Cheapest Flights to Riga
* Ticket prices are subject to change.From the Most Popular Cities to Riga
About Riga
Riga, the capital and largest city of Latvia, is home to approximately 600,000 residents as of 2024. Located along the Daugava River near the Gulf of Riga, the city is renowned for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture, cobblestone streets, and rich cultural heritage. It serves as a major cultural and economic hub in the Baltic region.
The city experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by cold winters and mild summers. Winter temperatures often dip below freezing, accompanied by snowfall, while summers are pleasantly warm, with average highs around 23°C (73°F). The best time to visit Riga is during the late spring and summer months (May to August), when the city is at its liveliest with festivals and outdoor events.
Riga International Airport (RIX), located about 10 kilometers southwest of the city center, is the main gateway for international travelers. While there are no direct flights from Saudi Arabian cities to Riga, airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and airBaltic offer connecting flights via hubs like Istanbul, Frankfurt, or Munich. The total travel time is typically 8–12 hours, depending on layovers.
Riga’s culinary scene offers a delightful mix of traditional Latvian flavors and international influences. Local specialties include grey peas with bacon, piragi (savory pastries), and rupjmaize (a dark rye bread often paired with butter or honey). Visitors can also enjoy smoked fish, a staple in the region. Popular beverages include black balsam, a herbal liqueur unique to Latvia, and locally brewed beers.
Tourists in Riga can explore numerous landmarks and attractions that showcase the city’s history and charm. The Old Town (Vecrīga), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the House of the Blackheads, Riga Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Church, offering a glimpse into the city’s medieval past. The Art Nouveau District, centered around Alberta Street, features some of the world’s finest examples of this architectural style.
For outdoor enthusiasts, a stroll along the Daugava River or a visit to Bastejkalns Park provides a peaceful retreat within the city. The nearby Mežaparks, a large urban park, is ideal for picnics, cycling, and family outings. Riga’s central market, housed in former Zeppelin hangars, offers a vibrant shopping experience with local produce, crafts, and delicacies.
Saudi Arabian citizens require a visa to visit Latvia, as the country is part of the Schengen Area. The visa application process typically involves submitting a completed application form, valid passport, proof of travel arrangements, accommodation details, and travel insurance. It is recommended to apply at least three weeks in advance of travel, as processing times may vary.
Transportation to Riga City Center from Airport
Riga Intl. Airport
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is not only the largest city of Latvia but also of all Baltic countries. The buildings impressing everyone with the Daugava River and Art Nouveau architecture make Riga spreading on a wide geography indispensable.
In the city, which has succeeded in gathering trade, education and politics under a single roof, the nightlife is fast enough to deserve the title “Paris of the North”. Trolleybus, tramway and bus as well as taxi provide transportation service in Riga, which is the largest city of the north. There is also a ferryboat enabling transportation from Riga to Stockholm.
Open to international flights, Riga Airport hosts hundreds of thousands of passengers each year. Taxis and car rental services are available 24 hours a day for the transportation to the city center. In addition to the bus service, there is a minibus and a shuttle service which you can use either as a single or as a group.
Taxi
Two different taxi options are waiting for you at Riga Airport. The feature that separates taxi firms from each other is that Red Cab offers service with red vehicles. You can easily go to any part of the city in 15 minutes by choosing any of these taxis.
Bus
Bus route 22 that you can get on at Riga Airport allows you to travel to the city center in about half an hour. Operating hours of the buses that you can get on from the station opposite the terminal building vary between 10 minutes and 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from the buffets at the airport or ticket offices at the bus stop.
Minibus
If you want to go to the city center from the airport using a minibus, you can use the minibus route 241. It is possible to get the ticket from the driver in the minibuses which are the cheapest means of transportation.
Shuttle
If you are traveling as a group, private shuttle buses accepting up to seven passengers are waiting for their passengers at the exit of the terminal building. There is free Wi-Fi in the shuttle buses operating every half an hour between 10:30 am and 07:30 pm.
Car Rental
Those who want to rent a car for their travel can visit many of the prestigious car rental company located at the airport. Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt car rental companies, which are the leading car rental companies on the market, offer 24/7 service at the airport.
