Riga International Airport RIX: Departures and guide

Flying from/to Riga International Airport

When arriving to Riga International Airport, it can be unclear how to reach your final destination, or more generally, to the city centre. We, at Omio, have mapped out good things to know, facilities available when flying to Riga International Airport and what to do when you get to the city.

Travel from Riga city center to Riga City Airport

Riga is the Latvian capital. The old town Riga (Vecriga) was declared a UNESCO heritage site due to its rich and appealing architecture. Riga is known for its Art Nouveau architecture; old buildings that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Riga International Airport is located approximately 8 miles (13 kilometers) from Riga city center. The city's small size makes public transportation, especially the bus, to be the cheapest, fastest and more convenient way to get to that airport from the city center. Getting to the airport from Riga by using buses, minibusses, trolleybuses, trams, taxis or private car transfers. Public transit is operated between 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tickets for public transit can be purchased either from the driver or e-tickets, an option that is cheaper than buying from the driver. Riga city has good and reliable transit links for efficient public transportation from the city center to the airport. From Riga city center,  follow Kalnciema Iela, then Lielirbes Iela westbound and turn right on to the A10/E22 then onto P133 intersection, which leads directly to the airport.

What's the best way to get to the airport from Riga City center?

There are seven ways to get to Riga International Airport from Riga city center. Bus No.22; Minibus No. 222 and 241, Trolley bus No.25, Trams, SIA Baltic Lidosta, and Panda Taxi, Riga shuttle bus, and by taxi. The city is small so there is no subway system, although public transit is the cheapest and best option to get from Old Riga-Vecriga, the most Central point in Riga city, to Riga International Airport. Public transit is operated by Riga Satiksme in the Latvian capital. Some buses and trains connect the city to other cities like Tallinn and also the nearest airport to Riga city-Tallinn Airport.

How far is it from Riga City center to Riga International Airport?

The distance from the Old Riga, Vecriga, the most central point in Riga city, to Riga International Airport is approximately eight miles (13 kilometers). The trip from Riga city center to Riga International Airport takes approximately 30 minutes by Bus No.22. The bus leaves every 10 to 30 minutes. It has a total of 16 stops on the route from Lidosta Riga to Abrenes Iela. The schedule for the Bus No. 22 from Tuesday to Saturday has operating hours from 12.10 am to 11.55 pm. Trolley bus No. 25 takes approximately 16 minutes to reach Riga Airport from Riga city center using the route of Ilguciems to Brivibas. Minibus 222 has uses the same route has Bus No. 22 to get from Riga city center to Riga International Airport. Minibus 241 also takes approximately 30 minutes to get to the airport from Old Riga with stops at Zolitide, Imanta, Anninmuizas Boulevard, Botanical Garden, Art Museum and other stops.

What facilities are there at the Riga International Airport?

Riga International Airport has facilities like banks, currency exchange, and ATMs; wide choice of cafes, bars and restaurants, eateries and pizza places, a a number of shops, left-luggage facilities and lost and found services, pharmacy and an on-site medical facility, chapel, VIP lounges,  conference facilities, free WiFi, post office and public telephones. For reduced mobility the airport is equipped with elevators, help points, designated parking for the disabled and wheelchairs are provided.

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

The public transit system in Riga city has specially equipped buses for those with disabilities. Bus No. 222, for instance, has wheelchairs for getting on and off the bus. The bus has a stop directly in front of the terminal check-in hall. The airport also has wheelchairs available and other reduced mobility facilities to use. Anyone traveling with companions should book the bus 36 hours before the scheduled travel in case they need specially equipped buses or public transportation. For travelers with pets and large luggage, public transit is convenient but comes with an extra cost. Trams and trolleybuses are most suitable if traveling with large luggage. The public transit stop at the airport has a luggage counter where trolleys are available at a fee to help carry the luggage from the terminal public transit stop to the check-in hall.

Local tips: How to travel to Riga International Airport like a local

Riga is small in size so traveling from the city center to the airport is not difficult.  Due to good transit links, using public transportation is the most suitable option. Trams and trolleybus are the most convenient, fast and cheap way to get to the airport from Riga city center. Trams and trolleybus use rail lines so they are a faster way to get across town with no road traffic no matter the time of the day. New buses by public transportation operators have free WiFi for travel using long routes.