Reminder for tourists traveling to Latvia. Reminder for tourists traveling to Latvia Road to Latvia by car

We mainly travel to Riga by car.
In order to have time to walk at least the evening on the day of departure, we depart early in the morning.
At five in the morning we are already starting from Moscow

Fill up a full tank of gas and hit the road!
Several years ago, the road in the Tver region was being repaired and it was difficult to drive through these holes and potholes.
Now, finally, this section of the road has been repaired. And you can drive with the breeze.
Driving through the Tver region, I always wondered why there are so many villages with names like Pozhary, Iskrino, or Pogoreloye Gorodishche, so many names are associated with fires.
After all, it is known that whatever you call a ship, that’s how it will sail...
And so, this time we passed all these “fire” villages, and everywhere there was a fire, burnt grass...

(Photos from the car and on an iPhone)

Whether they set it on fire on purpose, I don’t know.. But no one put out the fires. And the fire area was quite large. It’s a pity for the trees, because their roots also die..
We reached the Latvian border in 5 hours.
Just before the border we filled the tank full again, since gasoline is much more expensive in Latvia.
We passed a line of trucks in front of the border, we were lucky - there was no line of cars for the border guards at all.

We passed the Russians and Latvians in an hour. Very quickly, despite the fact that the Russians' computer broke down and they had to wait 25 minutes until they debugged the system.
This time the Latvians thoroughly searched the car. They found food. Two cheeses. They took it away. The import of dairy products was prohibited.
There are two routes from the border to Riga. You can get there in 4 hours along one route. And we took the second route, which is a shortcut and has fewer traffic lights.
The speed on the highway in Latvia is 100 km. You should not exceed it. Traffic cops often drive their cars and record the speed..
On the way, we decided to stop and climb a wooden tower to look at the swamp. It’s very beautiful.

Closer to the house, the roof of which I removed from above

A few more hours and we arrived in Riga at 15:00. The road was easy..

I live in Moscow and regularly travel to Latvia for own car. Optimal weather for travel: early autumn or late spring. At the height of summer there are many animals on the roads: in Russia - domestic animals, in Latvia - wild animals. In winter it gets dark very early, and our part of the route is not lit or cleared. In Latvia, they clean only if there is no prolonged snowfall; there is also no lighting between settlements.

Best direction I think Novorizhskoe highway, although some travel along Minsk through Belarus. If we talk about Novorizhka, there are practically no cities here. On the other hand, beyond Volokolamsk (where the smell from Yadrovo still lingers, so be sure to close all the windows, and under no circumstances stop for gas), a two-lane road begins, so here you will have to overtake trucks. Or choose those days when there is a minimum number of them. In my experience, you shouldn't go on Friday or Monday, better days- Tuesday, Thursday and weekends, but not Sunday evenings.

As for the quality of the road surface, unfortunately, it doesn’t happen every time. On our part, there may be repairs at any time of the year, and the asphalt may run out without warning (!). In Latvia, repairs are carried out as planned and only after the snow has melted. However, major renovations are being carried out, so you need to be prepared for traffic lights and serious traffic jams. Currently, repairs are underway on the main highway through Latgale near Ludza (Burački-Terehova border), so you need to either leave very early in the morning, or pre-book an overnight stay at the Sebezh boarding house or at the Golden Fox motel between Ludza and Rezekne. I stayed at the motel and highly recommend it. A double room per night costs 29 euros.

Crossing the border takes from half an hour to several hours. I assume that during the 2018 World Cup many people will want to come to Russia by car, so I advise you to use the Estonian border near Pskov: there is an electronic queue, and you can book your desired time in advance. According to the documents: passport, driver's license, registration certificate, green card (can be issued at any insurance company) and diagnostic card for cars older than three years. When crossing the border, you fill out a form where you must indicate the number of imported cigarettes (no more than 40 pieces), alcohol (1 liter of strong alcohol per person) and gasoline (in the tank plus a maximum of 1 canister of 10 liters).

Car rental and tourist routes inside the country

If you arrive in Latvia by plane and want to rent a car, then I advise you to use large operators: SIXT and Europcar. You can select and book a car on the website; there are representative offices at Riga airport; payment is made on the spot; you pick up the car at the parking lot, a five-minute walk from the airport building. The cost will depend on your age, type of car, gearbox and other conditions, but offhand, SIXT now offers mechanics from 2,465 rubles per day, and Europcar - from 2,270 rubles per day.

Now about the routes. If you are traveling by car from Russia via Ludza, then you should start from Daugavpils, where the 19th century fortress is located.

If you are traveling through Pskov, then head straight to Cesis, where there is beautiful castle, an international level conservatory with concert hall, national park and much more.

If your Starting point is Riga, then start from Jurmala (entry and parking cost 2 euros) or go to Rundāle Palace near Bauska.

Route along the sea: Saulkrasti - Tuja - Salacgriva - Pärnu (Estonia). Besides great beaches(both public and wild), you can visit the Munchausen Museum and walk along forest paths to the sea, and also spend a couple of days at an Estonian resort.

Rules

Speed in cities is 50 km/h. On roads - 90 km/h, on highways - 110 km/h. Parking in Riga is paid. All major highways have speed cameras, which are not always reported.

We got ready for a trip. We bought a car and decided to test drive it over long distances. Romantic trip to Latvia.

If such thoughts come to you, then this is perfect for you. travel by car to Riga.

Riga is the capital of Latvia, which is the most big city Baltic states. The population of Riga is approximately 700,000 people. In 1921, after the signing of the Soviet-Polish peace treaty, a “golden age” for the development of the city began. However, 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 Soviet Union. Riga again became the capital of the sovereign Latvian state.

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

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

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

The center of the Old Town is Town Hall Square, which is famous for its Town Hall and the House of the Blackheads. There is a statue of Roland in 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 areas closer to the Tver region that are constantly being renovated. There, about an hour is lost in dismantled sections, passage with traffic lights, ceilings and holes. The road to these sections can be called “without major flaws.”

Our journey has begun on Friday at 5 a.m. Moscow time. Such an early departure is explained by the desire to avoid traffic jams when leaving Moscow. And we succeeded. We quickly jumped onto the Moscow Ring Road, in about 40 minutes, and rushed off!

At approximately 1 p.m. we reached the border. The first thing that caught my eye was the endless line of trucks and vans. Fortunately, passenger cars pass in a separate lane. There was a queue of about 5-6 cars in front of us. However, she moved very slowly. The border guards were busy with everything but the cars waiting patiently for their turn.

We finally, after about 30 minutes, approached the long-awaited document verification window. We were given a declaration form for imported goods that needed to be filled out. For what? We do not import anything, we have romantic trip. Well, we only had to fill in our data and the car’s data, and put a dash in all the other columns relating to imported goods. This document is, of course, necessary!? All that was left of the romantic mood were notes of calm.

Hurray, after 1 hour there was only one car left in front of us. The ignition is on, the foot reaches for the gas pedal, it’s our turn for inspection. 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, walked away, came back again, and so on for about 40 minutes. Finally, our predecessor moved away, and we took the honorable inspection pedestal.

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

Not even 2 hours had passed since we “crept” through the border!!! The long-awaited romantic Riga is just 300 km away.

Riga really greeted us with kindness, warmth and comfort. Two romantic day flew under live music in the cafe; with walks through the narrow streets of the Old Town; with delicious home-cooked food at the Lido Mill; with acquaintance with architecture and simply with pleasant fresh Latvian air.

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

We left for Moscow at 5 a.m. 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 or overlaps.

When we arrived at our border, all the corridors were lined with queues of 5-7 cars with Latvian license plates. One corridor “for Russian citizens” was blocked. We didn’t bother to find out why, and parked next to everyone in line. A border guard approached us and sent our car to the same blocked lane. He proudly pulled back some kind of barrier and left us waiting.

The document checkpoint on 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 a point in another lane. A flaw, but a fact.

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

We are standing, the barrier is not moving, the person at the checkpoint is sitting and does not blink an eye. Strange!?

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

“Check again? We were just thoroughly checked a meter earlier,” our nerves began to fail.

The customs officer brazenly asked: “Who checked you?”

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

“Who is he?” - said the inspector. From his look we realized that he was not expecting an answer from us. They gave him documents for the car and passports. I checked and went to the car. We simply couldn’t believe our ears when he said: “Open all the doors of the car, the hood, the trunk, the glove compartment. What are we bringing? Where are we going from? ..." A meter ago there were the same questions and the same inspection!!! Now it’s clear where all these lines 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, a “booth with a big aunt”, and a traffic light with a red light again appeared in front of us. 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 were allowed to go home.

Why do border workers allow themselves to treat tourists so humiliatingly? It feels like they had a competition among themselves: “Who can let the next car pass the slowest?”

Documents at checkpoints are slowly checked by a border guard or customs officer, both from the Russian and Latvian sides, sitting imposingly on a chair, while simultaneously discussing his personal life with another employee, barely turning the page of the inspector’s passport. The queue of cars is created artificially. It seemed that this was a deliberate accumulation of cars to make the border control work more labor-intensive.

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

Always with you, Katerina La Grande!

Auto tourism among Russians is becoming more and more popular every year. Traveling in your own 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

Trip to Riga with your own transport has obvious advantages:

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

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

Documents for traveling to Latvia by car

To enter Latvia by car, tourists need the following documents:

foreign passports for each of the tourists. Children under 14 years of age may be included in the foreign 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 you need power of attorney from parents, certified by a notary;
children's birth certificates;
a valid Schengen visa affixed to the foreign passport;
medical insurance valid for the duration of the trip, issued in accordance with the requirements of EU countries, with the amount of coverage not less than 30,000 EUR;
for a car driver - a driver's license, which meet international standards(that is, the driver’s data must be written on the license in Latin letters);
car registration certificate;
Green card (motorist liability insurance), valid in Latvia.

The green card is issued by the insurance company no earlier than 30 days before the start of the trip. The minimum validity period of 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.

Read here what you need to apply for a visa to Latvia and get all the necessary information if you are going to apply for a visa to this country yourself.

Travel routes

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

Despite this, most of autotourists prefer to travel through Belarus (along the M1 highway). This is due to the fact that usually the checkpoints on the Latvian-Russian border are more heavily loaded, and motorists have to wait for several hours stand in lines 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 area was badly damaged, but last year there was road repairs carried out.

Route along the M9 highway on the map

Distance from Moscow to Riga by federal highway M9 (“Baltic”) is about 950 kilometers. Travel time without stops is 11-12 hours.

The route passes through Volokolamsk, Rzhev, Velikiye Luki to the automobile border checkpoints Burachki (on the Russian border) and Terekhovo (on the Latvian border). Further on the territory of Latvia the route passes through Ludza, Vilany and Ogre.

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

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

The advantages of this route include a small number settlements, where the driver has to reduce speed greatly. Therefore, you can get to Riga quite quickly.

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

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

Cars containing small children are allowed to pass without a queue. The customs inspection itself is quick. The main thing is that you have all the necessary documents.

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

The Burachki-Terekhovo point is open around the clock.

Technological checkpoint breaks: 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 possible options here.

Option one: from Moscow, take the Minsk highway (M1 highway), and then, a little before reaching Smolensk, turn onto the road towards Velizh-Nevel, and in the Pustoshka area take the Baltic highway (M9). Then you can continue moving towards the Russian-Latvian border;
Option two (via Belarus): from Moscow take the M1 highway, after the Smolensk bypass you need to turn onto the road to Vitebsk. Continue on across Belarus along the P21 and P20 highways. Border crossing is carried out at the Urbany-Silene and Grigorovshchina-Paternieki checkpoints.

The distance from Moscow to Riga is just over 1000 kilometers. Travel time is approximately 13-14 hours without stops. 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 at vehicle 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 Grigorovshchina-Paternieki checkpoint is also located in the Vitebsk region along the road R-20 Novopolotsk-Verkhnedvinsk-Riga.

The point is open 24 hours a day from 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 area. The next gas station is in Latvia. Motorists should remember that in Gasoline is much more expensive in Latvia, so it’s better to fill the tank full 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 prohibited to import dairy products and meat, including sausages, into Schengen countries.

Motorists should also take into account that in Latvia You can't use a radar detector, 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).

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

Traveling in your own car has its advantages:

No need to depend on schedules public transport, look for favorable rates, connect routes (train+buses, plane+bus, etc.)

It is especially beneficial to drive your own car with your family or big company. Buying train or bus tickets for everyone will be much more expensive.

You can drive around in your car and see more interesting things. In addition, you can go where the average tourist “doesn’t go” before.

Before your trip, you can plan your route in advance, think about stops for gas, lunch and rest, etc.

Disadvantages of traveling by car to Latvia:

Machine depreciation

- "depreciation" of the driver

Among the additional costs - Green map for a car

From Russia to Latvia by car - route options

Volokolamsk - Rzhev - Velikiye Luki - Burachki (Russian border) and Terehovo (Latvian border)

From Moscow to Riga the shortest road is the M9 highway leading through Volokolamsk, Rzhev, Velikiye Luki to Burachka/Terekhovo. The track, after extensive renovations since 2016, is in almost perfect condition. However, getting to the border quickly does not mean that you will also be able to cross it quickly. It is the Burachki/Terekhovo border crossing that, as a rule, is the busiest (see below for more on this).

Minskoe highway - Smolensk - Velizh - Nevel - Pustoshka - Burachki (Russian border) and Terekhovo (Latvian border)

As an alternative to the first route, you can suggest leaving Moscow along the M1 highway (Minskoe highway). Almost before reaching Smolensk, you will need to turn onto the road in the direction Velizh - Nevel. From there you can take the M9 in the Pustoshka area and head towards the border until the Burachki/Terekhovo crossing.

Minskoe highway - Smolensk - Rudnya - Vitebsk - through Belarus - Grigorovshchina (border of Belarus) - Paternieki (border of Latvia)

Third route option. Also leave Moscow along the M1, and after the Smolensk bypass, turn onto the road in the direction Rudnya - Vitebsk. Then drive through Belarus to the border with Latvia (crossings Grigorovshchina - Paternieki).

No additional documents are needed (Green card will also be valid on the territory of Belarus).

Car checkpoints on the Russia-Latvia border

Checkpoint Burachki – Terehova

Located on the direct route Moscow - Riga. Passing this checkpoint always takes the longest of all points due to the high congestion of the M9 Baltic highway.

Working hours- daily, around the clock, technological breaks: 08:45 - 09:00, 20:45 - 21:00

Works around the clock

The routes are:

Russia - M9
Latvia - E22 (A12)

St. Petersburg - 460 km.
Moscow - 590 km.
Pskov - 200 km.
Rezekne - 60 km.
Riga - 300 km.
Daugavpils - 150 km.

Current information about the situation on the highway and the Burachki checkpoint -on the website of the Federal Highway Administration of North-West Russia

Checkpoint Brunishevo – Pededze

Convenient for those who plan to travel to Latvia from St. Petersburg.

The routes are:

Russia - A212
Latvia - P42

Approximate distance to/from the checkpoint:

St. Petersburg - 340 km.
Moscow - 720 km.
Pskov - 65 km.
Aluksne - 35 km.
Riga - 235 km.
Daugavpils - 230 km.
Tallinn - 340 km.

Checkpoint Ludonka – Vientuli

Suitable for those who approach the Latvian border from Nosovo. It is located in the village of Novaya Ludonka, on the fifth kilometer of the Nosovo-Ludonka highway. The point's capacity is 100 trucks, 380 cars and 20 buses per day.

Working hours: 24 hours a day, technological breaks: 8:40 - 9:00, 13:00 - 13:30, 01:30 - 02:00, 20:40 - 21:00

The routes are:

Russia - A116
Latvia - P35

Approximate distance to/from the checkpoint:

St. Petersburg - 390 km.
Pskov - 115 km.
Gulbene - 70 km.
Riga - 250 km.
Daugavpils - 200 km.

Duty free shop Duty Free - No

Checkpoint Ubylinka – Grebnova

The nearest checkpoint is from Pskov. The M9 highway passes through here.

Working hours: 24 hours a day, technology breaks: 8:00 - 9:00, 20:00 - 21:00, lunch: 13:00 - 14:00

The routes are:

Russia - A116
Latvia - E262 (A13)

Approximate distance to/from the checkpoint:

St. Petersburg - 400 km.
Moscow - 650 km.
Pskov - 120 km.
Rezekne - 50 km.
Riga - 300 km.
Daugavpils - 150 km.

Duty Free Shop- works around the clock

Current information about queues at customs checkpoints Terekhovo, Grebnevo, Paternieki on the website of the Tax Service of Latvia:

From the point of view of the development of electric cars Latvia quite an advanced country compared to others European countries. True, it is somewhat behind Estonia, but ahead of Lithuania. True, in neighboring Lithuania there are already taxis with electric cars, but in Latvia - not yet.

By the way, in Latvia, electric cars have the right to drive in public transport lanes, but the promised preferential parking spaces are still not available (neither in municipal parking lots, nor even more so in commercial ones).

The only thing is that you can stand for free while charging at charging points (in Riga - only at 3 gas stations at the addresses - Dārzciema iela, 60E, Kārļa Ulmaņa gatve, 86, Ķīpsalas iela, 8). In regional cities, places at special gas stations are free everywhere.

At 6 EuroPark car parks you can charge an electric car for free, but the parking itself is still paid (without benefits).

In the photo - Dedicated parking lot for refueling electric vehicles in Riga - near the Mols shopping center

Around Riga by car - where to leave the car, how much does parking cost?

Where can I park my car in the center of Riga, in the Old Town for free? How much does parking cost in paid parking lots and Europark parking lots? How can I pay for parking?

Before your trip, read reviews and travel reports from those who have already traveled to Latvia by car. There is always really useful practical information here.

If you are planning to travel to Latvia through Belarus, stock up on fuel in advance! Gas stations in Belarus are only in major cities, and between them there is every chance of being empty.

IN in public places In Latvia it is prohibited to smoke, as well as to carry a bottle of alcohol on the street that is not packaged in a special bag. (the municipal police works very quickly in this regard - the streets of Riga, for example, are equipped big amount surveillance cameras)

Getting around Riga by car is not difficult, but you must keep in mind that many city streets are one-way and there is nowhere to park

Parking in Riga is expensive. If you want to go by car, you can enter the territory of the Old Town for free, but here you have every chance of getting lost along the confusing and small streets. Parking costs in this part of Riga are the highest. For the first hour of parking you will have to pay 8 euros, and for all subsequent hours - 11.5 euros.

In Riga, Latvia, it is customary to leave a small tip to taxi drivers, in hotels, as well as in cafes and restaurants (if they are not included in the bill).

By car you can visit Rundale, Cesis, Sigulda, Tervete, lakes in Latgale, as well as many other picturesque places. Bus service These places are quite inconvenient, so it’s better to go there with your own car.

You should definitely visit! Ride a bike along the seashore, breathe the pine air...