Riga to Tallinn by Train

[stuartmoss]

Anyone done it? There seems to be a consensus online that the bus is better, but I'd rather go by train if it still runs...

 

[gordonthemoron]

not done it, it does still run and they've improved the connection according to seat61

 

[burns20]

Yes I did it last year. Very trundly but scenic to the border on an ex-Soviet EMU then on a FLIRT advertised as changing halfway at ? but it awaits a portion joining on. Take food and drink!

 

[306024]

not done it, it does still run and they've improved the connection according to seat61

Yes The Man in Seat 61 tells you what you need to know. When I did it a few years ago there was a short rail replacement bus service near the border at Valga due to upgrading the route (for freight we were told).

Very trundly is a good description, so is the advice to take your own refreshments. Riga and Tallinn are both superb though so well worth doing.

 

[mafeu]

I wanted to do this when we went back in Sept but couldnt convince our lass to do journey. I believe they offer 'comfort class' for a small supplement through to Valga at least. Might be worth looking at!

 

[leytongabriel]

Did it some years ago, a journey to settle down into and enjoy, with plenty of your own refreshments!

 

[embers25]

It does run but be warned that till July Latvian Rail are running buses for part of the route from Riga to Valga and this means you miss the connecting train (journey time Riga to Valga around 4hr). The bus arrives Valga at 1646 and the last Tallinn train leaves at 1642!! The only option now is Riga 0620 arrive Valga at 1026. Leave Valga at 1400 arriving Tallinn at 1716.

In the other direction it's the same problem with the main morning connection lost so there's only an afternoon one now Tallinn 1309 ar Valga 1630. Depart by 1703 on replacement bus to Valmeira then train arrives Riga at 2050

Try http://www.pv.lv/lv/kopejais_iekszemes_vilcienu_kustibas_saraksts/

and select "Kopējais iekšzemes vilcienu kustības saraksts" to get a complete Latvian Rail timetable till July for all routes in Excel format.


Also be aware Elron have imposed 80kph speed limits from Tartu to I believe Jogeva which is slowing them down too.

Riga to Valga is 5.60euro one way and Valga to Tartu is 4.40 euro and Tartu to Tallinn is 10.90 euro with First Class only a little more.

LuxExpress buses are 10-25 euro and Simple Express start at 3euro and buses only take 4.5 hours.

 

[dutchflyer]

Have done it overnight in a soviet-style sleeper/kupey, in times when one still had to buy a visum for these countries, and there were stringent soviet-style border checks. But by then it was probably even less as that 3 eur alltogether (it was before there was any EUR).