Riga International Airport lies about 10 km south-west of the city centre, and while there is no train link, the connection is still simple: a reliable municipal bus, private minibuses aimed squarely at travellers, and taxis or ride-hailing for a direct door-to-door option.
The cheapest way: bus 22
Bus 22, run by Rīgas satiksme, is the main public transport link between the airport and the city centre, with a stop directly outside the terminal. The journey takes around 30 minutes to the centre, depending on traffic and time of day, and buses run frequently through the day, thinning out in the evening. Tickets can be bought from the driver, from ticket machines, or through the Rīgas satiksme mobile app, which is generally the cheapest way to pay.
The bus is a perfectly good choice for anyone travelling light and not in a rush, and it drops passengers at stops around the edge of the Old Town and along the main routes into the centre, from where onward tram or on-foot connections are easy.
Private airport minibuses
Several private minibus services operate specifically between the airport and the city centre, generally faster and more comfortable than the public bus since they run with less stopping and are aimed at travellers with luggage. Fares are higher than the municipal bus but still modest, and journey times are typically similar to or slightly faster than bus 22, at around 20–30 minutes. These are a reasonable middle option if you want more certainty about luggage space than a crowded public bus offers.
Taxis and Bolt
An official taxi rank operates outside arrivals, with fares to the city centre taking around 20–25 minutes outside peak traffic — always use the marked rank or a licensed taxi rather than a driver approaching you inside the terminal. Bolt, the Estonian-founded ride-hailing app, is very widely used across the Baltics and works well in Riga, showing a fixed fare before you book, which makes it a popular and predictable alternative to the traditional taxi rank for many visitors.
Car hire at the airport
Several car hire desks operate in the terminal, useful if you're planning to explore beyond Riga — Jūrmala's beaches, Sigulda's castles and the Gauja valley, or a wider loop through the Baltic states, are all realistic with a rental car. Driving into and parking within Riga's Old Town itself is less convenient, since the historic centre has narrow streets and limited parking; a car is more useful for day trips out of the city than for the airport transfer.
The train that doesn't exist yet
Unlike some Baltic capitals, Riga has no rail link to its own airport, and none is currently under construction specifically for that purpose. Travellers occasionally confuse this with the wider Rail Baltica project, a new European-gauge line under construction to connect Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius and Warsaw — that project does include a planned station serving the airport as part of its route through the city, but it is still years from opening. For now, the bus, minibus and taxi options above remain the only ways to make the journey.
Connecting onward through Riga
Riga Central Station, the hub for onward rail and coach travel around Latvia and the wider Baltics, is roughly 30–40 minutes from the airport by the same bus and taxi options used for the city centre transfer, since the station sits close to the edge of the Old Town. If you're passing straight through Riga en route to Sigulda, Jūrmala or onward to Vilnius or Tallinn, it's worth checking whether your bus or minibus service calls near the coach terminal or railway station directly, saving a further local transfer once you're in the city.
Luggage, timing and first-timer tips
Riga Airport is a manageable size and well signposted in English and Latvian, with clear directions to the bus stop and taxi rank just outside arrivals. Ticket machines and the transport app both accept card payment, so there's no pressing need to arrive with Latvian currency in hand purely for the transfer — Latvia uses the euro in any case.
If you're arriving very late at night, check the current bus frequency before you fly, since services drop off considerably after the evening peak. In that situation, Bolt or the official taxi rank are the more dependable options, both operating around the clock.
Which option should you choose?
For most visitors, bus 22 is the cheapest and perfectly practical way into the centre, especially for daytime arrivals with manageable luggage. A private minibus is worth the small extra cost if you want more space and fewer stops. Taxis and Bolt suit late arrivals, groups, or anyone heading somewhere the bus doesn't reach directly.
If you're continuing your trip, see our guide to the beach town of Riga to Jūrmala, the castles and valley at Riga to Sigulda, or north to Riga to Tallinn. For the wider region, see the Baltics by train.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Riga Airport to the city centre?
Bus 22 is the cheapest option, taking around 30 minutes to the centre. Private minibuses run a similar route a little faster, and taxis or Bolt offer a direct door-to-door ride in around 20–25 minutes.
Is there a train from Riga Airport to the city?
No — Riga Airport has no rail connection. Bus 22, private minibuses and taxis or ride-hailing apps are the realistic options.
Do I need cash for the bus from the airport?
No, tickets can be bought with a card from the driver, at machines, or through the Rīgas satiksme app, which is usually the cheapest way to pay.
Is Bolt available at Riga Airport?
Yes, Bolt operates widely in Riga and is a popular alternative to the taxi rank, showing a fixed fare in the app before you book.
Sources and further reading:
- Airport transport information: Riga International Airport official site.
- Bus routes and tickets: Rīgas satiksme.