Where to stay
Tartu
Tartu is a university town and a city of youth! The time-honoured university, museum-rich and Hanseatic city of Tartu lies on the banks of the River Emajõgi. The capital of southern Estonia is the second largest city in the country (but the largest in terms of student population) and the oldest in the Baltic States. Tartu is a modern city with a rich historical heritage and culture.
How to get there
Additional information for participants about how to come to Tartu
1. Direct flights to Tartu Airport.
Estonian Air - fligts to Tartu from Europe via Tallinn.
Air Baltic - flights to Tartu from Europe via Riga.
Arrival to Tartu. Tartu Airport is located 8 km to the south from Tartu. AirportShuttle minibus departs from Tartu Airport approx. 20 minutes after the arrival of a flight, and will wait for all passengers who need the transport. Passengers are driven to the address in Tartu they request. Ticket price is 3€.
The bus departs from Tartu city to Airport from stops at Annelinna Keskus 1h40min and from Kaubamaja 1h 20min before flight departure.
Arrival to Tallinn. Tallinn Lennart Meri international airport is located on the edge of that city, on the road to Tartu. The distance between Tallinn airport and Tartu is 180 km. It will take approximately two hours to drive to Tartu, similar to reaching your event location from the airport in most large cities in the world.
2. By ship
Port of Tallinn is the biggest port authority in Estonia. Regular traffic is performed on the following routes:
Tallinn – Helsinki – Tallinn (with Tallink, Nordic Jet Line, Viking Line, SuperSeaCat, Eckerö Line)
Tallinn – Helsinki – Rostock – Helsingi – Tallinn (with Tallink)
Tallinn – Mariehamn – Stockholm – Mariehamn – Tallinn (with Tallink)
Paldiski – Kapellskär – Paldiski (with Tallink)
3. Getting to Tartu by bus
From Tallinn airport to Tallinn bus terminal. Tallinn bus terminal is situated quite close to the only airport Tallinn Ülemiste Airport. You can take a taxi or public transportation to get there. As Tallinn airport is a relatively small one, it is easy to find the area where public transportation and taxis are waiting in front of the building. It is also possible to use public transportation, bus No. 2 from the airport stops not too far from the bus terminal (the “Autobussijaam” stop).
From Tallinn sea port to bus terminal. It takes a little bit more time to get to the bus terminal from Tallinn sea port ts.ee and it is easier to get there by taxi. Tram No. 2 (towards Ülemiste) or bus No. 2 will take You to Tallinn bus terminal (the “Autobussijaam” stop) from the port, but you still have to cross 2 intersections to reach the bus terminal.
From Tallinn bus terminal to Tartu. Buses leave almost every 30 minutes from 6.10 in the morning (6.10 a.m.) until 23.00 at night (11 p.m.), usually from platform 9. It will take 2,5 hours to reach Tartu. Buses are comfortable and some even offer snacks and drinks for sale. Some buses offer also WiFi service. Look at bussireisid.ee
4. Getting to Tartu by train
Trains for Tartu from Tallinn train station leave 3-4 times a day, and it takes a little more than 2 hours to get to Tartu. The train station is situated just outside the Tallinn Old Town and sea port, a taxi or tram No. 2 can (from the sea port) can take you there ("Balti jaam" stop). Trains are comfortable and some even have wireless Internet access. Look at edel.ee
5. If it is your first time in Tartu, it is best to take a taxi to get to your final destination in the city. Most taxi drivers speak some English and all taxis are equipped with meters.
Once you get comfortable in Tartu you will learn how to get to places by public transport, by bike, or on foot! A bus ticket costs 1€ and is valid for one ride. Tartu bus terminal is situated in the centre of town (Turu st 2).
