When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Riga?
Riga is hugely popular to visit all year round, from the bright, warm summer’s days, ideal for sightseeing, to the crisp winter season, which is perfect for skiing. It’s hard to find a quiet time in this exciting city. When it comes to finding cheap return flights, it is generally less expensive and less busy from October to March.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Riga?
You should book your Riga flights about three months in advance for the best prices, although last-minute flights are often on offer if you’re flexible with your travel dates. December to January is a fantastic time to visit as that’s when Riga hosts its annual Christmas markets, so you can browse the stalls while sipping on the popular local winter tipple, hot blackcurrant juice with Riga Black Balsam liqueur.
Flying to Riga International Airport (RIX)
Riga International Airport (RIX), located west of Riga, the capital of Latvia, is not only the largest airport in the country but also in the Baltic states. As the principal travel hub in the region, it operates direct flights to over 90 destinations worldwide.
When flying from London there are two direct return flights offered by Air Baltic and British Airways, both of which depart from London Gatwick. Lufthansa operates flights to Riga in and out of London City/Heathrow which has a short layover in Frankfurt. Other Riga flights are available from Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines, but these often have much longer stopovers.
Indirect flights to Riga from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol are operated by Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Austrian Airlines, British Airways and Finnair via Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, London Gatwick and Helsinki respectively.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
Upon arrival at RIX, you’ll notice that both the arrival and departure area of each of the three terminals have all of the necessary facilities and amenities that make for an enjoyable travel experience. Within the terminal building, you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and shops, both regular and duty-free. What’s more, you’ll have access to multiple banks/ATMs, currency exchange services, and tourist information. Car rentals and information about transportation to and from the airport are also available.
Getting to the City from Riga International Airport (RIX)
Located just 13 kilometres from Riga city centre, there are many easy and inexpensive ways of travelling to and from the airport. If you choose to travel by private car or taxi, the journey takes about 20 minutes. You can also opt to travel using the public bus and minibus routes that stop both at RIX and the town centre. More information about these can be found inside the terminal building and tickets can be purchased at the bus stops themselves.
Why Visit Riga?
Known for its 19th-century wooden architecture and its Art Nouveau aesthetic, Riga is as majestic to look at as it is enthralling to explore. Spend the afternoon milling through the crowded streets of the city’s medieval old town, making sure to visit Riga’s narrowest street, Rozena Street, where you can touch both walls at once. Take time to seek out the Dome Cathedral, first built in the 13th century but reconstructed, enlarged and restored many times since. As a consequence, the structure included elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau design as it continued to grow and evolve.
After all of that sightseeing, there’s no better way to finish off a day in the capital city than to sit down to a hearty Latvian dinner, usually consisting of some combination of pork, potatoes and an ice-cold pint of Užavas beer.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
As Latvia is an EU member state, it is not necessary to apply for a visa when travelling to Riga if in possession of a British or EU passport. However, if you are a non-EU national residing in the UK, a visa may be required depending on your country of origin. The official currency of Latvia is the euro, which is readily available at bureaus de change both in the UK and upon arrival in Riga.
