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Plan your trip

All roads lead to the European Capital of Culture! Tartu and Southern Estonia welcome visitors from all around the world. Don't worry about arranging your trip; here are some tips on how to get here in ease.

By bus

Travelling by bus has never been easier. From main centres in Estonia and across the border, as well as immediately from the bus terminals of Tallinn and Riga airports, you can travel to the European Capital of Culture easily and without changing. Our partner Lux Express buses are especially ideal for longer journeys because they allow you to use Wi-Fi, charge gadgets, sip free hot drinks, watch films you missed at the theatre and use the loo if necessary.

  • Tartu

    Every day, more than 50 buses run between Tallinn and Tartu, with most of them also stopping at Tallinn Airport. The drive takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.

  • Viljandi

    Every day from morning until evening, buses travel on the Tartu-Viljandi line. The journey takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
    There are also some excellent blackberry forests along this path. But, of course, it’s a closely guarded secret.

    Every day, buses run between Tallinn and Viljandi eight times a day in both ways. The travel will take 2 hours.

  • Põlva

    Every day, from dawn until evening, buses run between Tartu and Põlva. The journey takes 45 minutes.

    Every day, buses run three times a day in both directions between Tallinn and Põlva. The drive takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. Just in time to familiarise yourself with the festival programme, answer the crossword puzzle in the back of the newspaper, and finish knitting the sock.

  • Võru

    Every day from dawn until evening, buses run between Tartu and Võru. The journey takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.

    Every day, buses run between Tallinn and Võru. The drive takes 3 hours and 40 minutes.

  • Valga

    The Tartu-Valga route is served by buses six times per day. The journey takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.

    Every day, buses run between Tallinn and Valga. The drive takes 3 hours and 50 minutes. A wonderful trip through the country. Make a list of three new favourite place names.

Vabatahtlikud poseerivad Lux Expressi bussi juures Eesti Rahva Muuseumi ees.

Useful links

Lux Express More information about domestic bus lines Reisiplaneerija

By train

  • Tartu

    Daily train traffic to Tartu takes place in the direction of Tallinn (including Jõgeva, Tapa, Aegviidu), Valga (including Elva) and Koidula (including Põlva and Piusa). By changing in Tapa or Aegviidu, it is possible to travel to Tartu, for example, from Narva and Jõhvi, and via Valga and Valka from Riga.

  • Viljandi

    Trains run five times a day, seven days a week, from Tallinn to Viljandi. The travel will take 2 hours.

  • Põlva

    Trains run twice a day, seven days a week, from Tartu to Põlva. The journey takes 45 minutes.

  • Valga

    The train runs four times a day, seven days a week, from Tallinn to Valga. The trek takes 3 hours and 20 minutes.

    The train runs four times a day, seven days a week, from Tartu to Valga. The journey takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.

    Trains run twice a day, seven days a week, from Riga to Valka. The journey takes 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Tartu 2024 tiim lumisel perroonil, taustal oranž rong.

Useful links

Elron Trains from Latvia

By plane

Reach the European Capital of Culture through Tallinn or Riga airport. Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport is located near the centre of Tallinn on the route leading to Tartu. Riga International Airport is also conveniently close to the European Capital of Culture, from where the Lux Express bus departs five times daily for Tartu.

Straight from Helsinki to Tartu with Finnair

From March 31st, it will be possible to fly comfortably from Helsinki to Tartu and back by Finnair. There are a total of 12 flights per week between the Finnish capital and the European Capital of Culture. Flights departing from Helsinki to Tartu will start at 1:50 and 11:55 p.m. Flights departing from Tartu to Helsinki start at 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. The flight lasts only 45 minutes.

Tartu Airport is located 10 kilometres from the city centre. There is a convenient bus and taxi service between the airport and the city centre. Additionally, there is a free parking lot at Tartu Airport. Additional information about getting to the airport can be obtained from the website of Tartu Airport.

Useful links

Tallinn Airport Riga Airport Finnair

Tartu 2024 värav Tallinna lennujaamas.

Culture Shuttle

A self-driving shuttle, given the name Culture Shuttle in reference to the year of the European Capital of Culture, will be running between the Tartu City Museum and the Estonian National Museum until 31 October.

  • Departures from the ERM stop: at 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30, 15.00.
  • Departures from the City Museum stop: kell 11.15, 11.45, 12.15, 12.45, 13.15, 13.45, 14.15, 14.45.

A trip with the Culture Shuttle is free of charge and can accommodate seven people.