Welcome to Riga! Useful Basic Information
November 18, 2018 is the centenary of Latvia independence. Latvia is a member of the European Union (May 1st, 2004), Schengen area (December 21st 2007) and the Euro zone (January 1st, 2014). Latvia Joined NATO on March 29th 2004.
Getting to the Venue
Radisson BLU Daugava 4*
Kuģu street
24, Rīga, LV-1007
Order private transfer:
Car (3 pers.) – EUR 50,00
Minivan (5 pers.) – EUR 70,00
Sprinter (18 pers.) – EUR 150,00
TAXI from airport:
Two main taxi companies are available at the Airport:
RedCab http://redcab.lv/redcab-taxi/?lang=en
BalticTaxi http://baltictaxi.lv/en/
Public transport:
Bus 22: Going to the city center: use the stop across the parking lot It takes about 30 minutes from the city center to the airport, stops directly at the departure hall.
A useful video about the bus 22 route in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXv9vEMdc-s (There is a ticket inspection going on at the bus with blinking lights at 3:09) The Riga Airport (RIX) page: http://www.riga-airport.com/ has the information about where to buy e-talons at the airport.
Stop on Riga: “Nacionālā bibliotēka”
Then walking distance to Radisson BLU Daugava 4* (~500 m from Bus station “Nacionālā Bibliotēka)
Useful Sites About Riga
What to do in Riga?
https://www.liveriga.com/en/visit/what-to-do
Eat and Drink in Riga
https://www.liveriga.com/en/visit/eat-drink
Events in Riga
Tourist Information
The emergency number in Latvia is 112.
There is plenty of information available at:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/latvia/riga
https://www.inyourpocket.com/riga
You can get a courtesy free printed version at the stand outside of the tourism information bureau “Welcome to Riga” at the Airport Schengen Arrival Hall, lots of maps and cultural guides available in several languages too.
Electricity
The standard voltage/ frequency are 220 V / 50 Hz. The plugs standards are the C and F.
Remember to bring your own adaptor and/or frequency converter if needed!
Weather
You can check the local weather at: https://www.meteo.lv/en/ or the popular meteorological pages.
Internet and WiFi access
According to many metrics, Riga is one of the places with the highest internet connecting speed and WiFi spots density (the highest, according to some metrics).
WiFi access is widely available in Cafes, Restaurants, Hotels and similar places. Many taxis advertise Free WiFi on board. Starting with a new batch of recently ordered trams, free WiFi will be gradually introduced on the public transport fleet.
You can see this sign in many public open places. If you use the “Lattelecom-Free” hotspots you’ll have to wait 15 seconds and watch ad in a browser until you get the full access.
Cellphone services, SIM’s and tariffs
Latvia code is +371; if you have an EU SIM, remember that the Intra European Union roaming tariff was abolished this year.
If you want to buy a local SIM, in particular for mobile internet access, one example of the several options available is the ZZ (Zelta Zivtiņa), check at
https://www.zeltazivtina.lv/en/
Where to buy it: https://www.zeltazivtina.lv/en/help/zz-customer-centres/
Try at the Narvesen kiosks.
Public Transport in Riga
As a short term visitor, you will use the public transportation disposable e-ticket (e-talon, 1.15€ per trip) with 5-10-20 trips per e-talon. 3 and 5 days and 1 day group options are available. The e-talons are validated using the readers on board. e-talons are available at automatic vending machines (instructions in Latvian, Russian, English and German), Narvesen kiosks or at Riga Satikmes or Tourist information centers, ask at your hotel desk. You can buy a single trip paper ticket directly from the driver (2.00€ in cash and better have the exact change!), if you change the vehicle for your trip, then you need to buy a new ticket.
Full information, including the uses and types of e-ticket (e-talons), transport routes, timetables, etc at:
https://www.rigassatiksme.lv/en/
How to say what in Latvian
Check: http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/latvian.php http://www.the-backpacking-site.com/countries/latvia-phrase.html https://www.languagehelpers.com/words/latvian/hello.html http://www.latvia.travel/en/article/useful-words-and-phrases http://www.101languages.net/latvian/most-common-latvian-words/