Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Latvia.

National Trains (Vilcieni)

Operator — Vivi (formerly Pasažieru vilciens) runs Latvia's domestic passenger rail network. Routes radiate from Riga to Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis, Daugavpils, Jelgava and Tukums.
New trains — Latvia introduced modern Škoda electric trains in 2023-2024, improving comfort and reliability. Older diesel units still serve some non-electrified lines.
Buy tickets — Purchase tickets at station counters, ticket machines, onboard from the conductor, or via the Vivi mobile app and website. Buying onboard sometimes carries a small surcharge on busier routes.
Rail links to Russia and Belarus are suspended. Do not plan cross-border eastern rail travel; use domestic and bus options instead.
Scenic route — The Riga-Sigulda-Cēsis line is popular for accessing the Gauja National Park. Trains are cheap and run several times daily.

Rīgas satiksme — Riga's network of trams, trolleybuses and buses is run by Rīgas satiksme. It is extensive, punctual and covers the whole city and inner suburbs.
E-ticket card — Buy an e-talons card and load rides or a period pass. Tap on when boarding; single rides bought from the driver cost noticeably more than pre-loaded ones.
Mobile app — The Rīgas satiksme app and mobile ticketing let you buy tickets on your phone. You can also send an SMS to buy a ticket in some cases.
Always validate your ticket immediately. Inspectors do check, and riding without a validated ticket brings an on-the-spot fine.
Other cities — Daugavpils has trams and Liepāja has a heritage tram line; both use their own local ticketing. Buses cover smaller towns.

Bolt — Bolt is the dominant ride-hailing app in Riga and works well across Latvia. Prices are transparent and usually cheaper than street taxis.
Yandex/others — Bolt and local apps like eTaksi cover most needs. Uber has limited or no presence, so Bolt is your default.
Avoid unmetered taxis at Riga Airport and near tourist spots. Some charge inflated fixed fares; always confirm the meter runs or use an app instead.
Legal fares — Licensed taxis must display their tariff on the door and window. Rates for airport-based cabs can legally be higher, so check before entering.
Pay by card — Most app rides and many taxis accept card payment. Keep some cash for smaller local operators outside Riga.

Headlights — Dipped headlights are mandatory day and night, all year round. Driving without them risks a fine.
Winter tyres — Winter tyres are compulsory from 1 December to 1 March. Roads outside cities can be icy and poorly lit.
Drink-driving limits are strict (0.05% BAC, lower for new drivers) and enforced heavily. Penalties are severe including large fines and licence loss.
Parking — Central Riga has paid zones; pay via machines or apps like Mobilly. Unpaid parking leads to fines quickly.
Rentals — Major rental firms (Sixt, Avis, Europcar) operate at Riga Airport. Book ahead in summer when demand is high.
Do not attempt to drive rental cars into Russia or Belarus; insurance is void and borders are effectively closed to tourists.

Riga (RIX) — Riga International Airport is the largest air hub in the Baltics. It hosts airBaltic's main base and many European connections.
To the city — Bus route 22 connects the airport to central Riga cheaply and runs frequently. A Bolt ride is faster and still reasonably priced.
airBaltic — National carrier airBaltic offers wide European and seasonal routes. Watch for baggage fees on their fare types.
Regional airports — Liepāja and Ventspils have small airports with limited domestic/regional flights. Most travellers use RIX.

Riga-Stockholm — Tallink Silja operates an overnight ferry between Riga and Stockholm. It's a popular cabin-cruise option with onboard dining.
Ventspils routes — Stena Line runs services from Ventspils to Nynäshamn (Sweden) and Travemünde (Germany). These are used by freight and passengers alike.
Book cabins early — Summer sailings and cabins sell out fast. Reserve ahead, especially if travelling with a car.
Check-in for international ferries closes well before departure. Arrive early with passport ready, as boarding cut-offs are strict.

E-talons — For Riga transit, the reusable e-talons card is the cheapest way to ride. Load single trips or 1-3 day passes depending on your stay.
Rail tickets — Vivi train tickets are cheap and rarely need advance booking. Buy via the app to skip queues.
Contactless — Some services increasingly accept contactless bank cards. Still, a topped-up e-talons remains the most reliable option in Riga.
Keep validated tickets until you exit. Fines apply if inspectors find you can't prove a valid, validated fare.

Operators — LMT, Tele2 and Bite are the three main mobile networks with strong nationwide coverage. Prepaid SIMs are cheap and easy to find.
Where to buy — Buy SIMs at operator shops, kiosks, supermarkets and the airport. Bring your passport as registration may be required.
EU roaming — As an EU member, Latvia follows roam-like-home rules. EU visitors can use their home plans without extra roaming charges.
eSIM — Many phones support eSIM, and providers like Airalo offer Baltic/EU data plans. This avoids swapping physical cards.
Coverage — 4G/5G is strong in cities and along major roads. Remote forest and coastal areas may have weaker signal.