You’ve wandered through Riga’s historic Old Town, sipped craft beer by the river, and marveled at Art Nouveau façades. Now it’s time to make your way north to Estonia’s cool and compact capital, Tallinn. But how exactly should you travel? Fear not, traveller — whether you’re planning ahead or winging it with Wi-Fi and hope, this guide breaks down all the ways to get from Riga to Tallinn. Ranked not just by speed and cost, but also by how fun (or frustrating) each option might be.
Let’s hit the road.
1. Riga to Tallinn by Bus
TIME: ~4 h 30 min
COST: from €15 to €30 (Lux Express, FlixBus, Ecolines)
HASSLE: 1 (super easy)
FUN: 1–2 (depends on the seat and your playlist)
The bus is the most popular option, and with good reason. It’s affordable, comfortable, runs nearly every hour, and connects the city centres directly. You can hop on at Riga International Coach Station, next to the Riga Central Market, and disembark at Tallinn Coach Station (Bussijaam) on Lastekodu Street, a 15 minute tram or bus ride from the Old Town.
The three main players on this route are Lux Express, FlixBus, and Ecolines. Lux Express tends to win the comfort race with plush seats, personal screens, decent legroom, and sometimes even free coffee on board. Ecolines comes close, while FlixBus is usually the cheapest but the most basic.
Ride time is about 4 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the traffic and bus type. There are no border checks, just a smooth roll across the Baltic. Most buses also have Wi-Fi and power outlets, which makes it easy to zone out with a podcast or get some work done (or pretend to). In short: it’s the best bang-for-your-buck option for those who don’t want the fuss of transfers or car rentals.
2. Riga to Tallinn Sightseeing Tour Bus
TIME: ~12 h (full-day tour)
COST: €95 per person
HASSLE: 1 (book a seat and show up)
FUN: 5 (hands-down)
This isn’t just transport—it’s a curated journey. Traveller Tours’ minibus shuttle includes:
- Sigulda – ascend the famed bobsleigh track for breathtaking views over Gauja Valley
- Cēsis – wander medieval castle ruins, soak in Old Town charm
- Gauja National Park – hike the sandstone cliffs at Sietiņiezis
- Valga – explore the Estonian‑Latvian border town and its Moving Museum
- Viljandi – stroll ruins of the Teutonic castle and lakeside trails
You’ll travel in a small group (max 8), with a local guide who keeps things lively. The day is filled with stories, scenery, history, and a lunch stop at a local café. It’s a full experience in one price: transport, guide, entry fees, lunch—all in. By the time you’re dropped in Tallinn Old Town (Niguliste Street 2), you’ll have felt like you’ve truly traveled, not just transferred.
3. Riga to Tallinn by Train
TIME: ~6½–8 h depending on connections
COST: ~€30–40
HASSLE: 4 (requires transfers and timing coordination)
FUN: 2 (a mellow, scenic adventure)
There’s no direct train—but you can piece together a journey with a change at Valga, on the Latvian‑Estonian border. Better ticketing options are coming (a unified “Baltic Express”), and while the ride is slower, the route is pleasant and nostalgic. Make sure to align the connecting schedules carefully—missing one could leave you waiting awhile. The charm lies in the rolling landscapes and quiet station stops; just don’t expect fast transport.
If you’re willing to embrace a slower, more scenic journey north via Tartu, this newly coordinated rail connection has a charm of its own. It runs once daily in each direction on a Tallinn–Tartu–Valga–Riga–Vilnius route. Here’s how it goes:
- Tallinn → Tartu → Valga (Estonia): Board an Elron Stadler FLIRT train at Tallinn Balti Jaam. The express route stops at Tartu, Jõgeva, Tamsalu, among others, and reaches Valga in about 4 hours.
- Valga → Riga (Latvia): Transfer in Valga to the Vivi PESA 730 ML train. Scheduled since February 2025, this part is more comfortable than before, features free Wi‑Fi and on-board catering, and runs through towns like Cēsis, Sigulda, and Līgatne to arrive at Rīga Pasazieru station.
The total journey now takes around 6½–7 hours if connections are well-timed. You can grab a single through-ticket via Elron (for Tallinn → Riga) covering both segments in one go.
4. Riga to Tallinn by Private Transfer
TIME: ~4 h (non-stop)
COST: ~€220–300 (per vehicle, not per person)
HASSLE: 1 (door-to-door luxury)
FUN: 3 (you control the ride)
Looking for maximum comfort and zero stress? A private transfer from Riga to Tallinn might just be your style. This is the most convenient way to travel if you want to be picked up at your hotel in Riga and dropped off at your accommodation in Tallinn—no stations, no transfers, no dragging suitcases across cobbles.
The trip usually takes just under 4 hours via the Via Baltica highway. You can book anything from a basic sedan to a business-class van or even a luxury vehicle, depending on your group size and budget. The cost ranges from €220 to €300 per vehicle. Split between four people, it suddenly doesn’t sound so extravagant.
Some transfer services even offer optional sightseeing stops along the way—kind of like a custom tour, but entirely private. Whether you want to stretch your legs at Sigulda or grab lunch in Pärnu, you get to call the shots. Just make sure to confirm your itinerary with the provider in advance.
This is ideal for families, small groups, or travelers who value comfort and flexibility over saving a few euros. Also handy if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or arriving on a tight schedule.
5. Riga to Tallinn by Plane
TIME: ~2.5–3 h (door-to-door)
COST: from 40€ (basic) to 400€ (business class), give or take because prices may change
HASSLE: 2 (airports add time)
FUN: 2 (if you’re into air travel)
A direct AirBaltic flight takes about an hour, but check-in, security, and airport transfers stretch the trip to 2.5–3 hours in total. Fares can start at around €40 but it’s more realistic to pay around €75-120 (luggage and seat selection not included) unless booked really long ahead. If you’re already using flights in your travel plan, this could fit—but if not, the bus or the sightseeing bus tour might be smoother and less stressful.
6. Riga to Tallinn by Car
TIME: ~4 h (via Via Baltica E67)
COST: €50–80/day (fuel + rental)
HASSLE: 2 (one‑way rental fee applies)
FUN: 3–5 (freedom to explore)
If you crave flexibility, a rental car is ideal. The drive along E67 “Via Baltica” is straightforward—no tolls, no rupees. You can recreate the sightseeing tour at your own pace, ditch the planned route, or follow your whims. One-way rentals to Tallinn are available but may incur fees. For independent travelers and small groups, it’s a solid mid-tier option.
7. Walk or Bike from Riga to Tallinn
TIME: several days
COST: minimal (food, gear, accommodation)
HASSLE: 3 (self-sufficient itinerary)
FUN: 5 (an epic adventure)
For the bold and bike-pede-travelers, the ~310 km route is yours to own. Cyclists often take 3–4 days through the Baltics; hikers can follow parts of the Oandu–Ikla trail and link up to Latvia. Estonian bogs, pine forests, and tiny villages await—this is travel in the purest sense. It takes planning, fitness, and spirit, but the reward is unmatched.
Quick Comparison
| Mode | Time | Price | Hassle | Fun | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | ~4h15–30 | €6–16 | 1 | 1–2 | Most travellers: convenient + low-cost |
| Sightseeing tour | ~12h | €95 | 1 | 5 | Those who love local stories & scenery |
| Train | 6–8h w/transfer | €30–40 | 4 | 2 | Railway fans & scenic route lovers |
| Flight | ~2.5–3h | €40+ | 2 | 2 | Time-pressed travellers |
| Car rental | ~4h | €50–80/day | 2 | 3–5 | Independent explorers |
| Bike or hike | days | minimal | 3 | 5 | Adventure seekers |
Final Thoughts
If ease and price matter most, stick with the bus—cheap, central, comfy. Want the trip itself to be a memorable tour? The sightseeing shuttle is a full-day highlight. Other options—train, flight, car, bike—offer a different flavor of travel: choose based on your mood, budget, and how much of the Baltic you want to experience along the way.
