How to get from Old Town Hall Square to Tallinn Bus Station
Cities & Metropolitan Areas · Estonia · Urban & Cultural · Old Town Hall Square · Tallinn · Tallinn Bus Station

Simple ways to get from Old Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) to Tallinn Bus Station (Tallinna Bussijaam) at Lastekodu 46—by tram, bus, taxi/ride-hailing, or a walk/bike—plus ticketing tips and onward-coach booking ideas.
At A Glance (Old Town Hall Square to Tallinn Bus Station)
| Mode | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🚋 Tram (Most Reliable, Easy) | ~18–30 min (walk to tram + ride + short walk) | Most travelers, predictable timing |
| 🏷️ Cost: €2 one-hour ticket (60 min) via contactless/card validators » ticket info | journey planner | ||
| 🚌 City Bus (Good Value) | ~20–35 min (walk to stop + bus + short walk) | Budget travelers, fewer transfers if timed well |
| 🏷️ Cost: Same city ticket as tram (often €2 for 60 min) » Ühiskaart & tickets | ||
| 🚖 Taxi / Ride-hailing / Private Transfer | ~8–15 min (traffic-dependent) | Luggage, families, late-night, tight departures |
| 🏷️ Cost: Often ~€6–€15 depending on demand/traffic | Bolt ride-hailing | pre-book a pickup | compare private cars | ||
| 🚶🚲 Walk / Bike (Scenic) | Walk ~35–55 min | Bike ~15–25 min | Good weather, light bags, sightseeing pace |
| 🏷️ Cost: Walk free | bikes from rentals » compare rentals | stash luggage luggage storage Tallinn | ||
Which Option or Route Should You Choose?
- Fastest/Most Convenient: Choose Taxi / ride-hailing if you’re cutting it close for an intercity coach or have heavy luggage.
- Cheapest/Most Economical: Choose Tram or city bus—both use the same city ticket and are great value.
- Most Reliable Timing: Choose tram and plan it with the official Tallinn journey planner.
- Most Scenic/Flexible Schedule: Choose walk/bike if the weather is decent and you want a last Old Town stroll.
How to Book and Practical Tips
- Know the destination: Tallinn Bus Station (Tallinna Bussijaam) is at Lastekodu tn 46 and has services info on bussijaam.ee.
- Use official route planning: Build the quickest tram/bus combo on transport.tallinn.ee (it shows stops, lines, and real-time-ish departures).
- Tickets (easy mode): Visitors can buy a one-hour (60 min) ticket with contactless bank cards at validators (front of vehicle) and ride within the validity window—details on Public transport in Tallinn.
- Tickets (card/app): If you’ll ride more than once, consider a fare card and e-tickets via Ühiskaart info or buy Tallinn tickets on tallinn.pilet.ee.
- Arrive early for intercity buses: Give yourself 15–25 minutes to find your operator bay and boarding gate (bus stations get busy before departures).
- Booking onward buses: If you’re continuing to Latvia, compare schedules like Tallinn to Riga bus so your city transfer arrives with a buffer.
- Luggage strategy: If you want to explore before departing, book bag storage near Old Town or the station via Radical Storage Tallinn.
- Quick sightseeing add-on: If you have time, browse Tallinn Old Town tours or things to do in Tallinn.
- Need a hotel near the station: Check hotels near Tallinn Bus Station or compare listings on Trip.com.
🚋 Option 1 — Tram (Most Reliable, Easy)
Predictable Frequent service Requires short walk
- Overview: Walk from Old Town Hall Square to a nearby tram stop (often around Viru / Hobujaama / city-centre edges), ride toward the central city corridors, then finish with a short walk to Tallinn Bus Station at Lastekodu 46.
- Typical time: ~18–30 minutes total (walking + tram ride + final walk).
- How to book (with price): Use a €2 one-hour ticket (60 min) via contactless validators, or use fare card/e-tickets—see ticket options and buy Tallinn e-tickets.
- Pros: Less affected by road congestion, easy navigation, good value. Cons: A few minutes of walking on each end (Old Town is pedestrian-heavy).
- Best practice: Build the exact tram route and stops for your timing on transport.tallinn.ee before you leave.
Step-by-step: Tram
- From Old Town Hall Square, walk toward the nearest city-centre tram corridor (follow your planner to the recommended stop—Old Town streets can be maze-like).
- Tap your contactless card (or validate your ticket/card) at the front validator when boarding; confirm a valid ticket per the official guide.
- Ride the tram toward the city-centre / bus-station-adjacent stops shown in your plan.
- Walk the final few minutes to Tallinn Bus Station; confirm station services and amenities on bussijaam.ee.
Getting to the main embarking points (Viru / Hobujaama area tram stops)
- Old Town exit tip: If you have luggage, avoid steep cobblestone alleys—use wider exits toward Viru gates/major streets.
- Timing tip: If your tram is a few minutes away, consider waiting indoors near the stop (winter winds can be sharp).
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚌 Option 2 — City Bus (Most Popular, Good Value)
Low cost Lots of coverage Traffic-dependent
- Overview: Walk to a nearby bus stop on the city-centre ring (near Viru/Estonia Blvd edges), take a bus toward the Lastekodu/central area, then walk a short distance into the station forecourt.
- Typical time: ~20–35 minutes total depending on stop choice and traffic.
- How to book (with price): Same city ticket rules as tram. For visitors, the one-hour ticket is commonly €2—see ticket details. For card-based travel and e-tickets, use Ühiskaart.
- Pros: Many route choices, easy to tailor for your exact start point. Cons: Slower in peak traffic and during big events.
- Best practice: Use the official planner to select the best stop and line for the next departure.
Step-by-step: City bus
- Walk from Old Town Hall Square to the nearest recommended bus stop (your planner will pick the best one based on time and walking distance).
- Board, validate/tap as required, and ride toward the bus-station area stops shown in your plan.
- Alight, then follow the final walking directions to Tallinn Bus Station at Lastekodu 46.
- Inside the station, check your departure bay and operator info; station details: Tallinn Bus Station.
Getting to the main embarking points (city-centre bus stops near Old Town)
- Best stop choice: A stop just outside the Old Town walls usually has more frequent service than stops deeper inside pedestrian zones.
- Accessibility tip: If you need low-floor vehicles, use the filters in transport.tallinn.ee.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚖 Option 3 — Taxi / Ride-hailing / Private Transfer (Door-to-Door)
Fastest Best with luggage Surge/traffic risk
- Overview: A direct ride is the simplest way to reach the station if you have suitcases, kids, or a fixed departure time.
- Typical time: ~8–15 minutes (could be longer during rush hour).
- How to book (with price):
- Ride-hailing: Bolt is widely used in Tallinn—see Bolt in Tallinn.
- Pre-booked pickup: Reserve a set pickup via Welcome Pickups or compare options on GetTransfer Tallinn.
- Ballpark cost: Often ~€6–€15 depending on demand, car type, and traffic.
- Pros: Door-to-door, minimal walking, easiest with bags. Cons: Prices can spike in rain/snow or during big events; traffic can delay you.
- Extra tip: Set your destination as Tallinn Bus Station (Lastekodu 46) and arrive with a buffer for platform finding.
Step-by-step: Taxi / ride-hailing
- Move to an easy pickup point near the Old Town edge (tight medieval lanes aren’t always driver-friendly).
- Book your ride and confirm drop-off at Tallinn Bus Station (Lastekodu 46).
- On arrival, head inside and confirm your operator bay; station services: bussijaam.ee.
Getting to the main embarking points (easy pickup spots near Old Town)
- Pickup hack: If the app shows slow driver access, walk 2–5 minutes to a wider street outside the walls and request again.
- Vehicle choice: Select a larger category if you have multiple suitcases.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚶🚲 Option 4 — Walk or Bike (Scenic, Flexible)
Free or low-cost Great in good weather Not ideal with heavy luggage
- Overview: Walking from Old Town to the bus station is totally doable if you have time; biking/e-scooters can be faster but require comfort in city traffic.
- Typical time: Walk ~35–55 minutes | Bike ~15–25 minutes.
- How to book (bike): Compare rentals on BikesBooking. For local bike/e-scooter guidance, see Bike and electric scooter rental in Tallinn.
- Pros: Scenic, flexible, great if you want a last look at the city. Cons: Cobbestones + weather; avoid if you’re short on time or carrying big suitcases.
- Luggage tip: If you want to walk/bike but have bags, stash them via Radical Storage Tallinn, then travel hands-free.
Step-by-step: Walk/Bike
- From Old Town Hall Square, head out of the Old Town via the most direct gate for your route (wider streets are better if rolling luggage).
- Follow your map along main sidewalks/bike-friendly corridors toward the central city and Lastekodu Street.
- Arrive at Tallinn Bus Station and locate your operator bay and departure time.
Getting to the main embarking points (Old Town exits + safe cycling)
- Walking surface: Cobblestones can be slow with rolling luggage—consider tram/bus if your bags are heavy.
- Cycling safety: Stick to calmer streets and marked lanes; slow down near tourist-heavy Old Town edges.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
FAQ (Old Town Hall Square to Tallinn Bus Station)
What’s the easiest way to get from Old Town Hall Square to Tallinn Bus Station?
For most travelers, the tram (predictable) or a city bus (cheap) is easiest. If you have heavy luggage or a tight departure, taxi/ride-hailing is the least effort.
How much is a single public transport ticket in Tallinn?
Visitors commonly use the one-hour (60 min) ticket, often €2, bought via contactless validators or fare card/e-tickets—see official ticket info.
What’s the best app/site to plan the route?
Use the official Tallinn journey planner for the next departures, stop locations, and walking legs.
Is ride-hailing available in Tallinn?
Yes—Bolt is widely used (Tallinn city page). For reserved pickups, you can pre-book via Welcome Pickups.
How early should I arrive at Tallinn Bus Station for an intercity bus?
Arrive 15–25 minutes early to find your operator and boarding bay. If you haven’t booked, compare schedules like Tallinn → Riga and add a city-transfer buffer.
