Eesti Maanteemuuseum
The Eesti Maanteemuuseum (Estonian Road Museum) is housed in the former Varbuse post station and presents the history of roads, road building and traffic through permanent exhibitions, an open-air exhibition and a machine hall.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum operates in Põlva County, in the former Varbuse post station complex, which is the best-preserved horse-drawn post station in Estonia. It is a museum of the Transpordiamet (Estonian Transport Administration). Its collection includes more than 43,000 museum items, among them the largest collection of road graders in Eastern Europe. On about ten hectares lie the historic post station, the open-air exhibition “Teeaeg” and the machine hall, which opened in 2019.
Highlights
- Historic Varbuse post station with the permanent exhibition “Head teed!”
- Open-air exhibition “Teeaeg” with a historic road space and road-building machines
- Machine hall “Masinate valitsemine”: car culture, road safety education and road machines
- Largest collection of road graders in Eastern Europe
- Children's museum and children's traffic playground
Permanent exhibitions
- Head teed! – The permanent exhibition in the historic post station asks whether, with the building of roads and rising speeds, the world has become smaller or larger.
- Teeaeg – An open-air exhibition space with a historic road section, a children's traffic playground and a display of road-building machines.
- Masinate valitsemine – The machine hall exhibition covers car culture, road safety education and road machines; it also presents the machines that built Estonia's roads up to 1985.
- Operated by
- Transpordiamet
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9Pupils, students, holders of large-family cards and pensioners |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 8 · Children up to and including 8 years of age enter free. |
| Seniors | €9 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · A child up to 16 years of age with a disability, and a person aged 16 or over with a severe or profound disability, enter free together with a companion (on proof of card). |
| Students & apprentices | €9 |
| Groups (12+ people) | €12 per personGroup tickets for groups of 12 or more people. |
| Families | €28Up to two adults and their children under 18 years of age. |
| Annual family ticket | €59 |
| Large-family ticket | €19The price applies when a family card is presented. |
| Guided tour in Estonian (60 min) | €40 |
| Guided tour in English, Russian, Finnish, German or Latvian (60 min) | €60 |
| Ride in an electric car (7 min) | €5Added to the museum ticket price. |
| Ride in a pedal car (7 min) | €3Added to the museum ticket price. |
The price list applies from 1 January 2026. Conscripts in uniform, holders of the Museum Card and the ICOM card, repressed persons, and children from children's homes and foster homes (on proof) also enter free. Holders of the Museum Card receive 10% off in the museum shop.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
In the historic road space and the inner courtyard of the post station, road surfaces from different eras may make wheelchair movement difficult. The permanent exhibition on the ground floor of the main post station building can be reached by a temporary ramp. Accessible toilets are in the Teemaja (Road House) and in the Machine Hall. Please let us know in advance if you need assistance, on +372 5899 8064.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 8 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €28 · Up to two adults and their children under 18 years of age. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
The Lastemuuseum (Children's Museum) in the historic post station, and a traffic playground outdoors where instructors are present; children's birthdays and educational programmes are also available. The toilets in the Teemaja and the exhibition hall have changing tables. Pushing a pram can be difficult in the historic road space; when visiting the Lastemuuseum, it is recommended to leave the pram in the inner courtyard of the post station.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Varbuse
There is a Varbuse bus stop at the museum. Journey times can be found at peatus.ee.
By car
Free parking
At the Tartu end of the museum there is a free car park for 200 cars; there are also two charging points for electric cars.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The museum has a café and a museum shop.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Seminars and company events; also a space for remote work.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Dogs on a lead are welcome in the museum's open-air area; small dogs may be taken indoors in arms or in a carry bag. Minors visit the museum under the responsibility of an adult. |