Due to its small size, Latvia only has one international airport, situated about 14 kilometres outside of Riga, in Jurmala. However, the country is quite well served by bus and rail connections from a number of European countries. A final way of getting to Latvia is via ferry over the Baltic Sea. Getting around the country is relatively easy due to the small scale of the country.

Enjoy the ease and value that travelling in Latvia entails!

This Latvia transportation guide gives some general information about both travelling to and from Latvia, as well as getting around Latvia. Taking a tour is a great way to explore the beautiful cities and countryside of Latvia. You can also check out Riga transport information. Meanwhile, further background information on the country, including visa and entry requirements, is located on our Latvia country guide.

Latvia Transportation Guide

By Air

The most common way of getting to Latvia is by air. Regularly scheduled flights to Latvia have been increasing recently, and alot of airlines now fly there direct from many different European countries. The state operated Air Baltic is the national carrier and the main airline serving the country, but a number of others also operate flights, including Austrian Airlines, Czech Airlines, Estonian Air, Finnair, LOT, Lufthansa and SAS. At the moment there are no direct flights from North America, Asia or Australia, but connecting flights are relatively easy to find.

By Road or Rail

Bus or rail is another viable option of getting to and from Latvia, especially for those countries nearby. There are direct bus services connecting Riga to Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Russia. Trains are a bit less common, however there are connections from Latvia on the Berlin to St. Petersburg, which goes via Daugavpils in the south east of the country, as well as from Riga to Moscow, Minsk and St. Petersburg.

By Sea

The final option is of getting to and from Latvia is by ferry. There are ferry connections between Riga and Travemunde in Germany and Stockholm and Slite in Sweden, and Roomassaare in Estonia. This option is recommended more for the warmer months of the year, as it can get very cold at certain times.

Getting Around Latvia

The best way of getting around Latvia is by bus. Buses are quicker and more convenient than trains, and cover a much greater area. For some specific locations, such as Jurmala, it may be possible to take trains direct, many times you will need to transfer onto buses to continue your journey. The central stations in Riga offer departures to most destinations around the country. Buses leave from the station located at Pragas iela 1, while the main train station is at Stacijas Laukums.

Getting Around Riga

Walking is truly the best way of getting around the charming, compact streets of the Old Town. However, if you leave the Old Town, you may find you wish to take some form of public transport from one sight to another, or to and from your hotel if it is not located that centrally. As would be expected, there are a number of options, including buses, trams, trolley buses, minibuses and taxis.