Trip to Riga (Latvia)

[yorkie]

I'm planning a trip to Riga in a couple of months time. This is the first time I've been to Latvia.

I understand that the Soviet era trains are under threat of being replaced; does anyone have any information regarding when the older trains will be withdrawn? If there is a mixture of trains now, does anyone know which services are allocated to the older trains and which to the newer, or is it changeable/random? I may visit again in the Spring if they will still be running then.

For my upcoming trip, I only have one full day (Saturday) and most of the following day free; does anyone have any recommendations regarding what to do?

Are there any scenic lines that should be done? Or any lines which will still be the older stock this Autumn but won't be for much longer?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[JonasB]

New Skoda EMUs are being delivered, but I don't know if they are in service yet. And the 32 ordered are not enough to replace all Soviet EMUs, and no replacement for the Soviet era DMUs have been ordered yet.

 

[peterblue]

I'm planning a trip to Riga in a couple of months time. This is the first time I've been to Latvia.

I understand that the Soviet era trains are under threat of being replaced; does anyone have any information regarding when the older trains will be withdrawn? If there is a mixture of trains now, does anyone know which services are allocated to the older trains and which to the newer, or is it changeable/random? I may visit again in the Spring if they will still be running then.

For my upcoming trip, I only have one full day (Saturday) and most of the following day free; does anyone have any recommendations regarding what to do?

Are there any scenic lines that should be done? Or any lines which will still be the older stock this Autumn but won't be for much longer?

Many thanks in advance.

My recommemdation would be to go to Tallinn (if it's not part of your itinerary already), it is a much nicer city. I haven't done too much train travelling in the baltics; last time I was there it was not easily doable to travel to either Lithuania or Estonia by train. Flixbus is available, however.

 

[dutchflyer]

Except that EEstti/Tallinn since some years only has new stock. So IF youre main aim is to see/experience these old Russky stock, then its Latvia-and a few minor pockets in Lithuania too.
Was myself again in Vilnius/Lit a few weeks ago and was really surprised as to how much in favour this town has also changed since they all joined the EU. Might perhaps also apply to Riga, which indeed has a nasty reputation to be a base for english boozers.
There are NO persons trains over any of the borders between these 3 new Baltic states. Besides Flix (use that only as last resort) there are at least 2 more frequent and dependable local others. I used myself such a one from Warszawa to Vilnius-bus continued onto Riga.

 

[Segedunum]

There are trains between Rīga and Valga so it's incorrect to say that there are no trains over the border between any Baltic state. It is indeed possible to travel Rīga-Tallinn in a day.

Back to the original question, I wouldn't say that there are any particularly scenic lines in Latvia. The one of interest would probably be the one out to Tukums-2, where you can stop off at the seaside town of Jūrmala (the nearest station is Dubulti). This line is electrified so you'll be getting the more "endangered" ER2 units. The electric units also go to Jelgava, Aizkraukle and Skulte, among others. Anything going a long way (Daugavpils, Valmeira, Valga, etc) will be diesel.

On-train staff can be quite brusque, shall we say, especially compared to the other Baltic states, and English is rarely spoken. But, the best option for buying tickets is the "Viliciens" app anyway, which does eTickets, both in the app and to your inbox.

As for Rīga itself, there are plenty of free (or cheap) museums about the Soviet occupation if you're interested in the history of Latvia and how it became independent once more. There are a couple of tram lines too, which have a mix of older Tatras and newer Škoda ones, similar to what you'd see in the likes of Prague.

I personally think its a beautiful wee city. Yes, not as expansive as Vilnius or Tallinn, but plenty to see for a short weekend break. I quite liked "Two More Beers" as a place to stop off for food and drink - I had a couple of their craft beers and some traditional dumplings.

 

[SeanG]

You may be aware, but there is a railway museum quite close to the centre of the city, to the southern side of the river. There are regular busses there but its only 10 minutes or so walk. Its €5 to go in so not too expensive

https://www.railwaymuseum.lv/en

 

[dlj83]

In terms of food check out Lido Restaurants, traditional Latvian food at great prices.

I took a tram to the Latvian Museum of Railways. It was interesting.

Lastly if you are looking for a cheap but decent hotel I stayed in The Hotel Multilux

I look forward to seeing pictures if you post some.

 

[SeanG]

+1 for Lido

I stayed in the Wellton Riga opposite the station and market and it was cheap with good railway views too!

 

[Zamracene749]

Hi Yorkie,
It's a couple of years since I last visited, but as far as I know, for a ride out, Sigulda is still served by locally built DR1A soviet style units. It is an OK place to visit, with a cable car over the gorge, nice cafes etc.
I'd also second a trip to Jurmala if the weather is good, the beaches are just stunning as are the old wooden houses etc. I believe this line is due to recieve new Skoda units imminently, so the sooner the better if you want to hear the howl of those old electric units!
Within the city, I'd recommend a tram ride out to Mezaparks and a walk around the pretty forested lakeside. The journey itself is hardly magical but it is a decent ride and wide (5ft) gauge Tatra T3SU trams are still in use, these are due to be replaced by november. Off topic, after all the travel, Folkklub Ale Pagrabs is cool for good food and music in the evening. Further out, Zobens un Lemess is a really welcoming rock/ beer / music bar too. HTH

 

[gingerheid]

The new trains are delayed Story

Sigulda was my first diesel railway trip in Latvia, and it's a great practical trip for a short visit, with a nice balance of frequent departures and a pretty destination. Jurmala can fit into the same day, and is likewise a pretty place with regular services.

For something more adventurous Liepaja is a nice journey... If you're there a day it happens! It could well be worth doing one direction by coach if you can do the other by train! Although Liepaja's trams are new, they are unusual and might also be of interest.

If the times happen to fit into your trip (which is sounding tricky...) and it's your sort of thing, I'd recommend the trip on the narrow guage railway from Gulbene to Aluksne. Gulbene is... Running theme... Hard to get to by train. But if it happens to work then it might be the most interesting option from a railway point of view (one leg of the trip to Gulbene by bus might be worth it, but probably not two).

And Lido is amazing.

 

[Chrisbolton]

Slightly off topic but there is an abandoned town (Skrunda), however I went back in 2018, as far as I can see it has been taken over by the military but might be worth a look (It is a car ride away though)