Vehicles

1. auto

   Car

   Usage

   The general word; the genitive is also auto

2. buss

   City bus

   Usage

   The city bus; the stop is bussipeatus. In Tallinn you tap the ühiskaart travel card on the validator as you board

3. kaugliinibuss

   Long-distance coach

   Usage

   The intercity coach, linking Tallinn with Tartu, Riga and beyond; tickets are sold online. The coach station is bussijaam

4. väikebuss

   Minibus

   Usage

   The small bus used for transfers and tours, and on island and rural routes

5. rong

   Train

   Usage

   Domestic passenger trains are run by Elron. They leave Tallinn from Balti jaam for Tartu, Narva and Pärnu

6. tramm

   Tram

   Usage

   Tallinn is the only Estonian city with trams; the lines connect the old town with the airport, the port and Kadriorg, and they are the easiest way to get about

7. trollibuss

   Trolleybus

   Usage

   A bus drawing power from overhead wires, clipped to troll in speech. Tallinn's network was cut back and the city now runs buses and trams instead

8. takso

   Taxi

   Usage

   Fares are set by each firm and posted on the car, so they vary a lot; a ride-hailing app makes the price clear up front

9. mootorratas

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   mootor, engine, plus ratas, wheel. Almost nobody rides one through the icy winter

10. motoroller

    Moped / scooter

    Usage

    The step-through scooter — not to be confused with the e-kick-scooter, tõukeratas

11. jalgratas

    Bicycle

    Usage

    jalg, leg, plus ratas, wheel. Tartu has a public bike share, and Saaremaa and the Peipsi shore are fine riding country

12. tõukeratas

    Kick scooter / e-scooter

    Usage

    The electric kind is elektritõukeratas. Share services blanket central Tallinn and Tartu — unlock by app, and mind the rules on pavement speed and parking

13. lennuk

    Airplane

    Usage

    The airport is lennujaam. Tallinn's is close to the centre and has a tram straight into town

14. laev

    Ship

    Usage

    The word for the Helsinki ferry — around two hours, many sailings a day, from Vanasadam, the old harbour

15. praam

    Ferry

    Usage

    The car ferry to the islands — Virtsu for Saaremaa, Rohuküla for Hiiumaa. Book a car slot early in summer; they sell out

16. paat

    Boat

    Usage

    A small boat, as used on lake and bog canoe trips

17. kiirabiauto

    Ambulance

    Usage

    The emergency number is 112; Kutsuge kiirabi kohe means call an ambulance right now

18. politseiauto

    Police car

    Usage

    The police are politsei; theft reports are filed at a politseijaoskond, a police station

19. tuletõrjeauto

    Fire engine

    Usage

    tuli, fire, plus tõrje, control, plus auto. The fire service also answers on 112

20. veoauto

    Truck

    Usage

    A goods lorry, from vedu, haulage

21. kaubik

    Van

    Usage

    The cargo van you hire for a move or a bulky load

22. rendiauto

    Rental car

    Usage

    Winter tyres are a legal requirement in the cold months and that includes rentals. If you are taking it to the islands, book the ferry slot for the car

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