Bus 22
€2 ~30 minThe cheapest way in, running every 10–30 minutes from directly outside the terminal to the city centre. Buy at the 'Welcome to Riga' desk in Arrivals for a small discount versus onboard.
7 min read · Planning
Riga Airport (RIX) Guide
Getting into the city, what's actually in the terminal, and whether a layover is worth leaving the airport for.
Quick Answer
RIX is the largest airport in the Baltics but has just one terminal and sits only 10 km from the centre. Bus 22 takes about 30 minutes for €2; a taxi or Bolt is 15–20 minutes for €10–15. With a layover of roughly five hours or more, leaving the airport to see Old Town is comfortably doable.
Getting Into the City
Taxi / Bolt
€10–15 15–20 minThe airport is only 10 km out, so a taxi is genuinely cheap by European capital standards. Bolt is widely used in Riga and usually undercuts the rank taxis.
Pre-booked transfer
Varies 15–20 minWorth it for late-night arrivals, groups, or if you're heading straight to Jūrmala rather than central Riga.
Book a transferInside the Terminal
There's a single terminal across three floors — arrivals on the first, departures on the second, and the VIP lounge and prayer room on the third. Facilities include ATMs and currency exchange, a reasonable spread of cafés, bars and shops, a pharmacy and on-site medical facility, free Wi-Fi, and lost-and-found.
The Primeclass Business Lounge sits in the Schengen boarding area and is open to all airlines and travel classes regardless of what you booked — roughly €45 online or €55 at the door, daily 06:00–23:00, including food and drinks, showers, Wi-Fi and a children's playroom. Worth it on a long connection; not worth it on a short one.
Luggage Storage: Airport vs. In Town
The airport has its own left-luggage facility on the ground floor, storing bags up to 30 days from around €7 per 24 hours. That's the right choice if you're staying airside or coming straight back.
If you're heading into the city for the day, in-town storage points near Old Town and the train station make more sense — you drop the bag where you'll actually be, rather than paying to leave it 10 km away and doubling back.
Find Storage in Central RigaIs a Layover Long Enough to See Riga?
With five hours or more, yes. Bus 22 is about 30 minutes each way, so budget an hour of transit plus your airport buffer and you still have a couple of hours in Old Town — enough for Dome Square, the House of the Blackheads and a coffee. Under four hours, stay put. Latvia is in the Schengen Area, so check whether your particular itinerary means clearing immigration on the way out and back in. Our one-day guide has a compressed route if you've got longer.
For the wider picture on reaching Riga — buses from Tallinn and Vilnius, car rental, city transport — see our getting here guide. For fares and when to book, see the best time to book cheap flights to Riga.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get from Riga Airport to the city centre?
Bus 22 runs every 10–30 minutes from outside the terminal to the city centre, costs about €2 and takes around 30 minutes. A taxi or Bolt covers the 10 km in 15–20 minutes for roughly €10–15.
How many terminals does Riga Airport have?
One. Riga International Airport (RIX) has a single terminal across three floors — arrivals on the first, departures on the second, and the VIP lounge and prayer room on the third. It's the largest airport in the Baltics but straightforward to navigate.
Is there luggage storage at Riga Airport?
Yes — left-luggage facilities are on the ground floor, storing bags for up to 30 days from around €7 per 24-hour period. If you're spending the day in the city rather than at the airport, in-town storage points near Old Town and the train station are usually more convenient.
Is there a lounge at Riga Airport?
Yes, the Primeclass Business Lounge in the Schengen boarding area is open to all airlines and travel classes, typically around €45 booked online or €55 at the door, daily from 06:00 to 23:00. It includes food and drinks, showers, Wi-Fi and a children's playroom.
Can you leave the airport on a layover in Riga?
Yes, and it's worth it with roughly five hours or more. The airport is only 10 km from the centre and Bus 22 takes about 30 minutes each way, so a long layover leaves enough time to see Old Town. Latvia is in the Schengen Area, so check whether your itinerary requires clearing immigration.
Sorting out arrival logistics?
Last updated: August 2026. Lounge pricing, bus frequency and storage rates are set by the operators and change — verify current details on the airport's own site before relying on them.