Tallinn

By car

Like other large cities, Tallinn has its fair share of traffic jams and therefore is not for the faint-hearted. The road rules and driving style can be confusing to tourists. The one and two way roads change frequently and some signposts are not descriptive. That being said, traffic jams in Tallinn clear very quickly and if you are from a large city, they will seem like speed-humps rather than traffic jams.

The speed limit in Tallinn is 50 km/h, except some major streets such as Laagna tee, Pärnu mnt., Paldiski mnt., Peterburi tee etc., which have a speed limit of 70 km/h.

There is an abundance of parking, but you have to pay for it. The locations of ticket machines, and other methods for paying for parking, aren't always obvious. The ticket machines are not posted clearly. Here are a few helpful tips to avoid being fined:

Each rental car should come with a clock mock up on the dashboard that should be clearly visible from the outside of the car.

Every car in Tallinn gets 15 minutes free parking in paid parking areas. The clock mock up is used to indicate the beginning of of the parking. For example if you park at 5:30, your plastic clock mock up should show 5:30. You can park for free until 5:45.

Find a bright-orange vested parking inspector in order to determine what type of parking ticket you need.

To ask for a parking ticket, say "Palun, üks parkimispilet" in Estonian. It will help to use a combination of sign language and a phrasebook if your Estonian is limited or non-existent. You may want to simply buy the €1.50 parking ticket to be safe.

Scratch the correct date and length of time you'll be parking.

When you get your parking ticket, it will look more like a lottery ticket. The ticket is split into sections and they are written in both Estonian and English. Scratch off the date of usage. Then scratch off the time you wish the ticket to start. Make sure it is clearly visible next to the clock on the dashboard.

Mobile phone payment (http://www.emt.ee/wwwmain...) is very popular, but you will need a local mobile contract to use it.

Prices and additional information regarding parking in Tallinn is available online (http://www.tourism.tallin...)

Signs prohibiting parking are not always well visible, one example is the area between the Terminal D in the port and the Norde Centrum shopping center. One thing to look out for is signs in a form or another with the word Eramaa - this is Estonian for "private" and means that parking is either prohibited or available against a fee.

Another good way to get around is car-sharing renting a car for short periods of time. Currently there's only one company that offers the service:

MiniRent

(http://www.minirent.ee) – environmentally friendly rental cars. Prices start from 10€/h. Free parking at all Europark outdoor parking facilities, cleaning and 200km worth of fuel per day included. No keys - just order through the web and you'll get an SMS with a special number; dial the number and the car doors will open automatically.

By bike

There are more than 180 km of bicycle roads in Tallinn. The Eurovelo international route goes from West to East, giving you good change to ride comfortable through the city. Many bicycle roads are located in green parts of the city and are meant more for recreation, although suitable for commuting. If you do decide to use a bike to get around, you cand drive on every road, even the side-walk driving is allowed, pay attention to pedestrians.

By taxi

Tallinn has many different taxi companies and independent taxis. There is no standardised base price or price per km. Some tourist scam taxis have absurdly high prices, and as long as those prices are displayed on the sticker in the window and on the dashboard, they are completely legal. Needless to say the locals never take those taxis, their sole modus operandi is to prey on ignorant tourists. Do as the locals do and order a taxi by phone.

Do not accept offers from taxi drivers waiting at the harbour or train station. Same goes for any taxi that looks shabby or does not carry the logo of one of the reputable companies. Also be wary of taxis that look overly luxurious: large Mercedes, TV-screens inside, usually only a very small and vague logo on the door. Taxis hanging out in front of nightclubs often have the highest prices.

Reputable taxi companies are:

Tallink

(http://www.tallinktakso.e...), yellow Mercedes B-class, Audi A6, Skoda Superb or Hyundai I30 Wagon not to confuse with Tallinn Taxi, who also have their cars painted yellow

Tulika

(http://www.tulikatakso.ee...), usually white Toyota Avensis

Taksopark

(http://www.taksopark.ee/c...), black Mercedes

Sõbra

(http://www.sobratakso.ee), "economy" taxis with a mixed car fleet, somewhat cheaper than the competition. Unlike many other economy taxis, the cars are clean and the drivers competent.

Marabu

(http://www.marabu.ee), mid-price company

Krooni

(http://www.taksod.net/ind...) according to Estonian taxi rating website Taksod.net (http://www.taksod.net) the highest rated taxi company Oct.2009.

1taxo

(http://www.1taxo.eu) Company that brings under one roof independent and licensed taxi drivers and gives the opportunity to order the closest available taxi near you. They also have a handy mobile version of the site (http://www.1taxo.eu/mobile.php) .

By public transport

TAK (http://www.tak.ee/index.p...) operates frequent buses, trolleys, and trams between 6AM and 12AM. Timetables in English can be found here: (http://soiduplaan.tallinn...) and maps can be found here:Map: (http://kaart.tallinn.ee:8...) pick Ühistransport. Baby prams can be carried in most of the buses, trolleys and trams except for a few which have steps.

All modes of public transport operate with the same tickets. Single tickets can be bought from R-Kiosks or by mobile phones for €1, or from the drivers for €1.60. In addition the following ticket options are available: 10-ticket book €8, 24-hour ticket €4.50, 72-hour ticket €7.50, 10-day ticket €11, 30-day ticket €25, 90-day ticket €50. Discounts are given to students and Tallinn residents. The Tallinn Card (http://www.tourism.tallin...) includes unlimited use of public transportation.