Latvia blends medieval charm with Art Nouveau splendor in the heart of the Baltics. From the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Riga to pristine beaches along the Baltic Sea, this compact country offers rich history, vibrant culture, and unspoiled nature.
- Public
- Riga has an excellent integrated tram, trolleybus, and bus network covering the entire city. Single tickets €1.50 (advance via app) or €1.81 on board. Day passes €5, 3-day €8. Operates 5:30AM-midnight with night buses at weekends.
- Taxi
- Bolt is the dominant rideshare app and is safe, trackable, and affordable. Traditional metered taxis start at €3 base plus €0.70-1/km. Always use apps or official ranks.
- Rental
- Car rental from €25-45/day at Riga Airport. Essential for day trips to Rundāle Palace, Cape Kolka, and rural Latvia. Drive on the right, seatbelts mandatory, 0.05% drink-drive limit.
- Walking
- Riga's Old Town is entirely walkable in 30-45 minutes. The Centrs neighborhood and park canal circuit are pleasant walks. City is flat making cycling easy.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Bus Line 22: €1.50 (advance), €1.81 (on bus) - 25 minutes to Old Town
- Shuttle
- Lux Express Airport Shuttle: €4-€8 - 35 minutes
- Bus
- Pre-paid Taxi Voucher: €33.50 fixed price to city center
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive network covering city and suburbs. Single ticket €1.50 (advance) or €1.81 (on bus). 24-hour pass €5, 3-day €8, 5-day €10. Operates 5:30 AM - midnight with night buses available.
Alternatives
metro, tram, trolleybus, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Metered taxis start at €3 base fare plus €0.70-€1 per km. Use official taxi stands or book via phone. Credit cards accepted in most vehicles.
- Apps
- Bolt, Yandex Go
- App Names
- Bolt, Yandex Go
- Typical Fare
- €5-12 for typical city rides
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Lux Express, Ecolines, and Simple Express connect Riga to major Latvian cities and international destinations. Riga-Liepaja €12-€18 (3.5 hours), Riga-Daugavpils €10-€15 (3 hours). Book online for best prices.
Flights
Limited domestic flights. AirBaltic operates seasonal routes. Most domestic travel done by bus or car due to small country size.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Riga International Airport
From centre: 10 km
Options: Bus Line 22: €1.50 (advance), €1.81 (on bus) - 25 minutes to Old Town; Lux Express Airport Shuttle: €4-€8 - 35 minutes; Pre-paid Taxi Voucher: €33.50 fixed price to city center; Metered Taxi: €15-€25 to city center; Bolt Rideshare: €11-€16 depending on time; Car Rental: Available at airport from €25/day
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Bolt
Primary rideshare app in Latvia — safe, affordable, and widely available in Riga and major cities
Rīgas Satiksme
Official Riga public transport app for real-time tracking and mobile ticketing for trams, trolleybuses, and buses
Pasažieru Vilciens
Latvia's passenger rail app for booking train tickets to Jurmala, Sigulda, Cēsis, and other destinations
Bolt Bikes / Bolt Scooters
E-bike and e-scooter sharing throughout Riga city center — great for exploring beyond the Old Town
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Rīgas Satiksme app for real-time tram and bus tracking and mobile tickets — much cheaper than buying on board
Bolt is the only rideshare app you need in Latvia — install it before arrival and link a card for seamless late-night transport
The train to Jurmala beach (€2 each way) requires a separate ticket to enter Jurmala city — buy the combined train+entry pass at Riga Central Station
Rent a car for any day trip beyond Sigulda and Jurmala — Rundāle Palace, Cape Kolka, and Liepāja are difficult without private transport
Riga's city bike-share (Sixt Ride and Bolt bikes) is excellent for summer — pick up and drop off at hundreds of locations throughout the city for €0.15/minute