Latvia
The Republic of Latvia may be small but it offers much more as a destination than many travelers might guess. Latvia offers markedly different features depending on which area you visit; one-third of this Baltic state is covered by forests, but you'll also find a cosmopolitan city full of art nouveau architecture, plus miles of serene coastline and thousands of rivers. We've collected the best Web sites to help you discover Latvia online and to aid you in planning a trip there.
Expand All Guide SectionsBasic Latvia Travel Information
The Web reveals Latvia's land, culture, enviable sightseeing opportunities, and shadowy history. In ... read more »
Travel Requirements for Latvia
Here you'll find sites to relieve your pre-travel anxiety, covering passport requirements and ... read more »
Getting to Latvia
Latvia may present a challenge if you're used to Eurail-ing it around Europe. Though it lacks the ... read more »
Latvia Hotels
Tourists in Latvia have many accommodation options from which to choose: upscale and boutique ... read more »
Getting Around in Latvia
Latvia's size is manageable, which means you'll have plenty of good transportation options once you arrive. Bus, rail, air, and car travel are all possible, though some modes are better than others. The sites in this section will inform you of the best ways to get around in Latvia.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Bus travel is generally a better option than rail travel in Latvia. Trains are known to be on the slow side, whereas buses move quickly and are available almost anywhere in the country. However, you may have a hard time booking bus tickets online; Latvian bus company Web sites are confusing, and portions may not be available in English.
- Even if you don't want to book bus tickets online, visit bus Web sites to print or copy down departure and arrival times and stations, which may prove useful during your trip. If you are not familiar with Latvian cities, make sure to have a map of Latvia handy before you get started; we've found that Latvia's bus companies do not typically include maps on their Web sites, and often require you to know your exact departure and arrival cities to view timetables.
- Because of its compact size, Latvia lends itself to road trips rather than air travel. However, if you are planning to drive, be advised that Latvian drivers are known for their excessive speed and recklessness, and the country has a high rate of car accidents.
Dulcinea's Picks
For air travel ...
airBaltic
is Latvia's national airline but it services just one route within Latvia: between the capital, Riga, and Liepaja, the country's third-largest city. Special rates from Riga are listed in the "Offers" section in the uppermost menu, and include discounts for this route.
For rail ...
LDZ
is Latvia's national rail system, providing service between numerous cities and towns (zoom in to see the domestic route scheme). View "Train Timetables" to enter your departure and arrival locations, and departure time, in order to get ticket prices. This site is not very easy to navigate, and tickets must be purchased at the station.
For buses ...
1188
has several intercity bus routes, most of which depart from Riga. Although you can view timetables on this site, you cannot book online, and information about the company is not available in English.
Autoosta
has bus service from Riga to various destinations in Latvia. Use the "Time-table" tool to get routes and times and to reserve tickets. Autoosta does not list bus routes on its site; if you know your destination, enter it to access a timetable. To see a list of bus stations in Latvia and to purchase tickets online, visit Bezrindas.lv instead.
For driving ...
Auto Europe
is an international car rental and chauffer service based in Portland, Maine. Consult the car rental overview for Latvia where you'll find practical details regarding road conditions and rules, fuel information, driving age requirements, and more. Use the "QuickCar" tool to book your vehicle. Booking early may save you up to 8 percent.
Drive Safe
, a Web site of National Car Rental, provides essential information for countries worldwide, including Latvia. Tips for country and city driving are given in addition to basic "Local Knowledge," most of which is applicable to any driver in Latvia.
Latvia Travel Blogs and Forums
Latvia's independence is still relatively new, and Soviet occupation and influence is still a ... read more »
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