Kärdla Airport sits about 5 km east of Kärdla town center on Hiiumaa island, Estonia. Transport costs here are low by European standards. The challenge is not the price — it is arranging the ride at all.
Getting to Kärdla town
The trip takes about 8-10 minutes along a straightforward two-lane road. Some local accommodation providers include airport pickup in their rates, so check with your hotel or guesthouse first — on Hiiumaa this is common and often the easiest answer.
Estonian taxi fares are not set by any authority — each operator sets its own and must display its price list on the vehicle. There is no Hiiumaa tariff to quote, so check the price list before you get in, or agree the fare when you call. We are not printing a per-km figure, because there is no official one to print. The catch is not the fare anyway: there are no taxis idling at the airport, so you need to call ahead.
A pre-booked transfer is quoted per vehicle and fixed when you book, which is the only price you can know before you fly.
Distances to other Hiiumaa destinations
Hiiumaa is a small island, but distances still matter when there is no public transport from the airport.
| Destination | Distance | Approx. drive |
|---|---|---|
| Kärdla town centre | 5 km | 8-10 min |
| Käina | 15 km | 20 min |
| Kassari peninsula | 25 km | 30 min |
| Heltermaa ferry port | 30 km | 35 min |
| Kõpu area (western tip) | 40 km | 40-45 min |
Fixed-price private transfer
KDL Kärdla City Center
From€58for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €78 per vehicle, about €20 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Rental car
If you want to explore the island independently, renting a car is a sensible option. There are no rental desks at the airport and you will not find international chains here — it is local operators, and you need to book ahead, ideally with delivery to the airport. Rates are set by each company, so compare directly rather than trusting a published range. Fuel costs on the island are comparable to mainland Estonia.
The ferry alternative
Some travelers arrive by ferry at Heltermaa port instead of flying. This is the one leg with official, published prices. The Rohuküla (mainland) to Heltermaa route is run by TS Laevad, with fares set by ministerial regulation:
- Adult foot passenger: EUR 4.85
- Bicycle: EUR 1.70
- Passenger car: EUR 14.30 (the car ticket covers the vehicle only — the driver and every passenger need their own pedestrian ticket)
A 20% higher vehicle price applies to departures from the islands to the mainland on Sundays after 13:00, and from the mainland to the islands on Fridays after 13:00, with exemptions for scheduled buses and Hiiu/Saare county residents. The crossing takes about 75 minutes. Check current prices at praamid.ee before you travel — these are revised from time to time.
From Heltermaa you still need transport onward, which brings you back to the same problem: arrange it in advance.
Bottom line
Getting from Kärdla Airport to town is cheap. The expense is not the issue — planning ahead is. On an island with no taxi rank, no airport bus and single-digit numbers of drivers, the small premium for a pre-booked transfer is insurance against standing in an empty parking lot.
When a private transfer from KDL is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Kärdla City Center is from €78, about €20 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
KDL → Kärdla City Center from €58Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.