Riga to Jūrmala

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

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Jūrmala's long sandy beach and pine-backed promenade are close enough to Riga to make a half-day or full-day escape genuinely easy, and the standard way to get there is a short hop on Latvia's commuter rail network. There is no meaningful case for flying or taking a ferry for this pair — the train (or, at a pinch, the bus) does the job quickly and cheaply.

The quickest way: the commuter train

Latvian Railways' commuter service (Vivi) runs from Riga Central Station to several stops along the Jūrmala coast, with the journey to the main resort area taking around 30 minutes. Trains run frequently throughout the day, typically every 20–40 minutes depending on the hour, making this the easiest way to reach the coast without a car. Tickets are bought at the station or through the operator's app before boarding, and there is no need to reserve a seat — you simply turn up and go.

Jūrmala is really a string of small towns along the coast rather than a single resort, and the train calls at several of them. Majori and Dzintari are the two most useful stops for first-time visitors, sitting at the heart of the pedestrianised Jomas Street and the main stretch of beach.

Which station to get off at

For the classic Jūrmala experience — the beach, Jomas Street's shops and restaurants, and the promenade — Majori is the best all-round choice, putting you within a few minutes' walk of everything. Dzintari, one stop further, is quieter and sits closer to the forested park and concert hall, a good option if you would rather avoid the busiest stretch of sand. Travellers heading specifically for spa hotels or quieter residential stretches of the coast sometimes get off at other stops further along the line, such as Bulduri or Vaivari.

The alternative: bus

Regular buses also connect Riga with Jūrmala, taking a broadly similar amount of time to the train once traffic is accounted for, and departing from Riga's main bus station rather than the rail terminal. The bus is a reasonable fallback if a train connection does not line up with your plans, but it offers no real advantage over the train for this specific journey, since both are similarly priced and similarly quick.

Driving or taking a taxi

Jūrmala is also an easy drive from Riga, mostly along a straightforward coastal road that takes about 30–40 minutes outside rush hour. A taxi or ride-hailing app covers the same route in similar time and removes any need to think about train timetables at all, though at a noticeably higher cost than the train for a single traveller or couple. Driving makes the most sense if you plan to explore several points along the coast beyond the main resort area, since a car gives the freedom to stop at quieter beaches further along the Gulf of Riga without being tied to a station.

Why there is no realistic flight or ferry option

Jūrmala sits directly on the coast a short way from Riga, and the distance is far too small for flying to make any sense — there is no airport serving the resort towns, and the nearest, Riga International, would add far more time getting to and from terminals than the entire train journey takes. There is no ferry route either, since Jūrmala's beaches face the open Gulf of Riga rather than connecting to any passenger shipping line.

What to expect once you arrive

Jūrmala's beach is broad, sandy and backed by dunes and pine trees, giving it a notably different feel from many Baltic coastal towns, and Jomas Street runs parallel to the sea a short walk inland, lined with cafés, ice cream stalls and small shops. Most day-trippers spend three to six hours here, enough time for a walk along the promenade, some time on the sand and a meal on Jomas Street, though the town is also popular as an overnight stay for anyone wanting to linger over a full sunset.

Beyond the beach itself, Jūrmala has a long tradition as a spa town, and several hotels along the coast still offer day-spa treatments and mineral-water bathhouses dating back to the Soviet era, when the town was a favoured retreat for visitors from across the wider region. Wooden architecture is another distinctive feature of the area — many of the older houses set back from the main streets are elaborate 19th- and early 20th-century timber villas, and a short wander away from Jomas Street reveals a quieter, more residential side of the town that most day-trippers never see.

Practical tips for the trip

• Buy your train ticket before boarding where possible; some services charge a small on-board surcharge if you buy from the conductor instead.
• Summer weekends get busy, particularly in July and August, so travelling on a weekday or earlier in the day makes for a calmer visit.
• Check the return timetable soon after you arrive, since off-peak services can thin out later in the evening, especially outside the summer season.

Timing your visit

Jūrmala is at its liveliest from June to August, when the beach fills up and Jomas Street's restaurants spill out onto the pavement, but the town is worth a visit outside summer too — the promenade and pine forest have a calm, atmospheric quality in spring and autumn when the crowds thin out considerably. Winter visits are quieter still, with fewer services and shops open, so summer through early autumn remains the more practical window for most travellers. For more on Latvia's wider rail options, see our guide to the Baltics by train, and if you are continuing north or south along the coast, our guide to Vilnius to Riga covers the onward journey between the Baltic capitals. Our Riga to Tallinn guide covers the coach journey north to Estonia if you are continuing your Baltic trip that way, and travellers staying within Europe's short-stay allowance should check our Schengen 90/180-day rule guide, since Latvia is a full Schengen member. Our Stockholm to Helsinki guide covers the overnight Baltic Sea ferry if your onward plans reach further north around the Baltic Sea.

Which should you choose?

The commuter train is the clear choice for almost everyone: fast, frequent, cheap and dropping you within walking distance of the beach at Majori or Dzintari. The bus is a fine substitute if your timing happens to suit it better, but there is no reason to actively seek it out over the train.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the train from Riga to Jūrmala take?

About 30 minutes to the main resort stops, on frequent commuter services from Riga Central Station.

Which Jūrmala train station should I use for the beach?

Majori is the best all-round stop for the beach, Jomas Street and the promenade; Dzintari, one stop further, is a quieter alternative close to the park and concert hall.

Do I need to book the train in advance?

No. Buy a ticket at the station or via the operator's app shortly before travelling — no reservation is needed on these commuter services.

Is Jūrmala worth a day trip from Riga?

Yes. It is only about 30 minutes away by train and offers a long sandy beach, a lively pedestrian street and pine forest walks, comfortably filling half a day or more.