Transportation

Getting Around Estonia

Estonia is easy to navigate, especially Tallinn, which offers one of Europe's only free public transport systems for residents.

Tallinn Public Transport

FREE for registered residents! Since 2013, Tallinn residents can use all public transport free by:

1. Registering your address in Tallinn
2. Getting a Green Card (ühiskaart) - €2
3. Validating when boarding

For non-residents:

• Single ticket: €2
• 1-hour ticket: €1.50
• Monthly pass: €23
• Green Card (ühiskaart): €2 + top-up credit

Network includes:

• Trams (tramm) - 4 lines, city center
• Buses (buss) - Extensive coverage
• Trolleybuses - Electric, quiet
• Ferries to nearby islands (separate fare)

Getting Around Tallinn

Tallinn is compact and walkable:

• Old Town to Kalamaja: 15-20 min walk
• Old Town to Telliskivi: 10 min walk
• City is flat - good for walking/cycling

Bolt (Estonian company!) - Ride-sharing app, very affordable:

• City rides: €3-8 typically
• Also offers e-scooters and bikes

Cycling:

• Bolt bikes available
• Dedicated bike lanes improving
• Flat terrain makes cycling easy

Between Cities

Bus (most common):

• Lux Express and EESTI Bus main operators
• Tallinn-Tartu: ~2.5 hours, €10-15
• Modern, WiFi on board
• Book via Tpilet.ee or apps

Train:

• Elron operates rail services
• Tallinn-Tartu: ~2 hours, €12-18
• Less frequent than buses
• Scenic routes

Domestic flights:

• Limited routes
• Tallinn-Kuressaare (Saaremaa island)

International Connections

Tallinn Airport (TLL):

• 4km from city center
• Tram #4 to center (20 min)
• Flights to most European capitals
• Budget carriers: Ryanair, Wizz Air

Ferry connections:

• Helsinki, Finland: 2 hours (Tallink, Viking, Eckerö)
• Stockholm, Sweden: Overnight (Tallink)
• Very popular day trip to Helsinki

Bus to neighbors:

• Riga, Latvia: ~4 hours
• Vilnius, Lithuania: ~9 hours

Driving

Do you need a car in Tallinn? No - public transport, walking, and Bolt are sufficient.

When a car helps:

• Exploring countryside
• Visiting islands
• Winter trips

License requirements:

• EU licenses valid
• Non-EU licenses valid with IDP for 12 months
• Then must exchange for Estonian license

Costs:

• Fuel: ~€1.70/liter
• Parking in center: €2-4/hour
• Insurance: €300-500/year