A trip to Riga: do Russians need a foreign passport? Trip to Riga: necessary documents, travel time, reviews Independent trip to Riga

1. Buying tickets There are at least three ways to get from Moscow to Riga: by plane, by train, by bus.
A direct flight from Moscow to Riga (for example, with the Latvian company Air Baltic) takes about 1.5 hours + time at the airport. Tickets can be booked online several months in advance. This is convenient if you plan your trip in advance.
Sales of train or bus tickets open 45 days before departure.
The Moscow-Riga train departs from Rizhsky Station once a day - in the evening, around 20.00. And arrives in Riga around 10.00 am. The schedule is convenient: you have time to drink tea and sleep; At about 6.00 am you go through Russian customs, then Latvian. The return train Riga-Moscow leaves at about 16.00 (local time), you go to customs at 23.00 and 0.00, respectively. And the train arrives in Moscow around 11.00. Tickets cannot be called cheap. The price of a compartment is comparable to air tickets.
We booked tickets on the Russian Railways website. To do this, it is enough to have a valid passport and bank card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.). It is better to register on the site in advance. The sale opens at 10.00 Moscow time (since the rules may change, it is better to check on the website before purchasing). We bought Moscow-Riga tickets for December 27, 2011 without any problems. But with tickets Riga-Moscow on January 4, 2012 it turned out to be more difficult. Having started issuing tickets at 10.00, by the time we selected our seats, we were able to grab one of the last compartment seats. Apparently there was great demand for this day from travel agencies.
When purchasing tickets, you can register electronically. In this case, you do not need to go to the ticket office and get a paper copy of the ticket. It is enough to present your passport to the conductor upon boarding. But be careful when purchasing tickets! Last name, first name and passport number must be entered without errors, otherwise there will be problems with boarding.
Bus transportation to Riga is provided by Ecolines. The journey takes about 18 hours. This is the cheapest travel option and probably the least comfortable. We didn’t even consider it for ourselves, because... in November the company had not yet provided information about tickets for the New Year holidays.

2. Booking a hotel Once the tickets have been purchased and the exact travel dates are known, you can start booking the hotel. This is also easy to do via the Internet.
I started my search on booking sites and was horrified to discover that the last rooms in most desirable hotels had been sold out just a few hours ago. Since it was the New Year holidays, there was great demand for hotels. Then I started writing by e-mail directly to the hotels themselves. Sent letters to 10-12 hotels in Russian and English. And to my joy I received positive responses from 7-8 hotels. Moreover, many answered in Russian. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that there were vacancies in those hotels that, according to booking and similar sites, no longer had vacancies. So I advise you to immediately contact the hotels directly. Writing a standard request text takes a couple of minutes and sending it out a few more minutes. And then you calmly wait for the answers and choose the best one from the proposed options.
As for the location, in my opinion, hotels in the Old Riga (Vecriga) area will be optimal for tourists. Here you can find accommodation for every taste: from cheap hostels to luxurious 5-star hotels. We chose the Forums Hotel. Many positive reviews have been written about it on the turbine and other sites, I will not repeat it. Location, service, room condition - everything is good. The only thing: next to the Forums there is a fenced-off construction site, so it may be noisy there in the coming months.
When booking a hotel, you need to pay for the first night (this is a standard condition, but some hotels require full payment for the entire period at once). Next, you will receive confirmation by e-mail from the hotel about your room reservation, which you will need when applying for a visa.

3. Applying for health insurance The next step is to obtain health insurance. There is a list of accredited insurance companies on the website of the Latvian Embassy. Taking out insurance takes a little time and money.

4. Obtaining a visa A list of documents required to obtain a visa has been published on the website of the Latvian Embassy. This is a form (filled out in Russian), confirmation of hotel and ticket reservations, confirmation of funds (work certificate, bank card statement, sponsorship letter, etc.), medical insurance, photographs. In any case, you need to clarify this information before registration, because the rules change periodically.
You must apply for a visa no later than 7-10 days before the start of your trip.
At the beginning of December, when we collected all the documents, the queues at the Latvian Embassy were about 300 people a day.
There is another legal option for applying for a visa to Latvia - through the company Pony Express. The difference is that you do not go early in the morning to queue at the embassy, ​​but arrive at one of the offices of this campaign at a convenient time and submit documents there. When accepting documents, Pony Express employees look through your papers and tell you if something is missing or something is superfluous. The visa fee is also paid there (by card or in cash in rubles). Plus you will have to pay for Pony Express services (about 30 euros). The courier will deliver the passport with the completed visa to the specified address - home or office.
Before the New Year, there are also queues at Pony Express, but not as big as at the embassy.
You can apply for a visa not only for yourself, but also for close relatives (if you are traveling together). In this case, you need to take with you a document confirming your relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) and, of course, your relative’s Russian passport.

5. Information preparation After all the hassle with paperwork is completed, the visa is safely stamped in the passport, we set ourselves up for a pleasant vacation and collect information about Riga and Latvia.
I recommend these sites: http://www.liveriga.com, http://www.latvia.travel/ru/.
And of course my favorite turbine :)
As for currency exchange, we used the advice given on the turbine forum and went with a bank card. We used the card to pay in hotels, shops, and restaurants. Cash was withdrawn from ATMs. Very comfortably! But you can also take euros, dollars or rubles in cash and change them at exchange offices.
From Riga we ourselves went to Jurmala and Sigulda by public transport. To Jurmala - half an hour by train. To Sigulda - an hour by bus. Such trips are 15-20 times (!!) cheaper than organized excursions. True, in this case you lose the opportunity to listen to the guide, hang out in a group, wait for late tourists, etc. But as you know, everyone has their own taste.

When calculating the cost of a holiday in Riga, consider the following types of expenses:

Visa- consular fee 35 EUR per person. If you apply for a visa in a city where there is no Latvian consulate, you will have to pay about 30 more EUR for intermediary services, for example, contact the Pony Express service. Add to this the cost of health insurance - approximately 1-2 EUR per person per day.

Transport- the cheapest way to get to Riga is by bus (from 25 EUR - from Minsk, from 50 EUR - from Kyiv, from 25 EUR - from Moscow), air travel will cost 100 EUR or more.

The next thing that affects the price of a holiday in Riga is cost of living in hotels. Prices in the city range from 10 EUR in a hostel to a thousand euros in a luxury hotel during the New Year holidays.

When thinking about a holiday for two in Riga, don’t forget about nutrition- a hot dish in inexpensive restaurants will cost 5-10 EUR; for coffee and cake, expect to pay 4-10 EUR. If you plan to cook yourself, read reviews from tourists about holidays in Riga, or even better, from local residents, to find out the “geography” of inexpensive shops. The cost of food in Riga is approximately as follows: from 0.5 EUR per loaf of bread, milk - 0.7-1 EUR, sausage - from 3 EUR, cheese - from 4-6 EUR, 10 eggs - 0.9-1 EUR.

By refusing the services of tour operators (by booking a hotel room on your own, arranging for insurance and visas, planning excursions), you can save 30-50%.

One of the most popular types of recreation among Russians is the beach. Turkey and Egypt, as well as Greece, Tunisia and Thailand occupy leading positions in But sooner or later there comes a time when you want something new. A trip to Riga may well help fulfill this need.

So, the exact direction has been chosen. Half the battle is already done. But don't rush. Before you happily pack your bags, charge your digital camera and look forward to new experiences, you should familiarize yourself with important information about Riga.

Tourist town

When it comes to choosing a vacation destination, it’s easy to get confused. After all, the world is so huge! And every corner of it offers its own, completely unique flavor. When an even tan and idle time on the beach are no longer pleasing, you can go on a trip to Riga.

Riga, capable of enchanting and bewitching with its medieval beauty, warmly opens its doors to every traveler. This city amazingly combines the mystery of ancient buildings and the irrepressible energy of modernity. History buffs will undoubtedly be interested in long, leisurely walks along the ancient streets. Where, if not in Riga, can you admire the lush greenery of numerous parks and squares, lovingly maintained in amazing order! And after the promenade, you can have a couple of drinks in one of the cozy bars, of which you will meet many along the way.

However, anyone who decides that Riga is a small town stuck somewhere in the past would be mistaken. This is a real metropolis, living a busy life. It is both similar and different from its “brothers” - Tallinn and Vilnius. There is a place to have fun in a noisy company, or go shopping.

It would seem, how can one harmoniously combine the vibrant nightlife and the beautifully preserved medieval appearance of the city? However, Riga succeeds brilliantly.

Such an incredible mix will help you not to remain indifferent and happily welcome your guests again, many, many times.

What is important to know about Riga

Before visiting Riga, it would be a good idea to learn a little about its history and features. Riga is the capital of Latvia, and also the recognized cultural capital of Europe. This is the largest Baltic city. At the time of Latvia's entry into the Russian Empire, it occupied an important place both in the industrial, commercial and cultural spheres.

Riga is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The city has many park areas, public gardens, and ponds, which makes it incredibly beautiful and conducive to walking.

The climate is moderate, the weather will be pleasant both in winter and summer.

Until 1990, Riga was the most populous city in the Baltic states. However, after that the population thinned out considerably due to emigration.

If you look at the national composition, the majority of the population is Latvians, with slightly fewer Russians living in Riga.

Interesting places to visit

Upon arrival in another country, you want to get acquainted with the most interesting places, look at the unique architecture and monuments. There is a lot to visit in Riga. And here is a small list of must-see places to make your trip to Riga memorable for a long time:

• Connoisseurs of beauty will love the Jewelry Museum. This is a kind of private collection of a family of local jewelers who have been collecting national jewelry for 20 years. There are both copies made by the owners of the Museum and real ancient originals.

• It is absolutely unforgivable to visit Riga and not visit the Town Hall Square. The square is the ancient center of the city. This is a very busy place. Notable features are the Town Hall and the House of the Blackheads.
• The magnificent Botanical Garden is accessible to visitors all year round. Not only representatives of the Latvian flora grow there, but also many species of exotic plants. Wildlife lovers will love visiting this wonderful place. Paid entrance.
• Once on Town Hall Square, you can’t help but notice the mysterious Despite the frightening name, its history is quite prosaic. Connoisseurs of unique architecture are recommended to look at this building. True, you won’t be able to get inside. The office has been located there since 2012
• If we talk about houses, there are many interesting ones in Riga. One of these is the Cat's House. It is notable for the fact that the spiers of its towers are decorated with figures of black cats. Hence the name.
• Everyone remembers the cartoon about the Bremen Town Musicians from childhood. So, in Riga you can look at the monument to the famous four. They also say that if you rub their noses, your wishes will come true.
• No self-respecting traveler will pass by Old Riga. This is a whole area - the oldest part of Riga. Here you can visit Riga Castle, St. James and many other attractions.
• By the way, the Dome Cathedral is famous for its organ concerts. And also a very complex architectural style - a mixture of different directions in architecture.

• Another point is the Verman Garden. Green alleys with fountains are combined here with nightclubs. You can stay until the morning!

This is not a complete list of places that will be interesting to visit. It is impossible to list all the parks, small public gardens, museums and modern art galleries. At every step you can completely accidentally come across a wonderful, amazing corner. But, as numerous reviews testify, a trip to Riga will be remembered by every guest for a long time.

What documents are needed

Those wishing to travel to Riga for tourism purposes should remember that Latvia is part of the European Union. This means that a foreigner will need to obtain a Schengen visa in order to easily enter the country.

The question naturally arises: what documents are needed to travel to Riga?

First of all, it’s worth clarifying that there are several types of visas:

• Upon receipt of such a visa, the traveler also receives the right to travel through the territories of all countries included in Schengen. Usually, it is considered as a travel visa, which is very convenient.
• Transit visa. This visa is designed to allow a traveler to transfer from one plane to another when the flight is not direct. However, the visa does not give the foreigner the right to leave the airport.
• Long-term visa. Almost a kind of alternative to a residence permit. The holder of such a visa receives the right to stay on the territory of a foreign state for a period of over 90 days and up to 6 months.

If the main goal is to visit the country as a tourist, a Schengen visa is the best choice.

So, to get a visa to travel to Riga, you will need:

• Fill out the form. If you are planning a vacation with the whole family, then you need to fill it out for each family member.
• International passport.

• Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. If a minor is receiving a visa, then instead of a passport, you must provide a birth certificate.
• Insurance policy. It must cover more than 30,000 euros. And it is valid on the territory of any country included in Schengen.
• Two color - standard size photos.
• Any confirmation of intentions to visit Riga. For example, this could be air tickets or a hotel room reservation.
• Bank account statement.
• Receipt of payment of the consular fee.

Additional documents

This list is basic, but not exhaustive. Additional documents may be required if a foreigner plans to visit Riga for employment.

How to get there from St. Petersburg

There are several ways to get to Riga. For example, some people choose to travel to Riga by car. It all depends on which city will serve as the starting point. From St. Petersburg, a trip to Riga is offered via Pskov.

The roads are not very busy, so the journey will be relatively quick. You should refuel before departure, as there are very few gas stations after the border.

On the way to Riga you will have to cross the border with Estonia. The queue must be booked through the online service in advance. The procedure may be lengthy.

How to get there from Moscow

If you go on a trip to Riga from Moscow, then the route along the M9 highway is recommended. The distance will be about 950 kilometers. And in terms of time, a trip to Riga from Moscow by car will take on average 12 hours. The road surface is ok. According to reviews, there are not many cafes and gas stations on the highway. Crossing the border takes a long time. Under heavy load up to 8 hours.

There is another option to go along the M1 highway, through Belarus.

When traveling to Riga by car, it is important to take into account the rules of Latvia. Thus, motorists there are prohibited from using radar detectors. And it’s better to put a reflective vest in the car.

Railway

A trip to Riga is also possible by train. It should be noted that not every route can be direct, without transfers. So, for example, a trip from Tallinn to Riga by train is possible with transfers in St. Petersburg or Moscow.

Traveling by car

To travel to Riga by car, you need the following:

• Actually the car itself.
• Green card, which will have to be issued in advance. This is an analogue of car insurance, as in Russia OSAGO.
• Without a Schengen visa, you will not be allowed into Latvia, which is part of the EU.
• A navigator for traveling along unknown routes will be a good assistant.
• Cheerful company and good mood!

Travel by bus to Riga

You don’t have to be torn between choosing a plane or a train. Traveling to Riga by bus will be the most convenient option for many.

For example, there is a direct bus from St. Petersburg several times a day. Such a ticket will cost about 3,000 rubles, and the journey will take about 12 hours. You can take up to three bags with you. We offer comfortable buses with free Wi-Fi and sockets for charging gadgets.

Getting from the capital will be somewhat more difficult. The bus runs once a day, the ticket price is higher, and the travel time will take up to 15 hours.

A few words about cellular communications

When traveling abroad you cannot do without cellular communication. In Latvia, you can purchase a SIM card using a prepaid card, which is easy to find at every kiosk, at train stations and even in supermarkets. This will make calls abroad even more profitable.

In Riga, the main mobile operators are TELE2 and LMT.

Free and paid Wi-Fi networks are also widespread in Riga. In many public institutions you can easily connect and use the Internet.

Gastronomic certificate

When you visit another country, it will be interesting to get acquainted with its gastronomic features. There are many different restaurants in Riga that will gladly treat guests to their national dishes, which are sometimes quite surprising.

Although Latvian and Russian cuisines partly resemble each other, it will nevertheless be unusual for a Russian traveler to taste beetroot soup. Unlike the usual dish, in Riga this soup is served cold. It can be found on the menu called aukšta zupa.

In general, Latvian cuisine is replete with unusual dishes and food combinations. And yet, after lunch at any restaurant or cafe, satiety is more than guaranteed. What is the Latvian onion bug worth? The unusual dish turns out to be steak, which is served in Riga with a special onion sauce. And for dessert you can treat yourself to bouberte. There is no need to be scared, this is an incredibly tasty semolina porridge that everyone was probably fed with in childhood. Only here they like to combine it with whipped cream, sometimes adding a handful of nuts and cranberry sauce. Few people will refuse such porridge!

The most common product in Latvian cuisine is, perhaps, fish. It is used here in all possible forms. There are fish casseroles with vegetables, and fried herring, served with the already familiar onion sauce, and the same herring, only baked on coals. As well as many types of sandwiches and salads. You can try salmon in a variety of forms literally at every step.

If we talk about drinks, Riga will also present a few surprises. Jelly is very popular here. They are distinguished by such variety that you can taste both sweet honey and sour ones, made from peas or oats with the addition of curdled milk. In addition, bread kvass is very popular.

Among alcoholic drinks, the most famous is Riga Black Balsam. You can't visit Riga without trying it at least once. It is worth paying a little attention to liqueurs. You can try an unusual vodka made from tomatoes. Beer in Riga is very excellent and, like all cuisine, has its own original characteristics.

Refers to the countries participating in the Schengen Agreement, therefore To visit the Latvian capital, Riga, Russians need a visa in 2019. The exception is for foreigners who have received temporary or permanent residence in this country.

You can apply for a visa to Riga either independently or using the services of specialized agencies. In the latter case, its cost increases slightly compared to self-registration. And, in addition to the standard consular fee of 35 euros, you will need to pay about 4000-5000 rubles for the services of an intermediary organization, but you will be able to save time on paperwork and visiting the Latvian representative office.

Types of visas

Schengen visa

A category “C” visa gives the right not only to enter the republic, but also to move around all Schengen countries. Suitable for a tourist trip, visit to relatives or friends. It can be either single or double.

Transit visa

A visa of this category (designated “A”) will be needed if Latvia becomes an intermediate link on the route to a third country. Issued so that a foreigner can transfer from one plane to another while being in the transit area of ​​the airport, which he has no right to leave. A transit visa is valid for 24 hours.

Long-term visa

A long-term visa (category “D”) is required for a longer stay in the republic. Such a document replaces a residence permit and allows you to stay in the country for more than 90 days within six months, and also gives you the opportunity to visit other Schengen states if the validity of the visa is not limited territorially.

Basic documents for a visa

Most Russians prefer to apply for category “C”. To obtain it, you must prepare the following documentation:

Additional documents

Depending on the purpose of the trip to Riga, additional documents will be required. Thus, if the visit to the country is of a business nature and the applicant is an entrepreneur or his representative, it is necessary to provide an invitation letter from the host legal organization located in the republic, as well as a certificate of employment indicating the position held.

Persons planning to work in the republic provide:

1. Medical certificate confirming the absence of dangerous diseases;
2. Original employment contract with a Latvian organization;
3. A letter from the immediate employer confirming that the applicant is a future employee.

If a visit to the country is made at the invitation of a Latvian citizen, then an invitation letter certified by a notary should be attached to the main documentation. The invitation is valid for six months, so you must have time to obtain a visa during this time.

Transfer of documents to the consulate

The prepared documents are sent to the Latvian representative office. You can get a visa to Riga within 10 days. If the registration takes less time, the applicant will receive a corresponding notification.

In some cases (usually of an emergency nature), it is possible to reduce the time frame. In such situations, the visa request can be processed within 3 days.

Significantly simplifying the visa application procedure is contacting specialized agencies. It is important to choose an intermediary company that has received accreditation from the Latvian embassy. Such information can be obtained on the official website www.mfa.gov.lv/ru.

Traveling with children

Minor children under 14 years of age who do not have their own passports must be included in the passports of their parents. A separate visa application form must be completed for each child., into which the photo is pasted. For children over 14 years of age, an additional photocopy of a national passport is provided.

If a minor travels accompanied by only one parent, then from the other it is necessary to obtain a notarized permission for the child to leave Russia. If the other parent is absent, you will need to provide proof of this fact (possibly a death certificate or a court decision).

If a child travels to Riga unaccompanied by adults, permission to cross the Russian border will be required from both parents. It must also contain information about the person who will be responsible for the minor in Latvia. In this case, the child must have his own passport. That is, only a minor who has reached 14 years of age can cross the Latvian border independently. Parents must also sign a document allowing the child to travel independently.

Visa cost

To obtain a visa to Riga, you will need to pay a consular fee, which, depending on the processing time, will be:

• 35 euros for a regular “C” visa;
• 70 euros for urgent production of a visa document (up to three days).

Children under six years of age are exempt from paying the consular fee.

Refusal of a visa

The consulate may refuse to issue a visa. The main reasons are usually:

1. Incorrectly filled out documents or entering false data into the application form;
2. Insufficient funds;
3. The photograph does not meet the established requirements;
4. An expired passport or lack of a sufficient number of blank pages (at least two);
5. The medical policy was issued by organizations that are not accredited by the embassy or its amount does not meet the required minimum.

In case of refusal, the money paid for processing the visa request will not be returned.

Video: guide to Riga