Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, on the Daugava river near the Gulf of Riga. Known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, Europe's greatest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, the vast Central Market and a growing craft-beer and restaurant scene, it blends Hanseatic, Swedish, Russian and Soviet layers into one of the Baltics' most walkable capitals.
- Public
- Rigas satiksme runs trams, trolleybuses and buses across Riga on one fare system. A 90-minute ticket costs about 1.50-1.80 EUR (~$1.73-2.07) depending on how it is bought (published sources differ; check rigassatiksme.lv or the Mobilly app). Contactless bank cards are accepted on board
- Taxi
- Bolt, Forus and Baltic Taxi work throughout the city; a central ride is typically 4-8 EUR (~$4.60-9.20) and the airport run is roughly 12-20 EUR (~$14-23). Use the app price and avoid unlicensed drivers at the airport
- Rental
- Not needed inside Riga, where the Old Town is largely pedestrian and parking is paid by zone; useful for Kuldiga, Rundale and the Gauja valley
- Walking
- The Old Town (Vecriga), the Art Nouveau district around Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela, Kronvalda Park and the Central Market are all within 20-30 minutes on foot; streets are flat but cobbles in the Old Town are uneven
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 4/5
- Taxi
- 4/5
- Rental
- 2/5
- Walking
- 5/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- Licensed taxis in Riga have meters and company markings. Ride-hailing through Bolt is the most used option. A short central ride costs about 4-8 EUR (~$4.60-9.20); the airport trip is about 12-20 EUR (~$14-23).
- Companies
- Bolt, Forus and Baltic Taxi are the main operators; book via their apps
- Airport
- Use the taxi rank outside arrivals or the Bolt app; agree to the app price or the meter before departing
- Complaints
- Report overcharging to the taxi company and to the Riga City Council transport authority
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Riga International Airport (RIX) is 9 km southwest of the centre and is the main Baltic hub for airBaltic. Riga Central Station and the International Coach Terminal are adjacent in the city centre, with trains to Jurmala, Sigulda and Cesis and coaches to Tallinn, Vilnius and across Latvia. In the city, trams, trolleybuses and buses run on one ticket system. All prices use 1 EUR = 1.15 USD.
Airports
Riga International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Airport bus 22 runs to the city centre in about 30 minutes; the fare is the standard city ticket, bought from a stop machine, a Narvesen kiosk, the Mobilly or Rigas satiksme app, or by contactless card from the driver
Validate a paper e-talons ticket or tap the card on the validator every time you board; inspectors check tickets and fine passengers without a valid one
The Riga Central Station (Stacijas laukums 2), the Central Market and the International Coach Terminal (Pragas iela 1) sit side by side, 10 minutes' walk from the Old Town
Order taxis by app (Bolt, Forus, Baltic Taxi); confirm the price in the app before the ride starts
Vivi trains to Jurmala, Sigulda and Cesis leave from Riga Central Station; tickets are sold at the station, on the Vivi app and on vivi.lv
Use Google Maps or the Rigas satiksme app for live tram and bus times; night bus N22 now serves the airport after the day buses stop
Trams 6 and 11 and trolleybuses run through the centre; watch for pickpockets on crowded trams near the Central Market and Old Town