Riga International Airport(Latvian. Lidosta "Riga") is a three-story building built in 1973 with an airstrip located next to it. The air harbor of the capital of Latvia is 13 km away. from its center. The passenger traffic of the airport is increasing every year. In 2018, it amounted to 7 million people, which is not the limit - the ten-year development program provides for the expansion of the territory and the construction of a second strip.
The airport - state property and is the central hub for the national airline. The airport also uses the low-cost airline Wizz Air, the Latvian charter carrier SmartLynx Airlines and many others as the main starting point.
The architecture of the building is typical for airports and train stations of its time - a rectangular elongated building of two parts with a central entrance. Immediately after the entrance there are reception desks, and on either side of them there are stairs to the third floor, the lower first and several lifts. The departure area is behind the check-in counters.
Small feature can be considered the approach and entrance to the floors. The main doors to the airport are located on the second level, that is, the second floor. They drive up to it on a regular asphalt road, both by their own car and by public transport. From the street, you can get from the first level to the second by using the stairs in the front part or by going around the building from the side. And from the inside - up the stairs and with the help of the elevator.
Passengers say the airport is very cozy. It is difficult to get lost in it, since the geometry of the rooms is almost straight. And the signs on the signs are presented not only in Latvian, but also in English.
How to get there
Runs to the airport bus 22, which drops off passengers at the main entrance on the second level, and picks them up at a stop near parking lot P1. The interval of movement is 10-15 minutes on weekdays and 15-30 minutes on weekends. It starts from Abrenes Street, passes the Latvian Railway Station and ends the route with a stop at the airport "P133".
In addition to buses, you can get to the airport by minibuses with route numbers 302 and 241.
note that tickets for buses and minibuses can be purchased at many locations around the airport. This is the information bureau "Welcome to Riga!" (Latvian. Sveicināti Rīgā!), a vending machine at the bus stop and kiosks selling newspapers.
Sectors
Riga Airport - this is one big terminal, but it has 3 departure sectors:
- A and B - serve flights to / from the Schengen area.
- C - sends and receives non-Schengen aircraft.
All sectors and departure gates are on the second floor. To get to them, you need to go through the inspection zone (Latvian. Drošības kontrole) and, if necessary, passport control (Latvian. Pasu kontrole).
Floors
Consider the important areas at different levels of the Riga airport in order to better navigate its territory:
Level 1. In general, the area of this level is the arrival area, designed for guests of the airport and Latvia. Here you can exchange currency at exchange kiosks, buy newspapers, catch a taxi at the exit, find several restrooms, cafes and collect your luggage at the pick-up area. There are also two waiting rooms for greeters - zone E and C. And several border control points for arrivals from outside the Schengen area.
Level 2. On this floor there are check-in counters, as well as ticket offices of airlines, airBaltic, Lufthansa, LOT, Belavia, Ryanair, etc. And behind them there is a lot of interesting things. The most important is the departure gate - gates (eng. gates). It is to them that passengers get after going through all the procedures and wait for their flight, glancing at the scoreboard. There is also a duty-free zone, a smoking area, several children's rooms and a cafe.
Level 3. The uppermost floor of Riga Airport boasts a lack of crowds and fuss. Here the traveler can visit a small chapel in the style of ideology ecumenism- uniting Christian beliefs, Christians and their symbols. Dine at the famous Lido restaurant and stop by the offices of companies such as Aeroflot, Wizzair, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.
Duty Free
Airport customers rightfully consider the duty-free trade zone to be perhaps the main entertainment at Riga International Airport. Getting to the second floor, it is difficult not to notice a long corridor with large red signs, attracting buyers with low prices.
But no matter how much you would like to plunge into shopping, you should remember that tax discounts apply to the following categories of passengers:
- Departing outside the EU.
- Arriving from the Schengen area.
For everyone else, the price will be relevant Travel Value, also comparing favorably with the standard prices for the goods.
In addition, at Lidosta airport, if you have already passed the border control in the departure area C, you will find yourself cut off from all duty-free shops, except for one - the standard ATU Duty Free with alcohol, tobacco and sweets. Retailers such as Victoria's Secret or GRATIAE cosmetics will be left behind.
Riga Airport is considered the main flight center of the Republic of Latvia, having received international status for serving not only local, but also international airlines. In addition, in addition to transporting passengers and goods, he is engaged in the provision of non-aviation services: organizes the rental of premises, own territories and parking lots. Aerozel Riga is almost the only one that provides full service airlines, as well as inexpensive discounter companies.
It was commissioned in 1973, and by the beginning of the 21st century it achieved a passenger traffic of 5 million, having received the status of the best in Europe. In the course of its activity, the airport management strives to provide its clients with high-quality infrastructure and reliable aviation services. She makes every effort to create long-term route networks, as well as to expand government links with strategically important objects.
Riga Airport makes a lot of efforts to provide customers with the highest level of services. The range of destinations is wide enough. Riga's air gates receive and send flying machines into the sky in 89 different directions.
- LV 1053, Latvia, Marupe Region, Riga Airport, 10/1.
Online scoreboard
You can familiarize yourself with the Riga airport timetable on the online arrivals and departures board:
How to get from Riga airport to the city center
The Riga airport building is located in relative proximity to the center of the city of the same name. In order to get from point "A" to point "B" you need to spend no more than 25 minutes.
To overcome this distance, you can use several options:
- public transport;
- taxi service;
- transfer.
Bus
The public transport linking the airport gate with the city center is the municipal bus # 22. The bus stop is located opposite the terminal building at the P1 parking lot. The first flight leaves at 5:30 am and the last one leaves at 11:30 pm. The road from the airport to the Riga railway station will take approximately 45-50 minutes. The fare depends on how you purchase it. In the cabin of the bus with the driver - 2 euros, in the machines located at the stops themselves - 1.5 euros. There is also a multiple-use ticket option, which can be purchased for € 5.
In addition to buses, you can get to the center of Riga by minibuses No. 222 and No. 241.
Tickets can be purchased at the information desk, at the ticket machine located at the bus stop, at the points of sale of printed materials (1st and 2nd floor of the terminal). More information on routes can be found.
Taxi
Taxi services will cost more - 10-15 euros, but in time they arrive a little faster, spending 25 minutes on the journey. In addition, you can call him to the porch of a hotel or apartment and drive in comfort to the very gates of the air harbor. Taxi can be ordered by phone, which can be found in advertising brochures, order tables, or information boards.
Transfer
How to get to Riga airport
In order to be at the airport, you need to use the services of a taxi, bus or car. Bus 22 operates from the airport to the city from early morning until late at night. The stop at the final point is located in the immediate vicinity of the air gate - directly opposite the airport. The Airport Express minibus, owned by Airbaltic, also picks up passengers at the same station. The ticket price is 5 euros, the ticket itself can be purchased on the website and from the driver before the trip.
By taxi, the journey will be slightly shorter than by bus, and more comfortable. Therefore, the fare is 11-15 euros, and the trip takes 15 minutes.
If you have your own vehicle, you can use it to drive to the airport. Here you can find three parking lots - 1 short-term (P1) and 2 long-term - P2 and P3, respectively. Unfortunately, there is no free parking, and for a 30-minute stay on its territory you will need to pay 1.5 euros, and parking during the day will cost 28.50 euros. The cost of parking per day on P2 and P3 is 4 and 3.5 euros. There is no doubt that the most convenient way to move around a foreign city is a transfer.
Riga airport terminals: airport map
Riga Airport has three passenger terminals.
- Terminal A serves flights arriving from countries that are not part of the Schengen area.
- Terminal B receives and departs numerous flights within the Schengen area.
- Terminal C serves flights from countries outside the Schengen area.
Additional services
The air gateway area offers its customers cafes and restaurants, various car rental offices and airlines offering tickets to numerous destinations. The tourist office will suggest the most suitable tour, and those who wish can read prayers in the chapel. Various bank offices, a medical care center. If necessary, you can use the services of the post office by sending a postcard with views of Riga to your family and friends. Flight status information can always be observed thanks to the online scoreboard. There are also duty free zones, as well as such a service as tax free.
