Getting around Tallinn: public transport, passes and taxis

Tallinn is compact and flat, so the choice is usually between your feet and a short tram or bus hop. Everything below is a 2026 estimate; confirm current fares with the operator before you rely on them.

Tallinn's trams, buses and trolleybuses share one ticket system. A single ticket covers one hour of travel with transfers inside that window; a day pass makes sense from about three rides onward. Buy from a kiosk, the driver where accepted, or the official app, and validate on board — an unvalidated ticket counts as no ticket and inspectors do fine passengers.

Travel is free for people registered as Tallinn residents. Visitors are not covered, whatever a hotel sign suggests, so budget for tickets. Children, students and seniors may qualify for reduced fares — check the operator's current rules.

The tram network is small but useful: tram 4 links the airport with the centre, and trams run through the city core toward Kadriorg. Buses fill the gaps, including Pirita and Rocca al Mare. Trolleybuses still run on some routes.

Bolt is the default ride-hailing app in Tallinn and usually the cheapest predictable option: a cross-city trip typically lands between €5 and €12 depending on demand and time. The price is fixed in the app before you accept, which removes the main taxi risk.

Street taxis set their own tariffs, and the difference between companies is large. Check the sticker on the window before getting in, and prefer a taxi rank at the airport or a major hotel over a car that approaches you. Card payment is normal; tipping is not expected, though you can round up or tip in the app.

The Old Town, the ferry terminal, Telliskivi and Kalamaja sit within a 25-minute walk of each other, and the centre is flat. Cobbles in the Old Town are hard on wheeled luggage, so a taxi or tram for the last stretch is reasonable if you are hauling a big case.

Rental bikes and e-scooters appear across the centre from spring to autumn and suit the flat coastal path toward Pirita. Rental runs roughly €15–25 a day. Ride on cycle paths where they exist, and lock up properly; scooters are banned from some pedestrian zones.

Prices below are 2026 estimates and change; treat them as a planning band, not a quote.

Contactless bank cards work on many vehicles, but keep a small amount of cash or a kiosk-bought ticket as backup. Mobile data makes Bolt, maps and timetables work smoothly; an eSIM set up before arrival saves hunting for a SIM shop.

If you are heading out of the city, the bus and train stations are a short tram or walk from the centre — see the Estonia getting around page for intercity options. For the airport run, check the airport transfer page for current tram and taxi detail.