Riga Transportation

I made nice trip with Eurolines bus from Vilnius - it cost about 20 euros to come and back Vilnius-Riga. What is more, I was happy to go by express bus, it took 4,5 hours to go to Riga. The schedule time I used (but it is more frequent):

You could use www.eurolines.lt to check schedule and prices.

We travelled to Riga from Vilnius, Lithuania by Eurolines bus. Then from Riga to Tallin, Estonia by Eurolines bus.

The buses were on time, clean, comfortable and very good value. I would definitely recommend them.

Riga has a good system of public transport, including trams, busses and trolly-busses. Currently a ticket costs 0.6 LVL, and you can buy these from the driver, although they are slightly cheaper when bought in advance. A 24 hour ticket can be bought for just 1.9 LVL.

Getting around is pretty easy, with most of the vehicles having electronic boards telling you what the next stop is. They also have a useful web site, with information in English and Latvian, with route maps and ticket prices.

Riga has turned itself into the main Baltic air hub, and with it's own airline, Air Baltic, covering extensive destinations, you can fly direct to Riga from many parts of Europe, and often quite cheaply. Ryanair also uses Riga as a hub to over half a dozen different countries. There aren't many destinations outside of Europe, although Uzbekistan Airlines will fly you to New York if you're feeling adventurous...

Getting to the airport is pretty easy. Bus 22 runs from just outside the old town to the airport (last stop). You can pick it up at 13.Janvāra iela, or get off at the Stone Bridge on the main square. It costs just one travel ticket, at last check 0.7 LT, or about a euro. There's also an Air Baltic bus, but this is more expensive, if a bit quicker. Bus 22 takes about 30 minutes, and runs every 10-30 minutes throughout the day.

If it's too late or early for the bus, you'll have to get a taxi. It should cost you about 6-7 LT (off peak) and take about 15 minutes.

Unfortunately trains in this part of the world aren't all that useful. For starters, Latvia uses a different size (Russian) guage to most other EU nations, meaning that the train must stop and change it's wheels at the Polish border.

Even connections to neighbouring countries using the same guage are not easy, for example travelling from Tallinn requires leaving at six in the morning, waiting in some tiny border town most of the day to change trains, and then finally arriving in Riga over 14 hours later. It takes just over four hours on the bus.

But trains to towns in Latvia are better served, and the connections with Russia and Lithuania aren't too bad, so it might be worth checking out if you prefer travelling by train to bus, like I do.

The main train station is quite central, just east of the old town.

Eurolines run regular services from Latvia to a number of countries, including Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia. Their fleet of buses is ultra modern, very comfortable, and often very cheap. The buses have toilets and even wi-fi. It makes an excellent alternative to the railway system, which is hampered by having to change wheels transiting to some countries (Poland) and having no connection at all to others (Estonia).

The main bus station is very central. It's just a few minutes walk from the old town. Just walk out the entrance and take a left. On the other side of the main road, through the underpass, is the old town.

The bus stop is a 30 meters straight walk from the terminal exit door. Bus 22 from to Riga city center goes 3-4 times every hour, and the price is 1 Ls. The travel time from the airport to the city center was 45 minutes when I took it. The bus was crowded with people and made a stop every 5 minutes. The trafic was not too hectic towards the city.

Riga airport (RIX) is the main Baltic airport, approx 10 km south-west of the city. The terminal is new and of medium size.

The airport has some cafes, ATM, a currency exchange and car rentals (Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar). There is also a tourist information office for hotel booking, etc. (open from 07 AM to 01 PM).