Latvia Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Handshaking is customary when meeting someone for the first time. Latvians can be reserved and formal, but nevertheless very hospitable. They can also be quite direct, but do not generally mean to cause offense. Latvians are proud of their culture, and visitors should respect this strong sense of national identity.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

Latvia's national airline is airBaltic (BT) (website: www.airbaltic.com).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Riga International Airport (RIX) (www.riga-airport.com) is 8km (5 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Buses run regularly to the city center throughout the day (journey time - 30 minutes). Several hotels provide a shuttle bus to and from the airport. Taxis are also available (journey time – 15 minutes). Facilities: Duty-free shops, banks, business lounge, information office, left luggage storage, car hire, restaurants, bars, cafes, VIP service center and post office.

Liepaja International Airport (LPX) (www.liepaja-airport.lv) has charter and business flights to Europe and CIS countries. To/from the airport: Taxis are available. Facilities: Car hire, hotel reservation service, and tourist information bureau.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Riga and Ventspils. There are ferry connections from Riga to Stockholm with Tallink (tel: 6709 9700; www.tallink.lv) (journey time - 16 hours). DFDS Tor Line (tel: 6784 0777; www.dfdstorline.com) runs ferries from Riga to Lübeck in Germany (journey time - 32 hours). Ferries also go from Ventspils to Nynäshamn and Rostock with Scandlines (www.scandlines.com). They also used to go to Sāremā with SSC Ferries (tel: 360 7184; www.slkferries.ee), however this service is to ‘take a break' in 2009.

Getting There By Rail

Riga has rail links with Moscow and St Petersburg in the Russian Federation, Tallinn in Estonia and Vilnius in Lithuania. Latvian Railway (Latvijas dzelzceļš) (LDz) (tel: 1181, in Latvia only; www.ldz.lv) can provide detailed information on international routes, though service providers vary.

Getting There By Road

The road network is relatively well developed and there are good routes through to Belarus and to the neighboring two Baltic Republics. Entry by car is possible from the Russian Federation, Estonia, Belarus or Lithuania. The Via Baltica highway runs through the Baltic countries.

Coach services with Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219 in the UK; www.eurolines.com) depart from London and other European cities to destinations in Latvia. Ecolines (tel: 6721 4512; www.ecolines.net) and Nordeka (tel: 6746 4620; www.nordeka.lv) also operate international routes.

Duty Free

Overview

Latvia is within the European Union. If you are traveling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Latvia by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of spirits, aperitifs, wine or similar less than 22% volume.
• Up to 50g of perfume.
• 250mL of eau de toilette.
• Medication for personal use up to three months, provided it is accompanied by documentary confirmation.
• Other goods up to a value of €175.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Rail

Latvia's rail network connects Riga to all other major towns and cities in the country, including Liepaja and Ventspils in the west, Daugavpils in the southeast, Gulbene and Rezekne in the east. The railway terminal in Riga is at Stacijas laukums. For more information about the train services, contact Latvian Railway (Latvijas dzelzceļš) (LDz) (tel: 1181, in Latvia only; www.ldz.lv).

Getting Around By Road

Latvia's road network is reasonably extensive, however road quality varies considerably from sealed roads to rough tracks strewn with potholes. Main highways are generally in good condition. Traffic drives on the right.

Coach/Bus
There are bus connections to regions throughout the country. Riga's Central Bus Station is at Pragas iela 1.

Car Hire
Available in all major cities.

Regulations
Seat belt use is compulsory in the front and back. Headlights must be used at all times. Unless otherwise indicated speed limits are 50kph (32mph) in towns and 90kph (56mph) on highways. Mobile speed traps are common. The use of mobile telephones while driving is forbidden. The minimum age for drivers to hire a car is 21 years.

Emergency Breakdown Service
LAMB (tel: 1 888; www.lamb.lv) offer free or discounted breakdown cover to cardholders. If you are driving a hire car contact the rental company in the event of a breakdown.

Documentation
European nationals should be in possession of an EU license, otherwise an International Driving Permit is required. Third-party insurance is compulsory. Insurance and vehicle registration documents, as well as your license, should be kept with you when driving.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

There is a good network of bus, tram and trolleybus routes in Riga, while buses and a single tramline operate in Liepaja. Tickets should be bought on board from the conductor and retained for inspection. Taksobussi (share-taxis) also operate but are slightly more expensive than ordinary buses. Fines for fare dodging are common. Taxis are privately run and have meters; there is a surcharge at night. There are some trams and trolleybuses running through the night.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times from Riga (in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Latvia.

	Road	Rail
Jurmala	0.45	0.20
Liepaja	3.15	3.09
Cesis	1.40	1.50
Ventspils	3.00	-