Overview
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the largest city in the Baltic states and one of Northern Europe's most rewarding short-break destinations. Its UNESCO-listed old town, striking Art Nouveau architecture and riverside setting on the Daugava make it a favourite for long weekends, and direct flights from the UK keep it within easy reach. This guide covers when to fly, which airlines serve the route and how to keep the cost down. For current fares, see the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Riga
Summer, from June to August, brings the warmest weather, long daylight hours and a busy programme of festivals, with highs typically in the high teens to low twenties Celsius. Late spring and early autumn are quieter and often better value, though cooler. Winters are cold and frequently snowy, with temperatures regularly below freezing, but December is atmospheric thanks to Riga's Christmas market. Check the When to book chart above to see how fares move through the year.
Airlines and routes
airBaltic, Latvia's national carrier, is the main operator and uses Riga as its hub, with direct flights from London and other UK airports. Ryanair and Wizz Air also fly the route from London and regional airports such as Manchester and Edinburgh, though services vary by season. Direct flights from London take around 2 hours 40 minutes; from Manchester allow roughly 2 hours 55 minutes. Connecting options via hubs like Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Helsinki add several hours.
Things to do in Riga
Compact and walkable, Riga packs a lot into a small centre.
- Vecriga (Old Town): A UNESCO-listed maze of cobbled lanes, guild halls and the rebuilt House of the Blackheads.
- Art Nouveau District: Alberta iela and nearby streets hold one of Europe's finest concentrations of Jugendstil facades.
- Riga Central Market: A vast food market in former Zeppelin hangars, ideal for local cheese, smoked fish and rye bread.
- St Peter's Church: Ride the lift up the spire for the best rooftop views across the city and river.
- Freedom Monument and Bastejkalns Park: The symbolic heart of Latvian independence, ringed by green canal-side walks.
At Riga International Airport (RIX)
Riga International Airport sits about 10 km south-west of the centre, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing. Public bus number 22 runs frequently to the centre and takes around 30 minutes; buy your ticket from the machine or kiosk, as fares are higher when bought from the driver. Airport minibuses also serve the city, and the terminal has ATMs, car hire desks and SIM-card outlets.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Riga
- Book roughly one to three months ahead for a city break; last-minute fares to Riga are rarely a bargain.
- Fly midweek, especially Tuesday or Wednesday, and avoid school holidays and the December market peak.
- Use flexible date search and compare a Friday-to-Monday trip with a midweek one - shifting by a day often cuts the price.
- Compare airBaltic against Ryanair and Wizz Air, and weigh baggage costs rather than just the headline fare.
Travel essentials
Latvia is in the EU and the Schengen area. UK passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; your passport should be issued within the previous 10 years and valid for your whole stay. The currency is the euro, and cards are widely accepted. No special vaccinations are required; carry a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) alongside travel insurance. Tap water is safe to drink.
