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Ühiskaart Transport Card

What is the card?

Ühiskaart - Complete Guide 2026


What is Ühiskaart?

Ühiskaart is a contactless smart card that lets you pay for public transport across Estonia. It supports time-based tickets, stored balance for individual ticket purchases, and Park and Ride usage. The green or blue card is valid throughout all of Estonia.


New Version 2026

Since December 1, 2024, a new version of Ühiskaart with Mifare Plus technology and 128-bit AES encryption has been introduced, significantly more secure than the previous version. Old cards remain valid — no replacement needed.


Card Price

The price of Ühiskaart increased from €2 to €3 in December 2024. The deposit is refundable if returned within six months of first use.


Ticket Prices in Tallinn

  • 1-hour ticket: €2
  • Daily cap: €5.50 — the system automatically switches to a day pass when your daily usage reaches this amount. No matter how many trips you take in a day, you will never be charged more than €5.50.

  • Geographic Coverage

    The card works throughout all of Estonia and on intercity bus lines. Exception: Tartu-issued Ühiskaart cards cannot be used in Kohtla-Järve.


    Personalizing Your Card

    Personalizing links the card to your identity, meaning discounts (student, pensioner, etc.) are automatically applied. It also ensures your balance and loaded tickets can be transferred to a new card if your card is lost.


    Where to Buy

  • R-Kiosk stores
  • Post offices
  • Tallinn Airport, Balti Jaam train station, Tallinn Port terminals A and D

  • Top-Up and Loading Tickets

  • Online at tallinn.pilet.ee or pilet.ee — add balance or load 1, 3, 5, or 30-day tickets
  • pilet.ee app (iOS and Android) — note: app purchases include an extra €0.32 service fee

  • Validation

    Tap your card on the orange validator inside the vehicle at the start of every trip. Green light = successful validation. Red light = invalid card or insufficient balance. One card can purchase 1-hour tickets for up to 6 people at once.


    Paying Without a Card

    In Tallinn you can pay directly on the orange contactless terminals using Mastercard, Maestro, Visa, or Visa Electron bank cards. Apple Pay is also accepted on most vehicles.


    Refund

    The €3 card deposit and remaining balance (up to €20) can be refunded at Tallinn City Hall service desk at Vabaduse väljak 7, or at R-Kiosk in the airport, Balti Jaam and Tallinn Port.


    Source: [tallinn.pilet.ee](https://tallinn.pilet.ee) and [tallinn.ee/en/pilet](https://tallinn.ee/en/pilet)

    Topping Up

    How to Top Up Ühiskaart - 2026


    Online Top-Up Methods

    1. tallinn.pilet.ee or pilet.ee — add balance or load time-based tickets

    2. pilet.ee app (iOS and Android) — note: app purchases include an extra €0.32 service fee

    3. Estonian bank portals (Swedbank, SEB, Luminor)


    Ticket Prices in Tallinn (2026)

  • 1-hour ticket: €2.00
  • Daily cap (unlimited trips): €5.50 — auto-calculated, system applies cheapest option
  • 3-day ticket: €9.00
  • 5-day ticket: €13.50
  • 30-day ticket: €49.00

  • Tartu Ticket Prices (2026)

  • 1-hour ticket (from driver): €2.00
  • 1-hour ticket (with smart card): €1.50
  • Daily ticket (residents): €2.50
  • Daily ticket (non-residents): €3.75
  • 5-day ticket: €12.75

  • Important Notes

  • Always tap your card on the orange validator at the start of every trip
  • Card can be blocked if lost (if personalised)
  • Check balance at ticket machines or via the pilet.ee app
  • One card can pay for up to 6 passengers at once

  • Source: [tallinn.pilet.ee](https://tallinn.pilet.ee) and [tartu.ee](https://tartu.ee/en/inner-city-bus-transportation)