How do you get to Tartu?
Getting There6.6/10Easier to reach than about 60% of cities
- Main airport
- Tartu Airport (TAY)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: tartu.ee, airport.ee
Good to know
Good to Know
- Tartu's only international flight is to Helsinki with Finnair; onward connections available there to ~100 destinations globally.
- For Tallinn access, bus is cheaper (€11-17) but slightly longer (~145 min); train is slightly faster (€11-20, ~130 min) and more comfortable. Bus departs every 30 min, train ~10 times daily.
- Tartu railway station is 1.5 km from city center; use free electric bus No. 25 from station, or 1.5 km walk. Bus station is central.
- Public transport payment via smart card (Ühiskaart purchased for €3) or contactless card at validators; single trip €2.50 (non-resident), day pass €3.75.
- Tartu buses run on renewable fuel and are eco-friendly. The city is compact and bikeable (Smart Bike Share available with 750 bikes).
- From Tallinn Airport, express bus or train to Tallinn city (20-30 min), then intercity bus/train to Tartu (2.5-2.25 hours total).
- Riga Airport is ~250 km away; direct buses available (Lux Express 3× daily from airport, 4× from city center). Night bus service available.
- Tartu airport taxi or bus to city center; no car rental mentioned as typical airport service; check airport website for current transport options.
- No river or canal ferry service within Tartu; limited ferry access is via Tallinn ports 186 km away.
- Currency is Euro (EUR €). ATMs widely available. Most businesses accept contactless cards. Cash useful for small purchases.
Airport
- Name
- Tartu Airport (TAY)
- Parking
- Paid parking lot available at airport
- Distance From Center Km
- 10
- Distance From Center Miles
- 6.2
- Description
- Small regional airport located 10 km from city center, with one international flight route.
Flights
Helsinki (HEL)
- Airline
- Finnair
- Frequency
- Daily service with 1-2 flights per day (varies by day)
- Duration Minutes
- 45
- Round Trip Price Sample USD
- 165
- Schedule Note
- Some flights suspended seasonally (e.g., June-August certain late-night services may not operate)
- Connecting Note
- Helsinki hub provides convenient connections to ~100 worldwide destinations
Departing Times Tartu
- 06:00
- 14:40
Returning Times Helsinki
- 00:10
- 13:25
Ground Transport
- Bus
- City buses connect airport to center; check local schedules at tartu.ee
- Taxi
- Available from airport; taxi services include Bolt and Uber apps, or can be ordered by phone
Bus Connections
- Station
- Tartu Bus Station (Turu 2, 51014); located in city center near Turu Square
- Bus Station Note
- Walking distance to city center and accommodations
Domestic Intercity
Tallinn
- Frequency
- Hourly or every 30 minutes
- Ticket Booking
- tpilet.ee, luxexpress.eu, or at station
- Journey Duration Minutes
- 145
- Note
- Bus station centrally located in city; one of most frequent routes
Operators
- Lux Express
- FlixBus
- other regional operators
Price Range
- Amount USD Max
- 19
- Amount USD Min
- 12
- Currency Local
- EUR
- Amount Local Max
- 17
- Amount Local Min
- 11
Riga (Latvia)
- Frequency
- Multiple daily departures
- Night Service
- Late-night service available (departs 23:55, arrives early morning)
Operators
- Lux Express
- Ecolines
Price Range
- Amount USD Max
- 27
- Amount USD Min
- 16
- Currency Local
- EUR
- Amount Local Max
- 25
- Amount Local Min
- 15
Other Estonian Destinations
- Description
- Regular service to various South Estonian towns including Elva, Valga, and surrounding areas
Day Trip Access
Tartu County
Elva
- Transport
- Train or bus
- Highlights
- Väike Väerada hiking trail (3 km), Lake Arbi nature trail
- Duration Minutes
- 30-45
ÜLenurme
- Transport
- Train or bus
- Highlights
- Estonian Agricultural Museum
Elistvere
- Transport
- Bus
- Highlights
- Educational nature trail, lake viewing platform, mammal center
Rail Connections
Domestic Trains
Elron
- Services
- Express and regular trains available
- Destination
- Tallinn
- Ticket Purchase
- Online at elron.ee, on train with conductor, or at station
- Frequency Per Day
- ~10
- Journey Duration Minutes
- 130-140
- Note
- Tartu Railway Station located 1.5 km from city center
Price Range
- Amount USD Max
- 22
- Amount USD Min
- 12
- Currency Local
- EUR
- Amount Local Max
- 20
- Amount Local Min
- 11
Elron
- Frequency
- Regular service
- Destination
- Valga
Intermediate Stops
- Elva
- Koidula
Elron
- Destination
- Southern Estonia routes
- Note
- Connections to Põlva, Piusa, and other regional towns
Station Facilities
- Free Bus
- Electric bus No. 25 provides free transit from station to city center
- Location
- Vaksali 6, Tartu; located 1.5 km from city center
- Paid Bus
- Regular bus No. 20
International Trains
- Note
- No direct international rail from Tartu; connections require travel via Tallinn first
Ground Transport
Taxi
- Per Km Rate
- €0.69
- Starting Price
- €2.90
Apps
- Bolt
- Uber
- phone dispatch
Operators Recommended
- Elektritakso (1918)
- Forus Takso (1200)
Bike Share
- Name
- Tartu Smart Bike Share
- Stations
- 69
- Bikes Total
- 750
- Regular Bikes
- 240
- Ride Included
- 60 minutes per ride included in membership
- Electric Bikes
- 510
- Daily Membership
- €5.00
- Annual Membership
- €30
- Weekly Membership
- €10
Local Buses
- Day pass
- €3.75
- Operator
- AS GoBus (since 2019)
- Payment Methods
- Smart card (Ühiskaart) or contactless payment card
- Fare Single Trip
- €2.50
- Note
- Non-resident fares; residents have free travel. Must validate ticket on board.
- Description
- 15 bus routes operate within Tartu city center and county
Ferry Connections
- Note
- No direct ferry service from Tartu. Regional ferries operate from Tallinn (1.5-3 hour drive away) and other Estonian ports to Finland, Sweden, and other destinations.
Tallinn Ferries
- Destination Helsinki
- 1.5-3 hour ferry ride; multiple daily sailings in summer
- Destination Stockholm
- Overnight ferry; departs daily
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Tartu
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.