Riga Airport is the main air hub of the Baltic countries, approximately 10 km from the center of the Latvian capital.
It is the most convenient access point to the historic center of Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and to the entire Baltic region.
How to get to Riga International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to RIX
Parking near Riga International Airport
A multi-level parking facility is located next to the terminal.
Rates align with European hub standards.
How to get to Riga from RIX
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer
Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda
Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer
Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer
Car rental at Riga International Airport
All major rental car companies have a desk in the arrivals area.
A driver's license, passport, and credit card are all you need for renting.
Hotels near Riga International Airport
Inside the terminal
The Kepler Club occupies the third floor of the terminal: from check-in or the gates you get there on foot in a few minutes, without leaving the building.
Best for: Layovers of a few hours and departures before 6am, when you don't want to leave the controlled area.
- The only hotel inside Riga's terminal building, open round the clock on request even for just a few hours' sleep
- The airside area welcomes those already in Schengen transit without making them go back through security
- The airside area is reserved for passengers in Schengen transit: those arriving from a non-Schengen flight must use the landside area
- Around it there are only the terminal's gates and shops, no alternative for dinner outside the airport
Recommended hotels
- Kepler Club Riga Airport Hotel - Landside Public Area In the public area on the third floor of the terminal, accessible round the clock even without a boarding pass: the only hotel inside Riga's terminal building, usable by anyone passing through the airport. View availability
- Kepler Club Riga Airport Hotel - Airside EU Transit Area - Only Schengen The same property but beyond security, in the Schengen transit area: handy for those with a layover between two Schengen flights who don't want to go out and back through security. View availability
Airport area
Hampton by Hilton is about 2 km from the terminal, 5 minutes by car or with the shuttle; Airport Hotel Mara is further away, in Mārupe, about 11 minutes by car.
Best for: Dawn departures and those arriving by car, when it's enough to stay a few minutes from check-in without paying terminal prices.
- No risk of missing your flight because of bus or minibus delays from the centre
- Lower prices than the terminal, with free parking at both properties
- A residential and industrial area: dinner almost always means staying at the hotel
- Without your own car you still need a taxi or the shuttle to get around, direct public buses are scarce
Recommended hotels
- Hampton by Hilton Riga Airport About 2 km from the terminal, 5 minutes by car: breakfast already served from the early hours, useful for early flights. View availability
- Airport Hotel Mara A Best Western property in Mārupe, about 11 minutes by car from the terminal: more affordable rates, in-house restaurant and free parking. View availability
Old Town
Minibus 222 or 241 to the centre in 15-20 minutes, bus 22 in about 30 minutes; taxi 13 minutes for about 23 euros.
Best for: Travellers visiting Riga who want the medieval streets and the cathedral within walking distance, accepting the longer trip to the airport.
- The House of the Blackheads, the cathedral and the town hall square reachable on foot from your room
- The highest concentration of restaurants and venues in the city, open until late
- Cobbled streets, often crowded with tourists during the day
- No direct link to the airport: a change or a short walk to the minibus stop is always needed
Recommended hotels
- Pullman Riga Old Town - Renovated 2025 154 rooms with a panoramic terrace and inner garden, renovated in 2025, in the heart of the Old Town. View availability
- Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga On Aspazijas Boulevard, at the edge of the Old Town and a few steps from the Latvian National Opera; indoor pool and spa among the few of international standard in the city. View availability
Quiet Centre and the Art Nouveau district
The same minibuses 222/241 or bus 22 from the airport to the centre, then 10 minutes on foot to Elizabetes iela; a direct taxi in about 15 minutes.
Best for: Travellers who prefer an elegant residential neighbourhood, with the Old Town ten minutes on foot away, next to the Art Nouveau façades of Elizabetes iela.
- A district protected by UNESCO for its concentration of early-twentieth-century Art Nouveau façades
- Quieter than the streets of the Old Town, yet ten minutes on foot from the cathedral
- No direct minibus stop for the airport: you first have to reach the centre
- Fewer restaurants than the Old Town, especially outside the main meal times
Recommended hotels
- AC Hotel by Marriott Riga On Dzirnavu iela, in the Art Nouveau district, a 5-minute walk from the Latvian National Museum of Art; gym with a view and breakfast with local produce. View availability
- Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel, Riga On Elizabetes iela, among the city's most photographed Art Nouveau façades, about 15 minutes on foot from the Old Town. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is modern and well-organized, the primary gateway to the Baltic countries.
To avoid delays, it's best to arrive 2–2.5 hours before international flights.
Map of Riga International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Why is Riga famous for Art Nouveau?
The Alberta iela district holds one of the densest concentrations of Jugendstil buildings in the world, around a third of the buildings in the historic centre: an architectural heritage distinct from the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Q. Is Riga airport the busiest in the Baltic states?
Yes, it is the leading airport in the Baltic region by passenger numbers, home to the airBaltic hub with direct connections across much of Europe that are broader than those of Vilnius or Tallinn.
Q. What is Riga Black Balsam?
A traditional Latvian herbal liqueur, one of the most typical souvenirs, also available in the airport's duty-free area.
Q. Is it worth using Bolt in Riga?
Yes, it is the most widespread ride-hailing app in the Baltic states, often cheaper than traditional taxis.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
