Latvia
How to get to Latvia: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Riga Airport (RIX) — it is Latvia's only real international hub, 10 km (6.2 mi) west of the centre, 20–30 minutes by bus 22 or taxi. Land borders with Estonia (Valka) and Lithuania (near Bauska) work well by bus or car. Use Vilnius or Tallinn only if the fare is much cheaper.Fly into Riga Airport (RIX) — it is Latvia's only real international hub, 6.2 mi (10 km) west of the centre, 20–30 minutes by bus 22 or taxi. Land borders with Estonia (Valka) and Lithuania (near Bauska) work well by bus or car. Use Vilnius or Tallinn only if the fare is much cheaper.
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GuideLatvia
Key facts
- Main airport
- Riga Airport (RIX), 10 km west of Riga centre
- Airport to centre
- Bus 22 or minibus, about 30 minutes; taxi 20–30 minutes (2026 estimate)
- Direct long-haul
- Limited; most US, Canada, Australia and NZ trips connect via a European hub
- Land borders
- Estonia at Valka/Valga; Lithuania near Bauska and Eleja
- Schengen
- Latvia is in the Schengen area; internal borders are open, but carry ID
- Rail from Tallinn or Vilnius
- Possible but slow and often with a change; buses are usually faster
- Ferry
- Riga has a passenger port; sailings are seasonal and limited
Summary: passport, month and cost
Latvia is in the Schengen area and uses the euro. Entry rules depend on your passport, not on the month; fares depend on the season. Summer (June–August) and the December holidays are the most expensive times to fly in.
| Passport | Entry | Typical route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland | Visa-free short stay in Schengen (check current limit) | Connect via a European hub to RIX | Passport valid 3+ months beyond exit (check) |
| EU/EEA | Free movement | Direct flights from many EU cities | ID card accepted |
| Other nationalities | Depends on nationality; some need a Schengen visa | Varies | Apply well ahead; see visa page |
Rules change; confirm with the Latvian foreign ministry or your airline before booking (check).
By air
Riga Airport (RIX) handles almost all international traffic to Latvia. It is small, quick to walk and 10 km west of the city. Bus 22 runs to the centre, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to find. Allow 20–30 minutes to the Old Town outside rush hour.
Direct flights link Riga with most of Europe: London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Stockholm, Warsaw and more. Long-haul travellers from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand almost always change once in Europe — common gateways are Helsinki, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Warsaw or Istanbul. A single ticket with one connection is usually cheaper and safer than two separate bookings.
The other Baltic airports can work as a back door. Vilnius (Lithuania) is about 4 hours by bus from Riga, Tallinn (Estonia) about 4.5 hours. If a fare into either is much cheaper, the bus leg is simple and frequent.
| From | Typical flight time | Typical route |
|---|---|---|
| London | 2h 30m–3h | Direct |
| New York | 10–13h total | One stop in Europe |
| Toronto | 10–14h total | One stop in Europe |
| Sydney | 24h+ total | One or two stops |
| Auckland | 26h+ total | One or two stops |
Times are estimates and vary by airline and connection (check).
By land
Latvia has open Schengen land borders with Estonia and Lithuania, so there are no routine checks, but carry your passport or ID. The main crossings are at Valka/Valga (Estonia) and near Bauska and Eleja (Lithuania).
Buses are the practical option. Riga is well connected to Tallinn (roughly 4.5 hours) and Vilnius (roughly 4 hours), with several departures a day. Book ahead in summer and around holidays. Trains exist on both routes but are slower and often require a change, so check timetables before choosing rail.
Driving in is straightforward on the Via Baltica (E67) from Poland via Lithuania, or from Estonia on the E67. Remember dipped headlights are always on and the alcohol limit is 0.5‰.
- Valka/Valga — Estonia border, on the Riga–Tallinn corridor
- Bauska and Eleja — Lithuania border, on the Riga–Vilnius corridor
- Via Baltica (E67) — main road from Poland and Lithuania
By sea
Riga has a passenger port, but scheduled sailings are limited and mostly seasonal, so the ferry is rarely the best way in. Check current operators and dates before planning around it. For a Baltic loop, buses and flights are more reliable.
Practical notes
Book flights 2–4 months ahead for summer and December; fares rise sharply for the Riga marathon, the Song Festival years and Midsummer (Jāņi, 23–24 June), when locals travel and accommodation fills.
At RIX, buy a ticket for bus 22 from a machine or app before boarding; drivers may not sell them. Taxis should use the meter — agree the price or use an app if unsure.
If you arrive by land, Riga's central bus and train stations are next to each other on the edge of the Old Town, which makes onward travel easy.
- Peak fares: late June, July, August, late December
- Cheapest: January–March, November (cold and dark)
- Midsummer: 23–24 June, many services reduced
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Latvia?
Riga Airport (RIX) is the only real international hub, 10 km from the centre. Fly there unless Vilnius or Tallinn is much cheaper; both are about 4–4.5 hours away by bus.
How long is the flight to Latvia from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
From London about 2.5–3 hours direct. From New York, Toronto and other North American cities, 10–14 hours with one stop in Europe. From Australia and New Zealand, 24 hours or more with one or two stops.
Can I enter Latvia by land or sea?
Yes. Land borders with Estonia and Lithuania are open Schengen borders; buses run several times a day from Tallinn and Vilnius. Riga has a passenger port, but sailings are limited and often seasonal, so check before relying on it.
Do I need a visa to enter Latvia?
US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish passport holders can enter visa-free for a short Schengen stay. Other nationalities should check; some need a Schengen visa applied for in advance.
How do I get from Riga Airport to the city centre?
Bus 22 or a minibus takes about 30 minutes; a taxi takes 20–30 minutes. Buy the bus ticket before boarding. Allow more time in rush hour.
Is it cheaper to fly to Vilnius or Tallinn and take a bus?
Sometimes. If the fare difference is large, the bus leg (about 4–4.5 hours) is simple and frequent. Compare the total cost and time before deciding.
Deep dive
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