Route guide

Riga → Tallinn

279 km · Latvia to Estonia · Fastest: 2h by train · Cheapest: €16+ by bus

How to travel from Riga to Tallinn

There are 3 ways to travel between Riga and Tallinn — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€32–90

Duration: 2h 20m

via Pasažieru vilciens, Elron

~3.9 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€16–40

Duration: 3h 59m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~8.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

Not practical for this route.

🚗Car

€34–61

Duration: 3h 6m

~47 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Riga and Tallinn highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 279 km this is short-haul — feasible as a day trip if you start early.
Direct or connecting trains cover this route. Advance fares (1–2 months out) drop prices significantly.
This route crosses from Latvia into Estonia. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Riga to Tallinn — every option in detail

Riga to Tallinn by train

Trains link Riga (Latvia) and Tallinn (Estonia) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 2h 20m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Pasažieru vilciens, Elron.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €32 to €90. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

On routes under 600 km like this one, train often beats flight door-to-door once you factor in airport check-in and transfers.

Climate footprint: about 3.9 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 44 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~40 kg on this distance.

Riga to Tallinn by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Riga and Tallinn with a typical journey of 3h 59m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €16 when booked in advance, rising to €40 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Riga to Tallinn by flight

Flight is not a typical choice for this 279 km route.

Riga to Tallinn by car

The driving distance from Riga to Tallinn is approximately 321 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 3h 6m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €34–61 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Latvia–Estonia border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 47 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Riga and Tallinn is approximately 279 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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