Page 382 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

380 SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Tallinn cost between €1 and €2 depend-
ing on how far the destination is.
Most of the main sights in Tallinn are within comfortable Tickets can only be purchased
walking distance of each other. The Old Town is so compact from the drivers on boarding.
that it can easily be covered on foot. Public transport in Tallinn
is cheap and efficient. It is made up of an integrated network Driving
of trolleybuses, buses and trams serving sites away from the Driving around Tallinn may be
city centre. Cycling is another good way of getting around the
a little disorienting for visitors.
city. In general, Tallinn’s transport options are very good, and There are several confusing
there is no need for a car unless you plan to take a day trip or one-way systems and traffic
explore the outer parts of the city. jams are common during rush
hour. Also, tram tracks are often
in the middle of the road.
Buses, Trolleybuses premium, it is best to buy Drivers have to stop and wait for
and Trams
tickets, either individual or a tram when it pulls in at a
Tallinn’s public transport system as booklets, at kiosks. Tallinn station so that passengers can
operates daily between 6am and Card (see p366) holders are safely alight. Driving conditions
midnight. Buses are the best way entitled to unlimited travel on are espe cially difficult at night
to reach the air port and other all public transport. because of the dangerous habit
outlying areas. The terminal for of overtaking on narrow roads
many routes is in Viru Keskus, the and speeding. The speed
central shopping mall. The nine Minibuses limit in Tallinn is 50 kmph
trolleybus lines mainly connect Minibuses, or route-taxis as they (31 mph), except on some
to residential areas near are often called, are a larger roads where the limit
the centre. The main faster option for travel- is 70 kmph (43 mph).
stops are on Vabaduse lers. They con nect the
väljak and Balti Jaam. city centre to outlying
Trams follow the main residential areas. These Parking
arte ries in and out of the white vans, operated by There are plenty of parking
city centre. The four tram many small private com- options in Tallinn, though it can
lines running across the panies, follow set routes, be hard to find a good spot in
city con verge at the picking up and dropping the heart of the city during
Hobujaama stop on Bus sign, off passen gers at any weekdays. In the city centre,
Narva maanti (road). Tallinn spot they request along paid parking is in force between
The same tickets can the route. Most mini- 7am and 7pm on weekdays and
be used on all three systems buses leave from a stop at 8am and 3pm on Saturdays,
and schedules in English can be Estonia puiestee (boulevard) just although the first 15 minutes
found at the Tallinn Bus oppo site the Estonian Drama are free. Tickets can be bought
Company’s website. As drivers Theatre. Destinations are usually from street-side machines or
only sell single tickets at a displayed in the window. Tickets kiosks or, in some areas, by

Tallinn tram, a convenient mode of transport for short hops around the city