GENERAL INFO
Getting to Latvia
Getting to Latvia
Flights
– The main airport is Riga International Airport.
– You can also use Kaunas or Vilnius International Airport (Lithuania) or Tallinn International Airport (Estonia) and then rent a car, go by train, or take a bus to Riga. FlixBus and Lux Express offer storage for bikes on their buses, but it’s limited.
Ferry
– From Travemünde, Germany to Liepāja, Latvia
– From Nynäshamn, Sweden to Ventspils, Latvia
Train
– From Vilnius, Lithuania to Riga, Latvia
– From Tallinn, Estonia to Riga, Latvia (goes through Tartu)
Getting to TUKUMS
From the Airport
– Rent a car
– Take a bus or taxi to Riga Central Station and take a train to Tukums I or Tukums II
– Go by bike – a 70 km ride that takes about 3 hours of moving time.
From Riga
– Take a train to Tukums I or Tukums II (1.5-hour ride)
– Rent a car (approximately 1-hour ride)
– Go by bike – a 70 km ride that takes about 3 hours of moving time.
From Liepāja or Ventspils
– Rent a car
Accommodation
The most comprehensive list of options in the area is here.
Tips:
Look for accommodation with high ratings on Airbnb or Booking.com. Kalndaki, Dimzas, and Tukums Ice Hall are less obvious but well-proven options in the Tukums area.
Engure is less than an hour away from Tukums and offers a variety of beautiful places.
Jūrmala is a little further away but a safe bet with good infrastructure and accommodation for any budget.
Safety
Latvia is very safe to visit. It is important, as with any destination you might travel to, that you stay aware of your surroundings, use basic common sense, and take normal everyday precautions. Assuming you do all of that, Latvia is a safe destination.
If you stay in Riga, be cautious around Central Railway Station and the underground tunnels around it (as in any major city). We also suggest double-checking reviews if you are planning to book a place near Riga Central Market, Latgale Market, or Maza Kalna Street in the Latgale neighbourhood. While this part of town can be charming and offer great value, there are a couple of spots that are less pleasant. Tukums is a safe city, but don’t leave your bike or other expensive belongings unattended.
Other info
– Currency: Euro
– Language: Latvian. Most young people speak English.
– Emergency number: 112
– Driving side: Right
– Alcohol limit for driving: 0.5‰ (all ground transport). An alcohol concentration over 1.5‰ can lead to a criminal case, a fine, and/or confiscation of your vehicle.
– Drugs: Illegal. Even small amounts for personal use are criminalised.
Useful Apps
– Bolt – Taxi (similar to Uber)
– CityBee, CarGuru, Bolt – Car sharing
– Vivi – Train schedules
– Mobilly – Parking payments, train tickets, and other public transport, including Riga public transport (we highly recommend Mobilly for train tickets)
– BalticMaps or LVM Geo – Best local maps for outdoor activity planning
