When traveling by private car or making a commercial trip, you must remember that crossing the border with Latvia by car will require compliance with the Law on the State Border of the Republic of Latvia, the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and the rules of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia “On the Procedure for Crossing the State Border by Children”.
Features of the road border of the Republic of Latvia
Entry into the territory of Latvia by car will require the presence, successful passage of customs control and the compliance of the vehicle with the standards of the Schengen Union countries. In this case, a trip to Riga by car and visits to other Latvian cities will be successful.
General characteristics of the road border with Latvia
As for the countries that are members of the EU (European Union), crossing the Latvian border from their side is possible at any point of the existing routes. Citizens of states that are not members of the EU cross the border with Latvia only at the points of location of special checkpoints (checkpoints).
Map of vehicle checkpoints on the Russia-Latvia border
Currently, there are four checkpoints on the Russia-Latvia border. The choice of the place where it is better to cross the border with Latvia by car depends largely on the direction of your movement and route.
Waiting time and queues at the checkpoint on the Latvian-Russian border
The fastest time to pass the checkpoint is about 40 minutes. In the worst case, the wait can stretch for 12 hours or more. There are dry closets in the checkpoint area. You will have to take care of food and a place to rest on your own.
One of the reasons for the formation of queues at the checkpoint with Latvia is the multitude of so-called "fuel trucks" or "gasoline shuttles". This nickname was given to cars that export cheaper gasoline from Russia to Latvia.
Rules of customs control when crossing the border of Latvia
And, finally, the most interesting thing is the restriction of travel abroad for debtors. It is about the status of the debtor that it is easiest to “forget” when going on another vacation abroad. The reason may be overdue loans, unpaid utility bills, alimony or fines from the traffic police. Any of these debts may threaten to restrict travel abroad in 2018, we recommend that you find out information about the presence of debt using a trusted service
Crossing the border is a crucial stage for any traveler. By following the rules for entering Latvia by car in 2020, you guarantee yourself the absence of unnecessary problems and a comfortable stay abroad.
Many independent travelers are concerned about changes in Latvian legislation, in particular, the recent introduction of fines for using foreign numbers on vehicles within the country. Representatives of the Latvian authorities hasten to reassure: these sanctions do not apply to car tourists. So if you are traveling in your own car for the purpose of tourism, you can safely cross the border with Russian and other license plates.
About what documents are needed to travel to Latvia by car, we will describe below, and now we will dwell on a number of other important nuances:
Traveling abroad with a pet will require special preparation. If you are going to Latvia by car with a dog or a cat, in addition to documents and a set of vaccinations, you will need to purchase a carrier and equip your four-legged friend with a microchip. In this case, the veterinary certificate should be issued only at the municipal clinic, and not earlier than five days before the date of the intended departure. Keep in mind that private clinics are not authorized to issue such veterinary certificates. After that, a permit form 5A is issued at the Rosselkhoznadzor, and another necessary document is issued from the state veterinarian - EU Regulation 576/2013.
Another popular question is how to enter Latvia with 82 regions on license plates. There is no need to worry about this issue - the border guards do not have any questions about the Crimean license plates and entry with them into the EU is not prohibited. Recall that some of these numbers were transferred to the use of residents of the 178th region (St. Petersburg) due to a shortage of locals. 
Technical requirements for foreign vehicles crossing the Latvian border
When planning a car trip by private transport to the territory of Latvia, you need to make sure that the vehicle meets the following requirements:
- glass tinting is no more than 25% on the windshield and no more than 30% on the front and side;
- seat belts are available and available for use not only in the front but also in the rear seats;
- no anti-radar;
- a reflective vest, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle are available.
Speaking about whether it is possible to enter Latvia on studded tires, it should be noted that it is possible, but only in the period from October 1 to May 1. In the rest of the year, at best, you may be asked to cut the spikes right at the border, and at worst, you will be banned from entering the territory of the Republic of Latvia.
From the moment you enter Latvian territory, do not forget to keep the dipped headlights on at all times.
Keep the speed in the city within 50 km / h, outside the city - 90 km / h. The maximum speed limit is 10 km/h.
A package of documents for crossing the border with Latvia by car
To cross the border smoothly, you will need the following documents to enter Latvia by car:
- for each member of the group; children under 14 may be;
- for each child, if any, in the group;
- power of attorney from parents in the event of a child traveling in a group without their accompaniment;
- for each member of the group;
- in the amount of at least €30,000 each, operating in the EU;
- for the driver;
- vehicle registration certificate;
- green card.
In some cases, the following official papers may be required, as well as documents for a car at the border in Latvia:
- power of attorney for the right to drive a car;
- inspection card;
- availability of OSAGO and CASCO insurance, which may be needed when returning to the territory of the Russian Federation;
- permission to leave the child from the second parent;
- hotel booking confirmation.
In order not to get into a difficult situation, experts recommend that you think over the trip and the composition of the group in advance in order to have time to prepare all the necessary papers.
Many tourists are interested in the question of whether a diagnostic card is needed when crossing the border with Latvia. You may not be asked about it at the checkpoint from the Russian side, but they will demand it already on Latvian territory. In this case, the one-time visa will be considered canceled, and you will be left with a poor choice: continue the journey on foot or refuse to travel at all.
The reason is simple: a diagnostic card is not issued for such “young” cars.
For cars older than three years, it is necessary to issue a diagnostic card confirming the passage of a technical inspection. In addition, it indicates the compliance or non-compliance of the vehicle with the safety requirements. Dealers accredited by the Russian Union of Motor Insurers (RSA) have the right to issue diagnostic cards, and only for those brands of cars for which they have specialization.
What and in what quantity can be imported into the territory of Latvia
The total value of imported goods for own consumption and gifts when entering the territory of Latvia by land should not exceed 300€ for adults and 200€ for children. 
In this case, the cost is excluded from the total amount:
- personal, temporarily imported and then exported back baggage;
- medicines necessary for personal use;
- tobacco products and alcoholic products imported in limited quantities.
Currently, when crossing the border with Latvia by land, the following restrictions apply to the import of products and goods:
- no more than 40 cigarettes, 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars, 50 grams of smoking tobacco;
- no more than 1 liter of drinks with an alcohol content of more than 22%;
- 2 liters of drinks with an alcohol content of not more than 22% based on wine;
- no more than 16 liters of beer;
- oil products - no more than 10 liters per 1 vehicle in portable containers and in a standard container for a combustible vehicle;
- coffee and dry soft drinks, in accordance with current EU regulations, up to 10 kg;
- no more than 2 kg of honey, royal jelly, propolis, live snails, oysters and shellfish, milk powder, baby food and animal feed;
- no more than 20 kg of crustaceans, fresh processed fish or canned food;
- no more than 10 kg of sweets, pasta, seasonings and broths in packages, olives and other food products not prohibited for import and not containing more than 50% of fish products or processed eggs.
Objects and products prohibited for import into the Republic of Latvia
The following groups of products and goods are prohibited for import into the territory of the Republic of Latvia:
- meat and any meat products;
- whole milk and any dairy products based on it;
- any fruit;
- Natural flowers;
- parrots;
- weapons, drugs and explosives.
Detailed information on current restrictions and prohibitions on the import of goods and products into Latvia is provided by the Sanitary Border Inspectorate of the Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia.
Procedure for declaring cash upon entry into Latvia
An individual crossing the EU border is obliged to declare cash if its amount is equal to or exceeds 10,000€.
Cash means banknotes and coins, payment orders, checks, bills of exchange, including blank but signed ones.
All available funds are converted into euros at the exchange rate at the time of crossing the Latvian border. If after that you are going from the territory of Latvia to another country that is part of the EU, you do not need to submit a declaration.
Take a sociological survey!
The procedure for crossing the border with Latvia by car
Crossing the Russian-Latvian border by car involves several stages:
- Preparing for the security check at the checkpoint. When approaching the checkpoint, prepare all the documents you have and put them in a conspicuous place.
- Passport control - checking whether you and your passengers have the right to cross the EU border. Its successful completion will be the official mark of crossing the border.
- Choice of red or green corridor. Crossing the border with Latvia by car in 2020 means choosing one of two corridors: green or red.
Choose green if you are sure that you do not have goods and cash to declare with you; red - if in doubt or if you have goods or amounts of funds to be declared.
- Passage of customs inspection. The last step involves stopping and inspecting your vehicle. Stop the engine and do not interfere with the checkpoint staff.
When returning home, the border crossing algorithm does not change. Do not forget that crossing the border with Latvia by car requires compliance with the rules and regulations of the EU, of which this state is a member.
Penalties provided for violation of customs control rules
Despite the high level of development of modern technologies and the competence of customs officers, there are still citizens who are trying to circumvent the existing rules. 
An attempt to violate the rules of customs control at the border with Latvia can lead to undesirable consequences:
- for violation of the norms of imported goods and products, administrative liability and a fine for repeated violation are provided;
- for non-compliance with the requirements of the police - a fine and even arrest;
- for drunk driving (over 0.5 ppm) - a fine of 430-1400 € with temporary (for a year, one and a half or two years) or permanent deprivation of a driver's license;
- an attempt to import an undeclared amount of cash - a fine of 5% of the amount to be declared.
Popular travel routes in Latvia by car
After crossing the border, you can continue your journey by car along one of the popular routes.
- Ludza - Madone - Riga.
An excellent choice for lovers of ancient castles and beautiful architecture. In Ludza you will find an old Catholic church and the ruins of a castle; in Madona - the estate of the barons Marcien. Well, Riga with its numerous architectural monuments will be a worthy end to the trip.
- Daugavpils - Bauska - Jelgava - Jurmala - Riga.
A versatile tour that will introduce you to the culture of Latvia and allow you to have a good rest. In Daugavpils, the Moonshine Museum, the most beautiful buildings of the Protestant church and the Catholic church, the picturesque central park, the Orthodox Borisoglebsky Cathedral are interesting. In Bauska, we recommend visiting the ancient Bauska Castle. In Jelgava, you can rent a pedal boat at the yacht club and walk through the halls of the Jelgava Palace. Jurmala will delight you with opportunities for a beach holiday. A bright end to the trip will be acquaintance with the capital of the country - Riga.
- Riga - Bauska - Pilsrundale - Jelgava - Jurmala
The starting point of this route is Riga. After getting acquainted with the sights of the capital, go to Bauska. Here you will find interesting architectural monuments and the ruins of a medieval fortress. Pilsrundale is a small village, the main attraction of which is the chic Rundale Palace by F.B. Rastrelli. Jelgava will delight you with a walk through a picturesque park with a pond and views of the Jelgava Palace, and in Jurmala you can have a good rest by the sea and relax after a long journey before returning home.
Expenses during a trip to Latvia by private car
The total cost of a trip to Latvia by a private car consists of the following items of expenses:
- registration of permits and visas;
- gasoline costs (average cost of 1 liter - 1.10 €);
- food and possible expenses for recreation;
- additional funds for emergencies.
It should not be forgotten that entry to Jurmala from April 1 to September 30 is carried out only with paid passes. The cost of entering Jurmala by car in 2020 depends on the planned time of stay: 2 € for a day, 31 € for thirty days, 107 € for a full season.
11 facts about Latvia: Video
We mostly travel to Riga by car.
In order to have time to take a walk at least in the evening on the day of departure, we depart early in the morning.
At five in the morning we already start from Moscow
We fill a full tank of gasoline and go!
A few years ago, the road in the Tver region was repaired and it was difficult to drive through these pits and ruts.
Now, finally, this section of the road has been repaired. And you can go with a breeze.
Driving through the Tver region, I always wondered why there are so many villages with the names either Fires, then Iskrino, or Burnt Gorodishche, a lot of names are associated with fires.
After all, you know what you call a ship, so it will sail ..
And so, this time all these "fire" villages passed, and everywhere there was a fire, burnt grass ..
(Photo from car and iPhone)
I don’t know whether they set it on fire on purpose .. But no one extinguished the fires. And the fire area was quite large. It’s a pity for the trees, because their roots also die ..
We rushed to the Latvian border in 5 hours.
Just before the border, they again filled up a full tank, since gasoline is much more expensive in Latvia.
We drove a line of trucks in front of the border, we were lucky - there were no queues to the border guards from cars at all.
We passed the Russians and Latvians in an hour. Very quickly, despite the fact that the Russians had a broken computer and had to wait 25 minutes until the system was debugged.
This time Latvians carefully searched the car. Found food. Two cheeses.
There are two ways from the border to Riga. On one way you can get there in 4 hours. And on the second, which cuts the way and fewer traffic lights, we went.
The speed on the highway in Latvia is 100 km. It is not worth exceeding. Traffic cops often drive in their cars and fix the speed..
On the way we decided to stop and climb the wooden tower. Look at the swamp. Very beautiful.
Closer 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..
Traveling to Latvia by car in 2020, it makes perfect sense. Both in terms of saving money, and in order to expand their own opportunities to visit attractions.
- You can also visit Lithuania. From Riga it is only 260 km along the highway to Kaunas. And 290 - up to!
Such a trip will not take much time: with proper planning, you can meet 5-7 days. Depending on when to go and how many days to spend at sea. And there will be impressions ...
Required documents
To travel to Latvia, you will naturally need passports with. Are you driving? Also a driver's license, a vehicle registration certificate and a Green Card, which is designed to cover your liability in the event of an accident.
- Latvians have gone further! At the border, they check the presence of a valid diagnostic card on a car, that is inspection
Travel insurance policies are usually not looked at. But is it in principle - they ask. However, this is easier: today you can literally on the go. Exactly as many days as the trip will last. The electronic version of the policy is enough for all cases
Distances and border
From St. Petersburg to the nearest checkpoint to Latvia, Ubylinka-Grebneva is 400 km. You can overcome them in 5-6 hours with a reasonable approach to choosing the time to start. To Riga from the border 300 km.
- You can stand in front of the barrier in Grebnev for an hour, even if there is one or no cars in front of you. The locals work at this speed…
More distance from Moscow. 650 km to the marked crossing and 620 to the checkpoint Burachki-Terekhovo. The latter is cursed by many for "unrealistic queues." Perhaps the point is the slowness of the Latvian border guards. They really work slowly and thoroughly.
Products with meat and chicken, as well as cheeses and yoghurts, as well as sandwiches, cannot be imported into the EU. Since there is an opinion about the constant and unceasing epidemics of livestock in Russia. At the border of Latvia, they ask about the presence of such a “prohibition”. After that, they offer to throw away the products and even show where.
However, for some reason they do not check the execution. You reached the tank, threw something, stuffed the rest into your pockets - go further, dear comrade!
The customs declaration at the entrance must be completed and handed over to the window. They are especially interested in the volumes of imported cigarettes and alcohol.
Prices
The cost of the 95th gasoline in Latvia in 2019 starts from 1.25-1.27 € per liter. Diesel fuel prices are more modest: from 1.18 €.
You can have a bite to eat at gas stations on a relatively budgetary basis in comparison even with Russian realities. A glass of coffee will cost 1.5 €, a sausage in dough or a pie costs the same. The latter, however, are sometimes sold for 0.89-0.99.
Where to stay
Obviously, independent travel planning begins with the selection of suitable accommodation. And here those who are going to go to (poor) Latvia are waiting for the first disappointment - the prices in hotels, it turns out, are not junk. This mainly applies to Riga - other cities in the country approach pricing more flexibly.
As expected, the general rule applies: the closer to the center, the more ruinous. However, if you solve the issue of parking your car on your own or agree to the one offered by the hotel (about 15 € per day), there will inevitably be profitable options.
We recommend the well-located Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel with small rooms, but impressive and tasty breakfasts. And one more - Rixwell Hotel Konventa Seta. Occupying a restored old building right in the center!
From the point of view of economy, the Renau guest house should be recommended - motorists are unlikely to worry about the fact that it is located on the road to Jurmala. Fair-maids apartaments and Airport Hotel Mara apartments near the Riga airport are seen as interesting options.
What to see in Riga
The Dome Cathedral and St. Peter's Church, Riga Castle are key attractions. We recommend, however, not to go in cycles only in them. But also to pay attention to - a subject of special pride of the townspeople.
Others in Soviet times actively acted in films - only in Latvia were directors able to find a Western European texture so rare in the USSR. In particular, cult Soviet TV series were created here: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and Seventeen Moments of Spring.
Many beautiful buildings built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries have been preserved. The city even has a museum of Art Nouveau, that is, Art Nouveau in the Russian tradition.
And much more: during the time you will discover a lot of interesting things.
What to see in the surroundings
The Munchausen Museum in the Vidzeme region (strictly north along the E67 highway) is dedicated to the famous storyteller of incredible stories, Karl Friedrich Jerome Baron von Munchausen. Who was first married to the Riga noblewoman Jacobina von Dunten and lived for several years (as stated on the museum's website - the most beautiful) in the manor house that belonged to his wife. Official website: minhauzens.lv.
A beautiful house, a well-groomed park, centuries-old oaks, 300 meters from the sandy seashore… Are there any better ideas for spending a weekend?
Biron's Rundale Palace, 75 km south of Riga, has already been mentioned (rundale.net). Going in this direction, don't forget to visit the Bauska Castle, a fortress built by the Livonian knights to defend against the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (www.bauskaspils.lv).
The well-preserved buildings of the 17th-18th centuries in the town of Kuldiga gave rise to its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Ventas rumba, the Venta waterfall is the widest in Europe. Kuldiga and its waterfall are located 150 km from Riga by highway and can be visited during a one-day tour.
Jurmala
In the resort suburb of the capital, Jurmala, there is a large water park "Livu". A number of attractions are open only in summer, but the entertainment center operates year-round. Pleasure costs 28.9-20 € in high season, discounts are provided in case of a family visit: www.akvaparks.lv.
During the summer season in Jurmala, a large and surprisingly photogenic city, it is definitely worth staying for a few days. Especially if you are in Latvia by car and can afford amateur performances.
Kemeri National Park is located next door. Several hiking and cycling routes are addressed to the attention of visitors. Of particular interest are the trails along the Great Ķemeri Bog: www.kemerunacionalaisparks.lv.
Ventspils
The small seaside town of Ventspils is worth a visit to see the oldest castle of the Livonian Order. As well as the ethnographic Primorsky Museum, dedicated to all forms of fishing. Small, but very cozy local old town. And in terms of the number of sculptural portraits of cows, the settlement has no equal in the world.
Ventspils Adventure Park is sure to please fans of outdoor activities: www.piedzivojumuparks.lv. Let's also pay tribute to the beautiful sandy beach on the seashore, over which the Blue Flag has been proudly flying for 20 years. There is also a small water park near the beach.
Liepaja
At one time, it was supposed to become the main military port of the Russian Empire on the Baltic Sea. Having invested huge money in the creation of forts and piers, the idea was eventually abandoned. What has been preserved today seriously intrigues tourists. Karosta Forts and Prison is a landmark of Latvia: karostascietums.lv.
Liepaja is a city with delightfully sized sandy beaches…
Gauja
The Gauja National Park is the largest in Latvia, located just 50 km northeast of Riga. Forests and rivers, rocks, caves and even castles - all this can be seen if you go to the depths of the reserve on foot, by bike or by boat: www.entergauja.com/ru/.
Sigulda is the main ski resort in Latvia, and even non-professionals can try the local bobsleigh track: bobtrase.lv. You heard right: cheesecake in your hands and forward to Olympic records!
Mežakakis Adventure Park (www.kakiskalns.lv) is located on the outskirts of the city, offering tree walks, and a trip in a cable car over the Gauja River valley (cablecar.lv) will also fill you with impressions.
Sigulda has its own castle of the Livonian Order, but the main fortification nearby is the Turaida Castle, standing on a hill in the thick of the forest: www.turaida-muzejs.lv. Fine automobile carry directly from Riga.
The city of Cesis is not part of the national park, but in fact is located in the same huge forest (90 km from Riga). The romantic old town, which does not meet noisy tourist crowds, and the medieval castle, once the residence of the master of the Livonian Order (ancient Wenden) are the main attractions of Cēsis. Castle website:
Whether you are an experienced traveler or your first time in Europe, you are quite capable of organizing your trip to Riga on your own. Without dwelling on the merits of the city, which we have written about many times, here are five stages of planning a trip on your own.
Planning time for a trip to Riga
Riga is a very popular city among tourists, with more than a million visitors a year, and the mayor's office plans to bring this figure up to 1.5 million tourists a year. And this is with a population of 700 thousand inhabitants, that is, there are 1.5 tourists per inhabitant of Riga.
But still, we hasten to reassure you, even during the peak periods, tourists spread around Riga and Jurmala in such a way that the city may seem deserted to Muscovites.
The best time to visit Riga is from May to August, as well as during the Christmas and New Year holidays. If you are planning a trip at this time, take care of booking a hotel and transport tickets 2-3 months in advance.
In the event that you prefer a calm atmosphere, then we advise you to come in the second half of April, or from September to mid-October.
The tourist flow subsides, but the weather often gives warm sunny days. Plus, hotels at this time reduce accommodation prices, so you can save up to 30-50% of the summer room rate. Below we will share the secret of how to book a hotel in Riga in the most profitable way.
Registration of an entry visa to Latvia
Latvia is part of the Schengen zone, which means that if you have a Schengen visa in your passport, then you can skip this item - the road to Riga is open to you.
If you don't have a visa, you will need to apply for one.
We described this process in sufficient detail on our website in the ““ section, here you can read about the necessary documents, the procedure for filling out the questionnaire and.
Booking a hotel in Riga
Yes, we start with the hotel.
There are several reasons for this - Riga can be reached by various modes of transport, the number of flights per day alone reaches five (Aeroflot, Transaero, Utair and Airbaltic). But there is still a train, a bus, a private car, finally. There are also a lot of hotels in Riga (about 200), however, in the high season, occupancy reaches 100%. Finally, you can refuse to book a hotel, but plane tickets are problematic.
With booking, everything is very simple, without further ado, just go to one of the on-line hotel booking services.
The risk at this stage is minimal, because no one forbids later.
We plan how we will get to Riga
We have already reviewed the most economical ways to travel, which you can read by clicking on this link ().
In our understanding, the best solution is an airplane. At completely reasonable prices, you don't waste a night on the train (with a mandatory rise at three in the morning for customs control), don't waste your nerves on crossing the border by car, and don't shake in the bus for fifteen hours.
Getting ready and dreaming about the trip
The chores are left behind, it's time to plan your trip. To begin with, we are looking for guidebooks around Riga on the Internet.
It is not possible, there are sites, as well as to download to the phone? And you don’t want to buy books - carry them with you around the city later?
Well, it’s quite a reasonable desire, which we meet - on our website you can download (moreover, freely) four parts of the guide to Riga -
No copyright infringement - the guide was prepared by the site and we give you all the rights to use and distribute it! (just don't change anything in the text) The fourth part is coming out soon - "Riga - the pearl of Art Nouveau". We can promise that it will not be the last.
Finally, we have available, advice on where and how to pay for parking .. oh, it’s not good to praise yourself, so we’ll stop here and want to wish you an unforgettable vacation in the most beautiful city in the Baltics!
Traveling in your own car has its advantages:
No need to depend on public transport schedules, look for favorable rates, connect routes (train + buses, plane + bus, etc.)
It is especially advantageous to travel by car with a family or a large 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 visit places where the foot of an ordinary, average tourist "does not set foot".
Before the trip, you can plan the route in advance, think about stops for gas stations, lunch and rest, etc.
Cons of traveling by car to Latvia:
Machine depreciation
- driver cushioning
Of the additional costs - Green card for the car
From Russia to Latvia by car - route options
Volokolamsk - Rzhev - Velikiye Luki - Burachki (border of Russia) and Terekhovo (border of Latvia)
From Moscow to Riga, the shortest road - the M9 highway leads through Volokolamsk, Rzhev, Velikiye Luki to Burachka / Terekhovo. The track after major repairs since 2016 is almost in perfect condition. However, quickly reaching the border does not mean that it is also fast to pass it. It is the Burachki/Terekhovo border crossing that is usually the busiest (more on that below).
Minsk highway - Smolensk - Velizh - Nevel - Pustoshka - Burachki (border of Russia) and Terekhovo (border of Latvia)
As an alternative to the first route, we can offer to leave Moscow along the M1 highway (Minsk highway). Just before reaching Smolensk, you will need to turn onto the road in the direction of Velizh - Nevel. From there, you can already take the M9 in the Pustoshka area and head towards the border to the Burachki/Terekhovo crossing.
Minsk highway - Smolensk - Rudnya - Vitebsk - through Belarus - Grigorovshchina (border of Belarus) - Paternieki (border of Latvia)
Third itinerary. Also leave Moscow along the M1, and after the Smolensk bypass, turn onto the road in the direction of Rudnya - Vitebsk. Then go through Belarus to the border with Latvia (crossings Grigorovschina - Paternieki).
No additional documents are needed (Green card / Green card will also be valid on the territory of Belarus).
Vehicle checkpoints on the border between Russia and Latvia
Checkpoint Burachki - Terehova
It is located on the direct route Moscow - Riga. The passage of this checkpoint always takes longer among 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
Routes pass:
Russia - M9
Latvia - E22 (A12)
St. Petersburg - 460 km.
Moscow - 590 km.
Pskov - 200 km.
Rezekne - 60 km.
Riga - 300 km.
Daugavpils - 150 km.
Up-to-date information about the situation on the highway and the Burachki Checkpoint -on the website of the Administration of Federal Highways of the North-West of Russia
Checkpoint Brunishevo - Pededze
Convenient for those who plan to travel to Latvia from St. Petersburg.
Routes pass:
Russia - A212
Latvia - R42
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.
Not
Checkpoint Ludonka - Vientuli
Suitable for those who drive up to the Latvian border from Nosovo. It is located in the village of Novaya Ludonka, on the fifth kilometer of the Nosovo-Ludonka highway. The throughput of the point is 100 trucks, 380 cars and 20 buses per day.
Working hours: around the clock, technological breaks: 8:40 - 9:00, 13:00 - 13:30, 01:30 - 02:00, 20:40 - 21:00
Routes pass:
Russia - A116
Latvia - R35
Approximate distance to/from the checkpoint:
St. Petersburg - 390 km.
Pskov - 115 km.
Gulbene - 70 km.
Riga - 250 km.
Daugavpils - 200 km.
Duty Free Shops- No
Checkpoint Ubylinka - Grebneva (Grebnova)
The nearest checkpoint from Pskov. The M9 highway passes here.
Working hours: around the clock, technological breaks: 8:00 - 9:00, 20:00 - 21:00, lunch: 13:00 - 14:00
Routes pass:
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
Up-to-date information about the queues at the customs checkpoints Terekhovo, Grebnevo, Paternieki on the website of the Latvian Tax Service:
In terms of the development of electric vehicles Latvia a fairly advanced country compared to other European countries. True, it is somewhat behind Estonia, but ahead of Lithuania. True, in neighboring Lithuania there are already electric taxis, but not yet in Latvia.
By the way, in Latvia, electric cars have the right to drive along the public transport lane, but there are still no promised preferential parking spaces (neither in municipal car parks, nor even 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 - everywhere are free.
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 - A dedicated parking lot for refueling electric vehicles in Riga - at the Mols shopping center
In Riga by car - where to leave the car, how much does parking cost?
Where can I leave a 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 to pay for parking?
Before the trip, read the reviews and travel reports of those who have already traveled to Latvia in their car. There is always really useful practical information here.
If you are going to go to Latvia through Belarus - stock up on fuel in advance! There are gas stations in Belarus only in large cities, and between them there is every chance of getting empty.
It is forbidden to smoke in public places in Latvia, as well as to carry a bottle of alcohol down the street that is not packed in a special bag. (the municipal police works very quickly in this regard - the streets of Riga, for example, are equipped with a large number of surveillance cameras)
Getting around Riga by car is not difficult, but keep in mind that many city streets are one-way and there is nowhere to park
Parking in Riga is expensive. If you want by car, you can enter the territory of the Old Town for free, but here you have every chance of getting lost along the tangled and small streets. The cost of parking in this part of Riga is the highest. For the first hour of parking, you will have to pay 8 euros, and for all subsequent hours - already 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 travel like Rundale, Cēsis, Sigulda, Tervete, lakes in Latgale, as well as many other picturesque places. The bus service to these places is quite inconvenient, so it is better to go there by your own car.
Definitely a must visit! Ride a bike along the seashore, breathe in the pine air...
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