Getting to and from Russia

Note: there is a dedicated registration check at borders between Russia and Latvia. If you don’t have valid registration or you have outdated registration it is unadvisable to take this route. Otherwise, border control and customs are fairly painless on both sides of the border.

By Train.
Traveling between Russia and Latvia by train is

far more comfortable than by bus. Although it is more expensive and takes a bit longer, the journey is far more pleasant and you don’t need to exit the train for border checks.
There are two daily trains each way between Riga and Moscow and one daily train each way between Riga and St Petersburg. In Moscow trains depart from and arrive to Rizhsky Vokzal (metro Rizhskaya, orange line, north). In St Petersburg trains depart from and arrive to Vitebsky Vokzal (metro Pushkinskaya, red line). In Riga all trains depart from and arrive to the main train station.

Riga Train Station is located just on the edge of the Old Town and near the Riga International Bus Station.
Address: Stacijas Laukams (Square). Tel (general enquiries): +(371) 723-1181. Website: www.ldz.lv/en/.

By Bus.
Buses between Russia and Latvia are not comfortable but are no worse than

overnight bus journeys elsewhere in Europe. If you have the ability to sleep on buses, in close quarters to other people, in seats that only recline slightly then you’ll be fine. The roads are generally good, although they can get a bit bumpy on the Russian side. You have to get off the bus for passport control and customs on the Russian side of the border.

There are three daily buses each way between Moscow and Riga. They are all operated by Ecolines (www.ecolines.net). There are two daily buses each way between St Petersburg and Riga. One is operated by Ecolines and the other is operated by Eurolines (www.eurolines.com). In Moscow buses depart from and arrive to Rizhsky Vokzal (metro Rizhskaya, orange line, north). In St Petersburg buses depart from and arrive to the main bus station (metro Ligovsky Prospekt, yellow line). In Riga all buses depart from and arrive to the main bus station.

Riga-Moscow
“Express” buses leave Riga at 17:30 and 20:00 and arrive in Moscow at 8:30 and 11:15 respectively. Travel time is 14 hours for the earlier bus and 14 hours 15 minutes for the later bus. Tickets cost 800 R ($30) one way or 1400 R ($52) return. The slower bus (which stops in Rezekne and Daugavpils) leaves Riga at 15:00 and arrives at 8:00. Travel time is 16 hours. Tickets cost 800 R ($30) one way or 1400 R ($52) return.

Moscow-Riga
“Express” buses leave Moscow at 19:30 and 21:00 and arrive in Riga at 8:30 and 11:00 respectively. Travel time is 14 hours for the earlier bus and 15 hours for the later bus. Tickets cost 800 R ($30) one way or 1400 R ($52) return. The slower bus (which stops in Rezekne and Daugavpils) leaves Moscow at 20:30 and arrives at 11:00. Travel time is 15 hours, 30 minutes. Tickets cost 800 R ($30) one way or 1400 R ($52) return.

Riga–St Petersburg
The Eurolines bus departs Riga daily at 18:00 and arrives at 9:15 (local times). Total journey time is 14 hours, 15 minutes. Tickets cost 605 R ($22) one way. (This bus originates in Jurmala). The Ecolines bus departs Riga daily at 21:30 and arrives at 10:30 (local times). Total journey time is 12 hours. Tickets cost 720 R ($26.50) one way or 1370 R ($51) return.

St Petersburg-Riga
The Eurolines bus departs St Petersburg at 19:00 and arrives at 7:25 (local times). Total journey time is 13 hours, 25 minutes. Tickets cost 605 R ($22) one way. (This bus terminates in Jurmala). The Ecolines bus departs St Petersburg at 20:30 and arrives at 7:30 (local times). Total journey time is 12 hours. Tickets cost 720 R ($26.50) one way or 1370 R ($51) return.

Around the Baltics.
Buses are the cheapest, quickest and most convenient way to travel around and between the Baltic countries. There is a tourist information office at the bus station where English-speaking employees will help you if you have trouble deciphering the timetables.

Buses run in both directions between Riga and Tallinn on average every two or three hours. A number of different companies operate this route. The journey takes around 4 hours, 30 minutes and costs about $13, depending on which bus you take. The day’s last bus leaves Riga at 23:40 and the first bus of the day leaves at 2:40.

Buses run in both directions between Riga and Vilnius on average every three hours. A number of different companies operate this route. The journey takes just over 4 hours and costs about $13, depending on which bus you take. The day’s last bus leaves Riga at 22:30 and the first bus of the day leaves at 2:50.

Riga International Bus Station.
Riga International Bus Station is located just on the edge of the Old Town and near the Central Train Station.
Address: Pragas St, #1. Tel (general enquiries): +(371) 900-0009. Website: www.autoosta.lv (only in Latvian).

By Plane.
Flights between Moscow and Riga are quite expensive considering the short distance involved. The cheapest tickets you’ll find will be around $230 return with taxes, but unless you book early you will probably pay about $60 more than that. The cheapest carriers are usually Transaero, Aeroflot and Air Baltic.

Flights between St Petersburg and Riga are a little more reasonable. The cheapest tickets you’ll find will be around $170 with taxes, but unless you book early you will probably pay about $50 more than that. The cheapest carriers are usually Pulkovo and Air Baltic.

Riga Airport is located about 13km from the city center. Two buses connect the airport with Riga’s center. Bus #22 departs every 10-20 minutes and takes about 30 minutes to reach the train station. The fare costs about $0.40. Bus #22a is an express service that terminates at Brivibas Street. It takes about 25 minutes and costs about $0.50. Alternatively a taxi to the city center costs about $10 and takes around 15-20 minutes. More information about the airport can be found on its website: www.riga-airport.com. Tel: +(371) 720-7009.