Welcome to Tartu
Reaching Tartu is easy. Whether you travel by bus, train or plane, the city centre is just a short ride or even a walk away from all stations. In this article, you will find an overview of how to continue your journey comfortably once you have arrived in Tartu.
From Tartu airport to the city centre
Travellers arriving by plane land at Tartu airport, located close to the city, about 10 kilometres away. The most convenient way to reach Tartu from the airport is by taxi. Right in front of the terminal, you will find taxis from the airport’s official partner, ForUs, which can also be pre-booked via their website. Many taxis accept card payments. You can also order a ride using the Bolt or Uber app.
If you are planning to explore Tartu and the surrounding area more extensively and prefer to rent a car, you can find a selection of car rental companies operating in Tartu on our transport page. During the daytime, regional buses also run between the airport and the city, but you should be prepared for possible waiting times. You can find the bus schedules for routes between the airport and Tartu here.
For more detailed transport information related to the airport, visit the Tartu airport website.
From the bus or train station to exploring Tartu
Arriving by train, you will reach Tartu railway station, located just a 20 minute walk from Town Hall Square. In front of the historic station building, you will find both city bus stops and taxis waiting for passengers. By bus or taxi, the ride to the city centre takes approximately 10 minutes. You can pay by card on city buses and in many taxis, and you can also order a ride using the Bolt or Uber app.
As the railway station is so close to the centre, a walk is a great option in good weather. You could also rent a bike from Tartu’s smart bike share system. On the way, you are likely to pass several local sights already. Train schedules are available on the Elron website.
Tartu bus station is located right in the city centre. Comfortable long distance buses bring you straight into the heart of Tartu, and from here Town Hall Square is only about a five minute walk away. You can take a pleasant route either along the scenic riverside promenade of the Emajõgi or through the lively city centre streets. If you need to travel further, there are several city bus stops around the bus station. A good overview of routes and options is available on the city bus map and journey planner. Tickets on city buses can also be paid by card. There are taxi stands next to and across from the bus station, and you can also order a taxi via the Bolt or Uber app. Bus timetables for services arriving in Tartu can be found on the Lux Express, Tpilet and Peatus.ee websites.
Tartu is comfortably compact
Distances in the city are short, and many everyday routes can easily be covered on foot or by bike. For inspiration, take a look at the Tartu walking map and the Tartu city map. Following the walking map, you can get a nice overview of the city centre in just a couple of hours. The city map shows major sights in the centre on one side and a map of the whole city on the other.
To explore Tartu county, you can use both buses and trains. If you prefer to drive yourself, car rental is available in Tartu. To make your trip smoother, it is a good idea to book in advance. Several local companies offer quality rental services, and you can find more detailed information on their websites. You can see a selection of car rental providers in Tartu here.
For more information, visit the Visit Tartu transport page.