Riga to Tallinn: direct train, coach or a coast stop

Riga and Tallinn have both rail and coach options. Choose the corridor first: the direct train goes through Tartu, while a Pärnu stay belongs to a coastal coach or car route.

The direct train through Tartu

Elron describes a direct daily service linking Tallinn, Tartu and Riga in both directions. Use Elron’s journey planner to choose a departure, then read the ticket, seating and bicycle information for that service.

The separate Valga connection

LTG Link’s Vilnius to Tallinn connection involves a change of trains at Valga. This is different from Elron’s direct Riga to Tallinn service. Use the timetable for the complete service you intend to take.

Coaches and the Pärnu option

Lux Express provides a Riga and Tallinn coach search. For the fourteen-day coastal itinerary, search Riga to Pärnu and Pärnu to Tallinn as two journeys on the dates of your stays. Do not book a through ticket and assume it allows a two-night stop.

Which works for your plan?

Keep the direct capital-to-capital leg for the seven-day starter. With more nights, Tartu can become a separate rail-oriented base, while Pärnu gives the route a coastal stay. Each extra base adds another arrival and departure, so make space for that transition.

Use LatviaLinks’ Riga guide, EstoniaLink’s Tartu guide, Pärnu guide and Tallinn guide to decide where to spend the nights.