okay 😂

[@jarsqui]

The music between takes.. very loud.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Okay 😁

[@Alexandros.Mograine]

The buffet is 37 euros because you get unlimited tap beer along with it. Considering that, its a very good price... just sit there for hours with your friends and get more beer. Thats what i did with my friends. Its too bad most foreigners dont realize this, they should advertise it better. But i quess the less people know about it the less beer they lose.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Alex, how can you sit there for ‘hours’ when the ferry is only a 2 hour trip? 😁 Thanks for the tip!

[@Alexandros.Mograine]

@@TravelWithBen121 you took the fast daytime ferry? i have only been on the overnight ferry, and been on it over 10 times. its the ferry that most people take when they want to have a good time and party. We call it the "party boat". usually me and my mates try to get a window spot at 3pm, eat and sit couple of hours drinking beer. if im not mistaken the ferry goes slower on purpose. the clubs are amazing. the daytime ferry is just if you want to travel to finland or estonia fast.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@Alexandros.Mograine I didn’t know that, Alex 😂 seems crazy for the ferry to go slow on purpose but sounds like fun!

[@Alexandros.Mograine]

@@TravelWithBen121 yeah its very fun :D the purpose is the same as going to a club, its to have fun.

[@Jesus_136]

How late are you posting these?

[@TravelWithBen121]

This is from August.

[@millmoormichael6630]

Looks not like February 😂

[@TravelWithBen121]

September 😁

[@Cabbaxe]

Not only China! But you are also only one country from North Korea!

[@TravelWithBen121]

😂😂😂

[@butterflies655]

Norway as well.

[@butterflies655]

Cathedral of Helsinki is a Lutheran church. Lutheran church is a state's religion in Finland.

[@OlafRooster]

Orthodox Church is second state religion in Finland too and we should not forget that. Thereis also beautifull synagogue in Helsinki. Its breathtakingly good looking

[@kajerikgranlund8537]

We do not have state Churches in Finland. But we do have two Churches that have special laws made by the Parliament to define the relationships between the state and these Churches. THese laws are needed as the state has delegated some tasks to the Churches such as graveyards and weddings. Already in 1869 the lutheran Church in Finland started to separate from the State. Earlier in any other Nordic Country.

[@pelimies1818]

Well, Canada has 4 times the lakes than Finland, but in the other hand - you can actually visit every lake in Finland. In Canada, most of the lakes are out of reach - they are beyound unaccessable distances of bears and wolves. In Finland bears are nice and wolves are managable..

[@TravelWithBen121]

Great!

[@XGD5layer]

Finland does have the highest inland-water-to-surface area ratio, however, at 12% Top 10 in order: 1. Finland, 12+ 2. Canada, 11+ 3. Sweden, 9+ 4. Tanzania 5+ 5. Russia 3+ 6. USA 3+ 7. Kazakhstan 2+ 8. Argentina 1+ 9. Brazil 1+ 10. China 1+

[@MrGlendale111]

Your right that is a huge ferry. So the Getaway wasn't your first time on a ship, you worked in the industry. Good for you. I think your heart is in China. Personally I have no interest in China. I lived in Japan for 2 years and 2 years in Germany. I much Preferred Germany as I could go to so many countries there. Perhaps one day you will return to China. Did you know Helsinki prides itself on having little to no homeless. I guess they didn't count the ones you saw in that park. Enjoy yourself. Your only young once so go for it.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Huge ferry! I wasn’t expecting it to be honest 😂 Japan is great, one of my favorite places to visit but I don’t think I’d want to live there. Definitely some homeless in Helsinki, I think Copenhagen was the only place I didn’t see any.

[@timoterava7108]

Nobody in Finland needs to live outside, unless they want to. There are shelters for those without own accommodation. However some people still prefer to live outside, especially during Summer.

[@Neekesmith]

@@timoterava7108yeah this. We have so great social benefits that homelessness is a choice. Usually people on the streets use the benefits instead of housing on alcohol or drugs

[@oscarn-]

The Port of Helsinki is the busiest passenger port IN THE WORLD, and the it is mostly due to those Tallinn-Helsinki ferries.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Great!

[@Mojova1]

Finland can't be your favorite Scandinavian country because Finland is not a Scandinavian country. I am from Finland and we are Nordic.

[@TravelWithBen121]

You’re right, Finland is not my favorite. Not even close.

[@TheArseen]

Or Fennoscandic.

[@TheArseen]

6:39 Well same goes for North Korea. Only Russia is between us.

[@TravelWithBen121]

You could ride your bike 🚲

[@gmm5550]

Back in the days this was mainly the party ferries that young people used to buy cheap tax-free alcohol and cigarettes and perfume. The 24-48 hour trip between stockholm and helsinki was extremely wild and known for cheating and std´s and drunkards, now its mostly older people on that ferrys=)

[@TravelWithBen121]

Why did it change, Mauritz? 😂

[@gmm5550]

@@TravelWithBen121 probably more easy and cheap to travel abroad and the drinking culture in sweden have change last 20 years.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Did they used to take the ferry to Tallinn to drink there, then return home later? Or did they take the ferry there, buy the alcohol to bring back on the ferry?

[@gmm5550]

@@TravelWithBen121 both.. first thing people used to do was running to the tax-free and sit in their cabin and get drunk and party (cheaper)..after that it was the discos and bars who was hit. I remember when i was 18yr (legal age for drinking) student and did wake up in a corridor hugging a soda machine on one of those trips...=) And my study buddy did wake up screaming with a +40 finnish lady cougar....ahh the memories...haha

[@TravelWithBen121]

HAHAHA

[@auntbarb5464]

Canada has over 4 times more lakes than Finland

[@TravelWithBen121]

I just said what the tour guide said 😂

[@jonel5001]

True, but you also have 30 times more area. And we beat you in hockey, again :D

[@butterflies655]

Canada's area is much larger too.

[@gmm5550]

Finland is that nordic brother we Scandinavians kind of understand but at the same time not understand..but as always sit and drink with a finn and u will have a good time and a good friend(but don't get them to drunk or give them a knife =) (Scandinavian joke) ). We love our finnish brothers.

[@TravelWithBen121]

Why do so many Scandinavians dislike the Finns? 😂 they’re nice people!

[@gmm5550]

@WithBen121 never hears of real dislike.. we often fight and joke as a family and sometime in a hard way..but in the end we are all a nordic family living with similar traditions and values

[@LaDeXi]

Finland isn't Scandinavia so can't be your favorite Scandinavian country ;)

[@TravelWithBen121]

You’re right, Finland is not my favorite, it’s pretty dirty.