Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting Around Tallinn
ByPublicTransportation:
The Old Town and surrounding areas can be explored on foot,
but use public transit to reach outlying sights (such as Kadriorg Park, Kumu Art Museum,
or Estonian Open-Air Museum). Tallinn has buses, trams, and trolleys (buses connected
to overhead wires)—avoid mistakes by noting that they reuse the same numbers (bus #2,
tram #2, and trolley #2 are totally different lines). Maps and schedules are posted at stops,
or visit
http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee
(for an overview of transit stops useful to visitors, see
the “Greater Tallinn” map).
Stop by any yellow-and-blue R Kiosk convenience store (found all over town) to buy
a ticket, then stamp it in the machine on board. Single tickets cost €1; a pack of 10 is €8.
A 24-hour pass (valid from the moment it's stamped) is handy and costs €4. The 72-hour
(€6) and 120-hour (€7) passes are even better deals. Drivers grudgingly sell single tickets
on board for €1.60, but not passes.
Bus #2 (Moigu-Reisisadam) is helpful on arrival and departure, running every 20-30
minutes between the ferry port's A-Terminal and the airport. En route it stops at D-Termin-
al; at “A. Laikmaa,” next to the Viru Keskus mall (a short walk south of the Old Town);
and at the long-distance bus station.
Bus #90K is also convenient, connecting many of the same stops—and additional
ones—in a different order (airport, southern end of Old Town, D-Terminal, A-Terminal,
train station, northern and western ends of Old Town, then back to the airport); however,
since it's privately run, it is not covered by regular bus tickets or passes (€2, 3/hour,
By Taxi:
Taxis in Tallinn are handy, but it's easy to get ripped off. The safest way to
catch a cab is to order one by phone (or ask a trusted local to call for you)—this is what
Estonians usually do. Tulika is the largest company, with predictable, fair prices (€3.10
drop charge plus €0.65/kilometer, €0.77/kilometer from 23:00-6:00, tel. 612-0001 or 1200,
check latest prices at
www.tulika.ee
)
. Cabbies are required to use the meter and to give you
a meter-printed receipt. If you don't get a receipt, it's safe to assume you're being ripped
off and legally don't need to pay. Longer rides around the city (e.g., from the airport to the
Old Town) should run around €8-10.
If you must catch a taxi off the street, go to a busy taxi stand where lots of cabs are
lined up. It's also OK to use the stands at the airport and ferry terminals. Before doing
any-
thing
else, take a close look at the yellow price list on the rear passenger-side door; the
base fare should be around €3.10 and the per-kilometer charge under €1. If it's not, keep
looking. Glance inside—a photo ID license should be attached to the middle of the dash-
board. Don't negotiate or ask for a price estimate; let the driver use the meter. Rates must be
posted by law, but are not capped or regulated, so the most common scam—unfortunately
widespread, and legal—is to list an inflated price on the yellow price sticker (as much
as €3/kilometer), and simply wait for a tourist to hop in without noticing. Singleton cabs
lurking in tourist areas are usually fishing for suckers, as are cabbies who flag you down
(“Taxi?”)—give them a miss. It's fun to play spot-the-scam as you walk around town.
