- Must visit
Latvian National Museum of Art
Latvia’s main fine arts museum, known for major Latvian art collections and a landmark historic building in the city center.
Cheapest price
$28
Average price
$34
Fastest journey
3 h 30 m
Average duration
4 h 16 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
223 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Tartu to Riga is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Tartu to Riga will cost around $34 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $28.
Of the 11 buses that leave Tartu for Riga on Sun, May 24, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 24 the direct buses cover the 223 km distance in an average of 4 h 16 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 30 m .
On Sun, May 24 the slowest buses will take 5 h 45 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
385/24|v2e>v121
915/25|v2e>v121
915/25|v2e>v121
385/24|v2e>v121
145|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859
915/25|v2e>v121
915/25|v2e>v121
385/24|v2e>v121
385/24|v2e>v121
145|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Tartu to Riga among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $19. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 46m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $19, and a bus costs an average of $17.
Distance: 138 miles (223 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$29 Average price | $22 Average price Cheapest | $50 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 16m Average total duration Fastest 3h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration 3h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 31m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Tartu to Riga:
A train is $7 (€6) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Tartu to Riga costing on average $29 (€23).
Other travel options to Riga take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 49m.
Tickets start at around $29 (€23) compared to roughly $50 (€41) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $22 (€17). The journey takes 3h 46m versus 3h 31m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Lux Express, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $26 |
The table below shows live departures for Tartu to Riga buses for today, Saturday, May 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
385/24|v2e>v121 | 11:10 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 4h30 | 3:40 PM Skulte, Riga International Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
385/24|v2e>v121 | 11:10 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 3h55 | 3:05 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 0 transfersDirect | |
145|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859 | 12:45 PM Tartu, Bussijaam | 8h15 | 9:00 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
145|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859 | 12:45 PM Tartu, Bussijaam | 5h50 | 6:35 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
145|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859 | 12:45 PM Tartu, Bussijaam | 6h50 | 7:35 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
145|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859 | 4:45 PM Tartu, Bussijaam | 5h45 | 10:30 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
915/25|v2e>v121 | 6:30 PM Tartu, Bussijaam | 3h30 | 10:00 PM Riga, Ilukstes street/Plavnieki | 0 transfersDirect | |
915/25|v2e>v121 | 6:30 PM Tartu, Bussijaam | 3h40 | 10:10 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, May 24 | |||||
145|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859 | 8:30 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 7h05 | 3:35 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
145|17058e>8723e · 211/949|8723e>18859 | 8:30 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 6h05 | 2:35 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
145|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859 | 8:30 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 10h05 | 6:35 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Tartu to Riga run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 46m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $17 (€14) if you book in advance.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:35, the last at 19:30. The fastest bus covers the 138 miles (223 km) distance in 3h 30m.
Distance 138 miles (223 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price $17 (€14) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 3h 30m |
First bus 12:35 AM |
Last bus 7:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Riga — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Riga trip today.
Latvia’s main fine arts museum, known for major Latvian art collections and a landmark historic building in the city center.
Essential museum documenting Latvia under Soviet and Nazi occupations, with powerful exhibitions on repression, resistance, and memory.
Art museum in a grand Venetian Renaissance style building, showing international art, decorative arts, and changing exhibitions.
The city’s historic core of cobbled lanes, church spires, and lively squares, ideal for first-time visitors and evening walks.
Riga’s most celebrated Art Nouveau street, popular for photography and architecture-focused walks.
Central Old Riga square surrounded by historic buildings, a natural base for sightseeing and seasonal events.
A classic Latvian dish of grey peas stewed and served with fried speck or bacon. It is one of the country’s best-known traditional comfort foods, especially in winter and at festive meals.
Traditional Latvian dark rye bread with a dense texture and deep, slightly sweet flavor. It is a staple of Latvian cuisine and often served with butter, cheese, or smoked fish.
A protected traditional Latvian pastry made with rye dough and a filling of potato and carrot. It is especially associated with western Latvia and is a distinctive sweet-savory local specialty.
A beloved cellar tavern in Old Riga known for hearty Latvian food, local beer, and live folk atmosphere. A strong choice for traditional dishes in a lively setting.
A respected Riga restaurant focused on refined Latvian cuisine with modern presentation. It is a good place to try local ingredients in a more polished atmosphere.
A prominent contemporary restaurant created by well-known Latvian chefs, offering inventive tasting menus and modern Baltic flavors in stylish surroundings.
Moderate by European standards: budget eats are affordable, while hotels and central dining cost more in peak season.
Service is often included or modest. Round up small bills; 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants for good service. Tipping is not expected for cafes, but rounding up is polite.
Official public transport app
Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta -> Rīga Centrālā Stacija
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Tartu to Riga by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Riga, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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