On 5 January at 10:05, the inaugural journey of the Tallinn–Tartu–Riga train line will depart from Tartu railway station. The first journey will be joined by the Estonian Minister of Infrastructure, the Latvian Minister of Transport, as well as representatives of partner municipalities in Tartu and Latvia and the tourism sector. Regular scheduled services between Tallinn, Tartu, and Riga will begin on 12 January.
“On this welcome journey, we will introduce the new train line to the public in both Estonia and Latvia, as well as to local governments and representatives of the tourism sector,” said Lauri Betlem, Chairman of the Management Board of Elron. “The direct line is equally important for people in South Estonia and Northern Latvia, as it helps to strengthen economic ties and promote tourism.”
Tickets are not sold for the welcome journey, and no additional passengers will be taken on board along the route. However, everyone is welcome to greet the train at events taking place in Tartu, Elva, Valga, Valmiera, Cēsis, Sigulda, and Riga. “At each station, the timetable of the new line will also be officially unveiled with the participation of the city mayor or municipal leader,” said Kristo Mäe, Head of International Business Development at Elron.
Stops on the inaugural journey of the Tartu–Riga train line:
Tartu station: opening event 9:30–10:00
Elva station: 10:27–10:37
Valga station: 11:23–11:33
Valmiera station: 12:04–12:14
Cēsis station: 12:35–12:45
Sigulda station: 13:19–13:29
Riga station: 14:11–14:35
The train will ceremonially arrive back at Tartu station at 18:39.
Participants in the inaugural journey include Kuldar Leis, Estonian Minister of Infrastructure; Atis Švinka, Latvian Minister of Transport; Urmas Klaas, Mayor of Tartu; Lauri Betlem, Chairman of the Management Board of Elron; Raitis Nešpors, Chairman of the Management Board of Latvian passenger rail operator Vivi; as well as the mayors and municipal leaders of Elva, Valga, Valmiera, Cēsis, and Sigulda. In the Latvian capital, the train will be welcomed by Viesturs Kleinbergs, Mayor of Riga. Regional tourism coordinators and journalists from Estonia and Latvia are also taking part in the welcome journey.
The launch of the Tartu–Valga–Riga passenger rail connection is being carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Affairs, the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the City of Tartu, the Latvian passenger rail operator Vivi, and other Latvian partners.
Tallinn–Tartu–Riga train line launches on 12 January
From 12 January, the Tallinn–Tartu–Riga train will depart from Tallinn at 14:50, from Tartu at 17:05, and arrive in Riga at 20:46.
From Riga, the train will depart at 7:38, arrive in Tartu at 11:45, and in Tallinn at 13:57. The first departure in the Riga–Tartu–Tallinn direction will take place on 13 January at 7:38.
According to the current timetable, the journey time is 3 hours and 41 minutes between Tartu and Riga, and 5 hours and 56 minutes between Tallinn and Riga.
Ticket prices will start at 19–22 euros from Tartu to Riga and 29–32 euros from Tallinn to Riga. The line will be operated with a two-car Stadler Flirt diesel train.
Existing connections between Tallinn, Tartu, and Riga
In January 2025, a once-daily passenger rail connection with one transfer was launched between Tallinn–Tartu–Valga–Riga–Vilnius. The route is operated by Elron between Tallinn and Valga, by Latvian passenger rail operator Vivi between Valga and Riga, and by Lithuanian passenger rail operator LTG Link between Riga and Vilnius.
In September 2025, an additional transfer-based train connection operating from Friday to Sunday was launched between Tallinn–Tartu–Riga, with Elron operating the Tallinn–Valga section and Vivi operating the Valga–Riga section.
Elron (AS Eesti Liinirongid) is a state-owned passenger rail operator that provides passenger train services on railway infrastructure owned by Eesti Raudtee and Edelaraudtee. In 2024, Elron trains carried 7.93 million passengers.