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Photo author: Anna Svetlichnaia

Discover Estonia by train

Traveling by train is an environmentally friendly and convenient way to get around Estonia. Here are five destinations to explore!

Train travel in Estonia is easy, accessible, and green!

One of the most convenient ways to get to know Estonia is by train, as it offers the opportunity to see beautiful natural landscapes and quickly travel between destinations.

Tartu, Narva, Viljandi, Rakvere, and Valga are the five most popular cities to visit by train in Estonia. If you want to shrink your carbon footprint even further, bring along your bike to help you get around once you arrive.

Start your train trip in Tallinn

Tallinn's main railway station is Balti Jaam. It is conveniently located between Tallinn's Old Town and the Kalamaja neighborhood, next to Telliskivi Creative City. It is Estonia's largest railway station and the most important passenger hub.

Tartu

Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia and is considered the country's educational center. In 2024, it was also the European Capital of Culture.

Tickle your brain with a visit to the University of Tartu Museum, or one of the many interactive museums suitable for all ages: the Estonian National Museum, the AHHAA Science Center, the Toy Museum, and the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum.

Aparaaditehas is Tartu's version of Tallinn's Telliskivi — a former factory turned creative quarter with design and art shops, a unique bookstore, modern eateries, galleries, and a concert hall.

Tartu is a compact city best explored on foot or by bike. You can bring a bike along with you on the train or easily rent one through Tartu's Smart Bike Share program.

Photo author: Hans Markus Antson

What else is there to do in Tartu?

Narva

Narva railway station is conveniently located next to the bus station, about a kilometer from the city center. Trains to Tallinn run daily, and the journey by express train is under two and a half hours.

The city, located at the crossroads of East and West, stands out because of its culture and architecture. Start your city tour at Narva Castle, home to Narva Museum. The castle was built at the end of the 13th century as the residence of the vice-governor of the Danish king. Today, it is the best preserved fortress in Estonia. From the museum, you can enjoy fascinating views of the city and Russia on the other side of the river.

Next to the castle, there is a kilometer-long promenade along the river. From there, you can go to Bastion Victoria, where you can go on a guided tour and listen to the history of its construction and use.

Don't miss the Kreenholm Factory complex, with its unique architecture. It is now a venue for organizing events.

Photo author: Priidu Saart

Things to see & do in Narva

Viljandi

Set deep in the forests of South Estonia, the town of Viljandi, is small and peaceful, but there is plenty to keep you busy for a few days.

The city's beautiful lakes and the wooden architecture make it a photographic destination; the suspension bridge and castle ruins are especially picturesque. Leave enough time in your day for a leisurely lunch or dinner at a local cafe, like the MICHELIN-recommended Fellin, local favorite Café Aida, or the bright Book Café Novell.

Thanks to its wealth of summer festivals, Viljandi is a very popular summer destination for Estonians. The end of July is especially lively, as the long-running music festival Viljandi Folk takes over the city.

The train journey from Tallinn to Viljandi takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes, but the express train reduces the travel time to two hours.

View of Viljandi water tower and Lake Viljandi

Photo author: Visit Viljandi

Rakvere

Rakvere is a little over an hour from Tallinn by train. The city is the birthplace of Estonia's most famous composer, Arvo Pärt, who will turn 90 in September!

Rakvere Castle is arguably the city's most stunning site. It sits atop a hill that was once surrounded by a moat. There is also a lot to see inside the fortress — greet the castle sheep as they roam the grounds, admire torture devices of the time, climb to the topmost walkway to take in the view, or try your hand at archery.

Right outside the castle stands the symbol of Rakvere, a sculpture of a giant bull, which weighs 7,000 kilograms and is 3.5 meters high.

Kids will enjoy visiting the Police Museum, where they can take fingerprints, find counterfeit money, and solve a criminal case! Then, stroll along Pikk Street and through the main square, where you'll find a sculpture of a young Arvo Pärt and his bicycle.

Photo author: Priidu Saart

Things to see & do in Rakvere

Valga

This city was divided between Estonia and Latvia on July 1, 1920. Since then, it has been called Valga on the Estonian side and Valka on the Latvian side.

The central square connecting the two cities has been renovated in recent years, making it a spacious, attractive place with walking paths and green spaces. That's where you'll find Valga's "must-do" activity — a swing on the border that lets you swing between Estonia and Latvia. St. John's Church is right on the square, and you'll hear its bells chime at midday and midnight.

A nearby nature trail winds along the banks of the Pedeli River to Pudrumägi Hill, which offers views of Valga and Valka. History fanatics can visit Valga Museum or the Valga War Museum.

If you plan to travel on to Latvia from Valga, the train to Riga takes about 2.5 hours.