Transportation
Public bus transportation: inner-city
The City of Tartu uses a modern ticketing system which can be used in many places throughout Estonia (Tallinn, Harjumaa, Kohtla-Järve, Tartumaa, and on Go Bus intercity lines) and Europe. Our ticketing system uses credit card-sized bus cards and similarly sized stickers, which can be attached to a wallet, telephone, or other item. Both the card and the sticker function as bus cards, and passengers can decide which one is most convenient for them.
When boarding a bus, hold your card or sticker up to the validator until you hear a beep. If your card has credit or a valid ticket, but you have not validated your trip, you may be fined. You can check your account balance by swiping your card a second time. Up to five people can travel together with single tickets using one card. First, register your card at the validator, then choose the number of tickets to be purchased using the arrows on the validator, and then confirm your purchase by pressing OK and swiping your card again. Additional travellers can buy full tickets only.
Bus cards and stickers can be purchased at R-Kiosk, shopping centres, and other stores. See the list of retailers. Cards cost €2. You can load money onto your card or buy a one-time ticket from the bus driver.
In order to receive travel discounts, students have to personalise the card. Bus cards can be personalised at sales points or if you have Estonian ID-card also online. You can load money onto your card on the web or in person at one of the retailers. When loading money onto your card online or in person, the minimum amount is 5 EUR.
Students have the right to receive discounts and can personalize their bus card only after they have sent their ID-code to the Study Abroad Centre, studentvisasupport [ät] ut.ee. The university needs to send ID-codes to the national system. Therefore, according to the place of origin of the student:
- EU students must have the right of residence;
- Students with temporary residence permit must inform studentvisasupport [ät] ut.ee of their ID-code;
- C or D-visa holders must register themselves at the Tartu City Government. In order to get Estonian identification code, please visit Tartu City Government department in Tiigi 12, rooms 3,6, 8. Office hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00, Thu: 9.00-12.00. Please take with you admission letter or proof of studies (you will get it from dean’s office).
Once you get Estonian identification code, please send it to studentvisasupport [ät] ut.ee and it will be inserted to the Study Information System. Within 4 working days, the information will go to national education infosystem and student can get discount in public transport in Tartu.
Cost
1 ticket from newsstands 0.83 EUR
1 ticket from newsstand for students 0.51 EUR (only with a student card/proof of ID-code)
1 ticket from bus 1.50 EUR
1 h ticket 0.96 EUR
1 day ticket 2.11 EUR
10 day e-ticket 7.03 EUR
10 day e-ticket for students 3.52 EUR (only with a student card)
30 day e-ticket 15.34 EUR
30 day e-ticket for students 7.67 EUR (only with a student card)
The tickets are cheaper and it is easy to load money on your card online.
Bus info online! The web page tartu.peatus.ee helps you to use Tartu public transportation network in the most efficient way. You can check timetables for stations and bus lines (both ordinary and express buses).at 10-16