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Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia with population of about 100 000 people. It is often considered the intellectual centre of the country. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn and 245 km northeast of Riga, Tartu lies on the Emajõgi river (Mother river), which connects the two largest lakes of Estonia. The city is served by Tartu Airport.

Tartu
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Information
Country:
Flag of Estonia
Estonia
State: Tartu County
Population: 93 865 (2019)
Licence plate: T
Major roads: E 263 (2), E 264 (3), 39, 92
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Contents

Hitchhiking out

Northwest towards Tallinn E 263 (2)

From behind of the university main building Jakobi street starts, follow it away of the university. Once you get uphill it changes its name to Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi street, keep walking. Once you pass the only traffic lights and a 15-story dorm (the only high building in that area) on your left start hitching at the first bus stop, some 50m past the dorm.

Some 3.7 km further down the road it will merge with Tartu ring-road, so a spot there has transit-traffic. But consider walking there only as an emergency option, since the way there is not good for cars to stop.

West towards Viljandi, Pärnu 92

Take a free bus from city centre (bus stops "Turu" and "Kaubamaja") to "Lõunakeskus" shopping center. The bus looks exactly like on the schedule with line number 69 (usual urban buses are all red). Once you get off the bus at the shopping centre parking lot and turn away from the shopping centre you will see a bigger (Ringtee) street. Follow it to the left for about 500-700m until you reach a roundabout. Viljandi and Pärnu are to the left as signs indicate. Superb spot, widest road shoulder ever.

Southwest towards Valga/Valka, Riga E 264 (3)

  1. Walk out of the city centre along Riia street until you reach a huge roundabout (about 3.6km from the city centre). Hitch after the bus stop which is on the opposite side of the roundabout.
  2. Can be also reached by bus 1 which runs along Riia street and stops after the roundabout in that bus-stop where you are supposed to hitch.
  3. Or take a free bus from city centre (bus stops "Turu" and "Kaubamaja") to "Lõunakeskus" shopping center. Bus looks exactly like on the schedule with line number 69 (usual urban buses are all red). Once you get off the bus walk back towards the roundabout and start hitching.

Northeast towards Lake Peipsi, Narva, Saint Petersburg E 264 (3)

Starting from the city hall square (Raekoja plats). Head towards the river and cross the Arc bridge, keep heading straight for 100m until Statoil gas station. Turn left, now you are on Narva street (Narva maantee), which leads out of town towards Narva. Walk for about 1 km, after going uphill you may start hitching at the first bus stop or keep going further to get out of town.

North towards Jõgeva 39

Starting from the city hall square (Raekoja plats). Head towards the river and cross the Arc bridge, keep heading straight for 100m until Statoil gas station. Turn left, now you are on Narva street (Narva maantee), walk for about 1km, once you get uphill turn left to Puiestee street and continue walking, first suitable spot is after the graveyard in front of Salvest factory.

South towards Võru E 263 (2)

Follow Riia street from city centre, after going uphill Võru street splits from Riia street and heads left. Follow Võru street, it is very-very long. Eventually it will cross a railroad (also crosses an abandoned industrial railway long before the "right" railroad), after crossing the railroad you can start hitching to the left.

Public transport

Buses is the only form of public transport in Tartu. Public transport works from 05:00 to 23:00, there are no night routes!!!

Urban bus lines are quite confusing, so before boarding a bus make sure that it is the right line and going in the right direction. All kinds of figure 8 shaped and circular lines exist. Check the following links for more useful information: Tartu Bus Routes Map Tartu City Buses Timetable.

Single ticket bought from a driver costs €1.50 (June 2019). All busses are equipped with electronic ticket system, passengers need a contact-free smart card. It is worth using the system if you are planning to travel often as costs are much more advantageous. There are several variants of multi-journey tickets. More information here: Tartu City Buses Tickets Information.

There are two free bus routes (69 and 69A)that go directly to Lõunakeskus Shopping Centre. One from Kaubamaja Shopping Centre (Riia street in the city centre) and another from Eden Shopping Centre (Kalda street in Annelinn district)).


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