- Must visit
Latvian National Museum of Art
Latvia’s main art museum, housing major Baltic and Latvian collections in a landmark historic building.
Cheapest price
$29
Average price
$32
Fastest journey
3 h 30 m
Average duration
4 h 16 m
Buses per day
14
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 $32 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $29.
Of the 14 buses that leave Tartu for Riga on Thu, Jun 25, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 25 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 Thu, Jun 25 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.
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145|17058e>8723e · EL-20|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 $18. 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 $18, and a bus costs an average of $16.
Distance: 138 miles (223 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$28 Average price | $21 Average price Cheapest | $49 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 $28 (€23).
Other travel options to Riga take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 49m.
Tickets start at around $28 (€23) compared to roughly $49 (€41) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $21 (€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 08:10AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 3h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 07:35PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Lux Express | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
The table below shows live departures for Tartu to Riga buses for today, Wednesday, June 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 7h45 | 4:15 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
145|17058e>8723e+![]() | 8:30 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 9h10 | 5:40 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
120|17058e>8723e · 14|8723e>18859 | 9:30 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 6h45 | 4:15 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
120|17058e>8723e · EL-20|8723e>18859 | 9:30 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 7h45 | 5:15 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
120|17058e>8723e+![]() | 9:30 AM Tartu, Bussijaam | 8h10 | 5:40 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
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 | 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+![]() | 12:45 PM Tartu, Bussijaam | 8h35 | 9:20 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 1 transfer | |
145|17058e>8723e · EL-20|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 | 3h40 | 10:10 PM Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta | 0 transfersDirect | |
915/25|v2e>v121 | 6:30 PM Tartu, Bussijaam | 3h30 | 10:00 PM Riga, Ilukstes street/Plavnieki | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 $16 (€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 $16 (€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 art museum, housing major Baltic and Latvian collections in a landmark historic building.
Important museum documenting Latvia under Soviet and Nazi occupation through exhibits, testimonies, and archives.
Fine arts museum in a grand Venetian-style former stock exchange, known for European and Asian art collections.
Riga’s historic center with cobbled lanes, medieval squares, churches, and the city’s densest concentration of landmarks.
The city’s most famous Art Nouveau street, especially popular for architecture walks and social media photography.
One of the main public squares in Old Riga, framed by historic buildings and anchored by Riga Cathedral.
Grey peas cooked and served with fried bacon and onions, one of Latvia’s most iconic traditional dishes, especially common in winter and at festive meals.
A traditional Latvian pie with rye pastry filled with potato and carrot, protected as a traditional specialty and strongly associated with western Latvia.
Cold pink soup made with beetroot, kefir, cucumber, herbs, and usually egg, very popular in summer across Riga and Latvia.
One of Riga’s best-known fine dining restaurants, celebrated for refined cuisine, elegant service, and long-standing international reputation.
A famous cellar tavern known for Latvian food, local beer, live folk music, and an authentic rustic setting.
A popular modern Latvian restaurant serving updated national dishes in a cozy, central setting with strong local identity.
Generally moderate by European standards. Old Town dining costs more, while local cafes and transit stay fairly affordable.
Service is usually included or modest. Round up or leave 5-10% for good restaurant service. Small tips for taxis are optional; tipping in cafes is not expected.
Official public transport app
Rīga, Rīgas Starptautiskā Autoosta, Riga -> Riga Central Station, Riga
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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