Cruise Port Guide
Riga Cruise Port
Quick answerMost cruise ships dock at Riga Passenger Port on Eksporta iela, about 0.5 km from the edge of the Old Town, so you can walk in around 10 minutes. No transport is needed for the city centre; a taxi or Bolt is a short ride if you need one. Be back at the ship at least 60 minutes before all-aboard, and allow more if you go to Jūrmala by train.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
At a glance
Terminal to centre
On foot
About 10 min to the edge of the Old Town · Free
Walkable to centre
Yes
About 10 min · 0.5 km
Tender
No
Dock port
Typical time ashore
~9h
Check your own itinerary
Buffer before all-aboard
90 min
Measured for this port
Currency
EUR
Latvian
Transport and cost figures are estimates, last checked 16 October 2026.
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When to head back to the ship in Riga
Old Town
Walk, about 10 min
Leave by
16:15
Art Nouveau district (Alberta iela)
Taxi or Bolt, 5–10 min
Leave by
16:15
Jūrmala (Majori)
Vivi train to Riga Central Station, 30–33 min, then walk or taxi to the port
Leave by
15:00
Where to leave from, and when
on foot bus, train, boat taxiPins show when to leave each place. Lines: route back to your ship.
Where people get it wrong: Taking the train to Jūrmala on a short call without checking return train times.
Times count back from all-aboard using the travel times and buffers in this guide. Your ship's daily programme always wins.
Open my full Riga day, timed to 17:30 Get this for every port on your cruise, with alerts on the day Write about Riga? Put these leave-by times on your blog, freeTransport: Riga Passenger Port (Freeport of Riga) to the Old Town
Riga is one of the easiest Baltic calls. The passenger port sits on the Daugava river right next to the Old Town, a UNESCO-listed medieval centre of churches, merchant houses and cobbled lanes. Beyond the Old Town are the Central Market in former Zeppelin hangars and the Art Nouveau streets around Alberta iela. On a long call the beach resort of Jūrmala is half an hour away by train. The main things to watch are the cobbles, the Baltic weather and confirming your berth, because a ship sent to a ferry or outer berth may have a longer walk.
Walkable? Yes · about 10 min (0.5 km)
Flat and paved from the terminal to the edge of the Old Town. Inside the Old Town the streets are cobbled and uneven. If your ship is sent to a more distant berth, follow the ship's shuttle or taxi advice.
Where your ship docks
- Riga Passenger Terminal, 3a Eksporta iela (cruise berths MK-3 and MK-4) · 0.5 km to the centre — Main cruise berths on the Daugava next to the terminal, taking ships up to 290 m. About 0.5 km from the Old Town. Taxi rank at the pier. The port authority says there is no ATM in the terminal, so get cash in town if you need it.
- JPS-1 and JPS-2 berths · 0.5 km to the centre — JPS-1 takes small ships up to 110 m. JPS-2 is normally a ferry berth used by cruise ships when the main berths are full. Both are by the same terminal. Check your berth in the daily programme.
On foot
FreeAbout 10 min to the edge of the Old Town
Walk south from the terminal along the river towards the Old Town. Most of the sights are within the Old Town, so you can see them on foot.
Tram, bus or trolleybus (Rīgas satiksme)
€1.50 for a 90-minute ticket; €2 for a single trip bought from the driver; 24-hour ticket €5 (2026)A few minutes into the centre
Trams on lines 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11 serve the port area; the Kronvalda bulvāris stop is about 500 m away. The 90-minute ticket allows transfers. Useful for the Art Nouveau district or if walking is difficult. Validate your ticket when you board.
Taxi or Bolt
Roughly €5–10 by taxi, €4–8 by Bolt into the centre (2026)5–10 min
Taxis queue at the pier. Bolt shows the fare before you book. Uber does not operate in Latvia. Use the official queue or an app rather than accepting offers from drivers who approach you.
Train to Jūrmala (Vivi)
Check the current fare at the station or in the Vivi app30–33 min from Riga Central Station to Majori
Trains leave Riga Central Station (Stacijas laukums 1) towards Sloka, Ķemeri or Tukums. Buy a ticket to Majori: there is no station called Jūrmala. Tickets are sold at the counters, in the Vivi app, or from the conductor for a surcharge. Check the return timetable before you leave.
Hop-on hop-off bus
About €20 day pass (2026)Varies
Serves the terminal on many cruise days. Useful mainly if walking is difficult; the Old Town itself is better on foot.
Know your all-aboard time? Build the whole day around it.
Return timing: getting back to the ship on time
Be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard from the Old Town. From Jūrmala, be on a train leaving Majori at least 2 hours 30 minutes before all-aboard.
The Old Town is a 10-minute walk, so the main risk is losing track of time in the lanes or at the market. A Jūrmala trip depends on train times, the walk to Riga Central Station and then the walk or taxi to the port, so it needs a large margin.
If you're running late
Take a taxi or Bolt from the Old Town or Riga Central Station straight to 3a Eksporta iela. If you will miss all-aboard, call the port agent number in your daily programme at once.
A one-day plan for Riga (all aboard 17:30)
Assumes the ship docks at 08:00 and all-aboard is 17:30.
08:30 Walk off the ship and south along the river into the Old Town, about 10 minutes.
08:45 Walk through the Swedish Gate and past the Three Brothers while the lanes are quiet.
10:00 Take the lift up St Peter's Church tower (opens 10:00, €9) for the view over the rooftops and river.
10:45 Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads (closed Mondays).
11:45 Riga Cathedral; on weekdays there is often a short organ concert around midday.
12:30 Walk to the Central Market for lunch at the indoor stalls, or eat at a Lido buffet.
14:00 Tram or walk to Alberta iela for the Art Nouveau façades and, if you have time, the Art Nouveau Museum.
15:45 Head back towards the Old Town and the river, or take a taxi from Alberta iela.
16:30 Back on board, 60 minutes before all-aboard.
What to see in Riga on a cruise day
Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads
The ornate guild house on Town Hall Square, the centrepiece of the Old Town.
⏱ 45 minutes€7 with audio guide (2026)
Tip: Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00, last entry 16:30. Closed Mondays.
St Peter's Church tower
A lift takes you to a 72 m viewing platform over the Old Town and the Daugava.
⏱ 45 minutes€9 (2026)
Tip: Open daily 10:00–18:00 from April to October, 10:00–17:00 from November to March. Tickets stop 30 minutes before closing.
Riga Cathedral
The city's main cathedral, known for its large organ.
⏱ 30–45 minutes€3; organ concerts about €10 (2026)
Tip: Short organ concerts of about 20 minutes run on weekdays from around 12:00. Sunday opening is afternoon only.
Three Brothers and the Swedish Gate
Three medieval houses side by side on Mazā Pils iela, and the only surviving gate in the old city wall.
⏱ 30 minutesFree from outside; Museum of Architecture inside the Three Brothers €3 (2026)
Tip: Go early, before groups arrive. The lanes by the Swedish Gate get slippery in rain.
Riga Central Market
A huge food market in former Zeppelin hangars, with hot-food stalls and smoked fish.
⏱ 1 hourFree entry; hot meals at stalls about €4–6 (2026)
Tip: About five minutes' walk from the edge of the Old Town. Open Monday to Saturday 07:00–17:00, Sunday 07:00–15:00. Watch your bag.
Art Nouveau district (Alberta iela)
Streets of ornate Art Nouveau façades, centred on Alberta iela.
⏱ 1–1.5 hoursFaçades free; Art Nouveau Museum €10 (2026)
Tip: The museum at Alberta iela 12 is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00, with English tours at 12:00 and 15:00 included in the ticket.
Jūrmala (Majori)
The Baltic beach resort, with its central beach and the pedestrian street Jomas iela.
⏱ 3.5–4 hours including travelTrain fare; beach free
Tip: Only on a long call. Jomas iela starts at the edge of Majori station.
Beaches near Riga cruise port
Majori beach, Jūrmala
Walk to Riga Central Station, then a Vivi train to Majori · 30–33 min by train, plus the walk to the station · Train fare; beach free
The central beach of the resort, reached from Majori.
Dzintari or Dubulti, Jūrmala
Same train line; stops either side of Majori · About 30 min by train · Train fare; beach free
Quieter alternatives to Majori.
What to eat in Riga
Grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi ar speķi)
Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs, Peldu iela (Old Town)
Latvian buffet: potatoes, pork, salads and rye bread
Lido restaurants (Old Town and city centre)
Smoked fish, sauerkraut and pickles
Riga Central Market
Medieval-style Latvian dishes
Rozengrāls (Old Town)
Weekday two-course lunch (pusdienu piedāvājums)
Cafés across the Old Town, look for the sign
Ship excursion or do it yourself?
Varies by line
Ship excursion avg, per person
See table
DIY day avg, per person
Depends on line
Saving, per person
Ship tour prices differ by cruise line and change often, so we only show ones we could verify. Check your line's cruise planner.
| Item | Ship tour | On your own | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riga Old Town walking tour | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Free on foot; St Peter's tower €9, House of the Blackheads €7 (2026) | Most of the ship tour price |
| Jūrmala beach and Majori | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Train from Riga Central Station to Majori, about 30 minutes each way; check the fare in the Vivi app | Depends on the ship's price |
Skip the ship tour for the Old Town: it starts a few minutes' walk from the gangway and is easy to explore alone. A ship tour is worth it for Rundāle Palace, which is far outside the city, and for the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum if you do not want to work out transport. Jūrmala is the borderline case: easy by train on a long call, but on a short call or with an early all-aboard the ship's tour removes the train-timing risk.
Common mistakes cruise passengers make in Riga
Assuming every ship docks at the main passenger terminal.
Instead: Check your berth in the daily programme. When the main berths are full, ships may use the ferry berth, and the walk may differ.
Planning on the House of the Blackheads on a Monday.
Instead: It is closed on Mondays. See it from Town Hall Square and go up St Peter's tower instead.
Buying a train ticket to 'Jūrmala'.
Instead: There is no station of that name. Buy a ticket to Majori, the central part of the resort.
Expecting a cash machine in the terminal.
Instead: There is no ATM in the terminal. Cards are widely accepted; use a bank ATM in town if you need cash.
Accepting an invitation from friendly strangers to a bar.
Instead: This is a known setup for inflated bills. Choose your own venue and check prices before ordering.
Safety: is Riga safe for cruise passengers?
Riga is generally safe for visitors. Pickpocketing and bag snatching happen, mainly in the Old Town, around the Central Market and at the central railway and bus stations, so keep valuables zipped away. Some bars and nightclubs overcharge, sometimes with threats; confirm prices, avoid open tabs and never hand your card to staff. The cobbles are uneven and slippery in rain. The Riga Tourist Police can be reached in English on +371 6718 1818 at any hour.
Scams and tourist traps
- Bar and nightclub overcharging: strangers invite you to a bar, then the bill is inflated and visitors have been pressured to pay. Confirm prices and check the bill.
- Card and ATM fraud: use ATMs inside banks, cover your PIN and avoid unusual card readers.
- Taxi overcharging: use the queue at the pier or a booking app such as Bolt, and agree the fare first if the taxi has no app price.
Emergency number: 112
Practical information
Crowds
On cruise days the Old Town, Town Hall Square and the Central Market fill from mid-morning. Walk the lanes and the Swedish Gate before 10:00, go up St Peter's tower when it opens, and leave the Art Nouveau district for the afternoon, when it is quieter. Book ahead if you want a sit-down dinner on an overnight call, especially at weekends.
Accessibility
The route from the terminal to the edge of the Old Town is flat and paved. Inside the Old Town the streets are cobbled, with kerbs and uneven surfaces that are hard going for wheelchairs and walkers. St Peter's tower has a lift to the viewing platform. Wheelchair-accessible taxis can usually be booked with notice, and the Vivi trains to Jūrmala have level boarding at Riga Central, Dzintari and Majori.
If it rains
Rain is common. Spend the day indoors at Riga Cathedral (with a midday organ concert on weekdays), the House of the Blackheads, the Museum of Architecture in the Three Brothers, the Art Nouveau Museum and the covered pavilions of the Central Market. Wear shoes with grip, because the cobbles become slippery, and skip Jūrmala.
Money, language, time
Currency: EUR · Language: Latvian · Time zone: EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Your whole cruise, planned like this
This is one port. Pro plans every port on your cruise.
The day plan above assumes a 17:30 all-aboard. Your ship's times will differ, and so will every other stop. Pro builds the plan from your ship's real times: a timed day in Riga and every other port, a leave-by time for each stop, and a Plan B if you run late. Ultimate adds a live leave-by countdown from where you are on the day. Every plan uses the same checked facts as this guide. Nothing is made up.
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Other ports on cruises that call at Riga
Klaipėda cruise port guide
Walk to townKlaipėda is a docking port: cruise ships berth by the Old Town, about 800 m from the centre, and you can walk in about 10 minutes.
Read the Klaipėda guide
Tallinn cruise port guide
Walk to townCruise ships dock at the Old City Harbour (Vanasadam), about 1–1.2 km from the Old Town, so there is no tender.
Read the Tallinn guide
Visby cruise port guide
Walk to townMost ships berth at Visby's cruise quay, opened in 2018, which takes two ships of up to 340 m; ships that anchor send tenders to the cruise quay.
Read the Visby guide
Helsinki cruise port guide
Walk or short rideMost large ships dock at Hernesaari, about 3.5–4 km from Market Square, so take the cruise shuttle (about 10 minutes) or tram 6; smaller ships use…
Read the Helsinki guide
Riga Cruise Port — Common Questions
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Sources & method
Facts checked against official sources: October 2026
- Freeport of Riga Authority – Passengers
- Riga Passenger Terminal – About us
- Rīgas satiksme – Tickets for a certain number of trips
- Rīgas satiksme – Time tickets
- LSM – Rīga's bus tickets will not get costlier because of fuel (March 2026)
- Live Riga – Visiting Jūrmala from Riga
- Visit Jūrmala – Getting to Jūrmala
- Government of Canada – Latvia travel advice
- CruiseMapper – Riga port
- Redzet.lv – Riga Passenger Port
- App Savvy Traveller – Riga cruise port guide
- Euro City Guide – Riga Old Town guide (2026)
- Cruise Deals Tips and Tricks – Riga, Latvia
- Princess Cruises – Cruises to Riga
Independently researched
None confidenceParts of this guide were drafted with AI and reviewed against the sources above.
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