Transport Cards & Public Transit

Public Transport in Tallinn: Overview

Tallinn has an excellent public transport system that's:

• Free for residents — Yes, really free (if registered)
• Comprehensive — Covers entire city
• Reliable — Runs on schedule
• Clean and safe — Well-maintained
• Digital — Real-time tracking apps

The Network

Transport Types

| Type | Estonian | Coverage | |------|----------|----------| | Bus | Buss | Citywide, most routes | | Tram | Tramm | City center and select areas | | Trolleybus | Trollibuss | Central and East Tallinn | | Train | Rong | To/from suburbs and other cities | | Ferry | Praam | To islands |

Key Stats

• 4 tram lines — 1, 2, 3, 4
• 50+ bus routes — Including express lines
• 8 trolleybus lines — 1-8
• Operating hours: ~6:00 AM to midnight (varies)
• Frequency: Every 5-20 minutes depending on line

Getting Your Travel Card

The Ühiskaart (Green Card)

This is the standard public transport card for Tallinn:

Where to get it:

• R-Kiosk — Any location
• Tallinna Kaubamaja (department store)
• TLT Service Point — Viru keskus, Vabaduse väljak
• Online — order at tallinn.ee

Cost:

• Card itself: €2
• No registration: Pay per ride
• Registered: Free travel (residents)

Registering Your Card

Why register: Once your address is registered in Tallinn, public transport is FREE.

How to register:

1. Register your residence at Tallinn (Population Register)
2. Go to tallinn.ee → Public Transport
3. Or visit TLT service point
4. Link your personal code to your card number
5. Wait 24 hours
6. Enjoy free travel!

What you need:

• Your Ühiskaart number
• Personal ID code (isikukood)
• Registered address in Tallinn

Important Notes

• Card must be validated on every journey
• Free travel only within Tallinn city limits
• Going to Viimsi, Harku, etc. = different zones (paid)
• Lost card = new card needed

How to Use the System

Basic Usage

1. Get on any door (all are open)
2. Validate your card on the orange reader
3. Hear beep — confirmation
4. Sit or stand as needed
5. Exit through any door

Validation Readers

• Orange boxes near doors
• Hold card until beep
• Check display shows validation
• Keep card ready for inspectors

Inspections

Ticket inspectors (kontrolör) check frequently:

• Must show validated card
• Or valid ticket
• Fines for non-validation: €40 on the spot, €80 if later
• No excuses accepted

Payment Options

If Not a Registered Resident

| Option | Cost | Where to Buy | |--------|------|--------------| | Single ride | €2.00 | Card, app, bus | | 1-hour ticket | €1.50 | Ühiskaart preloaded | | 24-hour ticket | €5.50 | Card, app, kiosk | | 72-hour ticket | €8.00 | Card, app, kiosk | | 30-day ticket | €30.00 | Card, app, kiosk |

Loading Money

Add credit to your Ühiskaart at:

• R-Kiosk
• Tallinna Kaubamaja
• Online at pilet.tallinn.ee
• TLT service points

Mobile Payment

Pilet.ee app:

• Buy tickets on phone
• QR code for validation
• Works immediately
• Good for tourists

Useful Apps

Must-Have Apps

Tallinn Transport (TLT)

• Official app
• Real-time arrivals
• Route planning
• Stop information

Moovit

• Excellent route planning
• Multi-modal (includes walking)
• Live tracking
• Available in English

Google Maps

• Works well for Tallinn
• Real-time transit info
• Integrated directions

Trip Planning Online

• transport.tallinn.ee — Official planner
• peatus.ee — Stop schedules

Popular Routes

Getting Around Tallinn

| From | To | Best Option | |------|-----|-------------| | Old Town | Kalamaja | Walk (15 min) or Tram 1/2 | | Old Town | Kadriorg | Tram 1/3 | | Old Town | Lasnamäe | Bus 67, 68 | | Old Town | Pirita | Bus 1A, 8, 34A | | Old Town | Airport | Bus 2 | | Kristiine | Center | Tram 3/4 | | Mustamäe | Center | Bus multiple options |

Express Buses

Lines starting with "e" (like e1, e12) are express:

• Fewer stops
• Faster journeys
• Good for longer distances

Trams

The Tram Network

| Line | Route | |------|-------| | 1 | Kopli — Kadriorg | | 2 | Kopli — Ülemiste | | 3 | Tondi — Kadriorg | | 4 | Tondi — Lennujaam (Airport) |

Tram 4 to airport — Opened 2017, direct connection from city center.

Tram Tips

• Runs frequently (every 5-10 min peak)
• Validate at orange boxes
• Priority at intersections
• Clean and quiet

Buses

Bus Categories

• Regular numbers (1-99) — Standard city routes
• 100+ numbers — County routes, exit Tallinn
• Express (e prefix) — Limited stops, faster

Key Routes for Expats

| Route | Useful For | |-------|------------| | Bus 2 | Airport to city center (old route) | | Bus 40 | Circular route, connects many areas | | Bus 67, 68 | To Lasnamäe | | Bus 1A, 8 | To Pirita beach | | Bus 3 | To Ferry terminal |

Regional Transport (Elron Trains)

For travel outside Tallinn:

Where Trains Go

• Tartu — 2-2.5 hours
• Pärnu — 2 hours
• Viljandi — 2 hours
• Narva — 3 hours
• Paldiski — 50 minutes

Buying Train Tickets

• elron.ee — Online booking
• At station machines
• On board (higher price)
• Ühiskaart not valid for trains

Main Station

Balti jaam (Baltic Station):

• Next to Telliskivi
• Modern facilities
• Easy tram/bus connection

Ferries & Boats

Regular Ferries

• Tallinn-Helsinki — 2 hours (Tallink, Eckerö, Viking)
• Tallinn-Stockholm — Overnight

Island Ferries

From Tallinn area to:

• Naissaar
• Aegna
• Various small islands

Book at veeteed.com or tuulelaevad.ee

Bikes & Scooters

Bolt (Scooters & Bikes)

• App-based rental
• €1 unlock + €0.15/min
• Available citywide
• Easy to use

City Bike

Tallinn's bike-share system:

• Stations throughout city
• Annual pass available
• Good for short trips

Taxis & Ride-Share

Bolt

Most popular ride-share:

• App-based
• Competitive prices
• Reliable
• English in app

Regular Taxis

• Tallink Takso
• Tulika Takso
• Always use the meter
• Avoid unmarked taxis

Typical Prices

• Airport to center: €10-15
• Within center: €5-8
• Prices increase at night

Tips for Expats

First Week

1. Buy Ühiskaart at R-Kiosk
2. Download TLT and Moovit apps
3. Learn your daily routes
4. Validate every time!

After Registration

1. Register card online
2. Wait 24 hours
3. Enjoy free transport
4. Update if you move!

Winter Tips

• Dress warm at stops
• Check for delays in snow
• Consider indoor waiting at major stops
• Buses may run slow in ice

Useful Transport Vocabulary

| Estonian | English | |----------|---------| | Peatus | Stop | | Järgmine peatus | Next stop | | Lõpp-peatus | Final stop | | Ühiskaart | Transport card | | Pilet | Ticket | | Sõiduplaan | Schedule | | Buss | Bus | | Tramm | Tram |

Happy travels! 🚋