There are several routes for which you can get to Latvia from Russia. However, not all the tracks - good quality. Yes, and on the border it would be nice to know - what the fastest lengthpoints.

Moscow-Riga. Which route to choose?

Many prefer to travel to Latvia on their own car. And cheaper, and more comfortable, and faster, the main thing - to see you have time more (you can plan trips and excursions without binding to public transport). Practice shows - it is quite convenient to get to Latvia through Belorussia, however, the most lively and popular route from Moscow - on the highway M9 of the Baltia.

Skip points at the border. What paragraphs are less than a queue?

It contains one of the most popular checkpoints - Burachka - Terekhovo. Here - a rather a lot of transport is going. Passenger and freight cars - stand in different queues.

What documents are needed on the border of Russia and Latvia?

When intersection state border The following documents will be presented:

Passports with visas, medical policies for each traveling (for the time that is specified in the visa or the term of the first entry, if the visa is multiple). Insurance, as a rule, is drawn up before the registration of the visa is the main thing, not to leave them at home;

The driver's license decorated by the international model (for Russia is international rights);

Documents on the registration of the car, then the power of attorney (if you are not moving on your car);

At the entrance to Latvia, the Green Card is also needed - a green card for a car (for the time of all arriving in Latvia).

What and how much can you import to Latvia?

The list of things that are prohibited for the importation of Latvia is very strict. Especially closely on the border (at the entrance to Latvia) you will be checked / asking.

Trip to Latvia by car In 2020, a completely logical decision. Both in terms of saving money and in order to expand their own opportunities for visiting attractions.

• You can go to Lithuania. From Riga is only 260 km along the highway to Kaunas. And 290 - before!

A lot of time this journey does not take: if competent planning can be met in 5-7 days. Depending on when to go and how many days to spend on the sea. And the impressions will be ...

Required documents

For a trip to Latvia, the passports will naturally need. Going by car? Even the driver's license, certificate of registration of the vehicle and the "green card", which is designed to cover your responsibility in the event of an accident.

• Latvians went further! On the border check the availability of a valid diagnostic card on the car, then you mean technical inspection

Tourist insurance policies usually do not look. But whether it is in principle - ask. However, it is simpler: today you can literally on the go. Exactly for so many days how much the trip will last. The electronic version of the Polish is enough for all cases.

Distances and border

From St. Petersburg to the nearest PPC in Latvia loss-riding 400 km. You can overcome them in 5-6 hours with a reasonable approach to the selection of time for the start. Riga from the border is 300 km.

• You can stand in front of the barrier in the comb, even if one or there are no cars in front of you. Local ...

The distance from Moscow is more. 650 km to the designated transition and 620 to PPC Terekhchi-Terekhovo. The last many klyanut for "unreal queues". Perhaps the case in the slowness of Latvian border guards. They really work slowly and thoroughly.

Products with meat and chicken, as well as cheeses and yogurts, as well as sandwiches, can not be imported into the EU. Because there is an opinion on the permanent and non-emerging livestock epidemics. At the border of Latvia about the presence of such a "prohibitory" asked. After that, they offer to throw out products and even show where.

However, for some reason do not check the execution. You reached the tank, I threw something, the rest was drunk on my pockets - go further, dear comrade!

The customs declaration at the entrance is required to fill and pass in the window. Especially interested in the volumes of imported cigarettes and alcohol.

Prices

The cost of 95th gasoline in Latvia in 2019 begins from 1.25-1.27 € per liter. Diesel prices are modest: from 1.18 €.

It is possible to have a snack at refueling relative to the budget in comparison even with Russian realities. A cup of coffee will cost 1.5 €, the same amount is also sausage in a dough or pie. The latter, however, are sometimes sold out for 0.89-0.99.

Where to stay

Obviously, independent travel planning begins with the selection of suitable housing. And here those who have come together to go to (poor) Latvia, the first disappointment is waiting for the prices in hotels, it turns out that not thrust. This is mainly related to Riga - the other cities of the country are suitable for pricing more flexibly.

It is expected to act a general rule: the closer to the center - the time is. However, if you solve the issue of car parking yourself or agree to the hotel offered (about 15 € per day), favorable options will inevitably find.

We recommend the well-located Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel with small rooms, but impressive and delicious breakfast. And one more - Rixwell Hotel Konventa Seta. Having occupying a renovated old building right in the center!

From the point of view of savings should be recommended guest house Renau - motorists are unlikely to worry due to the fact that it is on the way to Jurmala. The Fair-Maids Apartaments and Airport Hotel Mara near the Riga Airport are in interesting options.

What to see in Riga

Doma Cathedral and Church of St. Peter, Riga Castle - key sights. We recommend, however, not to focus only on them. But to pay attention to - the subject of special pride of citizens.

Other in Soviet times were actively filmed in the cinema - only in Latvia directors were able to find such a rare Western European texture in the USSR. In particular, the religious Soviet TV series were created here: "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson" and "Seventeen Moments of Spring".

A lot of beautiful buildings built at the turn of the XIX and XX centuries have been preserved. There is even a museum of Yuggendistil in the city, that is, modern in the Russian tradition.

And a lot of things: during you a lot of interesting things will open.

What to see in the vicinity

Muunhgausen Museum in the Vidzeme region (strictly north on the E67 highway) is devoted to a well-known storytellor of incredible stories Karl Friedrich Jerome Baron von Munhgauzen. Which was married to the first marriage in the Riga nobility Jacobin von Danten and for several years (as stated on the site of the museum - the most beautiful) lived in a manor house belonging to his spouse. Official site: minHauzens.lv.

Beautiful house, well-kept park, century-old oaks, 300 meters to sandy seaside ... Are there better ideas for holding a weekend?

About the Rundale Palace of Biron 75 km south of Riga has already been mentioned (Rundale.net). Let's go in this direction - do not forget to visit Bau Castle, the fortress built by Livonian knights to protect against the Grand Duchy of Lithuanian (www.bauskaspils.lv).

Beautifully preserved development of the XVII-XVIII centuries in the town of Kuldiga gave rise to turn it on World Heritage UNESCO. Ventas Rumba, Venta Waterfall is the widest in Europe. Kuldiga and its waterfall are located 150 km along the highway from Riga, and can be visited during a one-day tour.

Jurmala

In the resort suburb of the capital, Jurmala, is located large water park "Liva". A number of rides are open only in summer, but the entertainment center is functioning year-round. Pleasure costs 28.9-20 € in high season, discounts are provided in the case of family visits: www.akvaparks.lv.

In the summer season in Jurmala, a large and surprisingly photogyen city, it is definitely worth lingering for several days. Especially if you are in Latvia by car and can afford homemade.

Next door is Kemer national Park. The attention of visitors are addressed by several hiking and cyclersrutes. Personal trails are of particular interest: www.kemerunacionalaisparks.lv.

Ventspils.

A small seaside town of Ventspils is worth a visit for the purpose of inspection the oldest castle Livonian Order. As well as the ethnographic seaside museum dedicated to all fishing hypers. Necklik, but very comfortable local old city. And according to the number of sculptural portraits of cows, the settlement does not know equal in the world.

In Ventspils Park, adventures will surely like lovers active rest In Nature: www.piedzivojumuparks.lv. We will give tribute and beautiful sandy beach At the seaside, over which already 20 years old, the Blue Flag of Blue Flag delivers. With the beach there is a small water park.

Liepaja

At one time, she had to become the main military port of the Russian Empire in the Baltic Sea. Having invested enormous money in the creation of forts and malls, as a result refused. What has been preserved today is not a joke intriguing tourists. Forts and prison Korosta - Signal Landmark of Latvia: Karostascietums.lv.

Liepaja - a city with a fever with sandy beaches ...

Gauja

Gauji National Park is the largest in Latvia, it is 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, on a bike or boat: www.entergauja.com/ru/.

Sigulda - the main one ski resort Latvia, and the local sanny-bobslene route can test and not professional: Bobtrase.lv. You did not hear: the cheese in hand and forward, to the Olympic records!

On the outskirts of the city, the adventure park is located in Mezakakis (www.kakiskalns.lv), offering trees walks, fill the impressions and a trip to the trailer cableway Above the Gauja River Valley (Cablecar.lv).

Sigulda has its own Livonian Order Castle, but the main fortification is nearby - Turaidsky castle, standing on a hill in the thick forests: www.turaida-muzejs.lv. Beautiful car drove straight from Riga.

Cesis city is not part of national ParkBut in fact it is located in the same huge forest array (90 km from Riga). Romantic Old Town in which not to meet noisy tourist crowds, and medieval castle, once the residence of the Master of the Livonian Order (Ancient Venende) is the main attractions of Cēsis. Site Castle:

Updated in 2019! Many thanks to everyone who writes in the comments about the actual state of the track!

In the comments added information about the M9 highway as of May 2019

Date of trip: 04/29/2015

Distance Moscow - Riga (via Belarus): 1020 km

In Latvia, we decided to go on the car, without having so far from this experience driving. Therefore, our route Moscow - Riga and back was with overnight stays, in order to first do not go through the night highway, and secondly smash the long road driving.

I will indicate the place where we stayed, perhaps someone will come in handy.

I will say that we drove through Belarus in the Minsk highway, because After reading the reviews about the direct Riga track, they realized that it was better not to risk. A couple of years ago, she was in emergency, as the situation now, we have not found information, so we decided to go through the tracks of the track through Belarus.

Route

Moscow (M1) - Smolensk (R-120 R-120) - Vitebsk - Novopolotsk (R-20) - Grigorovshchina (border) - Daugavpils - Ekabpils - Riga

Navigator

We used free offline navigator Maps.me. And in principle were satisfied. Without the Internet, it works, the route paves correctly, except for the pair time when he decided to pave a shorter way and led the gravius. Also correctly indicates all the necessary points - refueling, hotels, cafes, etc.

GPS Coordinates of the route Moscow - Vitebsk - Daugavpils - Riga

• Vitebsk55.163437, 30.344174
• Daugavpils55.954601, 26.555401
• Riga56.931758, 24.194587

We left on April 29 in the evening after work, so they decided not to reach Belarus to stop for the night, and in the morning to continue. The hotel was looking for on Bucking, the choice was not great, they chose ("Orange") in Yartsevo (Smolensk region), it is almost on the track. Late check-in here without problems. The hotel has a 24-hour restaurant, where you can eat, and delicious and not expensive. Good breakfast included (from 7.00 am). The room is not noisy, quite normal repair. Everything was fine, except the mattresses, because of which we did not sleep. They are very soft and in bed just savory. With the exception of this convenience, the hotel can be safely recommended for those who need to spend the night on the road. Two room cost 2100 rubles. on booking and 2200 rubles. The price of them in the hotel.

Refueling on Belarusian tracks

It is necessary to allocate a separate moment, because refueling in Belarus is only in larger settlementsAfter Vitebsk to the border of these only three: in Shumilino, Novopolotsk and Verkhnedvinsk. Pay attention to this that there would be a stock of gasoline.

By the way, in front of the border itself, Russia - Belarus shows two LUKOIL refills, but only one, which is located on the opposite side, will have to turn around to reflect.

Border Belorussia - Latvia

At about 8.00 am, we left towards the border on the R-120 highway. The Border of Russia-Belarus conditional, mostly not stop anyone. Next, we went to Vitebsk on the P-21, and they left Vitebsk and drove to borders Grigorovshchyna - Patenieki.Because We went beyond may holidaysAfter reading what is happening on the border on such days they were laid on the passage of border control for several hours. But for his surprise, we arrived on an empty border, there was only a separate queue from Four. For us a little later, 2 more cars arrived.

The border without a queue we passed in 40 minutes. This is designed for the fact that we have not declared anything. Sandwiches that remained not eaten pounded before the border, because Act hard restriction on the import of meat and dairy products.

The rules of import of goods are best acquainted on the official website of the Latvian Embassy.

Documentation, which are needed when the boundary is required:

• Green Card on the car (we were issued at the reso) - it costs 2060 rubles.
• Medical insurance
• All documents for the car - the rights, technical distribution, diagnostic card
• Zagran. Passports with existing Schengen visas

At the border of interrogations did not suit, everything was fine.

Traffic police on Latvian roads

Latvia met us with all the courtesy - through kilometers 20 from the border we were waiting for a surprise - they slow down the traffic police for the speed of speed in the settlement. In general, about the number of traffic cops in Latvian roads we were heard. Anti-radars in Latvia are prohibited, so you have to follow the speed mode. In settlements - Max 50 km / h, on the tracks - up to 100 km / h. After a conversation, the traffic cops were discharged "WARNING", i.e. We cost without a fine. Further on the road can not be relaxed, traffic cops are almost at each angle.

C is better to read.

Route in Latvia

Now about the road, i.e. route in Latvia. When we were preparing for the trip, we found a review of one traveler on the Internet - how best to go through Latvia on a car. He advised to go on the bottom and then go upstairs because lower highway There are practically no localities in the border and so you can go faster. We went and drove, although the navigator was stubbornly built the route only at the top. As a result, this road has taken more time than the usual route, first of all because of the quality of the road (it is not very bad, but single-eye, a little broken and wags), and secondly, it turns out more than a kilometer. Back we rode already on the E-22 highway, so we can say unequivocally better.

Riga and Jurmala by car

In Riga is not very convenient to ride the car - in Old Riga You most likely there will be problems with parking or it will no longer be cheap enough. But in Jurmala ride the car is a pleasure - the roads are good, there are no traffic jams, there are many parking and paid and free. Even near the itself concert Hall Dzintari has a big paid parking and close along the road, the main thing is that the place would be.

Little Riga in May 2015 :)

Riga - Moscow: Path back

Back as already mentioned above, we went along the E-22 Riga highway - Ekabpils - Daugavpils. We left at 16.00, before Vitebsk reached at 22.00. Despite the fact that 100-140 km / h still went anyway, the road took 5 hours, thought to reach faster.

Route from Riga to Moscow by car via Belarus

Latvia border - Belarus

From Latvia, we left without problems, on the border before us was 1 car in line. But the Belarusians arrange the inspection. It is necessary to declare at the entrance to Belarus, even one bottle of beer. We did not carry anything from Latvia to avoid excessive troubles. But we looked at the road bag as at the entrance to the Schengen zone did not inspect. Therefore, be prepared for serious pram. control.

Stop in Vitebsk

In Vitebsk, they decided to stop over the night, because she was not impressive to drive around the unwitted track. The hotel did not book in advance, although they tried. On Buking, the hotel of Belarus for some reason is practically presented. A other site where you can book a hotel in Vitebsk as we understand simply do not exist. Therefore, we decided to look in place. Local taxi driver advised hotel "Dvina" (it is on the Maps.me navigator). This is the oldest state hotel with Wahters and all the delights of life at the USSR. Located in the heart of the city, on the river. Rooms are normal, repair is far from one year, but everything is clean. Price for double room 1900 rub. At the hotel there is a restaurant, but it works until 23.00. In it we did not have time, because I had to go to the railway station to change money, there is the only one currency exchange point Later. Hotel staff suggested that dinner after 23.00 You can only go through the bridge in the cafe "Theater", next to the theater. This is a kind of "club", of course very different from clubs in large modern cities. But despite the entire sad look of this institution and its contingent, they have a dress code and in sportswear are not allowed.

View from the window of the hotel "Dvina" in Vitebsk

The next morning we decided to have breakfast, stroll and go home. It walked in the center in search of the "National Cafe" and still found it. In the very center of the city, rolling on Gogol st. There is a pancake, called "Lidski Pancakes". Inside everything is very modest, but pizza on the pancake pancake, which we ordered was just amazing! If you are in Vitebsk, be sure to try.

There is also nearby, probably the main shopping center Cities - Pyramid. There are shops and shoes for local brands and well-known. And on the lower floor there is a large supermarket "Euroopt" products. There you can buy Belarusian products. We took something with you, the border is passed :)

From Vitebsk, we left at 13.00 on the highway R-21 - R-120 - M1. The whole road to the suburbs took 4 hours from us. Then we got into the plug for almost an hour - road works on the Minsk highway + accident. Because of the traffic jam, all the way was dragged and home we arrived at the beginning of the eighth evening.

Costs for gasoline: 8000 rub. On the entire route

Such was our road along the route of Moscow, Riga and back. We will be glad if someone this information is useful. And if you have questions, you can ask them in the comments.

The capital of Latvia is close enough to Russia, so the trip by car from Moscow will not be tedious to Riga. Travel by car is less costly than flight by plane or bus ride.

Own car gives freedom of movement, independence from the route of other tourists and the ability to independently plan their time throughout the trip. So that it goes to successfully, you must familiarize yourself with the route in advance, think over the rest for recreation and meals, prepare a car and take with you all the necessary documents.

List of mandatory documents

For trips to Latvia, the following documents are required:

• Passport with a valid Schengen visa.
• Certificate of birth of a child.
• Driving license compliant with international standards.
• Certificate of car registration.
• Diagnostic card on the car.
• Medical insurance.
• A car owner civil liability insurance policy ("Green Card").

"Green Card" can be purchased in the insurance company no earlier than a month before the start date of the trip. The minimum term for which insurance is issued - 15 days, with its cost for a car will be 1670 rubles.

Since January 2015, the price of the policy will increase by 23%.

Routes travel

From Moscow to Riga by car can be reached on the M9 (Baltia) or M1 (Belarus). The first route is a straight road to Riga by choosing the second way, you will have to enter Latvia through Belarus.

The length of the way to Riga on the M9 highway (its name - Novorizhskoe highway) It is 919 km, without stopping, this distance can be driving in 11-12 hours. The road passes through Volokolamsk, Rzhev, Great Luke to the border crossing of the Terekhnovo border crossing. The advantages of this route include a small number of settlements, when driving will have to reduce the speed. From disadvantages, drivers mark:

• Insufficient density of roadside cafes and gas stations.
• The load capacity at the border of Russia and Latvia.
• Queue for border control on weekends and holidayswhich reaches several hours. Cause - the flow increases russian tourists in Latvia.

Motion on the M1 highway allows 2 options:

• You can move from Moscow by M1 (Minsk Highway), not reaching Smolensk to turn in the direction of Vella-Nevel. In the area of \u200b\u200bempty, you need to return to the M9 track and continue the path in the direction of the Russian-Latvian border.
• Another option involves movement on the Minsk highway to Smolensk, after which you need to turn onto the road to Vitebsk. The rest of the path passes through the territory of Belarus to the Grigorovshchina-Paterleki bandwidth. The queue on the border here is usually less than at the transition of the Terekhnovo bureauca.

The distance from Moscow to Riga in this case will be a little more than 1000 km, the time on the way is 13-14 hours. Throughout the M1 highway, you can meet a sufficient number of cafes and gas stations. The last gas station on the territory of Belarus will be near Polotsk. Given the high cost of gasoline in Latvia, it is better to pour full tank on it. The average cost of 1 liter of gasoline in Latvia is 1.2 €.

Travel features in Latvia by car

Planning a car train to Latvia, you need to consider local rules:

• In the settlements, the maximum permissible speed - 50 km / h, beyond their limits - 90 km / h. For speed exceeding, you can pay from 7 to 570 €.
• At any time of the day, the Middle Light of the headlights must be included during the movement of the car.
• The permissible level of blood alcohol is 0.5 ppm, that is, the driver can drink 1 mug of beer or wine glass. For drivers with experience driving less than 2 years, the maximum allowable level is reduced to 0.2 ppm.
• Studded rubber is allowed only from October 1 to May 1.
• The use of seat belts is required for all car passengers. Penalty for this violation - 30 €.
• Children under 14 years and tall below 150 cm should be transported in special retention devices. The ignoring of this requirement provides a fine of 15 €.
• In the car must be: an emergency stop sign, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit and reflective vest. For the lack of any item from this list, a fine of 7 € is imposed.
• The use of radar detectors is prohibited in the country. Otherwise, the device is withdrawn and the car owner is written out a penalty in the amount of 55 €.

The importation of meat and meat products, dairy products (with the exception of baby food), animal feeds, which contain meat or milk are prohibited into the territory of Latvia.

Without paying customs payments to the territory of Latvia, it is allowed to import:

• 2 packs of cigarettes or 10 cigars.
• 1 l of strong alcohol, or 2 l alcohol with a strength of no more than 22%, or 4 liters of non-sparkling wine and 16 liters of beer.
• Full gasoline tank and 1 fuel canister with a capacity of no more than 10 liters.

Travelers who are carrying excise products in more quantities should pay customs fees. To do this, they need to fill in the declaration, choose a "red corridor" at the customs post and present to the inspection of luggage. Communicable declaration and cash in an amount exceeding 10,000 €.

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Citizens of Russia when visiting Latvia in their car need to collect a standard package of documents: application form, a certificate from the place of work, an extract from the bank about the existence on the account money, Hotel reservation, medical insurance. As well as certificate of registration vehicle, driver's license, green card for car.

Having collected the above package of documents, you can apply for a Schengen Visa Latvia.

Among the documents on the car - copies of rights, technical support and green cards. When traveling on a corporate car, general power of attorney is needed with the right to travel abroad. The power of attorney must be certified by the notary.

Also, border guards may request a diagnostic map of the car with Russian registration over 3 years, since according to the laws of Latvia (and Lithuania), entering the car must have a good condition according to the country of registration.

Editorial "Subtleties of Tourism"

For entry into the territory of Latvia, the following documents are needed on its own car:

• The passport of all participants in the journey with the current Schengen visas (a child under 14 may be entered into a passport of one of the parents; independent trip - Must have his passport and certified by the notary consent to departure);
• Certificates of the birth of children;
• Medical insurance for each participant of the trip with a coating amount of at least 30 000 EUR;
• Driver's license of the international sample;
• Certificate of car registration;
• Green card operating in Latvia. Insurance of civil liability can be purchased in Russia no earlier than a month before the trip, the minimum duration of the document is 15 days

The driver crossing the border of Latvia should have a driver's license with itself, which meets international standards. This is a plastic card, where the name is indicated on english language. An additionally certified in the corporate car is required by the general power of attorney to leave a car abroad.

In Latvia, you can enter the car with toned front side windows (bandwidth of at least 80%). Rear and side rear glasses can have less bandwidth. In European countries, it is impossible to cross the border if there are cracks on the windows of the car, damaged body. If the tinting of the auto glass is factory, then there are no problems.

Going to Latvia by car, keep in mind that there are restrictions on the import of the following things in the republic: in Latvia, no more than 40 cigarettes can be imported, 1 l of strong alcohol and 156 liters of beer, 10 liters of automotive fuel in any appropriate container. In addition, the republic is forbidden to import meat and meat products, including stew.