Latvia Travel Tips and Information
| Official Name | Republic of Latvia |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.9 million |
| Capital | Riga |
| Country Code | LV |
| Language | Latvian, Russian |
| Country Code (international calls) | 371 |
The flight time to Latvia is approximately ---- hours. Check the climate, currency, religion, manners, other information of Latvia below. Wishing you pleasant travels to Latvia.
Latvia is located on the Baltic Sea and borders Russia to the east, Lithuania and Belarus to the south and Estonia to the north.
Visa and Immigration Procedures to Latvia
Latvia is a part of the Schengen Agreement, therefore travelers from the Schengen Area are not required to obtain a visa. A visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty so if you have a Schengen visa for another country it will be valid for entry into Latvia as well.
Things/Items Allowed into Latvia
Passengers older than 17 years old and arriving from non-EU locations are allowed to bring without customs duty 200 individual cigarettes, 100 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each), 50 cigars, 250 grams of smoking tobacco or proportional assortment 1 liter of spirits over 22%, or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% volume, 2 liters of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22% volume, or sparkling wines or liquor wines, a proportional mix of these products; and in addition, 4 liters of wine or 16 liters of beer, medicines in proportion to the traveler's needs (for all passengers), and other goods (for air travelers), up to a total value of EUR 430 per adult or EUR 150 if aged under 15 years old. Passengers who purchased items within EU countries are allowed the free import of, 800 individual cigarettes, 400 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each), 200 cigars or 1 kilogram of smoking tobacco, 10 liters of spirits over 22%, 20 liters of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90 liters of wine (though no more than 60 liters of sparkling wine) or 110 liters of beer.
Things/Items Forbidden out of Latvia
• Narcotics • Guns
Things/Items Forbidden into Latvia
• Meat and Milk • Endangered Species
Voice of Travelers to Latvia
Old Riga and New Riga: My Latvia Trip on a First Class Ticket
I flew into Riga International Airport in Latvia on a KLM flight using a ticket that my parents had bought for me. The service on the flight was excellent, even though my ticket was only for business class, and we were lucky to get the full view of the city and surrounding countryside as we flew into Latvia. Our hotel was in the new section of Riga. While leaving our hotel, the first thing I noticed were the massive historical buildings, a few churches and many clothes and coffee shops. Riga's Old Town offered exactly what I wanted. It delivered a fairy-tale feeling, of which I had heard so much about from past visitors to Latvia. The most fascinating part of Latvia for me was the shape of the buildings and their colorful facades. In all corners of the Old City there were modern restaurants and cozy cafes. Getting around by public transport or taxi was very cheap for the ticket price.
Riga Is Wonderful: The Ticket to a Wonderful Latvia Vacation
I landed at Riga International Airport in Latvia after a pleasant Lufthansa flight with excellent service. Everything from buying my ticket to getting my luggage in Latvia was quick and easy. I had saved my tips from work to buy the ticket for my Latvia trip, so I was very excited to start. Riga is definitely off the beaten path. It contains all the beauty and charm, but not nearly the tourism, of similar cities, such as Krakow and Prague. Riga is great enough on its own to be worth the ticket to Latvia. I planned on branching out to see more of Latvia, but it was a little cold and rainy, which made me decide to stay in Riga. Riga's Historic Center is one of the two World Heritage Sites found in Latvia. The Hanseatic architecture is very-well preserved, which is why Latvia has received these designations.
Working In Latvia
I was invited to work in Latvia by a firm that I had been doing freelance work for over the Internet for years. The firm paid for my ticket and offered to put me up in a quality residence for my stay. The flight into Riga Airport on my free ticket with Lufthansa was very nice, especially because the company had paid for a first class ticket, so I had excellent food, wine and lot of leg room. Once I arrived in Riga, I took the special shuttle straight downtown for a 5 Euro ticket, which is a little more expensive than the 2 Euro bus ticket, but definitely worth the extra money. I could not believe how beautiful and welcoming Latvia was. Working in Latvia was one of the best decisions that I ever made.
Latvia Travel FAQs
Q. What is the currency in Latvia?
A. In 2014 Latvia adopted the Euro as the national currency, before that it was the Latvian Lat. There are ATMs and banks widely available in cities for travelers to exchange their currency if necessary. However, please note that many retailers will not accept travelers checks and therefore it would be the safest option to carry around cash or use your credit card for payments.
Q. What is there to do in the city of Riga?
A. Riga is home to notable wooden and art nouveau architecture, a vast Central Market and a medieval Old Town with St. Peter's Church. Riga's museums include the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, showcasing local crafts, food and music.
Latvia - Direct Flights to Major Airports
Airports handling direct flights toRiga International Airport・London International Airport ・Domodedovo International Airport ・Oslo Airport, Gardermoen ・Frankfurt Airport etc.
Flight Routes to Latvia
Many major airlines offer direct flights to Latvia from London, Moscow, Frankfurt, Oslo and Helsinki. Travelers from outside Europe will need to transfer flights at one of these European hubs before reaching Latvia. The Riga International Airport is the only airport in Latvia that services commercial flights.