I%26#39;m flying (Easyjet from the UK) into Tallinn next Wednesday (12 noon arrive) and then onward to Tartu for a conference. I%26#39;ll be bringing my folding bike so will cycle into the centre of Tallinn. I quite fancy taking the train rather than the bus late afternoon (I found (not easy) the train timetables). My idea is to pedal around parts of the old town, find a local bar or two (want to sample the local beer) and then off to the station. Anyone any recommendations and real knowledge of the trains to Tartu?
I%26#39;ve looked around most of the web sites and have noted down the obvious bars, Beer House, Hell Hunt, Seiklusjutte etc. I%26#39;m spending one night on the return journey (at the Reval Centre) so should be able to go to other bars but that will be on the Sunday night and I%26#39;m thinking places are much different at 2 in the afternoon as to 9 in the evening...
I am doing homework re Tartu and we are staying on the tourism farm Vaskna. Not been to Estonia before and looking forwards to it.
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Hi,
some oldtown streets can be crowded and maybe its difficult with bike.. And most of the streets in the oldtown are cobbled, like they were in many centurys.
And dont leave your bike waiting for you in the street..
Going by train can be a good idea. And your hotel is very close to trainstation.
There are soo meny pubs , restaurants and bars in the oldtown and centrum, you will find your favorite easily..
I hope this rain stops and you can see a sunny Estonia!
WElcome
Hellin
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Hi,
I visit Estonia three times a year, as my wife is from Tallinn. As already advised by a Tallinn resident, the old town is very cobbled and I personally would not like to travel around it on a comfortable bike, let alone a foldable one after a few beers!. The old town is a great place to stroll around though, if you are on a bike you may miss some of the fantastic buildings and architecture above. Tutttt.. do I sound boring and maybe old. I am not, it%26#39;s just that I bet you will be wowweed by the old town as it%26#39;s a gem! The beer in Estonia is very good - normal lagers from Saku(Tallinn-ish) and A Le Coq (Tartu) brewers are on par with your well known beers in the UK,however these brewers also do special beers, Saku Kuld is my favourite. Do try local food, I would recommend Kuldse Notsu Korts in the old town, great pork and sauerkraut washed down with a large beer...sorted. Best to avoid Kama though...virtually the only estonian food I dislike....no, on second thoughts...Kerfir is even worse, an acquired taste indeed!.
We travelled from Tallinn to Tartu last year by train and although the train runs rather slowly compared to UK inter city type trains, it%26#39;s a good way to travel as you see a bit of country living on route. Tartu has a cool vibe as it%26#39;s a Uni town as I am sure you already know. If you have time, take a walk to Souppi Linn, where you can see old wooden houses.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers
Astro.
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Thanks for all the advice - returned home yesterday. Stayed at the Reval Central which was fine - no complaints there. Pedaled around on the Brompton folding bike which was %26#39;interesting%26#39; but did save time getting around - I think I rode down most roads in the old town and was easy to get from the airport into town (10 minutes). I lunched at the Travellers Rest (Seiklusjutte Maalt ja Merelt) on the way into town (Tartu Road) - nice large pork dish and a popular place followed by the Õlletorn bar (OK but empty). Then rode up to the top of the old town to take photos leaving me 20 mins for a beer in Hell Hunt. The railway station is fairly close and the 16.50 had a few seats empty. Its about a 2+ hour trip but its worth reserving a 1st class seat (which includes a free hot drink, reservation is free (I don%26#39;t know how you do this though). There is payable internet access on the train (not seen that before in the UK) and the trip is not too much different than the bus - very relaxed in 1st class with plenty of space.
Tartu is a nice smallish town - I was there for a cycling conference and we rode all around that area including the amazing part with all the woodern houses - didn%26#39;t think too much of the beer but then again I don%26#39;t like fizzy larger in the UK. We then had a 2 day trip around the south of Estonia (by car) staying in a country farmhouse and a sauna by the lake - very nice indeed. Drove into Russia and Latvia so a 3 country trip (cheated with the Russia part as didn%26#39;t go across the border crossing itself but along a road where the border crosses. Returned via train on the Sunday and eat at C%26#39;est la Vie restaurant which was quite impressive. Managed to get (find) the Beer House 30 minutes before it closed but they made it obvious I was not welcome - so I had a beer in a bar opposite.
I would recommend hiring a car and seeing the rest of Estonia - the islands look nice to the west from the video made by the cycling organisation - I%26#39;d recommend the video if you can obtain it.
BTW Quite a few shops in the airport terminal - bit of a mark up from outside shops but at least you can take bottles back in your hand luggage.
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www.edel.ee train times website
Trains go about 6 times a day from Tallinn to Tartu. Journey lasts 2 and a half hours. Costs 100-140 Kroons (6 to 9 EUR)
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