As Pärnu is such a hit with holiday-makers being the 'summer capital of Estonia' getting to, from and around is relatively easy with the different modes of transportation available. The cheapest way of getting around Pärnu is by renting a bicycle or travelling by bus.
The best way to take in all that Pärnu has on offer is by going on one of its cycle paths that go around town as well as along the coast.
Our Pärnu Transportation Guide provides you with helpful hints and advices about the transportation available to get to Pärnu as well as around the town. We have a selection of Pärnu tours and activities on offer to help you make the most of your trip to Pärnu. Visit our Estonia Transportation Guide for further information on how to get to, from and around Estonia.
Pärnu Transportation Guide
Getting to Pärnu
By Air
If you are planning to travel to Estonia, you will probably land in Tallinn first. You could fly Estonian Airlines, which offers relatively cheaper fares than other airlines in the country. Estonian Airlines, established in 1992, is the flag-carrier of Estonia, and operates flights to and from Copenhagen, Vilnius, London, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Moscow, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Minsk and Kiev.
Now you can fly direct to Pärnu from Stockholm. On Saturday afternoons, one-hour flights operate between the Stockholm Arlanda and Pärnu Airport. Bus no. 23 will take you to the airport and back from the city centre.
Aeroflot, Finnair, Lithuanian Airlines, SAS, and Air Baltic have flights to Tallinn; if you are flying in from any of the major cities of Europe, you will find flights to Tallinn via Stockholm, Moscow, Helsinki or Riga.
By Ferry
The main ferry port in Tallinn has ferries linking Estonia to Finland, Sweden and Germany.
Getting around Pärnu
By Bus
Buses are still the most popular form of transport in Estonia, and an extensive bus network, including express buses, covers most of the country. An added bonus when travelling by bus is that the tickets are cheap and you can travel to other Baltic countries. Bus services link Tallinn, Vilnius and Riga.
When you are in Pärnu, get your bus tickets in the town centre from the wooden station house on Ringi or you could even get them directly from the bus driver. From the station, it's just 100 metres to the various bus platforms. If you are going to Tallinn, buses leave from platform 1 and the fare is generally 95 - 125 kr. If you want to get to Tallinn faster - in an hour and 50 minutes - you could take one of the other 20 express buses available at platform 1 every day. The express fare is 90 EEK, while students pay 70 EEK with an ISIC-card. For long distance Eurolines buses to Riga, Vilnius and Kaliningrad, you can get your tickets from Cargobus near platform 8 on the opposite side of Ringi tanav (Tel/fax 44 27 845; Open: 8:00 - 19:30, Sat 8:00 - 17:00),or you could buy tickets from the bus driver. In addition, regular bus services operate between all the major towns and villages.
By Rail
Although the railway in Estonia is not really developed, most of the important cities in the country can be accessed through the rail network. The Estonian Railways runs the EVR Express between Tallinn and St. Petersburg (Russian Federation). You can purchase tickets from agents on the train. However, since there are only two trains daily plying to and from Pärnu, travel by rail is one of the least convenient modes of transport.
By Car
There are several major car rental companies in Estonia, so hiring a car is not difficult in this country. The main roads in Estonia are good enough to drive on and, fortunately, there is no heavy traffic outside the towns. However, you will not find a proper motorway in Estonia. Instead, there are just two-lane highways on either side of Tallinn and another stretch of highway near Pärnu. It is advisable to avoid night driving because road signs are rather small and not illuminated.
One strange road rule you will need to get used to is the requirement for car headlights to be switched on 24 hours a day. It is best to stock up on fuel in town, as petrol stations in rural areas are rare. In built-up areas, the speed limit is 50 kph, and on the open roads, 70 to 120 kph. While driving around the towns, remember the rule of not overtaking stationary trams, as passengers need to alight in safety. In addition like in most other countries, it is strictly recommended that you do not drive under the influence of alcohol.
By Taxi
One thing to keep in mind is that there are no taxi services available at the Pärnu train station, which is far from the town centre. All you can find at the station are a café and a pay phone. Taxi fares in Estonia normally start at 35 kr, and thereafter you pay 12 kr per kilometre.
By Bicycle
You will come across a few bicycle routes in Estonian towns, but more routes in the towns as well as in the countryside are being added constantly. While in Pärnu, you can rent a bike really cheaply - at just 200 kr for an hour. You will find a bike rental by the mud baths near the beach, and bike hire is available for anything from a half hour to the whole day. The cycle paths are well-maintained, and you can explore the coast as well as the town.
While most motorists have road etiquette in Estonia, there are those who do not, and it does not matter whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist. However, it does seem like better days are on their way as motorists are being encouraged to change their old habits.
By Ferry
If you are in Pärnu during the warmer months, you can take the regular ferry to Kihnu Island from the port of Pärnu. But if you'd rather fly to the island, you will have to wait for the colder months.
Getting to Soomaa National Park
This famous Estonian national park is only about an hour's drive from Pärnu, and most hotels offer organised tours to Soomaa National Park. If you plan to drive over yourself, you will need to head 35 km northeast to the village of Joesuu, where the river Navesti joins the Pärnu river. Once you get to this village, you can either travel via the Kaansoo road along the northern bank of the Navesti river or take the Tipu road, which takes you south through the middle of the Soomaa National Park.
You can explore the park by foot or the traditional dugout canoe. In fact, canoeing is probably the best way to see the wonders of this park. There are also peat bogs to walk across and beckoning nature trails in the forests.
Our range of Parnu Hotels will ensure your stay in Parnu is enjoyable!
Meet your local connection in Parnu and Soomaa National Park, Aivar Ruukel of Karuskose Ltd.! We are very excited about working with whl.travel in order to preserve our beautiful destination and are eager to assist travellers as they are planning their vacation! We have been here since the very beginning, when Soomaa became a national park- literally in our backyard! Don't hesitate to ask us for any advice!
