Travel Information

How to get to Riga?

The most convenient way to travel to Riga is by plane. Although our airport is relatively small, it boasts excellent connections to major airports across Europe.

How to get to your hotel from Riga International Airport

You can get to/from the city center by bus No. 22, taxi, rental car or car – sharing. The bus from/to Riga Airport to the city center takes about 40 minutes. Taxis to/from Riga Airport to the center of Riga take about 20 minutes on the average.

Taking the bus No. 22. The bus stop is conveniently located just outside the airport terminal, taking a right from the terminal exit. Upon arrival in the city center, passengers should alight at the ’11.novembra krastmala’ bus stop. Bus tickets can be purchased at the ‘Narvesen’ kiosks found inside the airport, both on the lower and upper levels. For further details: https://airport-transport.lv/en/

Or you can download the mobile app “Mobilly” and purchase your tickets there and scan them when entering public transport. This is the most convenient option.

When getting on the bus: 

• scan your e-ticket here:

• If you bought your ticket on the app (Mobilly), scan the QR code or enter the numeric code manually on your phone screen

Taking the taxi. If you prefer taxi service, the taxis are located immediately at the exit of the terminal building. You can download the Bolt app and order a taxi there (we do not have UBER in Latvia) or Baltic Taxi (+371 20 008 500). Bolt taxis can be very different colours but if you choose Baltic taxi, they will be bright yellow- green.

Fares of different taxi companies may greatly differ, and there is no maximum limit per drive, therefore, we recommend that you clarify the price of the ride before hiring. Reasonable price could be up to 30 euros. Other taxis we do not recommend.

The conference venue

The conference will be held in the University of Latvia House of Science, which is located on the side of the river that is opposite the city center: The address is Jelgavas iela 3 https://www.google.com/maps/place/UL+House+of+Science/@56.936077,24.097429,13z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x46eed1cf1fc80a75:0xf62c602e7116163c!8m2!3d56.9360771!4d24.0974292!16s%2Fg%2F11fjyh3wk0?hl=en&entry=ttu 

By public transport to the conference venue

The fastest public transport option from Riga city center to the University of Latvia House of Science will depend upon your exact location in the city center and the current schedule of public transport services. The options will be bus, trolleybus or tram. 

Bus or trolleybus routes: Check for direct bus routes that connect the city center with the area near the University of Latvia House of Science. The specific bus numbers and their frequency can vary, so using a real-time public transport app or website like saraksti.rigassatiksme.lv can provide up-to-date information. The website saraksti.rigassatiksme.lv features a journey planner that assists in identifying the optimal public transport route for your needs. The most frequently used bus and trolleybus stop in Riga city center is at “13. janvāra iela”, while the University of Latvia’s House of Science is closest to the “Jelgavas iela” stop.

Trolleybuses: Trolleybuses might also offer direct routes. As with buses, the best option depends on your specific location and the time of day.

By Bike

Riga has a growing network of bike lanes, and biking from the city center to the University of Latvia is feasible if you’re comfortable cycling in urban environments. The distance is not very long, making it a quick and eco-friendly option. In Riga city center  there are several options for renting bikes, offering convenient ways to explore the city. Here are some general suggestions:

• Sixt Latvia – Offers bike rentals among other services, with locations in the city center.
• BalticBike – A popular bike rental service with several pick-up and drop-off points around Riga, including the city center.
• Nextbike – An international bike-sharing service with numerous stations throughout Riga, where you can rent and return bikes easily using their app.

By taxi

For those preferring taxi services, the Bolt app is a recommended option for ordering a taxi in Latvia, as Uber is not available. Alternatively, you can contact Baltic Taxi at (+371 20 008 500). Bolt taxis come in various colors, while Baltic taxis are easily identifiable by their bright yellow-green color. Be aware that taxi fares can vary significantly between companies, and there’s no capped fare per journey. Thus, it’s advisable to confirm the fare before starting your trip. We advise against using other taxi services. The drive from Riga city center to the University of Latvia  House of Science typically takes about 7 minutes, barring any traffic congestion.

Walking

Depending on your exact starting point in the city center, walking to the University of Latvia House of Science might be a pleasant option, especially during good weather. The walk can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. 

An example of the walking distance is from one of the hotels, Wellton Riga Hotel & SPA, which is located in the city center, to the University of Latvia House of Science.

The Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel is very close to the venue. The easiest way to get to the University of Latvia House of Science is by walking from this hotel.

Tips

Always check the latest public transport schedules as they can change.

Consider using a navigation app to find the most efficient route in real-time, especially if you’re looking for the quickest option or if you’re navigating Riga’s public transport for the first time.

Useful phrases in Latvian:

Hello – Labdien! (formal) or

Čau! (informal)

Thank you – Paldies!

My name is … – Mani sauc ….

Cheers – Priekā!

Other useful information:

• Language: Latvian is the official language of Latvia.
• We use EURO in Latvia
• International dial code for Latvia: +371
• Latvian time: GMT +2

Traveling from Riga’s city center to notable destinations like Rundāle Castle, Turaida Castle, and Jūrmala involves a few different transportation options. Here’s a guide to each:

Rundāle Castle

By Bus: There are direct buses from Riga to Bauska. From Bauska, you can catch a local bus to Rundāle or take a taxi directly to Rundāle Palace.

By Car: Renting a car is a convenient option. The drive to Rundāle Castle takes about 1.5 hours.

Turaida Castle

By Bus: Direct buses from Riga to Sigulda are available. From Sigulda, you can take another bus or taxi to Turaida Castle, or enjoy a scenic hike.

By Train: Trains run from Riga to Sigulda. Upon arriving in Sigulda, take a taxi or bus to the castle.

Jūrmala

By Train: Trains run frequently from Riga to various stations in Jūrmala, like Majori and Dzintari, making it a quick and convenient option.

By Bus: Buses also serve routes to Jūrmala from Riga, though trains are generally preferred due to convenience and speed.

By Car: Driving to Jūrmala is straightforward, with the trip taking about 20-30 minutes, depending on your destination within Jūrmala.

Tips for Travel

• Check Schedules: Always verify the latest schedules for buses and trains as they can change.
• Buy Tickets in Advance: Especially during peak tourist season, it’s wise to secure your transportation tickets ahead of time.
• Bus Schedules. 1188.lv: This is a comprehensive Latvian transport, events, and business directory that includes bus schedules. Visit 1188.lv
• lv (bus station): The official website for intercity bus schedules in Latvia. Visit Autoosta
• Train Schedules. Pasažieru Vilciens: The official website for Latvian trains, offering schedules, ticket information, and more for routes including those to Jūrmala. Visit vivi.lv

The strain station is located in Riga city center: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q1364tECB2vuMJaBA

Autoosta (bus station) is located in Riga city center: https://maps.app.goo.gl/p9SkDLoSfxZBXkVA9

Traveling from Riga to other Baltic cities like Tartu, Tallinn, Vilnius, and Kaunas after a conference can be conveniently managed via bus, train, or car. It possible to rent can in Riga and go to one of the Baltics cities and leave car there. This service is known as a one-way car rental. Major international car rental companies operating in the Baltics, such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Sixt, typically offer the option for one-way rentals between cities in different countries. It’s best to check directly with the rental companies for the availability of one-way rentals to your desired destination. Additionally, flying to cities such as Tallinn, Tartu, Vilnius, or Kaunas is also an option.

Here are the options for each destination:

To Tallinn:

• By Bus: Numerous companies operate daily bus routes from Riga to Tallinn, including Lux Express and Ecolines, offering frequent and comfortable services.
• By Train: Currently, there’s no direct train service between Riga and Tallinn. However, Rail Baltica project is underway to link these cities by train in the future.
• By Car: Driving from Riga to Tallinn takes about 4-5 hours via the A1/E67 highway, providing a scenic route along the Baltic Sea coast.

To Tartu:

• By Bus: Direct bus services from Riga to Tartu are available, with companies like Lux Express offering comfortable rides. The journey takes approximately 4 hours.
• By Train: Like Tallinn, direct train service to Tartu from Riga is not available. The best option remains the bus.
• By Car: Driving to Tartu from Riga takes about 3.5-4 hours via the A6/E262 and E263 highways, crossing through scenic Latvian and Estonian countryside.

To Vilnius:

• By Bus: Direct buses from Riga to Vilnius run frequently, with services provided by companies such as Lux Express and Ecolines. The journey typically takes about 4 hours.
• By Train: There are direct train services available from Riga to Vilnius, offering a different travel experience. Check the Latvian Railways (Pasažieru Vilciens) and Lithuanian Railways (Lietuvos Geležinkeliai) websites for schedules and tickets.
• By Car: The drive from Riga to Vilnius takes around 3.5-4 hours via the A7/E67 and A5/E272 roads, offering a direct and scenic route through the Baltic region.

To Kaunas:

• By Bus: Several bus companies, including Lux Express, operate direct routes from Riga to Kaunas, taking approximately 3.5-4 hours.
• By Train: While there’s no direct train service from Riga to Kaunas, you can travel to Vilnius by train and then transfer to a train or bus to Kaunas.
• By Car: Driving from Riga to Kaunas usually takes around 3-3.5 hours via the A7/E67, passing through scenic landscapes and offering flexibility for stops along the way.