Guide · names
Alkotakso, alkotaksi, viinatakso — one thing, five names
The same service is searched for under at least five different words, and all five are in daily use. The confusion comes from their origins: some follow Estonian word formation, some came from Russian, and some are simply transliterated.
Five spellings in short
- viinatakso
- the most correct in Estonian: viin (vodka) + takso
- alkotakso
- the most searched form: alko + takso
- alkotaksi
- the ending follows Russian rather than the Estonian takso
- alkotaxi
- the same word with the international taxi
- Cyrillic forms
- one transliterates the Estonian ending, the other keeps the Russian one
None of these is an official term. They are colloquial compounds that grew up around the service itself.
Where the names come from
In Estonian a taxi is takso, not taksi. That is what decides the ending: viinatakso and alkotakso are both regular formations, alkotaksi is not.
The difference at the front is real. Viina means vodka specifically, alko means alcohol in general. In practice both mean the same thing: a drink brought to your door.
The Cyrillic spellings split at exactly the same point — one keeps the Estonian ending, the other the Russian one.
Which one to use when
A practical answer if you have to write it yourself.
viinatakso or alkotakso — both are regular.
Type whichever comes naturally; Google understands all five.
alkotaxi reads more easily, because taxi is a familiar word.
None of them. There it is retail sale of alcohol and courier service.
What alkotakso is
In short: a courier brings the drink to where you are, instead of you going to a shop. The order runs on a call or a message, the goods are handed over at the door, payment happens on the spot.
The only difference from a shop is the direction of travel. Everything else is identical: sale hours 10:00–22:00, the age limit of 18 and an ID check. Anyone promising delivery at night or without ID is not offering convenience but a breach, and both sides carry the liability.
The service has no regulation of its own: in law it is retail sale plus a courier. That is also why it has no official name — people invented their own, and that is how five spellings appeared.
Alkotakso in Tallinn — what to keep in mind
Four things that matter more in the city than price.
The last purchase goes through before 22:00. Till systems block the sale automatically, so «a little later» does not work even with goodwill.
Kesklinn, Lasnamäe, Mustamäe and Põhja-Tallinn are densely covered; the edges of Nõmme, Pirita and Haabersti take longer.
That is a city average, not a promise. A tighter time comes only with the address.
Asked for at the door, even when age is obvious. Without it there is no handover.
Where to order
Under that name, Alkotakso operates in Tallinn and Harjumaa — catalogue, number and ordering details are there.
Viinatakso's own line is short and runs on a call or a message: +372 5370 5348.
Common questions
Are alkotakso and viinatakso the same thing?
In practice yes: both mean drinks delivered to your door. The difference is only at the front of the word.
Which is correct, alkotakso or alkotaksi?
Estonian has takso, not taksi, so alkotakso is the regular form. The other is still widely used.
Why is alkotaxi written that way?
It is the same word in international spelling, with taxi.
Are these words in the dictionary?
No. They are colloquial compounds, not official terms.