What is the Best Way to Get Around Riga? A Complete Riga Transportation Guide

Figuring out how to get around a new city can be a challenge, but luckily, Riga transportation is pretty straightforward. Whether you're visiting for a few days or staying longer, knowing what to expect can make your trip way easier.

Riga has a mix of old-world charm and modern convenience, and getting from place to place is part of the experience. Whether you're wandering through cobblestone streets or heading to a new neighborhood, you'll want to know the best ways to do it.

This guide will break it all down so you can explore the city with ease. No stress, no confusion- just simple, practical info to help you make the most of your time in Riga.

Riga Transportation Guide: a Brief Intro

Riga, the capital of Estonia, is a city that beautifully blends old European charm with modern convenience. 

Whether you're exploring the quaint streets of the city center or heading to other districts, knowing how to get around Riga will make your visit much smoother. With various transportation options available, navigating Latvia's capital can be both easy and affordable.

There are a few different options to choose from when it comes to Riga transportation, making it accessible for all different types of budgets and travel preferences.

Here are the different options for how to get around Riga, Latvia:

• Walking
• Taking public transportation (buses, trams, and trolleybuses)
• Ordering taxis
• Using rideshare apps (Bolt)
• Biking

Riga Transportation Guide: How to Get Around

Now that you know some of the Riga transportation options, let's dive into each one so that you can understand which ones are the most ideal for each areas of the city.

🚶🏻‍♀️ Walking Around Riga

One of the best ways to explore Riga is on foot, especially in the historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the city's top attractions, cute cafes, and historic sites are within walking distance from one another, making it an ideal way to start your adventures in Latvia's capital.

The city is pedestrian-friendly, with well-maintained sidewalks and scenic routes, making it a pleasant experience for travelers who enjoy walking. One thing you should keep in mind though, is that the historic center of Riga is full of cobblestone streets, so you may want to ditch the heels for this part of the city!

Something to also keep in mind is that while a lot of things are centrally located, crossing from one end of the city to other can take quite some time, and therefore you may also need another form of transportation to rely on throughout your visit.

🚌 Public Transportation in Riga

Riga has a well-organized public transportation system, consisting of buses, trams, and trolleybuses, which operate from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm. The network covers the entire city, making it a reliable option for getting around Latvia's capital, as well as the being the most affordable option!

Tickets can be purchased on the Mobilly app - you'll just need a credit card. The ticket system works on a random-inspection basis: you don't have to show your ticket when entering Riga's transportation, but you should register each entry when you board (if you don't you could get a €15-30 fine).

🤑 Public Transport Discounts and Free Rides

While Riga's neighbor capital offers free transportation to its residents (Tallinn), Riga has different exceptions for those that can ride public transportation for free.

There are a variety of people that can get discounts, even up to 100%. Unfortunately the document stating these is in Latvian, so I wasn't able to properly translate and understand everything.

However, here are some of the people that I've gathered can receive free Riga transportation:

• Students from 1st-4th grade
• Parents who have 6 or more children
• Senior Citizens
• People with disabilities

Here are the normal prices for the different public transport ticket options:

• 90-minute ticket: €1.50
• One-day ticket: €5 
• Three-day ticket: €8
• Five-day ticket): €10
• 30-day ticket: €30 

🚲 Biking in Riga

Looking for a different way to get around other than using Riga transportation? You can also bike around the city!

We wouldn't necessarily recommend it for the historic town (there are a lot of small streets), but it can be a fun way for getting around the other neighborhoods of Riga. Renting a bike is a great way to see more of the city at your own pace while getting in some exercise.

Another unique option for getting around Riga and doing sightseeing is to book a bike tour! This is an exciting way to explore the city, meet new people, and have a local show you cool and hidden spots around Riga.

🚕 Taxis and Ride-Sharing Services

For those who prefer a more direct way to get from one end of Riga to the other, taxis and ride-sharing services are widely available, and are also pretty affordable.

The best way to get traditional taxis is by either calling or by ordering one right from one of the apps. Taxify is one of the best ones, and we read that if you need a car seat then Baltic Taxi is a good option.

Outside of the regular taxi apps, you can also use Bolt.

💸 Are Taxis Expensive in Riga?

Taxis aren't very expensive in Riga, and with a variety of the companies using apps, you can know how much a ride is going to be beforehand. We used Bolt several times in Riga, and found it to be affordable and reliable.

💳 Do Riga Taxis Take Credit Cards?

With many taxi companies using apps, it's now easier than ever to pay for taxis with your credit card.

🛴 Using Scooters in Riga

Other than using Bolt as a ride-share app, you can also use it to rent scooters! It's a fun way to get around, especially if you're looking to explore places that are a bit further apart from one another (like the national library to this church).

🚗 Renting a Car in Riga

While you definitely don't need a car inside the historic center of Riga itself, there are plenty of cool places just outside the city, as well as some awesome day trips to check out.

If you plan to explore some of these hidden gems beyond Riga, renting a car can be an excellent option, especially if you are with a group of people.

The city has several car rental agencies, and driving in Latvia is super easy. It's important to know that within the city center, parking can be really limited and pricey, so renting a car is best for just those looking to take day trips outside of Riga.

⭐️ What is the Best Way to Get Around Riga?

There are plenty of Riga transportation options, so the way you choose to get around really depends on your preference. We'd recommend exploring as much as you can by foot, and then using the Riga public transportation options for getting from one end of the city to the other, or Bolt for the most convenience.

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Tips for Taking Riga Transportation

Now you know how to get around Riga in several different ways! Now, here are a few tips for you to enjoy getting around in the best way.

Riga Transportation FAQ

Now you know all about how to get around Riga, but in case you needed any quick answers, here they are!

Riga Transportation Guide: Conclusion

There are lots of ways to consider for Riga transportation options! Whether you are looking to hop in a Bolt, ride on the trolleybuses, or go on a bike tour, there are plenty of fun and easy ways to explore the city without having to spend a ton of time or money.

We'd definitely recommend doing a day of just walking around the old town, and then organizing the neighborhoods outside of the city center together.

If you'd like to do day trips, then we'd recommend signing up for a tour if you're on your own, or renting a car and driving if you are in a bigger group.  

So are you ready to explore all over Latvia's capital? We hope our Riga transportation guide has helped you planning your getaway, but if you have any other questions, feel free to drop them down in the comments below!

Want to learn about all of the cool things to see and do in Riga? Don't miss out on our other Riga travel guides. We also have some others coming up, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of the weekly updates!

Ready to start planning an awesome trip to Riga? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, which are designed to create you an incredible itinerary, and help you save money along the way. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email for your free consultation!

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