2025 Update - Do not overpay your taxi from Riga airport.
Recently we have again been receiving reports from visitors / customers about charges of up to 70 euros for taxi rides from Riga Airport to the city center/Old Town. The taxis operating at the airport are providing services within the constraints of the law according to Riga airport. As long as the taxi has a price list that show you the fare per kilometre and all costs involved, they can charge the amount displayed. It may be unethical, but it is the reality we are presented with.
For a long time, we have heard about people being approached and offered a taxi the center, only to arrive 25 minutes later and charged 70 euros. The airport now offers fixed fare pre paid tickets of around 35 euros for licensed taxis but it seems most tourists are oblivious to this fact.
However, we would advise you to use Bus 22, which runs all day until around midnight and just 1.50 euros per person. It can busy during peak season. Using a taxi app BOLT is a great solution; you can see the price offered, which is typically around 15-20 euros at the time of writing. aware that prices may be higher during peak hours or late at night to demand; we’ve seen prices up to around 40 euros on the app to the airport
Note: if you are traveling with a child who is required to use a child seat, ensure your driver offers this service and select the family car option.
Riga tourists complain - response from the airport.
We contacted Riga airport to ask why people are overpaying for Taxi's when systems are in place to prevent such behaviour and their response was as follows. We are very grateful that they took time to respond to us.
Thank you for your email and your expressed interest in improving passenger awareness regarding taxi services.
We would like to inform you that taxi services at Riga Airport are provided in accordance with regulatory requirements for the issuance of taxi licenses and special license cards. These licenses authorize specific taxis to offer transportation services. The airport's responsibility is to ensure dedicated access for taxis with special license cards to the nearest roadway by the terminal. Licenses are issued by the Riga Planning Region (hereafter referred to as RPR), which also approves the tariffs of individual taxis or taxi companies.
Taxi service providers set their own tariffs, which are not subject to specific restrictions. However, these tariffs must be approved by the RPR, which is why prices may vary between providers. Information on tariffs is available on the RPR website. Tariffs must be clearly displayed on taxi doors and inside the vehicle, allowing passengers to review service prices before their journey.
We would like to emphasize that the airport is responsible only for certain supervisory functions in accordance with applicable regulations. The airport's tasks include managing access control to restricted areas, which require special license cards, ensuring public order, maintaining smooth passenger and vehicle flow, and providing passengers with information on how to access taxi services within the airport territory. However, the airport does not have the authority to directly engage in taxi business operations or regulate the provision of these services.
Passenger and client feedback is regularly monitored to promote the improvement of taxi service quality. In cases where violations are identified, the information is promptly forwarded to the State Police and the RPR, which are responsible for the supervision and control of taxi services.
Additionally, information about taxi services at the airport is available on the airport’s official website: Taxi service | RIX.
Since April 2024, passengers at Riga Airport's Visitor Center can purchase vouchers for taxi rides from the airport to the city center and Pārdaugava at a predetermined fixed price. The cost of the voucher is €33.50, providing passengers with price certainty, as the fare is not affected by travel time or distance within the voucher's operational zone. The voucher is valid within a designated area covering most hotels in Riga's center. It is valid for a single ride from Riga Airport to the city center without stops, for up to four passengers with luggage, at any time of day. More information about this option is available on the airport's website under the section Transport | RIX.
Regarding BOLT application advertisements: These are placed in several airport locations, including the terminal, in accordance with the terms of the advertising contract. Any other taxi service provider or app may contact the advertising operator, Media Port Riga (Advertising at the Airport | RIX), to negotiate advertising spaces, terms, and costs for displaying their advertisements.
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How much does an aiprot Taxi cost?
As of 2025 a taxi from Riga airport to the city can be as little as 15 euro with the Best taxi price in Riga using Bolt app. From any licensed taxis at the airport expect around 35 euro. And for the unlincensed Taxi rides. Well you can pay what ever they ask you too.
Riga Taxi Scams
In the past years we have heard of countless people overcharged and ripped off by Taxis in Riga. Sometimes it is being over charged asking to pay some 50 or more euro. Other times the change was given in fake bills. These kinds of aiport taxi scams can happen at any airport in the world where freelance or un licensed drivers wait praying on arrivals. What is the simplest thingh to do then to avoid these scams? Just use this local taxi app bolt
Welcome to Latvia, the land that rips you off as soon as you are off the plane... No, it is not that bad but sadly some things never change and you need to always be aware that rip offs exist.
To and from Riga airport
Riga Airport (Lidosta Rīga in Latvian) is well located in Riga. There are many Taxis operating the tourist arrivals but beware who you ride with. Below we give you some tips and some free credit to ride with!
Riga airport to the city by taxi
We have an offer here to get you a discount off of your Taxi ride from the airport! In Latvia there is a company called Bolt that offers good, affordable rides similar to Uber. Simply download the app and chose your destination and pick up point and off you go!
At the airport the drivers come to the drop off point by main entrance upstairs or down at arrivals. many drivers will have basic English skills to help you get by and these are by far the best way to get around town. We feel this is the best way for you to reach your destination.
Another option at the airport is to use one of the over priced and sometimes unfair when charging Taxis that await you on the Taxi rank. In recent times many of our customers have been overcharged and misled so we really feel that enough is enough with these people and Bolt offers secure rides, driver reviews and very competitive rates. You can even ride in a Comfort class vehicle if you so choose.
Riga airport to the city by bus
You may also use Public transport to and from the airport for 1.50 euro per 90mins ride. Ticket is needed to ride. Bus 22 leaves from just outside the main terminal and runs until around 00:00. Mobilly app is good to buy tickets or buy tickets from driver. 90 minutes, 1 day, and multiple day tickets can be purchased. You scan to activate your tickets using the qr codes on each bus, trolley or tram.
