Riga International — Bus 22 + Airport Express
Riga International (RIX) to Riga — Updated 2026
Riga International (RIX) sits 10km southwest of central Riga, connected to the Old Town by two bus lines. City bus 22 is the workhorse — EUR 2 (~USD 2.10) paid via contactless card at the platform terminal, running every 15-20 minutes 24/7 from RIX to Central Station (Centrāla) via the Old Town. Journey time 30 minutes. The dedicated Airport Express bus (branded RIX Express) charges EUR 5 for a direct non-stop run to Central Station in 20 minutes — worth the extra EUR 3 if you're luggage-heavy. Both drop you 300-500m from the Old Town main sights (Riga Cathedral, Freedom Monument). Bolt (dominant ride-hail in the Baltics) charges EUR 12-18 to Old Town + is safer than street taxi. The airport taxi rank is trustworthy but pricier at EUR 15-25 flat. AVOID drivers approaching in arrivals — Latvia enforces licensed rank + Bolt only. Terminal is single, well-signed, with a dedicated bus stop 50m from arrivals exit.
Bus 22 + Airport Express stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RIX Arrivals | 0 min | Bus stops 50m from arrivals exit |
| Torņakalns | ~10 min (Bus 22) | Suburb en route |
| Central Station (Centrāla) | 20-30 min | National + international train, city hub |
| Old Town (Vecrīga) | ~5 min walk from Central | Freedom Monument + Riga Cathedral |
| Ķīpsala Island | ~15 min taxi | AB Dam + convention centre |
Getting out of Riga
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Bus 22 + Airport Express vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 22 | EUR 2 | 30 min | Best value. Contactless card, 24/7. |
| Airport Express (RIX) | EUR 5 | 20 min | Direct non-stop, luggage-friendly. |
| Bolt (app) | EUR 12-18 | 15-20 min | App-based Baltic ride-hail. |
| Airport taxi | EUR 15-25 flat | 15-20 min | Official rank, trustworthy. |
| Uber (limited) | EUR 14-20 | 15-20 min | Smaller supply than Bolt. |
| Private transfer | EUR 25-40 | 15-20 min | Pre-booked, driver with sign. |
FAQ
How much is Bus 22 from Riga airport?+
EUR 2 (~USD 2.10) per journey, paid via contactless bank card at the platform validator (no local card needed). Runs 24/7 every 15-20 minutes. Journey to Central Station is 30 minutes; from Central Station the Old Town is a 5-minute walk. Cheapest airport-to-city transit option in the Baltic states.
Bus 22 or Airport Express from Riga airport?+
Bus 22 for budget + no rush (EUR 2, 30 min, more stops). Airport Express for luggage-heavy or time-tight travellers (EUR 5, 20 min direct, non-stop, dedicated luggage space). The Express operates 06:00-23:00; Bus 22 is your only option overnight.
Is Bolt safe at Riga airport?+
Yes — Bolt is the dominant ride-hail in the Baltics, headquartered in Estonia. Fares are transparent (EUR 12-18 airport-to-Old Town), drivers are vetted, cars are tracked in-app. The pickup zone at RIX is marked. Bolt is safer than street taxi (Riga has an unmarked-taxi problem outside the official rank).
Latvia SIM for Bolt / Google Maps?+
Yes — get a Latvian SIM at the airport (LMT + Bite kiosks in arrivals). EUR 5 for 5GB data. Works instantly with your unlocked phone. Alternatively, EU roaming for EU carriers is free (Regulation 531/2012). US/UK/Canadian carriers usually charge daily; check before you land.
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