Bus travel is the main form of public transport on Estonia, and there’s hardly a town in the country that isn’t served by at least one daily service from Tallinn. Buses linking the main cities are fast and comfortable, while those on rural routes can be exceedingly slow. Express buses (marked with a red “E” on timetables) make fewer stops and cost slightly more than regular services.

Tickets (pilet) can be bought from the bus-station ticket office (or from the bus driver if you are getting on at a wayside halt). Advance bookings are wise if you are travelling at weekends.

The trip from Tallinn to Tartu, for example, lasts 2hr 30min and costs in the region of €12 one-way.

T Pilet provides online timetables and booking facilities.

Tallinn bus station

The long-distance bus station (Autobussijaam) is 2km southeast of the centre at Lastekodu 46. Trams #2 and #4 run from nearby Tartnu mnt. to Viru Valjak. Most cities and towns in Estonia are served by direct buses from here. The TPilet website handles timetable info and tickets.