Independent trip to Riga - five simple steps. To Latvia by car Where is it better to enter Latvia by car

Autotourism among Russians is becoming more and more popular every year. Traveling by car has many advantages.

It is not surprising that many tourists prefer to get to the Baltic countries, which are quite close to Russia, by car.

On such a trip, travelers do not depend on other people's schedules and prices - they can stop at any time and enjoy the place they like.

To Riga by car

A trip to Riga on your own transport has obvious advantages:

autotourists do not depend on the schedule of flights, trains and buses;
a trip in your own car, especially if 4-5 people are traveling in it, is much cheaper than air travel and even travel by train and bus;
the ability to travel around the country on your own route, regardless of other tourists.

In order for the trip from Moscow to Riga by car to go well, without any incidents, you need prepare a route in advance travel, familiarize yourself with the rules for passing the borders with Latvia and collect all the necessary documents.

Documents for traveling to Latvia by car

Tourists need the following documents to enter Latvia by car:

foreign passports for each of the tourists. Children under 14 may be entered in the passport one (or both) of the parents traveling with the child;
if a child travels without parents, he must have his own passport, regardless of age. Moreover, in this case, power of attorney from parents certified by a notary;
birth certificates of children;
a valid Schengen visa affixed to a foreign passport;
travel health insurance issued in accordance with the requirements of the EU countries, with the amount of coverage not less than 30 000 EUR;
for the driver of the car - a driver's license, which comply with international standards(that is, the driver's data must be written on the rights in Latin letters);
vehicle registration certificate;
Green card (motorist civil liability insurance) valid in the territory of Latvia.

A green card is issued by an insurance company not earlier than 30 days before the start of the journey. The minimum validity period for a Green Card is 15 days.

It is useful to read about what it is, because in Latvia they strictly monitor compliance with its rules.

What you need to apply for a visa to Latvia, read in this and get all the necessary information if you are going to apply for a visa to this country on your own.

Travel routes

You can enter Latvia by car through Russia and Belarus. When traveling from Moscow, the difference in mileage between routes is about 90 km. On Russian territory (along the M9 highway), the path is shorter.

Despite this, most of the autotourists prefer to go through Belarus (along the M1 highway). This is due to the fact that usually the checkpoints on the Latvian-Russian border are more loaded, and motorists have to stand in line at customs.

In addition, many drivers were not satisfied with the quality of the road on the M9 highway. Until recently, the road in the Tver region and in the Rzhev region was badly broken, but last year there was road repaired.

The route along the M9 highway on the map

The distance from Moscow to Riga along the M9 (Baltic) federal highway is about 950 kilometers. Travel time without stops is 11-12 hours.

The route passes through Volokolamsk, Rzhev, Velikiye Luki to the automobile border points Burachki (on the border of Russia) and Terekhovo (on the border of Latvia). Further on the territory of Latvia, the route passes through Ludza, Vilani and Ogre.

The road after repair, according to the latest reviews of motorists, is really good. The exception is small areas near Rzhev. In the Tver region, where there was the worst section of the road, new asphalt was laid and fresh markings were applied.

Slightly worse road in Latvian territory from Ludza to Wilana(all in patches), but there are practically no holes. In general, Latvian roads (A6, A12) are of fairly good quality.

Of the advantages of this route, one can name a small number of settlements where the driver has to slow down a lot. Therefore, you can get to Riga fairly quickly.

Among the shortcomings of this route, tourists note a small number of cafes and gas stations.

At the Russian-Lithuanian border, there are often queues where you can stand from 2 to 6 hours. Point Burachki-Terekhovo considered the busiest from 4 automobile checkpoints located on the border of Russia and Latvia.

Cars with small children are skipped the line. The customs clearance itself is fast. The main thing is to have all the necessary documents.

Latvian border guards are just going to introduce electronic booking of places in queues at the border, following the example of Estonian colleagues, so queues can rarely be avoided.

Point Burachki-Terekhovo works around the clock.

Technological breaks of the checkpoint: 08:45 - 09:00 in the morning and 20:45 - 21:00 in the evening.

Route along the M1 highway on the map

There are two options here.

Option one: leave Moscow along the Minsk highway (M1 highway), and then, a little before reaching Smolensk, turn onto the road towards Velizh-Nevel, and in the Pustoshka area, go to the Baltiya highway (M9). Then you can continue moving towards the Russian-Latvian border;
Option two (through Belarus): from Moscow, move along the M1 highway, after the bypass of Smolensk, you need to turn onto the road to Vitebsk. go further in Belarus on the highways P21 and P20. The border crossing is carried out at the checkpoints Urbany-Silene and Grigorovschina-Paternieki.

The distance from Moscow to Riga is just over 1000 kilometers. Travel time is approximately 13-14 hours non-stop. And although the route is a little longer than the M9 highway, you can get to Riga faster.

This is due to the lower congestion of automobile checkpoints on the border of Belarus and Latvia. Therefore, as a rule, there are no such queues as on the Russian-Latvian border.

Works around the clock . The average waiting time in queues at the border with Latvia is approximately 1-2 hours.

The checkpoint Grigorovshchina-Paternieki is also located in the Vitebsk region on the road R-20 Novopolotsk-Verhnedvinsk-Riga.

The point is open 24/7 technological breaks: from 08:45 to 09:00 and from 20:45 to 21:00.

There are more cafes and gas stations along the M1 than along the M9. However, the last gas station is located in the Polotsk region. The next gas station in the territory of Latvia. Travelers should be aware that Gasoline is much more expensive in Latvia, so it's best to fill up a full tank before crossing the border.

Duty-free to the Republic of Latvia allowed to import:

one full tank of gasoline plus one 10 liter canister;
40 cigarettes or 10 cigars;
1 liter of strong alcohol or 2 liters of weak alcohol, or 4 liters of wine.

It is forbidden to import dairy products and meat, including sausages, into the Schengen countries.

Motorists should also take into account that in Latvia can't use anti-radar, so it is better to remove it before the border. Studded tires are allowed only in the autumn-winter period (from October 1 to May 1).

The car must have a warning triangle and a reflective vest.

When traveling by private car or making a commercial trip, you must remember that crossing the border with Latvia by car will require compliance with the Law on the State Border of the Republic of Latvia, the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and the rules of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia “On the Procedure for Crossing the State Border by Children”.

Features of the road border of the Republic of Latvia

Entry into the territory of Latvia by car will require the presence, successful passage of customs control and the compliance of the vehicle with the standards of the Schengen Union countries. In this case, a trip to Riga by car and visits to other Latvian cities will be successful.

General characteristics of the road border with Latvia

As for the countries that are members of the EU (European Union), crossing the Latvian border from their side is possible at any point of the existing routes. Citizens of states that are not members of the EU cross the border with Latvia only at the points of location of special checkpoints (checkpoints).

Map of vehicle checkpoints on the Russia-Latvia border

Currently, there are four checkpoints on the Russia-Latvia border. The choice of the place where it is better to cross the border with Latvia by car depends largely on the direction of your movement and route.

Waiting time and queues at the checkpoint on the Latvian-Russian border

The fastest time to pass the checkpoint is about 40 minutes. In the worst case, the wait can stretch for 12 hours or more. There are dry closets in the checkpoint area. You will have to take care of food and a place to rest on your own.

One of the reasons for the formation of queues at the checkpoint with Latvia is the multitude of so-called "fuel trucks" or "gasoline shuttles". This nickname was given to cars that export cheaper gasoline from Russia to Latvia.

Rules of customs control when crossing the border of Latvia

And, finally, the most interesting thing is the restriction of travel abroad for debtors. It is about the status of the debtor that it is easiest to “forget” when going on another vacation abroad. The reason may be overdue loans, unpaid utility bills, alimony or fines from the traffic police. Any of these debts may threaten to restrict travel abroad in 2018, we recommend that you find out information about the presence of debt using a trusted service

Crossing the border is a crucial stage for any traveler. By following the rules for entering Latvia by car in 2020, you guarantee yourself the absence of unnecessary problems and a comfortable stay abroad.

Many independent travelers are concerned about changes in Latvian legislation, in particular, the recent introduction of fines for using foreign numbers on vehicles within the country. Representatives of the Latvian authorities hasten to reassure: these sanctions do not apply to car tourists. So if you are traveling in your own car for the purpose of tourism, you can safely cross the border with Russian and other license plates.

About what documents are needed to travel to Latvia by car, we will describe below, and now we will dwell on a number of other important nuances:

Traveling abroad with a pet will require special preparation. If you are going to Latvia by car with a dog or a cat, in addition to documents and a set of vaccinations, you will need to purchase a carrier and equip your four-legged friend with a microchip. In this case, the veterinary certificate should be issued only at the municipal clinic, and not earlier than five days before the date of the intended departure. Keep in mind that private clinics are not authorized to issue such veterinary certificates. After that, a permit form 5A is issued at the Rosselkhoznadzor, and another necessary document is issued from the state veterinarian - EU Regulation 576/2013.

Another popular question is how to enter Latvia with 82 regions on license plates. There is no need to worry about this issue - the border guards do not have any questions about the Crimean license plates and entry with them into the EU is not prohibited. Recall that some of these numbers were transferred to the use of residents of the 178th region (St. Petersburg) due to a shortage of locals.

Technical requirements for foreign vehicles crossing the Latvian border

When planning a car trip by private transport to the territory of Latvia, you need to make sure that the vehicle meets the following requirements:

glass tinting is no more than 25% on the windshield and no more than 30% on the front and side;
seat belts are available and available for use not only in the front but also in the rear seats;
no anti-radar;
a reflective vest, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle are available.

Speaking about whether it is possible to enter Latvia on studded tires, it should be noted that it is possible, but only in the period from October 1 to May 1. In the rest of the year, at best, you may be asked to cut the spikes right at the border, and at worst, you will be banned from entering the territory of the Republic of Latvia.

From the moment you enter Latvian territory, do not forget to keep the dipped headlights on at all times.

Keep the speed in the city within 50 km / h, outside the city - 90 km / h. The maximum speed limit is 10 km/h.

A package of documents for crossing the border with Latvia by car

To cross the border smoothly, you will need the following documents to enter Latvia by car:

for each member of the group; children under 14 may be;
for each child, if any, in the group;
power of attorney from parents in the event of a child traveling in a group without their accompaniment;
for each member of the group;
in the amount of at least €30,000 each, operating in the EU;
for the driver;
vehicle registration certificate;
green card.

In some cases, the following official papers may be required, as well as documents for a car at the border in Latvia:

power of attorney for the right to drive a car;
inspection card;
availability of OSAGO and CASCO insurance, which may be needed when returning to the territory of the Russian Federation;
permission to leave the child from the second parent;
hotel booking confirmation.

In order not to get into a difficult situation, experts recommend that you think over the trip and the composition of the group in advance in order to have time to prepare all the necessary papers.

Many tourists are interested in the question of whether a diagnostic card is needed when crossing the border with Latvia. You may not be asked about it at the checkpoint from the Russian side, but they will demand it already on Latvian territory. In this case, the one-time visa will be considered canceled, and you will be left with a poor choice: continue the journey on foot or refuse to travel at all.

The reason is simple: a diagnostic card is not issued for such “young” cars.

For cars older than three years, it is necessary to issue a diagnostic card confirming the passage of a technical inspection. In addition, it indicates the compliance or non-compliance of the vehicle with the safety requirements. Dealers accredited by the Russian Union of Motor Insurers (RSA) have the right to issue diagnostic cards, and only for those brands of cars for which they have specialization.

What and in what quantity can be imported into the territory of Latvia

The total value of imported goods for own consumption and gifts when entering the territory of Latvia by land should not exceed 300€ for adults and 200€ for children.

In this case, the cost is excluded from the total amount:

personal, temporarily imported and then exported back baggage;
medicines necessary for personal use;
tobacco products and alcoholic products imported in limited quantities.

Currently, when crossing the border with Latvia by land, the following restrictions apply to the import of products and goods:

no more than 40 cigarettes, 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars, 50 grams of smoking tobacco;
no more than 1 liter of drinks with an alcohol content of more than 22%;
2 liters of drinks with an alcohol content of not more than 22% based on wine;
no more than 16 liters of beer;
oil products - no more than 10 liters per 1 vehicle in portable containers and in a standard container for a combustible vehicle;
coffee and dry soft drinks, in accordance with current EU regulations, up to 10 kg;
no more than 2 kg of honey, royal jelly, propolis, live snails, oysters and shellfish, milk powder, baby food and animal feed;
no more than 20 kg of crustaceans, fresh processed fish or canned food;
no more than 10 kg of sweets, pasta, seasonings and broths in packages, olives and other food products not prohibited for import and not containing more than 50% of fish products or processed eggs.

Objects and products prohibited for import into the Republic of Latvia

The following groups of products and goods are prohibited for import into the territory of the Republic of Latvia:

meat and any meat products;
whole milk and any dairy products based on it;
any fruit;
Natural flowers;
parrots;
weapons, drugs and explosives.

Detailed information on current restrictions and prohibitions on the import of goods and products into Latvia is provided by the Sanitary Border Inspectorate of the Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia.

Procedure for declaring cash upon entry into Latvia

An individual crossing the EU border is obliged to declare cash if its amount is equal to or exceeds 10,000€.

Cash means banknotes and coins, payment orders, checks, bills of exchange, including blank but signed ones.

All available funds are converted into euros at the exchange rate at the time of crossing the Latvian border. If after that you are going from the territory of Latvia to another country that is part of the EU, you do not need to submit a declaration.

Take a sociological survey!

The procedure for crossing the border with Latvia by car

Crossing the Russian-Latvian border by car involves several stages:

Preparing for the security check at the checkpoint. When approaching the checkpoint, prepare all the documents you have and put them in a conspicuous place.
Passport control - checking whether you and your passengers have the right to cross the EU border. Its successful completion will be the official mark of crossing the border.
Choice of red or green corridor. Crossing the border with Latvia by car in 2020 means choosing one of two corridors: green or red.
Choose green if you are sure that you do not have goods and cash to declare with you; red - if in doubt or if you have goods or amounts of funds to be declared.
Passage of customs inspection. The last step involves stopping and inspecting your vehicle. Stop the engine and do not interfere with the checkpoint staff.

When returning home, the border crossing algorithm does not change. Do not forget that crossing the border with Latvia by car requires compliance with the rules and regulations of the EU, of which this state is a member.

Penalties provided for violation of customs control rules

Despite the high level of development of modern technologies and the competence of customs officers, there are still citizens who are trying to circumvent the existing rules.

An attempt to violate the rules of customs control at the border with Latvia can lead to undesirable consequences:

for violation of the norms of imported goods and products, administrative liability and a fine for repeated violation are provided;
for non-compliance with the requirements of the police - a fine and even arrest;
for drunk driving (over 0.5 ppm) - a fine of 430-1400 € with temporary (for a year, one and a half or two years) or permanent deprivation of a driver's license;
an attempt to import an undeclared amount of cash - a fine of 5% of the amount to be declared.

Popular travel routes in Latvia by car

After crossing the border, you can continue your journey by car along one of the popular routes.

Ludza - Madone - Riga.
An excellent choice for lovers of ancient castles and beautiful architecture. In Ludza you will find an old Catholic church and the ruins of a castle; in Madona - the estate of the barons Marcien. Well, Riga with its numerous architectural monuments will be a worthy end to the trip.
Daugavpils - Bauska - Jelgava - Jurmala - Riga.
A versatile tour that will introduce you to the culture of Latvia and allow you to have a good rest. In Daugavpils, the Moonshine Museum, the most beautiful buildings of the Protestant church and the Catholic church, the picturesque central park, the Orthodox Borisoglebsky Cathedral are interesting. In Bauska, we recommend visiting the ancient Bauska Castle. In Jelgava, you can rent a pedal boat at the yacht club and walk through the halls of the Jelgava Palace. Jurmala will delight you with opportunities for a beach holiday. A bright end to the trip will be acquaintance with the capital of the country - Riga.
Riga - Bauska - Pilsrundale - Jelgava - Jurmala
The starting point of this route is Riga. After getting acquainted with the sights of the capital, go to Bauska. Here you will find interesting architectural monuments and the ruins of a medieval fortress. Pilsrundale is a small village, the main attraction of which is the chic Rundale Palace by F.B. Rastrelli. Jelgava will delight you with a walk through a picturesque park with a pond and views of the Jelgava Palace, and in Jurmala you can have a good rest by the sea and relax after a long journey before returning home.

Expenses during a trip to Latvia by private car

The total cost of a trip to Latvia by a private car consists of the following items of expenses:

registration of permits and visas;
gasoline costs (average cost of 1 liter - 1.10 €);
food and possible expenses for recreation;
additional funds for emergencies.

It should not be forgotten that entry to Jurmala from April 1 to September 30 is carried out only with paid passes. The cost of entering Jurmala by car in 2020 depends on the planned time of stay: 2 € for a day, 31 € for thirty days, 107 € for a full season.

11 facts about Latvia: Video

Gathered for a trip. Bought a car and decided to run-in over long distances. Romantic trip to Latvia.

If you have these thoughts, then this is perfect for you. car trip to Riga.

Riga is the capital of Latvia, which is the largest city in the Baltics. The population of Riga is approximately 700,000 people. In 1921, after the signing of the Soviet-Polish peace treaty, a "golden age" began for the development of the city. However, the Latvian society was never formed, and the population continued to be divided into Russian, German, Jewish and Latvian communities.

Then, in 1990, the Latvian parliament nevertheless declared its independence from the Soviet Union. Riga again became the capital of the sovereign state of Latvia.

Riga welcomes tourists with some inexplicable warmth, cozy streets, kind smiles, Russian speech and the attractive architecture of the old city.

Old city- This is the historical center of Riga, which is located on the right bank of the Daugava. It retained the features of the fortress structure, the curves of structures and ramparts of defense. The city canal separates the old city from the new one, and the demolition of the city wall opens up views of the squares and parks.

In the center of the old city, evening life is seething. Music flows from many cozy cafes with gentle lighting, courteous waiters bring delicious dishes and drinks, cycle rickshaws are ready to travel through architectural monuments. Everywhere laughter, music, lights in the eyes and from the candles on the cafe tables.

The center of the Old Town is the Town Hall Square, which is famous for its Town Hall and the House of the Blackheads. There is a statue of Roland on the square.

So, to see and feel all this romance and beauty, you need to drive 950 km along highway M9 - Moscow (Russia) - Riga (Latvia). The road to the Republic of Latvia is quite good. There are several sites closer to the Tver region, which are constantly being renovated. There, about an hour is lost on dismantled sections, passage with the participation of traffic lights, ceilings and pits. The road to these sections can be called "without major flaws."

Our journey has begun Friday at 5 am Moscow time. Such an early departure is explained by the desire not to get into traffic jams when leaving Moscow. And we succeeded. We quickly jumped out on the Moscow Ring Road, in about 40 minutes, and rushed off!

Approximately at 13 o'clock we got to the border. The first thing that caught my eye was an endless line of trucks and vans. Fortunately, passenger cars pass through a separate lane. There was a queue of about 5-6 cars in front of us. However, she moved very slowly. The officers at the border were doing anything but cars patiently waiting for their turn.

We finally, after about 30 minutes, approached the long-awaited window for checking documents. We were given an import declaration form that we had to fill out. For what? We don't import anything, we have a romantic trip. Well, we only had to fill in our data and the data of the car, and in all the other columns relating to imported goods, they put a dash. Is this document required? From the romantic mood, only notes of calmness remained.

Hooray, after 1 hour there was one car left in front of us. The ignition is on, the foot reaches for the gas pedal, our turn for inspection comes up. But it was not there!

We don’t know what was wrong with the car and the driver in front of us, but for another 30 minutes the border officers walked back and forth, chatted with each other, approached the car, left, returned again and so on for 40 minutes. Finally, our predecessor moved from its place, and we took the honorary pedestal of verification.

We were lucky, they let us through pretty quickly, after checking the documents for the car, passports. The car itself was examined inside, in the trunk, the hood was lifted.

Not even 2 hours have passed since we "creeped" the border!!! The long-awaited romantic Riga is only 300 km away.

Riga really met us with kindness, warmth and comfort. Two romantic days flew by with live music in a cafe; with walks through the narrow streets of the Old Town; with delicious homemade food at the Lido mill; with an acquaintance with architecture and simply with a pleasant fresh Latvian air.

There was a road home. We immediately remembered the procedure for crossing the border, we winced, but what other options!?

We went to Moscow at 5 am local time. By 9 o'clock we were already at the border. We thought that in the morning we would pass it quickly, without delays and overlays.

When we arrived at our border, all the corridors were lined with 5-7 cars with Latvian numbers. One corridor "for Russian citizens" was blocked. We did not begin to find out why, and parked to all the waiting lists. We were approached by a border guard who sent our car to the same blocked lane. He proudly pushed back something like a barrier, and left us to wait.

The document checkpoint in our lane was empty. Moreover, right in front of our noses, a border guard came out and left. I had to go to the general queue at the point of the other lane. An oversight, but a fact.

They checked passports, documents for the car, and the car itself everywhere, and gave the green light for the passage, which until the next overlap was literally a couple of meters. We stopped again. They suggested that if we had just undergone a thorough inspection, then the barrier would now be raised and the road to the house was free. But it was not there!

We are standing, the barrier does not move, the person at the checkpoint sits and does not blink an eye. Strange!?

We got out of the car and went to the house, where the customs officer was now sitting imposingly.

“Check again? We had just been thoroughly checked with a meter,” our nerves began to fail.

The customs officer brazenly asked: "Who checked you?"

“That checkpoint over there,” we answered in chorus and pointed to the border guard, who was in too accessible visibility.

"And who is he?" the inspector said. From his look, we realized that he did not expect an answer from us. They gave him documents for the car and passports. Checked and went to the car. We just couldn't believe our ears when he said: “Open all the doors of the car, the hood, the trunk, the glove box. What are we bringing? Where are we going from? ... ". A meter ago there were the same questions and the same screening!!! Now it is clear where all these strings of cars come from!

We were checked again, the barrier opened and we, tired, a little angry, “humiliated tourists”, rushed forward.

Oh my God, after 100 meters a barrier grew in front of us again, a “booth with a big aunt”, a traffic light with a red light. I wanted to "howl". They got out of the car again, went to the window, checked our documents again, asked questions, and only then, after a total of 2 hours, they let him go on the road “home”.

Why do border workers allow themselves to treat tourists so humiliatingly? It feels like they have arranged a competition among themselves: "Who will let the next car through more slowly."

Documents at checkpoints are slowly checked by a border guard or customs officer, both from the Russian side and from the Latvian side, imposingly sitting on an armchair, at the same time discussing his personal life with another employee, barely turning the page of the checker's passport. The queue of cars is created artificially. It seemed that this was a deliberate accumulation of cars, for the kind of laborious work of border control.

It's a shame! Annoying! Where is the order? Why is it allowed to mock people like that?

Always with you, Catherine La Grande!

Residents of Latvia often jokingly refer to it as the westernmost part of Russia and the easternmost part of Europe. Quite European service is combined here with prices comparable to Russian ones. The Russian language is in use almost everywhere. Even those who do not know him well try to understand the tourist. Clean (but usually rather cold) sea and soft sand, interesting architecture of different styles and many museums, and finally, relative proximity to the European part of Russia - all this is Latvia.

If we go to Latvia by car, then at least five to seven days. It definitely won't be boring.

What to take?

Standard, in addition to the international passport: driving license, certificate of registration, car insurance - "green card", power of attorney, if you are driving a legal entity's car. Recently, at the Latvian border, they sometimes ask for a diagnostic card, which we are given when passing a technical inspection. The legitimacy of this requirement is doubtful even among some Latvians, but it is better not to argue with the border guards of any country, but to put the card in the glove compartment.

You can take two (!) packs of cigarettes with you, one liter of strong alcohol or two liters of other alcohol per adult. In addition to a full tank, you can grab a 10-liter (no more!) canister of fuel.

How to ride and how to stand?

From Moscow, the direct and easiest way is along the M-9 "Baltic" highway until it stops at the border crossing Burachki - Terehova. It is about 600 km to the border, 920 km to Riga. The road is good now.

How long will it take to cross the border? Non-programmable! At least forty minutes, normally - an hour and a half. My record is seven hours, and my friends generally told horror stories. At the border crossing, in principle, you can call (81140) 31–384, 22–311) to find out what the queue is. But, of course, they do not always pick up the phone.

There is another route, where there are usually fewer queues at the border crossing and, by the way, servicemen are not interested in a diagnostic card. Approximately 540 km from Moscow in Pustoshka, we turn right onto Pskov. We reach the town of Ostrov (about 130 km) and turn left onto Palkino (a narrow, but empty and decent road), then straight ahead - to Izborsk and at the T-shaped intersection to the left onto Shumilkino - the border with Estonia. The lines are usually shorter here. The distance to Riga is increased by 60 km, but the travel time is sometimes even reduced. By the way, at the Estonian border for 1.5 euros you can book a queue, but only on the way back. You are given an hour during which you need to drive to the parking lot near the border. As soon as you see the number of your car on the electronic scoreboard, drive to the barrier. Everything is acting clearly, you will leave Estonia without delay. But this absolutely does not mean that you will not stand for a couple of hours in front of your native border. In general, the border crossing procedure is the only unpleasant episode in the whole trip. You have to be philosophical about it.

Driving around Latvia is simple and easy - traffic is low, drivers are usually neat and polite. But the rules must be respected. The unwritten speed limit is 10 km/h. The whole country was hung with cameras, there are also police ambushes. Just like that, no one will stop to “check documents”, but violations, as a rule, will not be forgiven - they will politely write out a rather big fine. By the way, everyone should be fastened in the car, and not just those who sit in front. And one more thing: to pass with oncoming cars, which, like you, turn left at the intersection, you need to left, not right sides.

Gasoline in Latvia costs about 1.2 euros, diesel fuel - 1.05 euros. But the country is small, the roads are free, and the traffic regime is very gentle, so you will drive very economically.

When choosing a hotel, consider where you will park your car. The closer to the center of Riga, the more difficult it is to find free parking, and parking is more expensive (prices range from 1.5 to 4.5 euros per hour). On some streets from 20:00 to 08:00 parking is free. But leaving the car for the night, estimate when you will pick it up? If it's later than 8:15, it's easier to pay for parking in advance. It is not at all difficult to do this using a parking meter: you dialed the departure time, paid (in cash or by card), put the coupon on the dashboard in a prominent place. Otherwise, you will see a blocker on the wheel. Some hotels have their own parking lots, sometimes even free, but this must be specified in advance.

Where to live and eat

A double room in a decent three-star hotel within a 15-20 minute walk to the center will cost 40-50 euros per day with breakfast. The closer to the center - the, of course, more expensive. A simple room outside the city can be rented for 7-10 euros.

A full lunch in a self-service restaurant (the most famous chain in Riga with a huge selection of everything and everything - Lido) will cost 6-7 euros, with beer - about 10 euros (depending, of course, on appetite).

Dinner in a more pretentious restaurant, of course, is more expensive: from 20–30 euros per person. Again, the standard principle applies: the farther from the center, the cheaper. By the way, products in supermarkets are no more expensive than in Moscow.

What to watch?

Standard set

Everyone who comes to Latvia, of course, goes to Old Riga (Vecriga). And they do it right! Narrow, crooked medieval streets, old houses, many cozy cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops are worth it. Old Riga is the closest such open-air museum to us. You can walk here for hours. By the way, it is here that movie lovers will find the house from the window of which Professor Pleischner jumped out, and the streets along which Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson walked.

Latvia is a country of palaces and castles. The most famous, of course, is the Rundale Palace in the town of Pilsrundale (Pilsrundāle) outside the town of Bauska (Bauska) - about 80 km from the center of Riga in the direction of Kaunas. The palace was built for the favorite of Empress Anna Ioannovna Biron by Rastrelli himself. Now, after a large-scale restoration, inside is a museum, next to it is a luxurious regular park in the style of the 18th century.

In addition to this castle, the standard set usually includes a visit to Sigulda. In a small town 50 km from Riga, there is also a castle, founded already in the 13th century, and a museum. Surrounded by stunning picturesque hills..

And, of course, almost everyone who has ever been to Latvia comes to Jurmala to check in. There are beautiful sandy beaches here. But even if the weather does not allow you to indulge in a beach holiday (and this happens often in Latvia), you just need to walk along the coast and, of course, along the Jomas pedestrian street, famous since the times of the USSR, with cafes and shops, look at pretty houses. And at the entrance to Jurmala from Riga there is an entertainment center with a large water park.

Additional options

In contrast to Old Riga, Jugend-style architecture, which Rigans are proud of, usually receives less attention. But in vain! Richly decorated tenement houses, in particular the works of Mikhail Eisenstein, the father of the famous director, are worth spending a couple of hours on.

Riga is full of interesting museums (admission 4-10 euros): military, ethnographic, art and, of course,. He is known more than others. The museum was the first of its kind in the USSR, and after a major restoration, it is not only a very interesting collection of cars and motorcycles, but also a lot of interactive things for the delight of children who can press, touch, twist something. All explanatory inscriptions in Latvian, English and Russian. There is also a wonderful zoo in Riga.

Not everyone, even those who went to the Rundale Palace, know that on the way, in the town of Bauska, there is a small branch of the Riga Motor Museum, which is also worth a visit. In addition to Rundāle, there are many lesser-known castles and manors in Latvia. For example, in Jelgava, in Jaunmoku near the city of Tukums, not far from the popular Sigulda, where the less famous Birini manor is.

What to buy?

The cost of the simplest, but real amber products starts from 20-30 euros, and you should buy them only in specialized shops. Latvia is famous for its excellent woolen products. But in addition to standard souvenirs, in the first place, in my opinion, you need to bring fish, beer and bread. It is better to buy fish, of course, at the famous central market in Riga, where one of the four huge pavilions is reserved for it. In the villages on the coast there are also small bazaars, but experts still advise Riga. Everything is here and the quality is guaranteed! Of course, it is best to bring smoked meats. Prices range from quite democratic 3-4 euros per kilogram of flounder to 40 euros for smoked eel.

Latvia has a great variety of good beers for every taste - dark (tumsais - tumshas), light (gaisais - gaisis), unfiltered. Prices in supermarkets range from 0.8 to 1.6 euros per bottle. Just remember that you can bring no more than three liters of any alcohol per adult traveler into Russia. You can buy, of course, another bottle of the famous Riga balm, but it's just not difficult to find it in Russia. Unlike local beer.

There are almost as many varieties of rye bread in Latvia as there are varieties of beer. The choice is huge in any store. But the favorite tourist place is the bakery and shop Laci (Laci - bears) in the town of Pinki (Pinki), about 16 km from the center of Riga on the road to Liepaja. There is not only a huge selection of fresh bread of different varieties, but there are also excursions to the bakery ...

As a rule, those who came to Latvia for the first time plan to repeat the trip. It's worth it.

Gathered for a trip. Bought a car and decided to run-in over long distances. Romantic trip to Latvia.

If you have these thoughts, then this is perfect for you. car trip to Riga.

Then, in 1990, the Latvian parliament nevertheless declared its independence from the Soviet Union. Riga again became the capital of the sovereign state of Latvia.

Riga welcomes tourists with some inexplicable warmth, cozy streets, kind smiles, Russian speech and the attractive architecture of the old city.

The center of the Old Town is the Town Hall Square, which is famous for its Town Hall and the House of the Blackheads. There is a statue of Roland on the square.

Our journey has begun Friday at 5 am Moscow time. Such an early departure is explained by the desire not to get into traffic jams when leaving Moscow. And we succeeded.

We quickly jumped out on the Moscow Ring Road, in about 40 minutes, and rushed off!