Latvia

Latvians national rally in Dundaga in 1905

Red Army troops enter Riga (1940).

The Port of Ventspils is one of the busiest ports in the Baltic states.

German soldiers enter Riga, July 1941.

Red Army soldiers in front of the Freedom Monument in Riga in 1944

Riga Cathedral

Reconstruction of a Gulag shack in the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, Riga

University of Latvia

Barricade in Riga to prevent the Soviet Army from reaching the Latvian Parliament in July 1991

How To Reach Latvia

Latvia, located in Northern Europe, is well connected to the world through air, sea, road, and rail.

Reaching Latvia by Air

Flying is the easiest and most efficient way to reach Latvia. The country’s main international airport, Riga International Airport (RIX), is located just 10 km southwest of Riga’s city center. The airport serves over 100 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic, offers direct flights to over 70 destinations, including cities in Europe and the Middle East. Other major airlines operating at Riga Airport include easyJet, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.

Reaching Latvia by Bus

Latvia has a well-developed international bus network, connecting it with Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and other European countries. Lux Express, Ecolines, and Eurolines are the main bus operators, offering modern, comfortable coaches with Wi-Fi, reclining seats, entertainment screens, and refreshments.

Popular routes include Tallinn to Riga (4-5 hours), Vilnius to Riga (4 hours), Warsaw to Riga (10 hours), and Berlin to Riga (18 hours). Bus tickets are often affordable, starting at €5 for early bookings with Lux Express. Tickets can be purchased online via the bus operators’ websites or through platforms like T-Pilet.

Reaching Latvia by Rail

Latvia currently has limited international train connections. While past routes connected Riga with Moscow and St. Petersburg, these services have been suspended. However, a daily train operates between Riga and Valga (Estonia), allowing travelers to transfer to Estonian rail services.

A major railway project, Rail Baltica, is under construction, aiming to connect Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and Finland via a high-speed rail network. Once completed, it will provide an efficient alternative to air and road travel.

Reaching Latvia by Road

Latvia shares land borders with Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus, making it easily accessible by car. The highways from Tallinn (Estonia), Kaunas (Lithuania), and Warsaw (Poland) provide smooth entry into the country. The Via Baltica (E67) is the primary highway linking Latvia with its Baltic neighbors and Poland.

Driving in Latvia is straightforward, but there are a few rules to keep in mind. The speed limit is 50 km/h in cities, 90 km/h on rural roads, and up to 110 km/h on some highways. Headlights must be turned on at all times, even during the day. There are no toll roads in Latvia, but travelers must pay a €2 daily fee to enter Jurmala, a popular seaside resort near Riga, between April and September.

For those traveling from Sweden or Germany, ferries allow travelers to bring their cars and continue their journey by road upon arrival in Latvia. Visitors arriving by plane can also rent a car for added flexibility.