General info

Time: 26-28 August 2026

Venue: Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu (Riia 23b, Tartu, room 105)

Contact us: microbiome-school@utu.fi

 

Venue

Venue website:
https://genomics.ut.ee/et

Venue address:
Riia 23b/2 
51010 Tartu linn, 
Tartu linn, Tartumaa 
EST

All presentations, discussions, and breaks will take place at the
📍Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu
Riia 23b, Tartu (Room 105)

If travelling by bus, the nearest stop is Pauluse. As the venue is located near the city centre, it is served by several bus lines.

Gene Forum Microbiome Session
📍 Estonian National Museum (Eesti Rahva Muuseum)
Muuseumi tee 2, Tartu

The venue can be reached by Bus No. 7 (bus stop: ERM).

Welcome Reception:
📍Delta Café
Narva mnt 18, Tartu

Delta Café is located in the University of Tartu Delta Centre. The venue can also be reached by Bus No. 7 (bus stop: VENE).

Dinner & cruise:

An organiser-arranged bus will pick up participants at the Pauluse bus stop (16:30) and take the group to Lodjakoda, where a three-hour traditional riverboat cruise on the Emajõgi River and dinner aboard the boat Suur Sume will be waiting for us.

Lodjakoda is located on the edge of the city centre, so participants who wish to do so can comfortably walk back to the city centre after the cruise.

More info about the trip on the barge SUME on Emajõgi river and dinner: https://lodi.ee/ships/two-masted-barge

Accommodation

Hotels close to the Institute of Genomics: 

3-star hotel, about a 10-minute walk away from the institute. 

 

URL: http://www.lydia.ee/ 

4-star hotel, about a 13-minute walk away from the institute. 

 

URL: http://www.dorpat.ee/  

3-star hotel, about a 17-minute walk away from the institute. 

 

URL: http://www.margaretha.ee/  

Boutique hotel, about a 9-minute walk away from the institute. 

 

URL: http://www.hektorstay.com/hostels/  

Hostel, about a 69-minute walk away from the institute. 

Arriving

Arriving in Tartu 

If you fly in, you can arrive in either Tartu or Tallinn. Tartu Airport (TAY) is small and has only a few daily connections (Helsinki). Tallinn Airport (TLL), known also as Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport, is the country’s main airport. 

Tartu Airport 

Airport Shuttle 

Express bus No. E1 operates between Tartu Airport and Tartu city. Detailed timetables and stops are provided here. A single ticket costs 5 euros.  

By Taxi 

Using a taxi to get to the airport is easy and convenient: taxis can drop you off and pick you up right in front of the airport terminal. 

The Forus taxis are waiting for passengers outside the airport might be the most convenient way to travel.  

However, it is possible to use local taxi apps, like Bolt, to order a taxi. 

Tallinn Airport 

From Tallinn airport, you can take a bus straight from the airport to Tartu, or take a train from a nearby station. 

Tartu by train or bus

If you choose the train, the closest railway station will be Ülemiste, which is about a 17-minute walk away or 14 minutes by public transport. Travel time from Tallinn to Tartu is around 2 to 3 hours, depending on which train you choose. Tickets can be booked in advance via elron.ee. 

If you choose the bus, the Lux Express bus will stop at the airport. Tickets for the buses can be booked in advance via https://luxexpress.ee/. They tend to sell out relatively fast, so we advise booking the bus ticket at least a week prior to your trip.  

Getting around Tartu

Getting around Tartu is easy using the city’s public bus network. For short visits, the most convenient option is to purchase a one-hour bus ticket directly on board by tapping a contactless bank card or mobile payment device at the validator.

Participants can also use taxis within the city. The easiest and most commonly used option is the Bolt app.

As Tartu is a charming and relatively small city, most event venues are within comfortable walking distance of one another. If the weather is pleasant, which is often the case in August, walking can be an enjoyable way to explore the city.