Taxi Information Riga Latvia

Riga is no different than any other major city in the world. Taxi drivers drive in a manner that you might not approve of and taxis often try to overcharge you.

But that does not make it right !!

We have found that the RED Colored taxi cars (Renault 4 door) have the most honest and helpful drivers. Their driving habits are about the same as the others; but, we have managed to open a hopeful dialogue with the company's management. They have developed a ten (10) step driver safety improvement plan.

Limited English speaking dispatchers for RED Renault cars call: 8000-1313.

There are many other smaller taxi companies in the city and the rates should be the same for all taxis. To be safe always make sure that the meter is turned on and working before you start the trip. If they tell you that the meter is broken, consider taking another taxi. Be aware that a trip inside of the city center should cost no more than 2.50 Latvian Lats.

more about Riga Frequently asked questions

Statistics show that Latvian drivers have one of the highest accident rates in the modern world.

This combined with a typical taxi driving style, concerns us greatly about the safety of our visitors.

We ask you to assist us in establishing new and safer expectations for our Latvian drivers especially - TAXI Drivers.

If you are not comfortable with their driving style - please tell them so !

To assist you in this, we have prepared a form with six (6) useful languages phrases that you may show to the driver.

-- click for printable form to show to drivers - written in 3 languages --

Visitor feed back surveys indicate that certain taxis tend to over charge clients more than others. Pickup points that are a problem are:

Riga Central Bus station - all taxis - beware !
LIDO Krasta Centers (street taxis - not red taxis)
Hotel Riga taxis
Hotel Reval Latvija - mostly white colored cars

We have personally experienced that White colored taxi cars from the major company "Riga Taxi" do have the potential to overcharge on trips.

The secret, we have found, to reducing the potential for overcharging is to tell them that you will pay with credit card and need a receipt. But at your destination DO NOT pay by credit card -- pay in cash and still ask for a receipt. more on credit card payment concerns

The "Riga Taxi Company" dispatchers do speak the best English call: 8000-1010

If you are arriving at the central bus station, we suggest that you walk under the street and take a taxi parked in front of Hotel Metropole (Red or purple colored Renault cars)

Or, make sure that the meter is on before you leave the bus station and tell the driver that you will not pay more than 2.50 Latvian Lats for a trip inside of the city center. They will attempt to charge you from 5.00 to 8.00 Ls for a 2.50 Ls trip.

If you are going to LIDO Krasta, we recommend that you ask your hotel to call you a RED Renault taxi 8000-1313. The trip from City center to LIDO Krasta log house recreation center and restaurant should be from 3.00 to 4.50 Ls.

Consider taking Tram 7 or 9 from the Opera House when going to LIDO Krasta

On the return from the LIDO Krasta log house, DO NOT take a taxi from the street. Inside of the property in front of the parking lot close to the security guard house are a queue of RED Renault cars. If there are none there call 8000-1313 from the payphone inside of the main building.

Other taxis have been know to charge even local residents up to 11.00 Ls for a 4.00 Ls trip - beware !.

There is a problem paying with a credit card. The driver reads your credit card over the radio to the dispatcher for everyone in the many taxis all over the city to hear and potentially write down. IT IS NOT a secure system.