In this section you will find useful information that could help you to get used to life in Latvia and Riga.
Transport
RIX - Riga International Airport - the airport is situated eight kilometres from city centre, connected to city centre by taxi, airport express, bus (line 22, frequency 10 - 30 minutes, journey time about 30-45 minutes) or minibuses (lines 222 and 241)
Air Baltic Corporation (airBaltic)– national flight operator, offers direct flights to most of European capitals and largest cities
Latvian Railway - international and domestic routes. See routes, train timetable and prices on the portal. Riga Central Train Station (Terminal) is located in the city centre
Riga International Bus Station - located in city centre, international and domestic bus connections
Freeport of Riga - international passenger lines; near the city centre. See ferry services and routes on the portal
Trams, trolleys, buses, minibuses, maxi-taxi and taxi provide public transport in Riga, while in other cities buses, minibuses, maxi-taxi and taxi, and also trams in Liepaja and Daugavpils, represent public transport. Final destinations are marked on the front of all trams, trolleys and buses. Taxi rate is marked on taxi passenger doors
Riga city and Regional public transport (Rigas satiksme)- routes information, traffic schedule, ticket prices
Peculiarities of road traffic regulations:
- vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road;
- speed limit for cars: 50 km/h in cities; 90 km/h (100 km/h on some roads during the summer time) outside cities;
- lights must be switched on at all times – 24h;
- seatbelts must be used at all times;
- the maximum permitted alcohol concentration in the blood is 0.50 mg/ml for drivers with more than two years experience and 0.20 mg/ml for drivers with less than two years experience.
The driver must be able to produce the following documents if requested by police or border guards:
- standard European vehicle driving licence or other licence meeting the requirements of the convention on road safety in the respective transport category;
- vehicle registration document;
- third party insurance cover, border crossing contract or green card;
- up-to-date technical registration document.
To travel by car that belongs to another person, you need to have a notarized letter of permission. The same regulations and documentation requirements apply to motorcyclists
Communications
Phone - 371 - Latvia phone code. No separate city or region codes have been used in Latvia. At present moment, eight digit numbers are used both for fixed and mobile phones
Internet - Latvian Internet TLD: .lv. The service providers offer different solutions to provide Internet access in Latvia. Please consult with your provisional employer and renter about available Internet access solutions at your provisional work and home
WiFi - a wireless high-speed Internet access service at more than 4500 public access locations all over Latvia marked with a label Wi-Fi wireless Internet
Banking, money
Currency - Since 1 January 2014 Latvia belongs to the euro area (the irrevocably fixed exchange rate to previously used currency - Lats (LVL) is EUR 1 = LVL 0.702804)
Bank of Latvia – information about Latvian monetary policy, payment, exchange rates and settlement system
The most commonly used Credit Cards for paying (Visa, Master, American Express) are widely accepted in shoping centres and by service providers in Latvia, but in some cases you need to have cash. You can withdraw money from cash machines. The wide network of banks and their branches, currency exchange offices and cash machines is easy to access
Shopping, cuisine
Riga Central Market - the largest market in the Baltic States and one of the biggest outdoor markets on the European continent. On the portal you can find information about price levels and its dynamics for food products and therefore evaluate daily life expenses for you and your family in Latvia
Although Latvian cuisine has traditionally been based on agricultural produce, meat and fish also feature prominently in the Latvian diet. On an average day Latvians usually eat a moderate breakfast before going to work. Lunch in Latvia is eaten between midday and three: this is dependent on what time the day has begun. People usually eat a hot lunch. On arriving home from work, a second lunch, or supper, is made. This is eaten around six or seven in the evening
Useful information and services
Electricity system in Latvia is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz; the plug is two – pin, European – style
Time - Latvia is on Eastern European Time, three hours ahead of GMT in summer, and two hours in winter
Weather – see the Latvian Hydrometeorological Agency
Is it safe in Latvia? - Riga is no different than any major city in the world. There is potential for pickpockets, petty crimes, personal assaults for robbery. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid potential problem situations. State Police (phone: 110)
The free single emergency phone line in case of accident: 112
The Latvian Centre for Human Rights– an independent non-governmental organisation working with issues related to integration, discrimination, hate crimes, asylum, migration and fundamental rights issues.
Culture life, sport, tourism, events, leisure
Bilesu Serviss (Tickets Service)– advertisements and tickets online to concerts, theaters, shows, events
Bilesu Paradize (Tickets Paradise)– advertisement and tickets online to concerts, theaters, shows, events
KoDarit.Lv (What To Do?)- portal about tourism, leisure, culture and sports events in Latvia
Viss.Lv (The Whole) - portal about daily life issues, shopping, services, tourism, etc. in Latvia