Visiting Researcher's Guide - EURAXESS Estonia

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8.6 Transportation in Estonia
The Estonian traffic situation is not quite as
intense as in the Mediterranean countries. It is
true that the local roads, which are often narrow
and rough, do not encourage speeding, which
young hot-blooded drivers nevertheless engage in.
Large and small Estonian towns alike are generally
characterised by a calm progression of vehicles and
a plenitude of pedestrians. The inhabitants of the
capital city encounter rush-hour traffic congestion
and a shortage of parking spaces; in other towns
the rush-hour is not as extensive.
In case you do not have any business to conduct
in different ends of Tallinn, you don’t need a car:
the heart of the city is perfectly walkable. Trams,
trolleys, buses and electric trains take you to the
furthest corners of the city, although in the morning
and evening the first three may force you into too
close contact with your fellow passengers. In towns
people use buses and minicabs which stick to their
timetable quite closely. Buying a single ticket will
not ruin anyone’s budget, but frequent travellers
EVERYDAY NECESSITIES
are advised to get a monthly public transport
pass. The weak point in Estonian urban public
transport is the lack of night service, but this is
compensated by reasonably priced taxis.
On the whole, Estonians prefer to take the bus
from one town to another: train connections are
sparse, and some trains are uncomfortable, as in
Soviet times. The rail network has repeatedly been
re-constructed and thus enables anyone to have a
pleasant bicycle trip along the railway beds, which
date from the early and mid-20 th century. The old
railway stations offer surprising sights. Remote
rural areas around the old railway stations suffer
from isolation: the reduction of train service has
hit them hard.
As a pedestrian you should know that in autumn
and in winter you must wear a reflex reflector,
which makes it possible for drivers to see you in
the dark from a longer distance.