Travel to Latvia
Flying to Latvia
Most international visitors arrive in Latvia by air via Riga International Airport (RIX), located approximately 10km (6 miles) southwest of central Riga. It is the country's principal international gateway and the busiest airport in the Baltic states, handling the vast majority of Latvia's scheduled international passenger traffic.
Air Baltic, Latvia's national airline, dominates operations at Riga and has developed the airport into an important regional hub linking Northern Europe, the Baltics and parts of Central and Eastern Europe. The airline operates direct services to a large number of European cities including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Rome and Stockholm, as well as regional destinations across Scandinavia, the Baltics and Eastern Europe. A range of other international carriers also serve Riga, including Lufthansa, Finnair, Turkish Airlines, Ryanair, Norwegian and Wizz Air.
For travellers from Western Europe, the most common direct routes are from London, Dublin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Scandinavian cities. Travellers arriving from North America, Asia and Australia generally connect via major European hubs such as Helsinki, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Warsaw or Istanbul.
Riga International Airport is modern and relatively compact by European standards, making transfers and arrivals generally straightforward. The journey from the airport to central Riga typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes by road depending on traffic.
Flight times
From London to Riga: 2 hours 45 minutes (direct).
Travelling to Latvia by Rail
At present, international passenger rail connections link Riga with Vilnius in Lithuania and Tallinn in Estonia via regional and connecting services. However, international rail connections to Russia have been significantly reduced or suspended following political tensions and sanctions affecting the region.
Riga Central Station is the country's main railway station and handles most domestic and international rail services. Travellers should check schedules carefully in advance, as timetables and international services in the Baltic region can change seasonally.
Rail passes
Latvia participates in the Eurail and Interrail network, and most domestic passenger trains operated by Vivi (AS Pasažieru vilciens) can be used with valid Eurail or Interrail passes. Travellers should check current participating routes and reservation requirements in advance, particularly for international services linking Latvia with neighbouring Baltic states.
Driving to Latvia
Latvia shares land borders with Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast. Its position on the eastern Baltic coast makes it an important overland link between Northern Europe and the Baltic states, and road travel between Latvia and neighbouring countries is common.
The principal north-south route is the Via Baltica corridor, part of the European E67 highway, which links Tallinn in Estonia with Riga before continuing south towards Kaunas and Warsaw in Poland. This is the country's busiest international road route and forms the backbone of overland travel through the Baltic region. Roads linking Riga with Lithuania and Estonia are generally in good condition and are widely used by international buses, freight traffic and private vehicles.
From Estonia, the main crossing is near Valka-Valga on the route between Tallinn and Riga. From Lithuania, the principal approaches are via Panevėžys and Šiauliai towards Riga. Since Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania are all members of both the European Union and the Schengen Area, there are normally no routine border controls on these routes.
Road crossings from Russia and Belarus remain subject to tighter controls and additional security procedures. Travellers should check the latest border and visa requirements carefully before attempting overland travel from either country.
Getting to Latvia by boat
Latvia can be reached by sea via ferry services operating across the Baltic Sea. The principal passenger port is Riga, which handles ferry connections with Stockholm (Sweden) and serves as an important gateway for both passengers and freight traffic. Additional ferry services operate from the port city of Ventspils on the western coast.
Cruise ships
Riga is an established Baltic cruise destination and receives regular cruise ship visits during the summer season, particularly between May and September. The city is commonly included on Baltic itineraries alongside Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and Copenhagen. The cruise terminal is located relatively close to the city centre, allowing straightforward access to many of Riga's principal sights.