Your Complete Car Rental Guide for Exploring Riga with Ease
Riga is the capital of Latvia; the largest city in the Baltics; is the cultural and political center of the state; located on both banks of the Daugava River (Western Dvina). You can find important information about the city on the website - www.cityriga.lv. (Latvian State Portal - latvija.lv).
Starting from the 12th century, on the territory that later became Riga, traders often came along the Western Dvina.
Riga itself was founded at the very beginning of the 13th century (in 1201 it was founded by the Roman Bishop Albert Buxhoevden ). In 1226 Riga received the status of a city, and in 1286 it joined the Hanseatic Trade Union. In the 1930s, Riga became part of the USSR as the capital of Latvia. In the 1990s, Latvia regained its independence. In 2004 the country joined the European Union.
Today, Riga is popular with travelers. Millions of tourists visit the capital every year. Many consider it an entertainment city ideal for shopping.
The permanent population of the city is about 614 thousand people. The area of Riga is 304 km2. The climate is temperate continental, characterized by high rainfall. Warm humid summer; snowy winter with frequent thaws. International Airport is located in Riga, which is located at a distance of 13 km from the city center. To travel around the city districts, you can rent a car in Riga (Bookingautos website - car rental).
What to see in Riga.
In many districts of Riga, the atmosphere of an old European town has been preserved to this day, expressed in architectural monuments (churches, temples), museums, parks, taverns and cobbled streets.
Old Town (Old Riga).
It is recommended to start acquaintance with Riga from the area called Old Town (the oldest part of the capital of Latvia, located on the right bank of the Western Dvina, consists of several ancient quarters). The Old City Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is in this part of the city that most of the sights and architectural monuments of Riga are located.
Town Hall Square.
Town Hall Square is the main square of the city, existing since the 13th century (in in the past it was called Market). The current name of the square comes from the Town Hall located on it. Today, the square is a walking area, and during the holidays, festivities are organized on it.
The House-Museum of the Blackheads.
House of the Blackheads is an architectural monument located on the main square of Riga. It is named after the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, which in the 15th century purchased and supplied products to the city. This association was one of the most influential in Riga; the brotherhood actively took part in the public life of the city (the association disbanded in the 30s of the XX century). During World War II, the house of the Blackheads was completely destroyed. Its restoration was completed in 1999.
Today the house of the Blackheads is a museum, it hosts ceremonial receptions, exhibitions, cultural events and excursions for tourists.
Cat House.
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Cat's House is another famous architectural monument in Riga; was built at the beginning of the 20th century. A distinctive feature is the sculptures of two cats installed on the roof.
An interesting fact: the appearance of figurines on the roof of the building has its own history. The merchant who lived in this room wanted to join the Great Merchant's Guild. After the refusal, the merchant decided to take revenge on the members of the guild: he installed sculptures of cats on his roof and deployed them with their backs to the windows of the guild.
Later, after being accepted into the Guild, the merchant turned the figurines in different directions.
Dome Cathedral.
The Dome Cathedral is a symbol of the capital of Latvia (located on the square of the same name). It is the largest medieval temple in the Baltic countries. During its history, it was rebuilt several times, therefore it combines elements of different styles and eras.
The Freedom Monument in Riga is a building 42 meters high; was built in 1935. It is a column, on top of which stands a woman holding three stars in her hands. Symbol of freedom and independence of Latvia; is located on the border of the Old City and the new Riga.
Where to go near Riga (1-2 days).
A relatively small country, Latvia has a developed road network. To visit the cities located in the vicinity of Riga, you can rent a car.
At a distance of 30 km from the capital is the largest resort in Latvia - Jurmala. The city arose as a result of the union of several fishing villages. In the past, the town was a holiday destination for the elite, but today it is a quiet family resort with beautiful nature and clean air. Jurmala consists of 26 districts, the most interesting for tourists are Majori, Pumpuri and Kemeri.
Turaida Castle - Turaida Castle is a castle-museum with a protected area (the area of the reserve is about 50 hectares). The building was built in the XIII century. The castle has an observation deck accessible to tourists, which offers wonderful views of the area. The distance from Riga to the castle is 56 km (it takes about an hour by car).
Food: the best restaurants in Riga.
Latvia is famous for its dishes made from agricultural products; and its location on the shores of the Baltic Sea leads to the appearance of seafood on the tables.
Popular dishes of the country are: sour-milk products, homemade cheeses, smoked fish, pate, beer soup.
PROVINCE is an atmospheric establishment, whose guests especially recommend trying soup in bread (Kungu Street 2, Riga 1050 Latvia; +371 67 222 566);
Lokāls Veldze – an establishment with national cuisine; the interior is decorated with bookshelves (Kalnciema Street 40F, Riga 1050 Latvia; +371 29 997 732).
Where to park in Riga.
Paid parking is available on the streets of Riga during the daytime (working days 8:00 - 20:00; Saturdays 9:00 - 17:00), the farther from the Old Riga area, the cheaper. At night, parking is usually free.
Paid parking areas of the city with a high rating:
Parking area R - first hour - 5 euros; subsequent hours - 8 euros (Skunu street, 4, Riga, Latvia);
EuroPark Latvia - large covered parking. (Siegfried Anna Meyerowitz Blvd., 8, Riga, Latvia; +371 67 32 45 08; parking site - https://www.europark.lv).
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
29 € / Day
Best price
21 € / Day
Monthly price chart: Average price per week of rent
January
€194
February
€123
March
€132
April
€139
May
€182
June
€225
July
€241
August
€256
September
€155
October
€123
November
€118
December
€149
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Riga in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Riga is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €19 for a Compact car.
In the summer, you should be prepared for an increase in the cost of rent. Price growth can be about 30-50% with a simultaneous reduction in the range of available offers. For example, the average price during July for Audi A4 starts from €38per day.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
Our rental office in Riga can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
The cost of renting a car in Riga depends on the car class, rental period, as well as the season of the year. For long-term rentals, rental companies provide good discounts. During the high season, in the summer months, the rental price is much higher than in winter. For example, a daily rental of Ford Focus or another budget car in the spring will cost about €19 per day. If you decide to rent this car for a week, then for each day you will have to pay about €12. The daily rental of middle-class cars, Audi A4, Ford Foxus Estate, VW Tiguan will be on average €49-€33. In Riga convertible rental price starts from €61. Luxury cars can be rented for €139, and the cost of renting the most expensive, exclusive models can exceed 550€ per day.
Recently, in Riga has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Riga, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be BMW i3.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car in advance
Riga is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Citroen C1 or Ford Focus. These models are the most popular with our customers in Riga.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Ford Foxus Estate will cost €38 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel Policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Riga, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Riga - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Riga
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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