Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

(Ben Green) #1
LATVIA 89

DIRECTORY


DOCUMENTATION
http://www.am.gov.lv
http://www.ec.europa.eu

VISITOR
INFORMATION
http://www.latviatourism.lv

EMBASSIES AND
CONSULATES

Australia
Lienes iela 28, Rīga.
Tel 6722 4251.

Canada
Baznīcas iela 20/22, Rīga.
Tel 6781 3945.

France
Raina bulvāris 9, Rīga.
Tel 6703 6600.

United Kingdom
J Alunana iela 5, Rīga.
Tel 6777 4700.

United States
Raiņa bulvāris 7, Rīga.
Tel 6703 6200.

EMERGENCY
NUMBERS

Ambulance
Tel 03.
Fire.
Tel 01.
Police
Tel 02.

ARRIVING BY AIR

Aer Lingus
http://www.aerlingus.com
airBaltic
http://www.airbaltic.com.

easyJet
http://www.easyjet.com
Finnair
http://www.finnair.com

KLM
http://www.klm.com
Lufthansa
http://www.lufthansa.com
RyanAir
http://www.ryanair.com

Rīga International
Airport
http://www.riga-airport.com

ARRIVING BY SEA
Ferry Terminal
http://www.freeportofriga.lv
Latvian Coast
http://www.latviancoast.lv
Lisco
http://www.lisco.lt

Scandlines
http://www.scandlines.lt
SSC Ferries
http://www.slkferries.ee
Terrabalt
http://www.terrabalt.lv
Tallink
http://www.tallink.com

RAIL TRAVEL
Central Railway
Station
http://www.ldz.lv

TRAVELLING BY
COACH

Autoosta
http://www.autoosta.lv
Ecolines
http://www.ecolines.ee
Nordeka
http://www.nordeka.lv

TRAVELLING BY CAR

Since 2007, under the
Schengen Agreement, there
are no longer border con trols
between the Baltic States.
Nevertheless, busy border
crossings can take up to 20
minutes to negotiate. It is
essential to carry the vehicle’s
regis tration docu ment, a valid
third-party insurance policy
and either a European driving
licence or an International
Driving Permit. Vehicles must
be in road worthy condition
and it is compulsory to have a
first-aid kit, fire extinguisher
and hazard-warning triangle.
From December to March,
win ter tyres must be used, and
drivers should fit spiked tyres
bet ween September and April.

TRAVELLING BY COACH

One of the best ways to travel
between the three Baltic capi-
tals is by coach. This costs less
than travelling by air, although
the difference is negligible,
except during the peak season.
International carriers such as
Ecolines and Nordeka run
services between Rīga and
several other European cities.
Rīga’s main bus termi nal,
Autoosta, is five minutes
south of the Old Town.

RAIL TRAVEL

The main railway station in
Rīga is Central Railway Station,
located southeast of the Old
Town. From here international
rail routes head east towards
Moscow, Vitebsk, Odessa and
St Petersburg. The most com-
fortable way to travel on most
routes is by kupeja (four-bunk
compart ment). However, there
are more luxurious two-bunk
compartments on the trains
serving Moscow.

ARRIVING BY SEA

Travelling by ferry takes
longer than air travel,
although cross ing the Baltic
Sea has its own appeal.
Ferries oper ated by Lisco link
the German port of Lübeck to
Rīga, while Tallink connects
Rīga to Stockholm (Sweden).
Rīga’s main Ferry Terminal can
be reached by trams 5, 7 or 9
from the main bus termi nal or
outside the National Opera.
Terrabalt connects Liepāja to
Karlshamn (Sweden) and
Rostock (Germany). Ventspils
is served by Scandlines to
Nynashamn (Sweden), Rostock
and Karlshamn, and by SSC
Ferries to Saaremaa Island
(Estonia). The Latvian Coast
website offers information.

ARRIVING BY AIR


The majority of passengers
arrive at Rīga International
Airport, which is now con-
nected to most European cities.
The coun try’s national carrier,
airBaltic, was estab lished in
1995 and offers some very
afford able flights. Rīga is also
served by other major airlines
includ ing KLM, Aer Lingus,
Lufthansa and Finnair. Several
low-cost car riers, such as
easyJet from Berlin and
RyanAir from Ireland and the
UK, have also started services
to the country.
There are few direct flights
to Latvia from the US, New
Zealand, Canada or Australia.
Visitors from outside Europe
usually need to change flights
in London, Stockholm,
Helsinki or Copenhagen.


COMMUNICATIONS


Latvia’s telephone and postal
networks are both reliable and
efficient. Post offices provide a
range of serv ices at competi-
tive postal rates. Payphone
booths accept pre-paid phone
cards, available at kiosks, post
offices and supermarkets.
Internet facilities are excel lent
in Rīga and most cafés and
hotels have Wi-Fi access.

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