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The events of Tartu Rattamaraton take place in South-Estonia. Race center is located in Tartu, and the children’s races will also take place here. The start venues are in Otepää (123, 83 and 39 km) and Palu (21 km). All distances finish at the Tartumaa Tervisespordikeskus near Elva.
On marathon day, official shuttle buses run between Tartu, Otepää and Elva. You can use them to get to the start and, after finishing, return to Tartu or to the start locations in Otepää and Palu. Bicycles will be transported separately and safely with trucks that follow the buses!
Tartu is easy to reach from across Europe and beyond. Here you’ll find all the main options for getting to the race – by plane, bus, train or car.
By plane
By bus
Lux Express offers a free ride for bicycles. Each bus has space for up to three bikes and a free bike ticket must be booked in advance at luxexpress.eu (at the same time as buying a passenger ticket, you will be asked if you want to book a free bike space). The wheels are packed in special bags to hold both the bike and the passengers' luggage. Read more HERE
By train
Several times a day between Tallinn and Tartu. See more HERE
By car
Race centre (bib pick up location) situates in Tartu and it is well approachable by car. In the race day there are traffic jams at the start and finish areas, so please arrive early to avoid stress. Finish area parking is paid.
By ferry
You can also travel by ferry from Helsinki or Stockholm to Tallinn, and take a train or bus from there to Tartu.
OFFICIAL MARATHON SHUTTLE BUSES
Special buses will take participants to the start locations and, after the finish, back from the finish area. Travel on the shuttle buses is paid. Pre-purchased tickets will be sent to the email address provided with the order.
TICKET PRICE: 6 € IN ADVANCE, 10 € WHEN PURCHASED ON THE BUS. The price includes bicycle transport by Adduco trucks.
A ticket purchased for a bus to the start is a round-trip ticket and is also valid for the return journey. After the finish, buses depart from the finish parking area to Tartu and the start locations every full hour, except for the last bus, which departs 30 minutes after the finish area closes (see the detailed schedule below). When purchasing your ticket, you must select a suitable return departure time. If your race takes longer than expected, your ticket will also be valid for later departures, subject to seat availability.
NB! Tickets for buses departing from the Elva finish parking area to the start locations also include a parking ticket.
When purchasing the bus ticket with parking in Elva, please indicate whether you also require a parking ticket and enter your vehicle registration number. Tickets will be sent to the email address provided with the order.
Bus departures that include a parking ticket:
September 18th 2026
September 19th 2026
MARATHON BUS DEPARTURE TIMES
When purchasing your ticket, please select the departure time intended for your starting time and arrive at the bus at least 10 minutes before departure to load your bicycle onto the Adduco truck. Buses depart exactly on time. Latecomers will not be waited for!
| Saturday, September 19th | ||
| 07:00 | Tartu – Otepää | 123 km start |
| 07:30 | Elva finišiparkla – Otepää | 123 km start |
| 09:00 | Tartu – Otepää | 83 km start |
| 09:15 | Elva finišiparkla – Otepää | 83 km start |
| 12:30 | Tartu – Otepää | 39 km start |
| 13:00 | Elva finišiparkla – Otepää | 39 km start |
| 08:00 | Tartu – Palu service point | 21 km start |
| 08:45 | Elva finišiparkla – Palu service point | 21 km start |
| 08:45 | Otepää – Palu service point | 21 km start |
You can purchase a ticket for a bus travelling to the start HERE.
Bus tickets will also be sold at the race centre (in the Lõunakeskus shopping centre atrium) on September 18th 2026 from 10:00 to 20:00.
After the finish, buses will depart from 13:00 onwards. Subsequent buses depart every full hour, except for the last bus, which departs 30 minutes after the finish area closes:
| Buses departing from finish | ||
| race distance (km) | Elva – Tartu | Elva – Palu – Otepää |
| 21, 83 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| 21, 83, 123 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| 21, 83, 123 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
| 21, 39, 83, 123 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
| 21, 39, 83, 123 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| 21, 39, 83, 123 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
| 21, 39, 83, 123 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
| 21, 39, 83, 123 | 20:30 | 20:30 |
You can purchase a ticket for a return bus departing from the finish area only HERE.
Bus Departure and Final Stop Locations
Tartu = parking lot in front of the theatre Vanemuine (on Ülikooli Street)
Otepää = parking lot at the Tehvandi stadium
Elva = finish parking lot at the 2nd km of Elva-Hellenurme road
Palu = 21 km start area
Parking in the parking lots of Tehvandi stadium is free. Parking in the 21 km start (Palu) and service points is free. Follow the directions of traffic officers.
To park in the finish parking lots (Elva) a parking permit must be bought. The parking fee is €7*, and the parking zone is marked EP500.
The parking fee must be paid before entering the car park or immediately after parking.
*An activated parking session is valid for 72 hours and will end automatically. If you need parking on multiple event days, do not end the parking session manually.
If you end the session and start a new one on the following day, an additional parking fee of €7 will apply.
Payment options for parking:
When parking via SMS or using the pargi.ee app, a Telia service fee of €0.49 will apply.
When parking via a QR code, a Spinnistart service fee of €0.45 will apply.
Free parking with Subaru!
Subaru gives you free parking at Tartu Rattamaraton. Subaru car park
Location of the parking lots in Google Maps
Tartu and South Estonia offer a wide range of accommodation options – from hotels and apartments to cosy countryside stays. Whether you’re looking for comfort or convenience you’ll find a suitable option for your race weekend.
