Riga airport: bus 22, minibus and taxi to the center
Bus 22 takes you from Riga Airport (RIX) to the city center for less than a taxi or transfer. A ticket from the driver costs more than in the app or from a ticket machine (as of 09/2026, Rīgas satiksme fares).
The airport is close to the Old Town, but a taxi or pre-booked transfer eats into part of your trip budget. Below we compare the main ways to get to the center and list current prices.
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Ways to get to the center
💡 In short:
- Bus 22 runs from the terminal straight to the center (according to the official airport website).
- Minibuses get you there faster, and an e-ticket is cheaper than a single-ride ticket.
- Taxis and transfers take you right to your hotel, but cost more than the bus.
- Prices and fares: 09/2026, verified on the official Rīgas satiksme website.
All options start at the same terminal, so you choose based on budget and time. Bus 22 is the only Rīgas satiksme route where the driver sells tickets directly (carrier on route 22).
Option | Travel time | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Bus 22 | about 40 minutes (RIX airport) | €1.81 from the driver (carrier price list) | budget travelers |
Minibus | faster than the bus (airport on minibuses) | cheaper than a single-ride ticket | those in a hurry |
Taxi or Bolt | depends on traffic | price shown in the app | trips with luggage |
Pre-booked transfer | to your hotel, timed to your flight | price known in advance | families and night flights |
Many people arrive in Riga on a connecting flight and have a few hours between planes. In that time you can get to the center, walk around the Old Town, and get back for your departure. The key is to plan the return trip in advance.
Bus route 22
Bus 22 leaves right from the terminal and crosses the bridge into central Riga. The official airport website puts the travel time at about 40 minutes (according to Riga Airport). Allow extra time during rush hour; on weekends the roads are clearer.
The stop is opposite the arrivals exit, next to the private car parking area (airport transport page). Buses run frequently, so you rarely wait long. Convenient stops in the center: 11 Novembra Krastmala near the Old Town or the bus station (Autoosta).
© Titāns · CC BY-SAPhoto: Titāns, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsWhere to buy a ticket
Tickets are sold in the Rīgas satiksme app and Mobilly, at ticket machines at stops, and at Narvesen kiosks inside the terminal (airport ticket information). From the driver of bus 22, a ticket costs €1.81 (as of 09/2026, Rīgas satiksme ticket information). The driver only accepts bank cards, no cash. Keep your card ready, otherwise you will hold up the line when boarding.
The ticket from the driver is paper. The reusable chip card is called an e-talons, and it can be used multiple times. On board, your trip is checked with a scanner, so do not throw the card away until the end of your journey. If you are returning on the same route, buy a two-ride ticket right away.
Night bus N22
After midnight, the same line operates as route N22 and runs about once an hour (as of 09/2026, N22 schedule). If your flight lands at night, check the schedule in advance so you do not end up waiting at the stop.
Getting back to the airport
On the way back, take bus 22 from the bus station or from the 11 Novembra Krastmala stop. Leave 2 to 2.5 hours before departure. That time will cover the trip (according to RIX airport travel information), check-in, and security. You will get there without rushing if you leave your hotel early enough.
Shuttle, taxi, or transfer
Shuttles 222 and 241 stop at the terminal and get to the center faster than the bus (airport transport information). A ticket with an e-talons is cheaper than a single ticket from the driver, but there is less room for luggage on board.
Taxis and Bolt will take you straight to your hotel, but they cost noticeably more than the bus. The app fixes the price, so there is no need to haggle outside the terminal.
A pre-booked transfer is convenient if you arrive at night or are traveling with children. The driver will meet you in the arrivals hall with a sign, and you will not have to look for the stop. Book a car in advance so the price is known before the trip: book an airport transfer.
Tours and tickets in Riga
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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What to see in the center in a couple of hours
If you have a few hours between flights, Riga Old Town is genuinely walkable. Riga combines a medieval center with elegant Art Nouveau architecture. On the narrow streets you will see old fortress walls, cathedrals, and historic residential buildings.
© Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsStart at Dome Square and Riga Cathedral, then walk to the House of the Blackheads and Town Hall Square. Between them are scattered squares and parks where it is pleasant to take a break.
For souvenirs in the center, people buy Riga Black Balsam and local chocolate. Latvian knitwear and amber items are also popular to bring back. Old Town shops stay open until evening, so you can combine shopping with sightseeing.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much is bus 22 from Riga Airport?
A ticket from the driver costs €1.81 (as of 09/2026, carrier's website), card payment only. A ticket in the app, at a machine, or at a Narvesen kiosk will be cheaper (airport on buying tickets).
How long does bus 22 take to the center?
About 40 minutes (RIX airport on travel time). During rush hour the time increases, so leave a buffer on the day of your flight.
How to get from Riga Airport at night?
At night the line operates as N22 and runs once an hour (as of 09/2026, Rīgas satiksme on night services). If your flight arrives at an inconvenient time, take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.
Where is the bus 22 stop?
Opposite the arrivals hall exit, next to the private car parking area (airport on the bus stop location).
What should I choose: bus, shuttle, or taxi?
Bus 22 is cheaper than a taxi or transfer and works well if you are not in a hurry (carrier Rīgas satiksme). Shuttles are faster, but there is little room for luggage inside. Taxis and transfers are more expensive, but they will take you directly to your hotel.
Route to the center on the map
Below is a map of the route from Riga Airport to the city center. Open it and you will see the stops along the way.
How to get from Riga Airport to the city centre
Places on the map
- Riga International Airport Departure terminal, bus 22 stop opposite the arrivals hall exit
- Riga City Centre Old Town, bus 22 terminus at Centrs
In short: what to book
If you are short on time, take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. If you are on a budget, your choice is bus 22 (carrier fares).
- If your budget is tight: bus from the terminal.
- If you are traveling with kids and luggage: pre-booked transfer.
- If you arrive at night: night route or transfer.
Book a car in advance and give the hotel address: compare transfer prices.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.