Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Riga International Airport (RIX), the cheapest way into the centre is city bus 22, which runs to central Riga in about 25–30 minutes. Bolt and taxis are quick door-to-door options, taking around 20 minutes. Buy bus tickets from the driver or an e-talons card, or use an app for a ride-hail.
- Cheapest
- City bus 22 ~25–30 min
- Fastest
- Bolt / taxi ~20 min
- Tickets
- Driver or e-talons card
- Bus 22 links RIX with central Riga
- Bolt and taxis are convenient door-to-door
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Riga public transport is run by Rīgas satiksme, with trams, trolleybuses and buses covering the city well. The easiest fare option is the e-talons electronic card, though tickets can also be bought on board. Services are frequent and affordable, making a car unnecessary in the city.
- Operator
- Rīgas satiksme
- Modes
- Trams, trolleybuses, buses
- Tickets
- e-talons or on board
- Frequent, affordable and easy to use
- A car is unnecessary within Riga
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
Riga uses the e-talons card for public transport. Buy and top up the card at kiosks (such as Narvesen), ticket machines and Rīgas satiksme points, then validate it on board each trip. Single tickets bought from the driver cost more, so an e-talons is cheaper for repeat trips.
- System
- e-talons (Riga)
- Buy at
- Kiosks, machines, RS points
- Validate
- On board each trip
- Driver tickets cost more than e-talons
- Top up at kiosks such as Narvesen
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Latvia drives on the right. Bring your driving licence (an International Driving Permit is recommended alongside non-EU licences). Winter driving needs care: snow and ice are common and winter tyres are mandatory in the cold season (roughly December to February). Riga is easy without a car, but a rental helps for the coast and countryside.
- Drives on
- The right
- Winter
- Winter tyres mandatory
- Licence
- IDP with non-EU licence
- Take care with snow and ice in winter
- A car is unnecessary in Riga itself
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Domestic trains are run by Vivi (rebranded from Pasažieru vilciens in 2023), linking Riga with Jūrmala, Sigulda, Daugavpils and other towns. For the Baltics and neighbouring countries, long-distance buses like Ecolines and Lux Express are frequent and comfortable, connecting Riga with Tallinn, Vilnius, Warsaw and beyond.
- Rail
- Vivi (domestic)
- Coaches
- Ecolines, Lux Express
- Baltics
- Riga-Tallinn/Vilnius
- Vivi trains reach Jūrmala, Sigulda, Daugavpils
- Buses link Riga with Tallinn and Vilnius
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Latvia is a compact country, so there are effectively no scheduled domestic flights: everywhere is within easy reach by train, bus or car. Riga (RIX) is the main hub and the base for airBaltic, so it is used almost entirely for international travel rather than getting around within Latvia.
- Domestic flights
- Effectively none
- Reason
- Country is compact
- Hub
- Riga (RIX), airBaltic
- Use trains, buses or a car within Latvia
- RIX mainly serves international routes
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
In Riga, get an e-talons card and validate it on board each trip, as single driver tickets cost more. Bolt is the go-to app for a car and e-scooters. Allow extra time in winter, when snow and ice can slow travel. For day trips, Jūrmala's beach and Sigulda's castles are easy by train from Riga.
- City
- e-talons, validate on board
- App
- Bolt for cars/scooters
- Day trips
- Jūrmala, Sigulda by train
- Single driver tickets cost more than e-talons
- Allow for delays from snow in winter