IEEE European School of Information Theory , , April 14-18th, 2014

Dear Participant,

We are happy to welcome you to Estonia and Tallinn! Please find some practical information about the conference below.

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School Venue:

Sokos Hotel VIRU Viru väljak 4, 10111 Tallinn, ESTONIA https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/tallinn/sokos-hotel-viru

How to get to Tallinn City Centre?

From

To reach the Sokos Hotel VIRU from Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, we recommend you to take a taxi. There are taxies available in front of the Airport building. Since Tallinn Airport is fairly small you will easily see the taxies waiting in front of the arrivals gate (second floor). The cost of taxi drive to the Sokos Hotel VIRU should be approximately 10-13 EUR, and the trip takes about 10 minutes (in absence of traffic) – it is only about 4 km away.

You can also use public transportation. The airport bus stop is located in front of the terminal (first floor). Bus No. 2 travels the route Mõigu - Passenger Port. In the city centre the bus stops next to Viru Keskus at A. Laikmaa street, which is next to the Sokos Hotel VIRU.

Tickets can be bought from the driver upon entering the bus. Various tickets are available also from the R-Kiosk in the Passenger Terminal. MRP bus company operates the route with Scania buses. A single- trip ticket costs 1.60 EUR when bought from the driver. Timetable is available here: http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/. See a schedule named ''Moigu-Reisisadam'', where the bus stop ''Lennujaam'' means the Airport.

There is Airport shuttle service available at Tallinn Airport. The shuttles can deliver you to any location in the city centre. The cost of the shuttle service is 5 EUR per person. The Airport Shuttle service desk is located outside the arrival gates on the right.

From the Ferry Terminal

To arrive to the Sokos Hotel VIRU from ferry terminals, you can take a taxi. You can find taxies in front of the harbour building (and if you can’t find one, please turn to the information desk). The taxi drive to Sokos Hotel VIRU should cost approximately 7 EUR and it takes about 5 minutes.

Sokos hotel VIRU is at the walking distance from the harbour. It is about 20 minutes by walk.

Public transportation in Tallinn

Public transportation in Tallinn consists of buses, trams and trolley buses. Tallinn public transportation today uses touchless electronic cards, which can be bought from R-kiosk. A single-trip ticket can also be purchased from the bus/tram drivers, and it costs 1.60 EUR. For different ticketing options, see the following link: http://www.tallinn.ee/eng/pilet/Ticket-prices

Taxi

Taxi travel in Tallinn costs in average approximately 0.55 EUR per kilometer + starting fare around 3.00 EUR. Most of the taxis do not accept payments by credit/debit cards, but some do.

Some recommended taxi companies are: Tallink takso, phone +372 6408 921 (card payments accepted) Tulika takso, phone +372 6120 000 (card payments accepted) Reval takso, phone +372 6014 600

The taxi fares may slightly vary depending on the traffic and company.

Tourist information

Tallinn Tourist Information Center in Old Town

Niguliste 2/Kullassepa 4 Phone +372 6457 777

Tallinn Tourist Information Centre in Viru Keskus

Viru Square 4 Phone +372 6101 557

Passport and Visa

A valid passport is required to enter Estonia. Please make sure that your passport is valid until at least 3 months after your departure date from Estonia. Citizens of European Union countries do not need a visa to enter Estonia. Estonia is a part of Schengen visa-free travel area.

Estonian Time and Weather

Estonia is in the Eastern European Time Zone: GMT + 3 hours during the Daylight Savings Time in summer. Please see the link http://www.foreca.com/Estonia/Tallinn for the latest forecast.

Currency, Banks, Credit Cards

The national currency in Estonia is Euro. Major international credit cards are widely accepted. Further information about currency and exchange rates on Estonian Bank’s website: http://www.eestipank.info/frontpage/en/.

Upon arrival to Estonia you can find exchange points at the airport, railway station, harbour and bus stations.

Shopping

Shops are usually open from 10.00 until 18.00 on weekdays and on weekends. Larger department stores are open between 9.00 and 21.00. Best shopping facilities in Tallinn can be found in the city centre: Stockmann, Tallinn Kaubamaja, Viru Keskus, etc. Many nice boutiques and handicrafts galleries can be found in the Old Town around the Town Hall Square.