Latvia
Last checked:
- Capital
- Riga
- Currency
- EUR · Euro
- Languages
- Latvian
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) · Riga
UNESCO-listed medieval centre with the House of the Blackheads and Town Hall Square.
- Art Nouveau district · Riga
Around Alberta and Elizabetes streets; about a third of central Riga's buildings are Art Nouveau.
- Riga Central Market · Riga
Huge food market in former Zeppelin hangars.
- Jūrmala · Jūrmala
Beach resort with wooden villas, about 30 minutes from Riga by train.
- Rundāle Palace and Sigulda · Pilsrundāle / Sigulda
Baroque palace in the south and a valley of castles and caves in Gauja National Park.
Getting around
Public transport
Rīgas Satiksme / Mobilly
Trams, buses and trolleybuses in Riga. A single e-ticket allows transfers for 90 minutes; buy in the Mobilly app (works with foreign numbers), at machines or kiosks. Bus 22 links the airport and the centre.
Ride-hailing app
Bolt
Widely used and cheap in Riga with upfront prices. Uber, Forus and local apps (Panda Taxi, Red Cab) are also available.
Taxi
Licensed taxis (Baltic Taxi, Red Cab)
Book by app or phone rather than hailing on the street; some street drivers overcharge or take long routes.
Trains
Vivi trains
Modern regional trains to Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis and other towns. Buy in the Pasažieru vilciens app, at stations or on board.
Buses
Intercity buses
Frequent buses from Riga International Coach Terminal; buy tickets in advance in busy seasons.
E-scooters
Bolt / Tuul scooters
Shared e-scooters in Riga (varies by season).
Money and cash
Currency: EUR · Euro
Cards are widely accepted in Riga and most towns. Carry some cash for markets (including the Central Market), small cafes and rural areas. In bars, make sure your card never leaves your sight. Always choose to pay in EUR.
Tipping
Tipping is modest in Latvia. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good table service is common but not required.
| Restaurants | 5-10% for good service if no service charge is on the bill. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up or leave small change. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up; not needed with Bolt. |
| Hotels | Not expected. |
| Tours and guides | Optional; tip free walking tour guides. |
| Food delivery | Optional; can be added in the app. |
Service charge: what’s true
Some restaurants add a service charge, usually around 10% (varies). It should be shown on the menu and the bill; if it is there, you do not need to tip on top.
Pressure tactics to watch for
No widely reported pressure tactics around tips. The known problem is overcharging in some Old Town bars; check prices and keep your card in sight.
Useful phrases
- Rēķinu, lūdzu. The bill, please.
- Vai varu maksāt ar karti? Can I pay by card?
- Paldies, atlikums jums. Thank you, keep the change.
Etiquette
- Shake hands when meeting; Latvians can seem reserved at first.
- Give flowers in odd numbers only; even numbers are for funerals.
- Take your shoes off when entering a home.
- Be punctual.
- Midsummer (Jāņi, 23-24 June) is the biggest holiday; many shops close and people leave the cities.
- Bargaining is not normal in shops; light haggling only at markets.
Scams and how to handle them
Bar overcharging and card fraud
Where: Riga Old Town bars and clubs
How it works: Tourists are charged inflated prices for drinks or cards are charged multiple times or for larger amounts.
How to avoid it: Choose bars yourself, check prices, and insist that card payments happen in front of you.
Women inviting men to a bar
Where: Riga Old Town
How it works: Friendly women or street promoters invite tourists to a bar where drinks cost hundreds of euros, enforced by security staff.
How to avoid it: Do not follow strangers to bars; ignore street recommendations.
Taxi meter tampering and long routes
Where: Riga airport, station and Old Town
How it works: Street taxis use tampered meters or detours to inflate fares.
How to avoid it: Use Bolt or a known company and agree or see the price first.
Drink spiking
Where: Riga bars and nightclubs
How it works: Drinks are spiked, then victims are robbed or their cards used.
How to avoid it: Never leave drinks unattended and do not accept drinks from strangers.
Pickpocketing
Where: Old Town, Central Market, train and bus stations
How it works: Thieves target bags and phones in crowds.
How to avoid it: Keep valuables zipped and in front; use hotel safes.
Dynamic currency conversion
Where: ATMs and card terminals
How it works: You are offered your home currency at a poor rate.
How to avoid it: Always choose EUR.
Safety
- Riga Old Town and main streets are generally safe, but petty theft is common in the Old Town, Central Market and stations.
- Avoid unlit areas and walking alone late at night after drinking.
- Drink spiking has been reported in Riga bars.
- Book taxis through apps or known companies.
- Carry a copy of your passport; police can ask for ID.
How widely English is spoken
Good among younger people and in Riga tourist businesses; limited among older people. Russian is widely spoken in Riga.
Sources
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.