Transport
Transport
This consists of buses, trams, trolley buses and minibuses. They run daily from 5:30 till approximately 23:30. Some routes have a night service every hour. Tickets for a single journey of any distance within the city cost 0.40/0.50 Ls. Monthly, half monthly and workday passes are also available for each mode of transport, as well as a combined tram and trolleybus pass. They can be purchased at special kiosks around the city.
There are 39 bus routes in Riga. Tickets can be bought on board and cost 40 santims. Cards valid for one month of travel can be bought at most kiosks and from conductors on board.
You can find the minibus terminal next to the Central Railway station and the Main Post office. These minibuses stop at designated bus stops when you raise your hand. They are faster than buses and a little more comfortable.
Trolley buses
There are 23 trolley bus routes in Riga. Bus ticket costs Ls 0.40 Ls. Tickets are bought from conductors for Ls 0.40 or from drivers for Ls 0.50. Cards valid for one month of travel can be bought at most kiosks and from conductors on board.
Trams
There are 8 tramlines in Riga. Tram ticket costs Ls 0.40Ls. Tickets are bought from conductors for Ls 0.40 or from drivers for Ls 0.50.. Cards valid for one month of travel can be bought at most kiosks and from conductors on board.
Fare dodging is simply not worth the hassle. Inspectors often board to check tickets and passes You may find you go a few weeks without encountering one but then, from out of the blue, you’ll be checked numerous times.
Railways
The Central Railway Station has separate windows for long distance (starppilsētu) and suburban (piepilsētu) trains. Long distance services are divided into passenger (pasažieru vilciens) and fast (ātrs). Both are pretty slow, although the latter stops at fewer places. For departures look at the ‘atiet’ timetable and for arrivals ‘pienāk’.
Buying tickets can be fun! Until your Latvian is up to speed, it is best to write down the destination, time and type of train. The queues are generally long, so arrive in plenty of time to buy your ticket. If not, you’ll be faced with making a decision between missing your train altogether or buying a ticket on the train at a higher price.
Once on the platform (perons) be careful to board the right train as both sides of the platform share the same number. The destinations are displayed on boards above each side. Tracks and platforms have different numbers, which can be confusing.
Taxis
Taxi fares can vary greatly depending on which company you use. Avoid taxis outside the big hotels and unless it’s absolutely necessary don’t get a taxi into or from the old town, but stop or walk just outside. .It is usually better to phone for a taxi as fares can escalate dramatically if you stop them on the street. Sometimes, however, even if you have phoned the driver can dream up some unrealistic fare as soon as he realises that you are foreign and can't argue. Licensed cabs have yellow plates. It is always a good idea to take the large red cabs if you can as they run by the meter and are the most reputable in Riga.
Pedestrians
One final note about walking around the streets: crossing on red is illegal in Latvia and if you are unlucky, you will be fined and given grief by a passing policeman. It rarely happens, but be careful. Wait for the green light at crossings (even if it’s midnight and you’re in the middle of nowhere). If you don’t believe us, watch the locals!
When crossing on green, watch out for cars turning into the street. They are supposed to stop for pedestrians, but often try to get around just in front of you. Keep your eyes open and don’t just walk out.
Locals also have a slightly different concept of how zebra crossings work. Cars won’t stop if you’re standing on the pavement waiting; they stop when you are on the crossing itself. Be warned that just because one car stops for you it doesn’t automatically mean any others will.
Rule: do not take your eyes off the on-coming traffic. Drivers will carry on going at 40 mph and will only bother to break when they are about 5 yards away from you. You can only pray that their brakes have been serviced.
