Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Estonia: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Best method in Estonia is to withdraw euros directly from bank ATMs. Budget €60-90 daily depending on whether you dine out often or stick to casual meals. ATMs are everywhere in Tallinn, Tartu, and tourist areas, and they give fair rates. Airport counters are only worth using for €10-20 if you want quick transport money. Always decline the option of being charged in your home currency - stick to euros for the best conversion rate.
Tallinn Airport’s exchange counter was disappointing. I converted €100, only to realize later I lost enough to pay for an entire day of meals and tram rides. ATMs in town gave a much stronger deal. Estonia isn’t cheap compared to other Baltic countries, so starting off by losing money felt annoying. For a budget of €70-100 per day, the exchange desk just eats away at your funds. ATMs are the better choice, hands down.
I landed in Tallinn and changed €30 at the airport for a tram ticket and coffee. Later, I withdrew €200 from a Swedbank ATM in Old Town and clearly got more value. I was spending around €60 daily on food and activities like visiting Kadriorg Palace, and the ATM rate worked better for my budget. The exchange counter’s rate was noticeably worse. Next time, I’d skip the airport kiosk entirely.
In Estonia, ATMs almost always give a better rate than the airport exchange counters. Since the country uses euros, machines operated by SEB, LHV, or Swedbank provide near-market conversions. Airport kiosks, especially at Tallinn Airport, have poor rates. If you’re budgeting €50-80 daily for meals, trams, and sightseeing, withdraw euros from ATMs instead of exchanging at the airport. The only reason to use a counter is if you need a very small amount immediately after landing.