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Practical information

Travelling to Riga

By plane

Riga is easily accessible by plane. Riga Airport offers direct connections to over 90 global destinations, including many major European cities, as well as airports in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Most direct flights from Europe are under three hours, which contributes to Riga's reputation as a well-connected hub within Europe. A full list of destinations can be found on the Riga Airport website <https://www.riga-airport.com/en/destinations>, where you can navigate to the websites of various airlines. The widest range of flights is operated by the national carrier, airBaltic <https://www.airbaltic.com/en-ZZ/index>. 

If you wish to fly from a city that does not offer a direct connection, be sure to check websites that specialize in multi-carrier and self-transfer flights, such as Kiwi.com <https://www.kiwi.com/en> or Skyscanner.net <https://www.skyscanner.net/>. However, it is recommended to book flights directly through each carrier’s website for the best experience.

By bus

A convenient and affordable way to reach Riga is by bus. Several international bus companies, the largest of which are Flixbus <https://global.flixbus.com/>, Lux Express <https://luxexpress.eu/en/>, and Ecolines <https://ecolines.net/en-LV>, offer regular services from major cities across Europe. These include key cities in the Baltic States, such as Kaunas, Panevėžys, and Pärnu, as well as cities in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Detailed route information and ticket bookings can be found on their respective websites. Buses arrive at the central bus station in Riga, which is located near the city center, offering easy access to public transportation links.

By train

Traveling to Riga by train is most convenient within the Baltic States, as the railway network connects all three capitals and other major cities along the route. While travel from further countries is possible, it often requires extra planning, as it typically involves multiple connections.

A direct train ride from Vilnius to Riga, passing through Lithuania, takes approximately 4 hours. The train departs daily at 7.00 and arrives in Riga at 11.04. For more information, visit the LTGlink website <https://ltglink.lt/en/vilnius-riga-en>.

Riga can also be reached from Tallinn and Tartu with a transfer at Valga, with a total travel time of about 6 hours. The train departs daily from Tallinn at 10.25 , stops at Tartu at 12.49, and arrives at Riga at 16.37. For further details, visit the Elron website <https://elron.ee/en/Tallinn-Tartu-Riga-Vilnius-train-connection>. 

Transport to and from the airport

22nd bus

  • Route is RIX airport to city centre (Abrenes iela)

  • The bus stop for bus No. 22 to the city centre is located in the P1 car park in the middle between arrival exits E and C. 

  • The schedule is avalable here https://www.rigassatiksme.lv/en/ 

  • Tickets are avalable in "Rīgas satiksmes koda biļete"  or "Mobilly" app, from the ticket machine at the bus stop or Narvesen shops in the airport terminal. You’ll find them by the exit from Arrivals Hall E (1st floor) and in the Check-in Hall (2nd floor), also only on 22nd bus you can buy ticket from bus driver (card only!)

  • More information: https://www.riga-airport.com/en/public-transport

 

Taxis

  • Taxis are available for hire at the carriageway just outside the arrival halls. "XTaxi", "TaksiLV and “Red Cab”," serve the airport. All vehicles under these brands have consistent tariffs for trips from the airport to Riga city centre, which are displayed on the car doors.

  • You can use an app "Bolt" for calling an taxi, when you call a taxi in the application, you will immediately see the price of the trip.

  • "Bolt" taxis pick up passengers at Riga Airport in a specially marked parking lot near the terminal exit in short-term parking lot P1.

  • More information: https://www.riga-airport.com/en/taxi-service

 

General information about public transport in Riga: https://www.rigassatiksme.lv/en/

Public transport

  • Public transport in Riga operates between 5.30 and 23.30. Timetables, fares and purchase information are available in Latvian and English at: www.rigassatiksme.lv

  • It is possible to purchase the following types of tickets:

  • A 90-minute ticket (It can be used for 90 minutes, with the option to travel on any tram, trolleybus or bus route (a ticket must be registered each time another public transport vehicle (tram, trolleybus, bus) is entered). Registration of the last ticket can be made in the 89th minute from the first registration and is valid up to the final stop)

  • a 24-hour ticket EUR 5,00,

  • a three-day ticket EUR 8,00, 

  • a five-day ticket EUR 10,00,

  • one-month ticket EUR 30,00.

  • All tickets must be registered each time another public transport vehicle (tram, trolleybus, bus) is entered! Passengers without a valid ticket are subject to penalty fare of 15 to 30 euros.

  • Digital tickets for public transportation in Riga can be bought in the app "Rīgas satiksmes koda biļete" or "Mobilly" (more information: https://www.rigassatiksme.lv/en/tickets-and-e-ticket/types-and-prices-of-tickets-1/code-ticket/)

  • In ticket machines, "Narvesen", "Latvijas Balzams" and other stores (see the map: https://www.rigassatiksme.lv/en/tickets-and-e-ticket/ticket-trade-outlets/ticket-trade-outlets/ )

  • For trip planning it is easy to use Google maps or Rīgas satiksme journey planner: https://saraksti.lv/ - plan//en

For intercity transporation

Important phone numbers

  • For emergency calls dial 112.

  • To call the Police in urgent cases dial 110.

  • To call the Medical Emergency services dial 113.

  • To call the Fire Department dial 112.

Useful addresses