Plan Your Trip · Transport
Getting around Latvia by train, bus and car
Latvia is easiest to plan as a network radiating from Riga. Rail works well for several major visitor routes, coaches fill important gaps and a car is most valuable for dispersed rural or coastal stops.
This guide is independently written and checked against the official sources listed below.
Check before travel
Timetables, opening hours, access rules and event programmes can change. Confirm date-specific details with the official operator or venue.
From RIX Riga Airport
RIX lists public bus, taxi, car-sharing and rental options. Bus 22 connects the airport with central Riga; check the current airport and city-transport pages for the stop, timetable and ticket method.
Light luggage and daytime arrival
Public transport is usually the simplest low-cost choice.
Late arrival or heavy luggage
Compare an official taxi queue, app-based option or pre-arranged transfer.
Sources: RIX Riga Airport: transport
Choose train or regional bus
Rail is especially useful between Riga and Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis, Jelgava, Liepāja, Rēzekne and Daugavpils, subject to the current timetable. Coaches provide a wider network and can be better for Bauska, Rundāle and places without a practical rail stop.
Use the operator timetable
Search the exact date and keep the service number or departure details.
Allow connection time
Do not build a tight onward transfer around separate tickets.
Check the return before leaving
Regional evening frequency can be lower than daytime frequency.
Sources: Vivi: international routes , Road Transport Administration: Public Transport Division
When a car helps
A car is useful for a western-coast route, national-park trailheads, rural guesthouses and a day containing several small stops. It is usually unnecessary for central Riga and can add parking and traffic friction.
Collect the car after Riga
This avoids paying for a vehicle while exploring the walkable capital.
Read the rental conditions
Check deposit, insurance, cross-border permission, fuel policy and after-hours return.
Plan around daylight and weather
Leave extra margin in winter and on rural roads.
Sources: RIX Riga Airport: transport
A practical car-free first route
A straightforward seven-day outline is Riga for three nights, Jūrmala as a day trip, then Sigulda or Cēsis for two nights before returning to Riga. It keeps each transfer direct and leaves room for weather changes.
Riga
Walk the centre and use city transport for outer districts.
Open guideJūrmala
Use the train and choose the station that matches the beach or town area.
Open guideSigulda or Cēsis
Both work by rail, but check the distance from the station to your accommodation.
Open guideSources: Vivi: international routes
Check the primary information
Official sources and review information
This guide was last reviewed on 25 July 2026. These official tourism, transport, heritage and cultural sources support the practical guidance on this page.
Transport
Vivi: international routes
Current operator information for international rail services and ticket channels.
Road Transport Administration: Public Transport Division
Official responsibilities and information for regional bus and rail services.
RIX Riga Airport: transport
Official airport information for public transport, taxis, car sharing and rental cars.
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