Riga Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the primary air gateway to the Baltic States. The city is served by one major international airport that handles all scheduled commercial traffic, along with a smaller airfield for general aviation. Riga’s airport serves as a crucial hub connecting Western Europe with the Baltics, Scandinavia, and various destinations across the former Soviet Union.

Understanding Riga’s airport layout and transport connections is essential for both leisure and business travelers exploring Latvia or using Riga as a transit point. This guide details the airports serving the Riga region, including terminal information, transport options, and practical tips for navigating your journey.

Riga International Airport (RIX)

Overview: Riga International Airport is the largest airport in the Baltic States by passenger traffic and the main hub for airBaltic, Latvia’s flag carrier. Located approximately 10 km (6 miles) southwest of Riga city center, in the suburb of Mārupe, it serves as the primary gateway for international visitors to Latvia and a connecting point for regional travel.

Terminals:

• Main Terminal (Terminal A): A single, modern terminal building handling all check-in, arrivals, departures, and Schengen area flights. The terminal is divided into Schengen and Non-Schengen zones after security.
• South Pier (Non-Schengen Gates): Gates in the southern part of the terminal are typically used for flights to destinations outside the Schengen Area (e.g., UK, Ireland, Ukraine, Middle East, Caucasus).
• North Pier (Schengen Gates): Gates in the northern section serve destinations within the Schengen Area.

The terminal is compact and easy to navigate, with clear signage in Latvian and English. All facilities are housed under one roof.

Getting to and from RIX Airport:

• Bus (Public Transport):
  The most affordable and popular option. Bus route 22 runs directly between the airport and Riga city center (stopping at the Central Station “Autoosta”) every 10-30 minutes. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes. Tickets (€1.50 if bought from the driver, €1.15 with an e-ticket) can be purchased via the “Rīgas satiksme” app, at Narvesen kiosks in the arrivals hall, or from the driver. Night bus N22 operates during late hours.
• Taxi:
  Official airport taxis (operated by companies like Red Cab, Baltic Taxi, and Smile Taxi) are available 24/7 outside the arrivals hall. They use fixed rates to the city center (approximately €15-€20). Always use the official taxi queue and avoid solicitors inside the terminal. Ride-hailing apps (Bolt) also operate at RIX.
• Car Rental:
  All major international (Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) and local rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall. Renting a car is recommended for exploring Latvia’s countryside, coastal regions (Jūrmala), and national parks.
• Train:
  Note: There is currently no direct train connection to Riga Airport. Plans for a rail link are under development, but for now, bus or taxi are the only public ground transport options.
• Hotel Shuttles/Private Transfer:
  Many hotels offer shuttle services, and private transfers can be pre-booked online for a fixed price.

Best for: All international and domestic travelers, transit passengers using airBaltic’s network, visitors to Riga and the Baltic region, and business travelers.

Spilve Airport (Spilves lidlauks)

Overview: Spilve Airport is a small, historic airfield located just 5 km (3 miles) north of Riga’s city center, on the bank of the Daugava River. It has no scheduled passenger service and functions as a general aviation airport, hosting flying clubs, private aviation, air taxi services, and occasionally air shows or cultural events. It was Riga’s main airport until RIX opened in 1974.

Facilities:

• No commercial passenger terminal – Basic facilities for pilots and private aircraft
• Grass runways primarily for light aircraft
• Home to: Riga Aviation Museum (Rīgas Aviācijas muzejs) and several aeroclubs

Getting to and from Spilve Airport:

• Taxi/Rideshare (Bolt):
  The most practical option. The journey to/from the city center takes 10-15 minutes.
• Bus:
  Public bus routes 3, 30, and 54 stop near the airfield. A short walk is required from the bus stop to the airfield itself.
• Car:
  Easy access via local roads from the city center. Limited on-site parking is available.

Best for: Private and recreational aviation, flight training, aviation enthusiasts visiting the museum, and special events. Not for commercial airline passengers.

Which Riga Airport Should You Choose?

Riga International Airport (RIX) is the only viable choice for over 99.9% of travelers. It handles all scheduled flights from major European carriers, low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air), and airBaltic’s extensive regional network. It is your sole point of arrival for visiting Riga or transiting through the Baltics.

Spilve Airport is only relevant for private jet charters, air taxi services (e.g., to Baltic beach resorts or neighboring countries), pilots of light aircraft, or visitors specifically going to the aviation museum.

Important Transit Note: RIX is a popular and efficient hub for connections between Western Europe and cities in the CIS region (Minsk, Kyiv, St. Petersburg, etc.), as well as within the Baltics (Vilnius, Tallinn).

Airport Transfers and Regional Transportation

Transferring between Riga’s airports is rare, as they serve completely different purposes. However, many travelers use RIX as a hub to reach other Baltic capitals or regional destinations.

Transfers between Riga and other Baltic Capitals:
airBaltic operates frequent “Baltic Shuttle” flights between RIX, Vilnius (VNO), and Tallinn (TLL), with flight times of 30-35 minutes. However, ground transport is often a practical alternative due to the short distances.

Ground transport options to other Baltic capitals:

• To/From Vilnius, Lithuania (~290 km):
  • Bus: Lux Express, Ecolines, and others offer frequent, comfortable coach services (approx. 4 hours) directly from Riga Central Bus Station to Vilnius Bus Station. Often the best value.
  • Car: A 3.5-4 hour drive via the A6/A10/A2 highways (part of the Via Baltica).
  • Train: A direct train exists but is slower (approx. 5 hours) and less frequent than buses.
• To/From Tallinn, Estonia (~310 km):
  • Bus: Lux Express and others provide direct coach services (approx. 4.5 hours) from Riga to Tallinn.
  • Car: A 4+ hour drive via the A1/A2 (Via Baltica).

Transfers within Latvia from RIX:

• To Jūrmala (Seaside Resort): Take bus 22 to Riga, then a local train from Riga Central Station to Majori or Dubulti (30 min train ride). A taxi from RIX directly to Jūrmala takes 20-30 minutes and costs €25-€35.
• To Sigulda (Gauja National Park): Take bus 22 to Riga, then a train from Riga Central Station to Sigulda (approx. 1 hour).

Connecting between Spilve and RIX Airports:
If, for any reason, you need to transfer between these airports, the distance is about 15-20 km via the city center. The journey takes 30-50 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. There is no direct public transport link; you would need to take a bus/taxi to the city center and then another bus/taxi to the other airport. This is not a recommended or common connection.

Practical Tips for Riga Airport (RIX):

• Currency: Latvia uses the Euro (€). ATMs and currency exchange are available in the arrivals hall.
• Schengen Area: Latvia is in the Schengen Zone. Flights from other Schengen countries arrive at the domestic gates with no passport control.
• airBaltic Hub: If flying airBaltic, check if your connection is in the same terminal (it is) – minimum connection times can be as short as 30-40 minutes due to the compact layout.
• Wi-Fi: Free unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout RIX terminal.
• Duty-Free: Good selection of local specialties (Riga Black Balsam, amber jewelry, chocolate) after security.

Bottom line: All commercial airline passengers will use Riga International Airport (RIX). Its efficient bus connection to the city center makes it a traveler-friendly gateway. For regional travel, consider comfortable intercity buses as an alternative to short-haul flights for reaching Vilnius or Tallinn. Spilve Airport is only for private aviation and is not a factor for the vast majority of visitors.