Public transport
Tallinn has a reliable public transportation and for citizens of Tallinn, it is free of charge. Most buses, trams and trains run from early morning until late at night, with some night buses being also available. Regular price for tickets is 2€ for 90 min.
In order to use public transportation, you need to buy a ticket. There are multiple ways for that but the easiest are:
– buy a ühiskaart (smart card) and upload money on it or buy a period ticket. Once you are on a bus just validate it.
– use your bank card as payment option directly on the bus, tram, train. However, please note, validators for those are always situated in the front of the bus.
Places to buy a ühiskaart and to read more about the rules/regulations:
– http://www.tallinn.ee/eng/pilet/
For citizens of Tallinn, public transportation is free. Exchange students who are EU-citizens can use this option once they have registered their place of residency and received ID card (more information under visa and residence permit). Please note that once you have it, you need to personalize the card (only you can use it then). Please also note, that you still have to carry the card with you and always validate it.
For students who have a D-visa and or other country’s visa/residence permit, unfortunately cannot use this option, as they cannot register their place or residency here due to Estonian laws. For them the regular tickets are available for regular price.
Things to keep in mind
– Make sure you validate the ühiskaart every time you enter bus, tram, train.
– Buses, trams and trains are usually on time, so be also on time.
– You can enter the bus, tram, train from any door, not just the front (the intercity ones).
– Ühiskaart can be used all over Estonia. Should you visit for example Tartu, you can use the same card to pay for the transport to get around in Tartu. However, there you do not have a right for free transport, so preload some money on it.
