Licensed Airport Taxis

Metered cabs line up 24/7 outside Terminal 1 arrivals

Licensed Airport Taxis wait directly outside the Terminal 1 arrivals hall, about a 50–100 meter walk from baggage claim. You do not need to prebook; cars queue around the clock, including late-night arrivals after 23:00. Look for official cars with the “Licensed Taxi” markings and company logo on both front doors, plus a roof sign and visible meter.

Fares vary by operator, but most runs from RIX to central Riga fall in the ~€15–€25 range depending on traffic and exact address. Prices jump at night and on weekends, so a 02:00 ride can come in higher than the same trip at 14:00. You generally pay per car, not per person, and standard sedans comfortably handle 3–4 passengers with cabin-size bags.

Taxi ranks sit on the terminal forecourt road, just beyond the first pedestrian crossing from arrivals. Ignore anyone approaching you inside the building offering rides; walk straight to the official taxi lane outside. All licensed cars display a starting fee, per‑kilometer rate, and waiting time rate on a printed sticker on a rear side window, usually on the right-hand side.

Most Riga taxis accept both cash in euros and cards, but individual cars differ, so confirm before you set off. A typical trip into Old Town takes about 15–25 minutes, covering roughly 10 kilometers, but rush-hour traffic on the A10 can push that closer to 30 minutes. Ask the driver for a printed receipt at the end; meters in licensed vehicles can generate one on request.

Step-by-step from baggage claim to taxi seat

• 1. Exit baggage claim in Terminal 1 and walk straight 30–40 meters to the main arrivals doors.
• 2. Step outside, cross the first small road using the marked crossing, and follow signs for “Taxi” toward the designated rank.
• 3. Choose a car from the official queue, checking for a roof sign, company name, and rate card on the rear window.
• 4. Tell the driver your exact address; for central Riga a street name and number (for example, Kaļķu iela 15) is enough.
• 5. Confirm approximate price and payment method (cash or card) before the driver starts the meter.

One last tip: grab a quick ATM withdrawal inside Terminal 1 so you have €20–€30 in cash as backup in case a specific taxi’s card terminal is offline.