Riga Airport Mini Guide
How can I get there?
Riga International Airport is situated 10km west of Latvia’s capital,
Riga. It has three terminals and a fourth is planned. It is the largest airport in the Baltic region and has flights to over 30 countries and 86 possible destinations, connecting Latvia to much of Europe. Currently, there are 15 schedule airlines flying into Riga and 3 charter airlines, that operate seasonal routes. You can fly into Riga Airport from
London Gatwick,
Rome,
Amsterdam and
Zurich.
How can I get to the city from the Airport?
You can get bus route 22 from the terminal into the city. It runs every 10-30 minutes and takes approximately 30 minutes. There is also the Airport Express shuttle bus from the airport to the Reval Hotel in the city centre. If you are driving you can use the E22 and the P133 highway to get to the city, it should take around 15 minutes depending on traffic.
What is there at the Airport?
For all your money requirements there are branches of Norvik Banca, Citadele and Swed Bank. Eurex and ICE offer a currency exchange service in the arrivals area. There is a ‘Welcome to Riga’ information desk in arrivals, where you can buy bus tickets, museum entry, souvenirs and phone cards. For checking your email, Wi-Fi is available in the terminals, through a pre-paid card scheme and Coffee Nation cafe also offers internet access. A pharmacy is available in departures, should medicines or first aid items be required. The car hire rental desks can be found at E sector in arrivals, if you have pre-booked a Rhino rental car.
What can I eat?
You can choose to take a drink at Fly Bar or sample a meal at Lido Restaurant. Buffet Café provides a selection of self service meals or you can indulge in some American style fare at TGI Fridays. Or just have a coffee and browse the internet at Coffee Nation.
Is there any shopping?
Narvesen is the place to go for newspapers, cigarettes and sweets. You can also buy some souvenirs in there. There are also outlets selling books, various souvenirs and cosmetics. You can buy the latest in jewellery at Grenardi or a designer watch at Royal Boutique. ATU Duty Free and Travel Value offer a wide range of spirits, cigarettes, fragrances and cosmetics at tax free prices.
Anything else?
You can collect Gateway Riga magazine from the airport, it’s a useful guide to the airport, new routes and destinations and what is going on in the local area. Specialised tours around the airport are available and last one hour.
What if I need special assistance?
The airport provides assistance to passengers with reduced mobility, from their arrival at the airport, to their departure from the airport. This would include having wheelchairs available and assistance throughout the airport.
A good place to start your break in Riga is to visit the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Covering World War II and the Soviet era, the museum is a poignant memorial to the hardships of those times and the indomitable spirit of the Latvians who ultimately reclaimed their country.
From there, head off in a hire car to visit St Peter’s Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Latvia, dating from the beginning of the 13th century. Then for an interesting time, you can try AK-47 shooting on a range with real guns and bullets.