Fastest ~4h30 by bus
| 🚌 Bus | ~4h30–5h | Lux Express/FlixBus, most practical, several daily |
| 🚗 Car | ~3–3h30 | 310km via Via Baltica, crosses Valga/Valka border town |
| ✈️ Flight | — | Exists but rarely beats bus door-to-door for 310km |
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Riga and Tallinn are the most northerly two of the three Baltic capitals, separated by about 300 kilometres of flat Baltic coastal country. Like the Vilnius–Riga leg, this journey is best served by express coaches — fast, cheap and direct. But the drive is also easy, and for those with time to spare, there is an unhurried way by sea. Here is what to know.
The most practical way: the express bus
Direct coaches are the go-to choice for this crossing. Lux Express and FlixBus both run the route, with journey times of around 4h30 to 5 hours. Lux Express, the Baltic specialist, runs several times a day and offers well-appointed coaches with reclining seats, on-board wi-fi and, on some runs, a snack trolley. Fares are low, and advance booking can bring them lower still.
Coaches depart from Riga International Coach Terminal (adjacent to Riga Central Station) and arrive at Tallinn Bus Station (Tallinna Bussijaam), which is about 1.5 km from Tallinn's Old Town — an easy taxi or tram ride into the centre. Multiple departures a day mean you can usually find a timing that suits your plans without much compromise.
The train situation
There is currently no practical direct train between Riga and Tallinn. Existing rail services are slow, indirect and infrequent. The Rail Baltica project — a new European-gauge rail line connecting Warsaw, Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn — is under construction and will eventually offer fast, comfortable train travel across the Baltic states, but the full northern section linking Riga to Tallinn is not yet operational. Check the Rail Baltica project website for the latest opening timelines.
Driving through Estonia
The road journey is around 310 km on the Via Baltica (E67/E20), taking roughly 3 to 3h30 in normal conditions. The route crosses the Latvian–Estonian border near Valga/Valka (where two towns in different countries share a high street — an interesting curiosity worth a brief stop). From there, it continues north through Estonia, passing Pärnu, Estonia's summer resort town, about an hour south of Tallinn.
Roads are generally well maintained and the crossing is seamless within the Schengen Area. Estonia uses the euro, as does Latvia, so no currency change is needed. Petrol stations are plentiful. Driving gives you the freedom to stop in Pärnu or explore the Estonian countryside at your own pace.
Ferry from Tallinn across to Helsinki (not Riga)
It is worth noting that Tallinn has an excellent sea connection to Helsinki — not to Riga, but many travellers use Riga–Tallinn as the first leg of a wider itinerary that continues by ferry to Finland. Fast ferries cross the Gulf of Finland in about 2 hours, operated by Tallink Silja, Viking Line and Eckerö Line, making Tallinn a natural pivot between the Baltics and Scandinavia. See our Helsinki to Tallinn guide for full details.
Flying: only occasionally sensible
Flights between Riga (RIX) and Tallinn (TLL) do exist — typically operated by regional carriers — but for a journey of under 310 km, the door-to-door time rarely improves on the bus, especially once you factor in airport transfers at both ends. Flying is most useful if you happen to find a cheap fare and are already travelling light, or if connections in your onward itinerary make it logical.
Which should you choose?
The express bus (Lux Express in particular) is the practical choice for most travellers: affordable, direct and comfortable enough for a five-hour journey. Drive if you have a car and want the freedom to stop in Pärnu or along the coast. There is no need to fly, and no practical train option yet — though that will change with Rail Baltica over the coming years.
Arriving in Tallinn
Tallinn's medieval Old Town is one of the best-preserved in Northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the bus station, tram line 2 runs to the city centre and is a convenient option with luggage. The city is compact enough to explore largely on foot, and the Old Town's maze of cobbled streets is best discovered without a schedule.
Estonia uses the euro and is highly digitally advanced — card and contactless payment works almost everywhere, and the country has invested heavily in digital public services. For onward travel by ferry, the ferry terminals for Helsinki services are a short walk from the Old Town.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the bus from Riga to Tallinn take?
Direct express coaches take around 4h30 to 5 hours. Lux Express and FlixBus are the main operators, with several departures a day in each direction.
Is there a train from Riga to Tallinn?
No direct train currently operates. The Rail Baltica project is building a new high-speed rail link connecting the Baltic capitals, but the Riga–Tallinn section is not yet open. Check Rail Baltica's official website for the latest.
Do I need a passport to cross from Latvia to Estonia?
Both Latvia and Estonia are in the Schengen Area, so there are no border controls or passport stamping. Carry a valid ID or passport regardless, as you are crossing an international boundary.
Can I take a ferry from Riga to Tallinn?
There is no direct passenger ferry between the two cities. The main Baltic Sea ferry routes connect Tallinn to Helsinki, and Riga to Stockholm (via Tallink Silja's Stockholm–Riga service). The land route — bus or car — is the practical choice.