Jaywalking in Tallinn

Let's face it: jaywalking  is a universal phenomenon. Sometimes the red light takes a bit too long to turn to green, and no cars in sight, so... But every now and then the local police will fine you for that! That is what happened in Tallinn the other day. Read the Postimees story here with the title "Tallinna kesklinna politsei trahvis punase tulega teed ületanuid" (Tallinna city police fined jaywalkers). The average trahvisumma last year was 21 euros. Certainly no reason not to visit Tallinn - you law-abiding citizen! :)

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
jalankulkija = jalakäija = pedestrian 
keskimääräinen sakkosumma = keskmine trahvisumma = average fine
liikenne = liiklus = traffic
liikennevalot = valgusfoor, foor = traffic lights
merkitä rike = rikkumist vormistada = to write down a misdemeanor
punainen valo = punane tuli = red light 
punaisia päin käveleminen = punase tulega teed ületamine = jaywalking 
rike = rikkumine = minor offense, misdemeanor
sakko = trahv = fine
sakottaa = trahvida, trahvi teha = to fine 
suojatie = ülekäigurada, jalakäijate ülekäigukoht = pedestrian crossing
tavanmukainen = tavapärane = customary
valo muuttuu vihreäksi = tuli lähed roheliseks = the light turns green
viime vuonna = mullu, möödunud aastal = last year
välillä, silloin tällöin, aika ajoin = vahetevahel, aeg-ajalt = every now and then
ylittää tie = teed ületada = to cross the street

Free rides, for real!

As of January 1st, anyone with a registered Tallinn address can purchase a personalized fare card called "ühiskaart" that will allow them free use of the city's buses, trams, and trolleys. According to Tallinna linnapea Edgar Savisaar this will make the Estonian pealinn the flagship of the green movement in Europe as many car drivers are now tempted to switch to ühiskondlik transport.

Tallinn is however not the esimene linn to have free public transportation. Hasselt in Belgium has it since 1996 - even for tourists! Which Üllar Luup in Postimees was quick to point out last year. Alas, as a tourist in Tallinn you still have to pay the appropriate fare - unless you want to risk paying the trahv. For non-residents, a day pass costs 3 euros and a 3-day pass 5. Well, at least those passes are pretty cheap... You can purchase them at any R-kiosk or through the internet. And Tallinners: Congratulations!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
autoilija = autojuht = car driver
ensimmäinen kaupunki = esimene linn = first city
ilmainen = tasuta = free (of charge)
julkinen liikenne = ühiskondlik transport = public transportation
kaupunginjohtaja, pormestari = meer, linnapea = mayor
lippulaiva = lipulaev = flagship
matkakortti = ühiskaart = fare card
paikkakuntalainen = elanik = resident
pääkaupunki = pealinn = capital 
sakko = trahv = fine 
taksa = sõiduraha = fare
vihreä liike = roheline liikumine = green movement
voimassa yhden tunnin = kehtiv ühe tunni jooksul = valid for one hour
yhden vuorokauden lippu = ühe päeva kaart = a  day pass

The Trams of Tallinn

Ever take a tram ride in Tallinn? Trams are not nearly as predominant there as in Helsinki city traffic, but there are actually four trammiliinid in Tallinn. Purchase your sõidupilet in advance (e.g. at R-kiosk) and then stamp it in the ticket machine aboard - or get a Tallinn Card. Here below are the routes with some additional information, but before all that, why not take a virtual ride on tram #2!

1 Kopli-Balti jaam-Kadriorg
2 Kopli-Balti jaam-Tallinna bussijaam-Sikupilli-Ülemiste
3 Tondi-Vabaduse väljak-Kadriorg
4 Tondi-Vabaduse väljak-Tallinna bussijaam-Sikupilli-Ülemiste

Lines 1 and 2 go between east and west, and 3 and 4 from north to south, more or less. They all traverse through the city center near Viru keskus. Anything to see in Kopli or Tondi? Well, there is now an interesting place called Lennusadam (not to be confused with Lennujaam) at Kopli - the Seaplane Harbour well worth your time and money! Or you could just take any of these trams for the scenery, and maybe some off center grocery shopping, especially summertime. And then of course near the lines 1 and 3 end station Kadriorg you have the beautiful Kadriorg Palace!
Also, if you are heading for Pärnu or some other city in Estonia, and need to find the (recently renewed) Tallinna bussijaam, tram 2 or 4 will take you there. Tram 1 and 2 towards Kopli will take you to the main railway station in Tallinn, Balti jaam. 

The Tallinna trams are pretty old, but there will be brand new wagons on line 4 in a couple of years (ca  2014). And the older ones do carry a certain charm.

If you know enough  Finnish, here is some more reading on Tallinn trams: Matkalla Maailmalla-sivuston juttu Ratikkaretkellä Tallinnassa,  and here an excellent article by Helsingin Sanomat (Nov 2012).

PS. This blog will be publishing articles on Tallinn bus, trolleybus and train services as well. Finally, here is the link for Tallinna sõiduplaanid.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
hiljattain uudistettu = hiljuti uuenenud = recently renewed
idästä länteen = idast lääne suunas = from east to west
kaupunkiliikenne = linnaliiklus = city traffic
lento-asema = lennujaam = airport
linja-autoasema = bussijaam = bus station
maisema = maasikupilt, maastikuline ilme = scenery
matkalippu = sõidupilet = ticket
matkalla = teel = heading for, on your way to
ostaa ennakkoon = ette osta = to buy in advance
pohjoisesta etelään = põhjast lõuna suunas = from north to south
raitiovaunu, ratikka, spora = tramm = tram
ratikalla = trammiga = by tram
ratikkalinja = trammiliin = tramway
ruokaostokset = toiduostude tegemine = grocery shopping
Tallinnan reittiopas = Tallinna sõiduplaanid = Tallinna route planner 

Updated 2.2.2013

Arriving in Helsinki

Let us assume that you are arriving in Helsinki by ferry. You come with Tallink Star and enter the long matkustajaputki, which takes you to the terminaali. You are now in Länsiterminaali operated by Port of Helsinki. Where are you going? Most probably you want to get to the city of Helsinki. You can do that by taking the ratikka i.e.  tram number 9. 

See that tram link? You will find there an aikataulu (timetable) which gives you times when the tram leaves the harbor. Actually no need to go there at all since these trams go so often. Anyway good enough opportunity to go through something essential:  

ma-pe is short for maanantai-perjantai, meaning Monday-Friday. Lauantaisin means on Saturdays, and sunnuntaisin on Sundays. Have a nice stay in Helsinki!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aikataulu = sõiduplaan = timetable

keskiviikko = kolmapäev = Wednesday

lauantai = laupäev = Saturday
lauantaisin = on Saturdays
Länsiterminaali = Lääneterminal = West Harbor
ma-pe = Mon-Fri

maanantai = esmaspäev = Monday
matkustaja = reisija = passenger

matkustajaputki = reisijatetuubus = passenger pipe

perjantai = reede = Friday
ratikka, raitiovaunu, spora = tramm  = tram

sunnuntai = pühapäev = Sunday
sunnuntaisin = on Sundays
terminaali = terminal = terminal

tiistai  = teisipäev = Tuesday
torstai = neljapäev =Thursday
viikko = nädal = week

Updated - Päivitetty 27.10.2012