Look for the rectangular orange validator by the front entrance. A contactless bank card can buy a one-hour ticket directly, without a separate paper ticket.
The three-second boarding routine
One tap is a ticket, repeated taps build the day
A bank-card tap purchases a one-hour ticket. Tallinn's pay-as-you-go system tracks validated journeys and can cap the total at the appropriate day-ticket price. The cap does not remove the need to validate when you board again.
When the Ühiskaart makes more sense
The green Ühiskaart transport card and digital ticket channels remain useful for travellers who prefer a separate transit wallet or need a product not suited to direct bank-card payment. Load the right product before the ride, then validate it as required.
Visitors do not inherit resident travel
Free public transport is a benefit tied to registered Tallinn residents and other eligible groups. A visitor should board with a valid purchased ticket, even when local passengers around them appear to tap differently.
Keep one exact method for the day
If you start with a physical card, continue with that card. If you start with a phone wallet, continue with the same device. This keeps your travel record together and makes any daily calculation easier to understand.