Country Guides
Latvia
Getting Around
Getting Around
Latvia
Getting Around by Rail
Latvia's rail network connects Riga to all other major towns and cities in the country, including Liepaja and Ventspils in the west, Daugavpils in the southeast, Gulbene and Rezekne in the east. The railway terminal in Riga is at Stacijas laukums. For more information about the train services, contact Latvian Railway (Latvijas dzelzceļš) (LDz) (tel: 1181, in Latvia only; www.ldz.lv).
Getting Around by Road
Latvia's road network is reasonably extensive, however road quality varies considerably from sealed roads to rough tracks strewn with potholes. Main highways are generally in good condition. Traffic drives on the right.
Coach/Bus
There are bus connections to regions throughout the country. Riga's Central Bus Station is at Pragas iela 1.
Car Hire
Available in all major cities.
Regulations
Seat belt use is compulsory in the front and back. Headlights must be used at all times. Unless otherwise indicated speed limits are 50kph (32mph) in towns and 90kph (56mph) on highways. Mobile speed traps are common. The use of mobile telephones while driving is forbidden. The minimum age for drivers to hire a car is 21 years.
Emergency Breakdown Service
LAMB (tel: 1 888; www.lamb.lv) offer free or discounted breakdown cover to cardholders. If you are driving a hire car contact the rental company in the event of a breakdown.
Documentation
European nationals should be in possession of an EU licence, otherwise an International Driving Permit is required. Third-party insurance is compulsory. Insurance and vehicle registration documents, as well as your licence, should be kept with you when driving.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
There is a good network of bus, tram and trolleybus routes in Riga, while buses and a single tramline operate in Liepaja. Tickets should be bought on board from the conductor and retained for inspection. Taksobussi (share-taxis) also operate but are slightly more expensive than ordinary buses. Fines for fare dodging are common. Taxis are privately run and have meters; there is a surcharge at night. There are some trams and trolleybuses running through the night.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Riga (in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Latvia.
Road
Rail
Jurmala
0.45
0.20
Liepaja
3.15
3.09
Cesis
1.40
1.50
Ventspils
3.00
-
Getting Around by Rail
Latvia's rail network connects Riga to all other major towns and cities in the country, including Liepaja and Ventspils in the west, Daugavpils in the southeast, Gulbene and Rezekne in the east. The railway terminal in Riga is at Stacijas laukums. For more information about the train services, contact Latvian Railway (Latvijas dzelzceļš) (LDz) (tel: 1181, in Latvia only; www.ldz.lv).
Getting Around by Road
Latvia's road network is reasonably extensive, however road quality varies considerably from sealed roads to rough tracks strewn with potholes. Main highways are generally in good condition. Traffic drives on the right.
Coach/Bus
There are bus connections to regions throughout the country. Riga's Central Bus Station is at Pragas iela 1.
Car Hire
Available in all major cities.
Regulations
Seat belt use is compulsory in the front and back. Headlights must be used at all times. Unless otherwise indicated speed limits are 50kph (32mph) in towns and 90kph (56mph) on highways. Mobile speed traps are common. The use of mobile telephones while driving is forbidden. The minimum age for drivers to hire a car is 21 years.
Emergency Breakdown Service
LAMB (tel: 1 888; www.lamb.lv) offer free or discounted breakdown cover to cardholders. If you are driving a hire car contact the rental company in the event of a breakdown.
Documentation
European nationals should be in possession of an EU licence, otherwise an International Driving Permit is required. Third-party insurance is compulsory. Insurance and vehicle registration documents, as well as your licence, should be kept with you when driving.
Coach/Bus
There are bus connections to regions throughout the country. Riga's Central Bus Station is at Pragas iela 1.
Car Hire
Available in all major cities.
Regulations
Seat belt use is compulsory in the front and back. Headlights must be used at all times. Unless otherwise indicated speed limits are 50kph (32mph) in towns and 90kph (56mph) on highways. Mobile speed traps are common. The use of mobile telephones while driving is forbidden. The minimum age for drivers to hire a car is 21 years.
Emergency Breakdown Service
LAMB (tel: 1 888; www.lamb.lv) offer free or discounted breakdown cover to cardholders. If you are driving a hire car contact the rental company in the event of a breakdown.
Documentation
European nationals should be in possession of an EU licence, otherwise an International Driving Permit is required. Third-party insurance is compulsory. Insurance and vehicle registration documents, as well as your licence, should be kept with you when driving.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
There is a good network of bus, tram and trolleybus routes in Riga, while buses and a single tramline operate in Liepaja. Tickets should be bought on board from the conductor and retained for inspection. Taksobussi (share-taxis) also operate but are slightly more expensive than ordinary buses. Fines for fare dodging are common. Taxis are privately run and have meters; there is a surcharge at night. There are some trams and trolleybuses running through the night.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Riga (in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Latvia.
| Road | Rail | |
| Jurmala | 0.45 | 0.20 |
| Liepaja | 3.15 | 3.09 |
| Cesis | 1.40 | 1.50 |
| Ventspils | 3.00 | - |
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