Free public transport in Tallinn — what you need to know

Tallinn — Europe's first capital with free public transport

Since January 1, 2013, public transport in Tallinn has been free for all city residents. Tallinn was the first European capital to introduce fare-free public transit. The decision significantly changed how residents move around the city and made public transport a far more popular choice.

Who rides free?

Free travel rights apply to the following groups:

• Tallinn residents — anyone whose official place of residence in the population register is Tallinn. This means your address must be registered in the city.
• Students up to 19 years of age (inclusive) who study in primary school, gymnasium, or vocational education.
• People aged 65 and over who are Estonian residents (regardless of their city of residence within Estonia).
• Children under 7 — ride free even without a transport card.

How to get a transport card for free travel

Even if you qualify for free travel, you need a personalized Ühiskaart (transport card). Here are the steps:

1. Buy an Ühiskaart — the green contactless card costs 3 EUR. Available at R-Kiosks, post offices, and other sales points.
2. Personalize the card — visit a sales point and personalize it (1 EUR), or do it for free online at pilet.ee. Personalization links the card to your Estonian personal ID code.
3. Register your address — make sure your official residence is registered as Tallinn. You can register your address through local government or the eesti.ee portal.
4. Validate on every ride — even with free travel, you must tap your card on the orange validator every time you board a bus, tram, or trolleybus. Riding without validation can result in a 40 EUR fine.

What if I'm not a Tallinn resident?

If your residence is not registered in Tallinn, you need to buy a ticket. This applies to residents of other Estonian cities as well as tourists. Here are the main ticket options:

• QR ticket — 1-hour ticket for 2 EUR (buy at tallinn.pilet.ee or the Pilet.ee app).
• Contactless bank card — tap your card on the orange validator. The daily cap system ensures you never pay more than 5.50 EUR per day.
• Period passes — 1 day (4.50 EUR), 3 days (7.50 EUR), 30 days.
• Tallinn Card — designed for tourists, it includes unlimited public transport (24, 48, or 72 hours) plus free entry to museums and attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Does free travel apply to night buses?

Yes, free travel rights apply to all Tallinn public transport lines, including night buses that run on Friday and Saturday nights.

Do I always need to carry the card?

Yes. Inspections are random and inspectors have the right to request proof of a valid ticket. The fine for travelling without validation is 40 EUR.

Are Elron trains also free?

No. Tallinn's free public transport only applies to city buses, trams, and trolleybuses. Elron trains have separate tickets.

How to check timetables?

Use the Viamo app to check timetables, real-time departures, and plan your routes. Viamo shows GPS-based accurate arrival times and helps you plan journeys on a map.

Summary

Tallinn's free public transport is a great benefit for city residents. The key things to remember: you need a personalized Ühiskaart and you must validate it on every ride. Tourists have several affordable options ranging from QR tickets to the Tallinn Card. Whether you ride free or buy a ticket, plan your journey with Viamo to reach your destination smoothly and on time.