Getting from Riga Airport to the City Center: A Complete Guide

1. Bus #22

The most popular and budget-friendly way to reach the city center.

Route: Airport to City Center (stops at several locations near Old Riga). Journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

Schedule: Runs from 05:20 to 00:40 (every 10–20 minutes).

Cost: * €1.50 — If bought in advance (at the ticket machine or via the app).

€1.81 – €2.00 — If bought from the driver (Bank card only! No cash).

Free — On Latvian public holidays ("Red calendar days").

Where to buy tickets in advance?

Ticket Machine: Located right at the bus stop outside the airport terminal.

Mobile App: The most convenient way. Use the official Rīgas satiksme app ("koda biļete"):

Download on App Store

Download on Google Play

2. Bolt (Ride-Hailing App)

In Latvia, Bolt is the go-to app instead of Uber.

Cost: Average prices to the center range from €20 to €50, depending on demand. For a group of four, this can be as low as €5–10 per person.

Child Seats: You can select the "Child" category in the app or request one in the comments.

Pros: Transparent pricing, card payments via the app, and door-to-door service. Cons: Prices can spike during rush hour or bad weather.

Download Bolt:

App Store (iOS)

Google Play (Android)

3. Official Taxis (Red Cab, Baltic Taxi)

These marked taxis wait in a queue right outside the arrivals terminal 24/7.

Cost: By the meter, usually between €30 and €50.

Pros: Instant availability—no waiting for a driver to accept your request. Reliable child seat availability.

Cons: The most expensive option. You are essentially paying an extra €10–20 for the convenience of not waiting.

4. The Travel Hack: Bus + Local Taxi

If your hotel is deep inside the Old Town or a bit too far to walk with heavy bags:

Take Bus #22 to the city center.

Once you get off, hail a taxi or call a Bolt for the final leg. A short ride from the bus stop to your hotel door usually costs only €3–5 for the whole car.

Pro Tips for Travelers:

Connectivity: Riga Airport offers free Wi-Fi, making it easy to order a Bolt upon arrival.

Payments: Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but remember: the bus driver cannot accept cash.

The View: Sit on the right side of the bus! You’ll get a stunning view of the Old Town skyline as you cross the Stone Bridge (Akmens tilts).