Riga Latvia Airport Taxi to City Center - Use Red Cab

Airport Taxi

As a private tourist office since 1991, we have extensive experience with the taxi companies operating in Riga.

From many points of view, we ONLY recommend the use of the Red Colored cars now displaying the logo RED CAB on the hood bonnet or side of the cars or vans.

Also on the taxi are the telephone numbers: 800 0 1313 (toll free) and the new mobile cell phone toll free number 8383

Make sure the meter is turned on and operating. The total price from the airport to city center depending on time of day and traffic should be from 8.00 Ls to 12.00 Ls

If you have any problems with the taxi, get a receipt, a description of the driver and the vehicle license number. Background of the license plate should be yellow in color.

Then telephone the special Tourist Office Hotline and make a complaint.

Tourist - Visitor Problem Hotline

24 hours in English -- +371-2-203-3000 If you are not comfortable with their driving style - please tell them so ! To assist you in this, we have prepared a form with six (6) useful languages phrases that you may show to the driver. click for printablle form on 3 languages Frequently Ask Questions Visiting Riga (FAQ) Air Baltic Shuttle Bus Public Transport Number 22 Bus to City Center .

Public Transport Riga - How Much and How To

Effective 1 May 2009, The Riga Transport Company (Riga Satiksme) has introduced an Electronic Ticketing System onboard all Trolleybuses (electric), Trams (electric) and Autobuses (fuel).


The system operates using a microchip Smart Card purchased at Newspaper Outlets and from the bus company kisoks. The price of one ride using the Smart Card is 0.50 Ls - each trip no transfers. Locations of Bus Company kisoks - the main one is at the Central Bus Station across from the Central Market. Another walkup Bus Company Point of Sale kisoks is located at the tram stop across from the Opera House and Hotel Riga (GE Money Bank) on Aspazijas Boulevard. All Narvesson (7 Eleven) newspaper shops and kisoks sell the "yellow Smart Card" as well.

You may purchase Smart Cards in 5, 10 and 20 ride amounts. The Smart Tickets are not able to be refilled. The ticket must be presented to a ticket reader onboard each car and the GREEN light must show. It also advises you of how many more trips are left on the ticket immediately after showing the green light.

Print this page and show to the sales clerk to purchase Yellow Smart Cards

Five (5) trip ticket - Biļete 5 braucieniem 2.50 Ls
Ten (10) trip ticket - Biļete 10 braucieniem 4.75 Ls
Twenty (2) trip ticket - Biļete 20 braucieniem 9.00 Ls

more information

sorry video is Latvian language only - but pictures tell the story

Paper tickets may be purchased from the driver for one trip at a cost of 0.70 Ls and if the rider has a standard size suitcase a luggage ticket should be purchased from the driver at an additional fee of 0.80 ls per piece of luggage.

A luggage ticket is now not required on the airport Bus number 22

.

BEWARE of the TICKET KONTROLLERS - they are agressive - somewhat NASTY - and the fine (especially for no luggage ticket)  is large.

.

Don't bother trying to call their information line as they don't seem to answer it. And never mind sending a question by email as they don't seem to reply in any language as well !

It's not an very impressive show of customer service at the bus company.

Somewhere there is (are?) a automatic ticket vending machine but no one will tell where it (they ?) are. Oh yes, maybe one is at the central bus station - but it has a very long line we hear.

For local residents, they will some day will have the ability to refill your blue permanent smart card using Internet bank - but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting as it is on permanent "test mode" and you may "turn blue waiting for it to come available.

For visitors, it may be best to purchase e-talons from Newspaper shops.

.

FREE Shuttle Bus Riga Old City to/from LIDO Krasta Restaurant Center

FREE Shuttle BUS

Riga Town Hall Square

to LIDO KRASTA Center < - click for photos

Small Group Riga Airport Transfer - Take the Air Baltic Bus

Looking for an alternative to a taxi from the airport queue?

Take the AirBaltic Shuttle

Inexpensive and we hear that the drivers will drop you in many locations.

Excellent if you are going to Hotel Reval area.

more information

.

Two most asked questions about visiting Riga

Two most asked questions about visiting Riga:

1. Don't bring Latvian money from your country to Latvia!
   Simply bring ATM Bank card (best option), GBP Sterling, Euros, or US Dollars (last choice). ATM bank machines everywhere at the airport or on the street. Simply use good judgment. Change money at banks all rates are the same. Watch exchange rate at small exchange shops some are rip-offs. more info


2. For airport (LIDOSTA) transfers, best to use taxi. The company at the airport (Red Renault cars) is safe, fair and reliable. more info
   Price is about 8 Ls (GBP) to center.


3. Why take a bus and wonder around for an hour in a strange city pulling your luggage to find an address?
   If you must, take bus 22 (most often) (get off at Stockmann) more info maps


4. All bus & tram information http://www.rigabus.info/

Where is the Riga Airport Bus Stop in City center?

Great question - thanks for asking !

(Bus 22A closed from 1 Jan 2009)

There is one Riga City bus (Number 22) plus one Shuttle Bus going from Riga City Center to the Riga International Airport RIX.

Auto bus Number 22 stops two places in Riga city center before crossing the Daugava River on its way to the airport. Last stop Hotel Avalon - click map.

There is NO airport bus stop on the river side of Old City.

1. South side of Train station on Gogola Street directly across from the underground tunnel to Central Market

2. On 13 January Street (click map) heading towards the Daugava river almost opposite from new Hotel Avalon.

Click for more information on busses and airport schedule links

.

Where to get off the bus coming from the airport?

.

Auto bus 22 stops immediately after crossing the Daugava River. This is convenient to Old Riga hotels, etc.

.

The next Riga City Center bus stop is in front of Stockmann Department stores (click map) aross from the canal and close to Hotel Metropole. On the bus the announcement is: next stop Stockmanns Centers.

.

After Stockmanns, the number 22 bus turns right on Gogola Street goes under the train bridge and stops in front of the Central market. This is the last city center stop.

.

Airport Transfers for groups larger than 24 persons

For larger groups over 24 persons, contact Patricia Tourist Office to arrange for a bus transfer.

NOTE: we do NOT arrange for bus transfers for STAG party groups !

Don't even ask, Thank You.

Airport Transfers less than 24 persons

For Riga airport transfers less than 24 persons, it is less expensive and much more convenient to simply take taxis from the airport taxi queue.

If at all possible, we highly recommend that you take the red colored cars as over the years, their drivers have proven to be much more safe and they are much more honest. On the side of the taxi is written the number 800 - 0 -1313

The faire from the airport should be paid by meter and to the city center should be from 7.50 to 9.50 Latvian Ls depending on time of day and amount of traffic.

Each taxi hold four (4) persons with a reasonable small amount of luggage.

For returns to the airport, ONLY USE the RED car taxis from the company 800 - 0 - 1313 !

Don't let the hotel talk you in to using their favorite taxi company as they receive a bonus on the amount that you are overcharged.

Insist that the hotel call 800 - 0 - 1313 and order you a taxi. Give them at least 30 minutes notice.

Taxis only take Latvian money and you should avoid paying by credit card as your credit card number is read aloud over the taxi radio system for all to write down.

For larger groups over 24 persons, contact Patricia Tourist Office to arrange for a bus transfer.

NOTE: we do NOT arrange for bus transfers for STAG party groups ! - Don't even ask, Thank You.