Tallinn public transport, end to end.

Transport modes

Tallinn is served by four kinds of public transport. Day-to-day, most journeys are on buses (about 60 lines) and trams (four historic lines — 1, 2, 3, 4 — plus the modern 4-line extension to the airport). Elron commuter trains link Tallinn with the wider Harju County and the rest of Estonia. A fleet of battery-electric trolleybuses is scheduled to re-enter service in summer 2026 after the city retired the previous fleet for replacement.

Buses and trams are operated by TLT (Tallinna Linnatransport), the city transport authority. Trains are operated by Elron, the national commuter-rail company. Schedules are published as open GTFS data, which is how apps like Rada can show you live arrivals.

Tickets and fares

There are two practical ways to pay for a ride: a smart card or an app/paper ticket.

Ühiskaart (Green card)

The Ühiskaart, popularly called the green card, is the city's contactless smart card. You tap it against the validator when you board, and the fare is deducted from a prepaid balance — or, if you're a registered resident, the journey is free (see below). The card costs €2 once and can be topped up at R-Kiosks, post offices, and online.

Single-ride and day tickets

Visitors typically pick a single ride (valid for one hour with transfers), a day ticket (24 hours of unlimited city travel), or a multi-day pass via the Ühistransport app or a paper ticket bought from the driver. Always validate your ticket when boarding — ticket inspectors do check, and the fine is steep.

Rough prices (as a guide)

Fare schedules change periodically and vary by ticket type, zone, and payment method. Check the official city transport page before you travel for the exact current price — this guide gives orders of magnitude, not quotes.

Free public transport for residents

Tallinn has had free public transport for registered residents since 2013. If your official residence is Tallinn, you tap your Ühiskaart and pay nothing. This makes Tallinn one of the most transit-friendly capitals in Europe, and it's worth registering if you move here permanently — the card pays for itself on the first ride.

Zones: city vs. regional

Most tram and bus routes stay inside the Tallinn city zone. County buses (marked with different line numbers) and Elron trains extend into Harju County — the larger region surrounding Tallinn — and other parts of Estonia. County buses are operated by separate authorities and may use different fare rules.

If you're only visiting the city centre, Old Town, Kadriorg, Pirita, or Kristiine, you will stay in the city zone. If you go to the seaside further out, to Paldiski, or to Tartu, you're in regional/national territory.

Getting to and from the airport

Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport (TLL) is 4 km from the Old Town. The quickest options:

• Tram line 4 — direct to the airport terminal. The newest and best tourist option. Runs frequently.
• Bus 2 — runs between the airport and the port / city centre. Takes 20–25 minutes.
• Taxi / Bolt — around 10 minutes; useful at night.

Both the tram and bus 2 accept Ühiskaart payment. Tickets bought from the driver cost more than pre-loaded cards.

Night service

A limited set of buses continues on weekend nights (Friday and Saturday) along the busiest corridors. Schedules are thin but serviceable — check the timetable before relying on it. Outside those corridors, you'll need a taxi or ride-hail after midnight.

Bikes, pets, and accessibility

Bikes are allowed on trams outside peak hours (roughly 07–09 and 16–18) and on Elron trains at most times. Folding bikes travel free and any time.

Pets are welcome on public transport if they're muzzled (dogs) or in a carrier (cats, small animals). A small pet fare may apply depending on the operator.

Accessibility is strong on newer trams and most low-floor buses. Each stop sign shows whether that route runs low-floor vehicles. Elron trains have step-assisted boarding and designated accessible spaces.

Which app should you use?

For live arrivals, a live map of vehicles, route planning, and saved favourites, download Rada. It's free, works in seven languages, and pulls real-time data directly from TLT's and Elron's official feeds.

For buying tickets, the Ühistransport app handles payments on public transit. For inter-city trains, use the Elron website or app.