Travel by car to Latvia. Fast border crossing with latvia. Documents for travel to Latvia by car

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The chimes struck midnight. Groceries are drained. Empty plates of Olivier and red caviar. Fireworks died down. New Year's Eve is celebrated ... But what about the other eight days of mass festivities? Alternatively, go to Latvia by car. Walk around the old Riga, taste delicious mulled wine at Christmas markets, wander through the snow-covered medieval castles empty from tourists. This is what we did.

For a trip to Latvia, we allocated 40,000 rubles from the budget and four days, two of which were allocated for the road, two for attractions. True, I had to prepare for the trip in advance: to book a hotel room in Riga, but most importantly, to get a Schengen visa. Doing it yourself is not at all difficult. Collect a package of documents and go to the visa center of the Republic of Latvia, where you can enter on any working day without an appointment and apply for a visa on a first-come, first-served basis.

To open a detailed route, click on the map

WHAT ABOUT THE DOCUMENTS?

You must bring with you to the visa center a completed and signed visa application form, a foreign passport, a civil passport with copies of the main pages, a photograph for a visa, a bank statement or sponsorship letter, a medical insurance policy, a confirmation of a hotel reservation and, since we are talking about travel by car, documents for the car. These are copies of the driver's license, vehicle registration certificate and the Green Card. And also a power of attorney if the car does not belong to you. Without these documents, an application for a visa will not even be accepted. The consular fee for a visa is 35 euros, plus you still have to pay for the services of a visa center at the rate of 20 euros for one passport.

DOCUMENTS ON THE BORDER

At the border, of course, you will need a passport with an open Schengen visa, a vehicle registration certificate, a "Green Card", a power of attorney, and if your car is older than three years, you must have a diagnostic card with you. Without it, the car will not be allowed into the territory of Latvia.

ROAD

At 5:30 in the morning we threw our things into the Volkswagen Golf and, while Moscow was sleeping soundly asleep, we drove towards Riga. Alas, the road services also slept that early morning on January 2, so the Moscow Ring Road and Novorizhskoye Highway were thoroughly covered with snow.

Almost all highways are in good condition, only the last 50 kilometers to the border have absorbed all the traditional jokes about roads in Russia. I was thoroughly annoyed by the brown mass of snow, reagents and sand, which adhered to the body and glass of "Golf" in a thick layer, and, of course, stones and dirt flying from under the wheels of cars. In Latvia, although there are roads of average quality, they are usually clean.

Throughout almost the entire Moscow region, the speed limit is 110 km / h, then 90 km / h, but there are short sections with a limit of 70 km / h. In Latvia, the permitted speed in cities is 50 km / h, on country roads 70 and 90 km / h. Signs are common.

The shortest way to Riga runs through the customs post of the Burachki checkpoint - 600 km along the Novorizhskoe highway through the Moscow, Tver and Pskov regions, and then a little more than 300 km from the border to Riga itself. However, it is not a fact that this route will be the fastest. Even on a snow-covered road with stops for coffee and a gas station, we arrived at the border at 13:00, and there were only fifteen cars in front of us. But we entered the territory of Latvia only four hours later. And this is not a record. It happens that they lose 7-8 hours at the border. This can partly be explained by the slowness of the employees, and partly by poorly organized checkpoints. I can definitely say: the sooner you reach the border, the less time you will spend on passing it. For example, on the way back we passed it in 40 minutes: at 10 am Moscow time there were no cars in either direction.

There is one more way - through the Shumilkino checkpoint on the Russian-Estonian border. According to reviews, it is almost always free there, and only about 60 km will be added to the total length of the route from Moscow to Riga. But no one will give any guarantees that you will not waste a lot of time there. Most importantly, remember that if you are going to Riga through Estonia in someone else's car, the power of attorney must also include Estonia.

PARKING LOTS, PETROL AND GOLF

When choosing a hotel in Riga, do not forget to pay attention to the availability of parking. The closer to the center, the less chances for free hotel parking, and prices for municipal parking range from 1.5 to 4.5 euros per hour. We stayed in Riga at the Kolonna Hotel Brigita in Zemgale suburb: hearty breakfasts, free municipal parking, excellent Ilkrorogs restaurant in two minutes walk and 10 minutes to Old Riga by bus or trolleybus. By the way, a ticket for two trips can be bought at a supermarket or a kiosk for 2.4 euros.

Gasoline prices in Latvia are about twice as high as in Russia - 1.2 euros per liter of 95th. Diesel is a couple of dozen cents cheaper. So it would be appropriate to fill a full tank while still in Russia. In addition, you can take up to 10 liters of fuel in a canister with you to the territory of Latvia. This is what we did, dropping into the last gas station in Russia before the border - TNK, on the left hand, a few kilometers from the checkpoint.

And here I want to pay tribute to our Volkswagen Golf with a 125-horsepower 1.4 TFSI turbo engine and a 7-speed DSG, which, surprisingly, not only coped with overtaking on the highway without problems, confidently walked at a speed of 110 km / h on a dirty highway, but also consumed fuel like sipping a straw bar cocktail bought with his last money. Having entered Latvia with 60 liters of 95 in the tank of the car and in the canister, the next time we refueled in Russia at the same gas station three days later, or a little over 800 km. In terms of the average consumption, it turns out to be 7.5 liters. The total average fuel consumption for the entire trip was 6.5 liters per 100 km.

He also has comfortable for a long journey, moderately dense heated seats, heated windshield washer nozzles, many niches and compartments for change, a spacious trunk, a full spare wheel in the underground, powerful LED optics and good visibility. The reversing camera is not afraid of dirt, as it hides behind an emblem on the tailgate. Of the shortcomings that appeared during the trip, I can only single out the presence in the cabin of only one USB port and one 12V outlet, as well as poor noise insulation of the wheel arches.

And, importantly, Golf returned to the Russian market after some absence with an acceptable price tag. With all the equipment, including a large touchscreen of a multimedia system or a sports body kit R-Line, the price of a test car is 1,569,900 rubles.

WHAT TO SEE?

We spent one full day in Old Riga. It is like an open-air museum, where castles, churches, cathedrals of different centuries and houses of merchants are collected. Each has its own rich and interesting history. German crusaders, Swedes and Russian monarchs left their significant mark here at different times. If you want not just to contemplate, but also to learn the history, and a guide is not suitable for you for various reasons, there is a good smartphone app Izi travel, where you can both listen and read about the sights.

Cable-stayed (formerly Gorkovsky) bridge over the Daugava river.

There are many authentic trams in Riga that you cannot find in Moscow anymore.

The Anglican Church of the Holy Redeemer in Riga was built in the 19th century for the community of British sailors.

Be sure to stroll along the narrow medieval streets, go to an organ concert at the Dome Cathedral, discover the secret of the house with black cats, go to fairs and stop by for lunch at a local restaurant. Prices in restaurants in Old Riga are about one and a half times higher than in other areas of the capital of Latvia. But the portions are large. On average, we got 35 euros for two for a couple of large portions of meat with a side dish, a couple of shots of Riga balsam and a couple of glasses of local beer. By the way, I advise beer connoisseurs to visit the Miezis & Kompānija pub in Old Riga, where many varieties of craft beer from various Latvian brewers are presented.

At Christmas markets, meat is fried or stewed right in front of you on an open fire. And what does not go into cooking is used as decoration.

But Latvia is not limited to Riga alone. Therefore, on the second day we jumped into Golf again and went to the city of Sigulda, where two medieval castles are located at once - Sigulda and Turaida. In winter, in the absence of tourists, when snow flakes slowly fall on the dilapidated fortress walls and on the courtyard with the gallows, it is easier than ever to feel the atmosphere of those centuries. In addition, Riga has a large automobile museum with interesting exhibits. And, of course, having arrived in Latvia, one cannot but visit the beaches of Jurmala, albeit snow-covered.

Turaida Castle completely burned down in the 18th century. It has been restored since 1953.

Fireplace and antique lamp modernized to look like LED candles in Turaida Castle.

Sigulda Castle, built in the 13th century at the early stage of the conquest of the Baltic lands by the crusaders.

Our journey has come to an end, but there are still many places left in Latvia that are worth returning there: Rundale Palace, Mezotne Palace, Daugavpils Fortress, national parks and much, much more.

Beach in Jurmala in winter.

There are 4 official checkpoints on the Russian-Latvian border. And each of them can be overcome by private vehicle. However, a trip to Latvia by car can have a number of peculiarities. Some of them concern the border crossing procedure, others - the requirements for the vehicle itself.

general characteristics

Entering the republic in your car means convenience and independence of movement, the possibility of saving (on renting a vehicle in the country and even on fuel - if you fill the tank in front of the border). This will require a valid visa, the passage of the customs control procedure and compliance with the requirements for transport in the Schengen countries.

Travelers should not stock up on food and medicine. Import into the state is strictly limited. But let no one be intimidated by a light trip to Riga - everything you need is easy to buy there. At the first stage, the main thing is to freely and legally cross the borders.

Car checkpoints on the Russia-Latvia border

Since the Russian Federation is not part of the European Union, you can get to Latvia through four operating checkpoints:

For those who leave from St. Petersburg, the most convenient checkpoint will be Brunishevo-Pededze.
You can quickly go through the checkpoint Ludonka - Vientule. People come here from the direction of Nosovo, and the highway is not overloaded with transport.
The queue is what awaits you at the Terekhovo-Burachki checkpoint at any time of the year. The M9 “Baltia” highway is almost always loaded with cars, including heavy ones.
The Ubylinka - Grebneva point is a little less busy, since it is the most convenient way to enter Latvia from Moscow by car through it: the Moscow highway passes nearby. And tourists from Pskov, located nearby, are quite active. In icy winter and hot summer, staying here ceases to seem comfortable.

Waiting time

In case of success, if fuel trucks and heavy trucks do not reach the entry-exit points, you can bypass the checkpoint within 30-40 minutes. However, be prepared that you will have to stay there longer. It happens that the wait is delayed for a period from 12 hours to a day.

To prevent these unpleasant moments, the electronic queue through the EVIS system allows. For 1.15 € for a passenger car and 5 € for a truck, you can book a place in the queue online. The main thing is to accurately indicate the brand, number, characteristics of the car, not to confuse it with the data. You can do this here: https://www.lithuanianborder.eu/yphis/index.action?request_locale=ru Traffic has already learned how to monitor and warn motorists about traffic congestion. Now, the online display of the queue at the Latvian-Russian border can be traced through the customs service: https://www.vid.gov.lv/ru/kravas_auto_rindas However, the appearance of offenders or the occurrence of an accident on the road cannot be predicted. If the waiting time is delayed, there are dry closets, but with the organization of food and places for recreation, the situation is worse, such a situation must be foreseen. But do not overdo it so that you do not have to get rid of excess cargo that is prohibited from being carried in such quantities.

Passage of customs control

The main purpose of the screening is to determine if you are carrying dangerous or prohibited goods. This does not always fit into the formula “weapons, currency, drugs”. Crossing the border with Latvia in 2019 will pass without problems, if no perishable food is found in the luggage, the amount of medicines, tobacco and perfumery products, alcohol allowed for transportation is not exceeded.

To speed up the process of passing the border, the entrants are sorted according to the corridors:

Green - for those traveling without cargo to be declared.
Red - if you are transporting money, goods, souvenirs, valuables that should be registered.

There are also features of passing customs by car, related to the regulations of the procedure itself:

When approaching the checkpoint, prepare all the necessary documents (both personal and for the car and for the cargo), place them so that they can be presented without delay.
2. During the customs inspection, the vehicle stops and is checked. To do this, stop, turn off the engine and let the service staff work.
If successful, when passing the control, travelers will receive official marks of crossing the border and wishes of a good journey.

Vehicle technical requirements

In order to easily and quickly cross the border with the Republic of Latvia, you will have to prepare your car in accordance with European standards:

Tinting glass more than 20% is considered unacceptable.
Studded tires in summer can become an obstacle - you will be asked to "change shoes" of the car.
A child seat is required if you are traveling with a child, as well as a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency stop kit (sign, vest with reflectors, tools).
Good general technical condition of the vehicle, documented.

And, of course, the car must be "clean" in terms of design.

Required documentation package

A complete set of papers should be collected in advance and without haste. Here are the documents you will need to enter Latvia by car:

For passengers:

correctly issued passports;
children under 14 years old fit into the passports of their parents, a birth certificate is presented at customs;
for a minor traveling in a group with an accompanying person, a power of attorney from guardians or parents is required; permission from the second, if one is lucky;
medical insurance policies.

For vehicles:

car registration certificate;
technical inspection coupon;
green-card.

What determines the cost of a green card:

From the validity period of the document: from 15 days to 1 year.
From the type of vehicles: passenger car, truck, agricultural, motorcycle, etc.
Territory of the insurance agreement:

for all states of the treaty;
for a limited list of countries.

Do not be frightened if instead of the usual "Inspection coupon" you suddenly hear "Diagnostic card". In fact, they are one and the same, the main thing is that she is in order. Previously, for a car with a mileage of less than three years they made a concession, now the requirements have become tougher.

If all the documents are in order - your visa to Latvia was not in vain, entry is allowed.

What can be carried

Once again, let us draw your attention in more detail to what can be imported into Latvia from Russia and in what quantities:

Money - no more than 300 € in cash (420 € is allowed to be imported by air or by "river-sea" transport).
Tobacco products - up to 40 pcs. cigarettes and 50 g of tobacco (you can import more by plane - up to 200 pieces of cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco).
Alcoholic - 4 liters of wine; 16 liters of beer, 4 liters of alcohol up to 22% by volume; 1 liter of strong alcohol over 22%.
Medicines - within the limits of personal needs for the period of stay (with prescriptions).

Import rate of goods

Comprehensive information on this matter is available on the website of the Latvian Embassy:

How much does gasoline cost in Riga? This worries many, and the answer is not comforting. As of this spring, the cost of 95-grade gasoline was € 1.272 per liter, and the price of diesel fuel was € 1.182 per liter. Naturally, most make a reserve in order to save.

So, you can bring with you for free:

Full standard capacity (tank) for the fuel of the existing vehicle;
no more than 10 liters per unit of transport in cans or other portable containers.

Alcohol

Visitors under 18 years of age are not provided with relief in the payment of taxes and duties, or exemption from them when importing tobacco or alcoholic products. So the import of alcoholic beverages to minors is prohibited, adults can be imported in the following volumes:

from 0.3 to 1 liter of strong alcohol (over 22%),
from 1 to 2 liters of sparkling wine (champagne, brut, cider); ;
4 liters of wine;
16 liters of beer.

The combinations are different, but the most popular looks like this: 0.3 liters of strong alcohol, 1.4 liters of aperitif, 4 liters of wine, 16 liters of beer.

What is prohibited

As in the rest of the EU, some products cannot be imported into Latvia. Even if you are going to consume or use them yourself. The ban applies:
for all kinds of meat products, lard, fish, culinary products containing these products, baked goods, canned food;

for raw, condensed and processed milk, dairy products, desserts;
for animal feed containing meat or milk.

How to declare cash

Each guest of the country must have financial support from 900 € for a month. When traveling with a large family, avoid the other extreme: it is important not to exceed the allowable amount of imported cash and to correctly arrange it.

In this respect, Latvian rules are identical to those of the EU. So, an amount of € 10,000 or more is obligatory to declare... Cash forms are available at border crossings. You can also download them from the website of the State Revenue Service. You need to fill out in Latvian, Russian and English. The declaration in 2019 is filed along with the rest of the papers.

The procedure for crossing the Latvian border by car

We have already examined how the rules for entering Latvia by car look like, what package of documents is needed and what are the requirements for a car.

Let us remind you that it will be required of you:

calm, even, polite behavior at the border;
timely presentation of all passports and policies of travel participants;
provision of a full package of documents for a car during inspection.

According to the State Road Traffic Law, the absence of the mentioned documents entails a denial of the right to cross the border and enter the republic. An attempt to circumvent the conditions and requirements of customs control may result in a fine, refusal to enter its territory, and even arrest.

Expenses

For travel to Latvia the average budget per month is from 1000 € per person. This amount will include the costs:

for visas and documents,
to pay fees;
for fuel;
for food and drink;
for accommodation;
for entertainment and souvenirs.

For everything, you need to provide a certain amount and soberly assess your tourist appetites.

Popular routes

The most frequent direction of movement when it comes to traveling to Latvia is a trip to Jurmala. This resort with a mild climate attracts many. But from April to mid-autumn, you can get here only if you pay for a pass. Entry to Jurmala by car in 2019 costs approximately 2 € per day. With a discount, this right is available for 31 € per month, and 107 € will cost the entire season.

For those who decided to go to Riga on their own and get acquainted with the architecture of the capital, visit its museums, theaters, parks and cafes, we recommend extending the car trip to Jurmala. You will see old fortresses, ethnographic settlements, Jelgava and Rundale palaces designed by Rastrelli, and, of course, the forest and the sea.

Traffic regulations in Latvia

Do not forget about the differences between local traffic rules. Firstly, you can only drive with the dipped beam on. Secondly, the speed limit in the city is up to 50 km / h, and outside it - 80 km / h. Violation up to plus 10 km / h is considered forgivable - patrolmen will manage with a verbal warning.

All parking lots in Latvia are paid. In the country, you cannot park closer than:

25 m from a public transport stop, crossing,
100 m from the intersection,
50 m - from the railway crossing.

The permitted level of alcohol in the driver's blood is 0.5 ppm. If it is even one hundredth higher, a fine of 300 lats (almost 300 €) cannot be avoided, as well as the deprivation of the right to drive a car in the country for a period of a year. Drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking, and indecent behavior in public may result in a large penalty.

Punishment for violation of the rules for passing customs

In accordance with the Latvian Code of Administrative Offenses, an attempt to smuggle something prohibited, to hide the excess of the carriage limit, the presence of undeclared values and excisable goods entails administrative liability. Individuals can be subject to sanctions from 70 to 700 €, and legal entities from 700 to 7 100 € with confiscation of everything mentioned above. In special cases, a car can also be arrested.

Conclusion

Going on a trip to such a calm and measured country like Latvia, you need to remember two things:

Preserving someone else's dignity, you protect your own: do not argue or argue with the employee, be patient and goodwill.
They don't go to someone else's monastery with their own charter: learn to follow the rules of the country in which you are visiting, and only then will you feel its spirit.

Everything else depends on your responsible preparation for the rest. If you have not lost sight of the paperwork and clearly planned your actions, then everything will work out for you.

Travel to Latvia by car in 2020 - quite a logical decision. Both in terms of saving money and in order to expand their own opportunities for visiting attractions.

You can also go to Lithuania. From Riga only 260 km along the highway to Kaunas. And 290 - up!

Such a trip will not take much time: with proper planning, you can keep within 5-7 days. Depending on when to go and how many days to spend at sea. And there will be impressions ...

Required documents

For a trip to Latvia, you will naturally need a passport with. Are you driving? There is 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.

The Latvians went on and on! At the border, they check the presence of a valid diagnostic card for the car, that is technical inspection

Travel insurance policies are usually not looked at. But is it in principle - they ask. However, with this it is easier: today you can literally on the go. Exactly for 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 in Latvia Ubylinka-Grebneva 400 km. You can overcome them in 5-6 hours with a reasonable approach to the choice of time for the start. To Riga from the border 300 km.

You can stand in front of the Grebneva barrier for an hour, even if there is one or no cars in front of you. Locals work at such a speed ...

The distance from Moscow is greater. 650 km to the marked crossing and 620 to the Burachki-Terekhovo checkpoint. The latter is sworn by many for "unrealistic queues." Perhaps it 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. Because there is an opinion about constant and unceasing cattle epidemics in Russia. At the border of Latvia, they ask about the presence of such a "ban". Then they offer to throw out the products and even show you where.

However, for some reason the execution is not checked. You got to the tank, threw something, stuffed the rest into your pockets - go on, dear comrade!

The customs declaration at the entrance is required to be filled in and submitted to the window. They are especially interested in the volumes of imported cigarettes and alcohol.

Prices

The cost of 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 snack at gas stations on a relatively budgetary basis, even in comparison with Russian realities. A glass of coffee will cost 1.5 €, and a sausage in dough or a pie will cost the same. The latter, however, sometimes sell out for 0.89-0.99.

Where to stay

Obviously, self-travel planning begins with finding the right accommodation. And then those who are going to go to (poor) Latvia will be first disappointed - the prices in hotels, it turns out, are not wasteful. This mainly concerns Riga - other cities of the country are more flexible in pricing.

As expected, the general rule applies: the closer to the center, the more ruinous. However, if you decide the issue of parking the car yourself or agree to the one offered by the hotel (about 15 € per day), profitable options will inevitably be found.

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 renovated 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 on the way to Jurmala. Fair-maids apartaments and Airport Hotel Mara 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 dwell only on them. But to pay attention to - the subject of special pride of the townspeople.

Some of them actively acted in films in Soviet times - only in Latvia did directors find such a rare Western European texture in the USSR. In particular, the cult Soviet TV series “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson” and “Seventeen Moments of Spring” were created here.

Many beautiful buildings have survived from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The city even has a Museum of Art Nouveau, that is, Art Nouveau in the Russian tradition.

And a lot of other things: a lot of interesting things will open up for you during the time.

What to see in the vicinity

The Munchausen Museum in the Vidzeme region (strictly north on the E67) is dedicated to the famous storyteller of incredible stories Karl Friedrich Jerome Baron von Munchausen. Who was married for the first time to the Riga noblewoman Jacobina von Dunten and for several years (as stated on the museum's website - the most beautiful) lived in the manor house that belonged to his wife. Official website: minhauzens.lv.

Beautiful house, well-tended park, century-old oaks, 300 meters from the sandy seaside ... Are there any better ideas for a weekend?

Biron's Rundale Palace, 75 km south of Riga, has already been mentioned (rundale.net). If you go in this direction, do not forget to visit the Bauska Castle, a fortress built by Livonian knights to defend against the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (www.bauskaspils.lv).

The perfectly 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, Venta waterfall - the widest in Europe. Kuldiga and its waterfall are located 150 km on the highway from Riga, and can be visited on 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 is open all year round. The pleasure costs 28.9-20 € in the high season, there are discounts for family visits: www.akvaparks.lv.

During the summer season, Jurmala, a large and surprisingly photogenic city, is definitely worth staying for a few days. Moreover, if you are in Latvia by car and can afford amateur performances.

The Kemeri National Park is located nearby. Several hiking and cycling routes are addressed to the attention of visitors. Trails in the Great Kemeri bog are of particular interest: www.kemerunacionalaisparks.lv.

Ventspils

The small seaside town of Ventspils is worth visiting to see the oldest castle of the Livonian Order. And also the ethnographic Primorsky Museum, dedicated to all the hypostases of the fishing business. The local old town is small, but very cozy. And in terms of the number of sculptural portraits of cows, the settlement has no equal in the world.

Ventspils Adventure Park will definitely appeal to fans of outdoor activities: www.piedzivojumuparks.lv. Let's pay tribute to the beautiful sandy beach on the seaside, over which the "Blue Flag" has been proudly blowing 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 colossal money in the creation of forts and breakwaters, the idea was eventually abandoned. What has survived today intrigues tourists in earnest. The forts and the Karosta prison are an iconic landmark of Latvia: karostascietums.lv.

Liepaja is a city with delightful sandy beaches ...

Gauja

Gauja National Park is the largest in Latvia, it is located just 50 km north-east 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 the local bobsleigh track can be tried out even by a non-professional: bobtrase.lv. You heard right: a cheesecake in your hands and forward to Olympic records!

On the outskirts of the city, the Mezakakis Adventure Park (www.kakiskalns.lv) is located, offering tree walks, a ride in a cable car over the Gauja River valley (cablecar.lv) will fill you with impressions.

Sigulda has its own castle of the Livonian Order, but the main fortification nearby is the Turaida Castle, which stands on a hill in the thick of the forest: www.turaida-muzejs.lv. Excellent automobiles are delivered directly from Riga.

The city of Cesis is not part of the national park, but in fact it is located in the same huge forest area (90 km from Riga). The romantic old town, where noisy tourist crowds can be found, and the medieval castle, once the residence of the master of the Livonian Order (ancient Wenden) are the main attractions of Cesis. Castle website:

Bus tours, flights or train travel cannot be compared to traveling by private car. But there is a huge advantage in this: stop wherever possible! On the way from one settlement to another, you can visit interesting places. So a trip to Riga from Moscow in your own car or with friends will become more productive. After all, the path is very long, and along the way there will definitely be interesting places that are worth visiting! Below you will find out how to travel to Latvia by car, what documents are required and what to take with you.

So far, everything is only in plans

Thinking about driving your own car to Latvia from Moscow? It is realistic to implement such an idea, but you need to take into account important points:
long way;
high cost of gasoline;
condition of roads (especially Russian).
Believe me, it is highly discouraged to travel to Latvia in an old carriageway, the route "Moscow-Riga" is too long. The distance by car can be about a thousand kilometers. But everything will depend on which road you will take, whether you will enter other cities.

It's good if your car is relatively new and consumes diesel fuel or 92nd gasoline, which are cheaper than 95th. In this case, you will be able to save 1000 rubles or even more. Many modern cars produced after 2010 have practically no economy travel mode. But if your car is not one of those, then feel free to travel to Riga by car on your own.

Remember that outside of Moscow and even the Moscow region the condition of the asphalt is in some places in a deplorable state. This is felt already after 100 km. if you go along the Novorizhskoe highway. It is simply dangerous for a car with a low seating position and a redesigned structure to drive, you can break the whole bottom and cripple the bumper.

On the Russian-Latvian or Belarusian-Latvian border, there may be some inconveniences that will need to be endured. For example, going to the toilet, walking around the car, or wanting to take a closer look at something will not be available.

Preparing documents

Latvia is a European country and, unfortunately, is in the Schengen area. It is good if you have recently visited another European country and you still have your visa. But if this is not the case, then you will have to start collecting documents. So, what documents are needed to travel to Latvia.

First, you must have a valid passport (which expires later than six months). In the visa center, inform that you want to visit Latvia for a period of, say, 8 days. You will be told what documents you need to collect to obtain a Schengen visa. It is better to find out everything only at the visa center, as the rules can change at any moment. It will be a shame if you take a picture for a visa, but it turns out that you need other pictures. Be sure to make health insurance for every tourist.

Since you are going to travel to Riga by car, you need to make all the documents for it at the same time. Without them, you will not be allowed at the border. What you need first of all:
driver's license translated into English;
Green card,
diagnostic card for the car,
vehicle registration certificate.
Be sure to check all the subtleties and nuances at the visa center.
We collect the car for the road
Remember that studded tires are allowed to be used on the territory of Latvia only from October 1 to May 1. Otherwise, you will be fined.

Leave at home. It is prohibited to use it in Latvia. At the Latvian border, it can be mercilessly taken away from you and a fine can be demanded, even if it is turned off and put into a box.

The presence of an emergency sign and a signal vest is required... In fact, this is what you need for a trip to Latvia, first of all (not counting the documents).

Take with you a canister with a volume of no more than 10 liters in order to collect gasoline on Russian territory. Experienced travelers do this, knowing full well that gasoline is very expensive in Latvia (1 euro per liter).

What to take on the road

Dairy and meat products cannot be transported to Latvia. Therefore, it is advisable to use sandwiches, milkshakes and even a protein mixture (sports nutrition) before the checkpoint at the border. Do not take pets or birds with you, unless the appropriate documents have been made on them and a special transport item has not been purchased.

You can take any clothes and shoes that are suitable for the season. Do not forget to bring your camera to capture all the interesting moments. You will not need phrasebooks and dictionaries, as many Latvians speak Russian.

Travel along the highway M9 "Baltia"

And now let's actually consider how to get from Moscow to Riga by car. There are two routes. Let's choose for consideration first the option of traveling along the federal highway "Baltia" (M9 from Moscow). On the one hand, the good thing is that the road is straight, there is no need to turn off or go anywhere. On the other hand, it is not recommended to drive on it for those whose car is not in perfect condition, especially the suspension. Let's list the advantages of the track:
straight path (about 1040 kilometers);
a large number of lanes on the Volokolamskoye and Novorizhskoye highways;
beautiful places and sights.
Disadvantages:
after 120 kilometers (after Volokolamsk) the road becomes narrow;
in the Tver region, repair work is underway on the federal highway in the warm season;
Great bows will meet with a broken road;
there is a queue at the border with Latvia, where you can stand for more than 4-5 hours.
We figured out the advantages and disadvantages. Now we will give advice on what you can see, where to stay.

Tver land

When you are driving on Tver land, turn off the road to Pesno Lake (will be on your left) or Derbovezh (right). If the weather is warm and sunny, you can have a great rest, enjoy nature and the reservoir. There you can also stay in a coastal hotel for an overnight stay. A trip to Riga by car from Moscow does not mean moving without stops, but visiting the sights of beautiful cities.

Pskov region

Pustoshka - with such an interesting name, there is a settlement that is worth visiting if you are interested in archeology, the history of the first millennium of our era. Some objects of the past centuries have been preserved here. There are hotels in Pustoshka where you can stay for a good rest. You will be able to get enough sleep, take a break from the hard trip and constant shaking, do a warm-up and walk along amazing places, including Lake Krupeyskoye.

Burachki

When you reach this settlement, know that the border is coming soon. Do not forget to refuel in advance, fill the canister (no more than 10 liters), eat all dairy and meat products (or throw them away).

Territory of Latvia

After customs, continue along the highway. The city of Zilupe will be on the right. There is something to see: beautiful nature, sights, interesting buildings and structures. You can take pictures of extraordinary beauty at every turn!

Do not drive past Ludza, otherwise you will lose a lot! Be sure to visit all the attractions of this village. Your attention will be presented to the Ludza Castle, which has preserved the spirit of its time.

The towns of Rezekne and Jekabpils are fantastically beautiful! Especially in Rezekne, the collapsed castle looks very unusual. In general, the nature and architecture of these two cities create a special impression!

Riga

Your trip to Riga by car is now complete. Enjoy nature, sights, sea!

The way to Latvia through Belarus

The road to Riga from Moscow through Belarus. Distance 1000 kilometers

The Moscow-Riga route by car through Belarus is much more difficult, but, as people know, the road is much better, there are no traffic jams, and there are no long queues at the Belarus-Latvia border. So, the scheme is as follows:
1. Highway M1 (Moscow-Smolensk).
2. In Smolensk, take the P-120 highway to Vitebsk.
3. Vitebsk-Novopolotsk (R-20).
4. Novopolotsk-Grigorovschina (in the same place the border between Belarus and Latvia).
5. Grigorovshchina-Daugavpils-Jekabpils.
6. Riga.
A trip to Riga by car through Belarus will not take longer than along the M-9 highway, but the distance is more than a hundred kilometers.

What can you see along the way?

Visit the cities of Vyazma and Smolensk, which are rich in sights: monuments, museums, nature. Also in one of these cities you can stay in a hotel.

Smolensk sightseeing map

Autotourism among Russians is becoming more and more popular every year. Traveling with your own car has many benefits.

It is not surprising that many tourists prefer to get to the Baltic countries, which are close enough to Russia, by car.

On such a trip, travelers do not depend on other people's schedules and prices - they can stop at any time and enjoy the place they like.

To Riga by car

Travel to Riga with your own transport has obvious advantages:

autotourists do not depend on the timetable for the movement of planes, trains and buses;
a trip by your own car, especially if 4-5 people are traveling in it, is much cheaper than air travel and even travel by train and bus;
the ability to travel around the country on your own route, regardless of other tourists.

For a trip from Moscow to Riga by car to go well, without any incidents, you need prepare a route in advance travel, familiarize yourself with the rules for crossing the border with Latvia and collect all the necessary documents.

Documents for travel to Latvia by car

To enter Latvia by car, tourists need the following documents:

foreign passports for each of the tourists. Children under 14 years old can be entered in a foreign passport one (or both) of the parents traveling with the child;
if a child is traveling without parents, he must have his own passport, regardless of age. In addition, in this case, you need power of attorney from parents certified by a notary;
birth certificates of children;
valid Schengen visa pasted into a foreign passport;
medical insurance valid for the duration of the trip, issued in accordance with the requirements of the EU countries, with the amount of coverage not less than 30,000 EUR;
for a car driver - a driving license that meet international standards(that is, the driver's data must be written on the license in Latin letters);
machine registration certificate;
Green card (motorist liability insurance) valid in the territory of Latvia.

A green card is issued by an insurance company not earlier than 30 days before the trip. The minimum validity period for a Green Card is 15 days.

It is useful to read about what it is, because in Latvia they strictly enforce its rules.

What you need to apply for a visa to Latvia, read this and get all the necessary information if you are going to apply for a visa to this country on your own.

Travel routes

You can enter Latvia by car both through Russia and through Belarus. When traveling from Moscow, the difference in mileage between routes is about 90 km... On Russian territory (along the M9 highway) the path is shorter.

Despite this, most of the autotourists prefer to go through Belarus (along the M1 highway). This is due to the fact that usually the checkpoints on the Latvian-Russian border are heavily loaded, and motorists have to spend several hours queue at customs.

In addition, many drivers were not satisfied with the quality of the road on the M9 highway. Until recently, the road in the Tver region and in the Rzhev area was badly broken, but last year it was the road was repaired.

Route on the M9 highway on the map

The distance from Moscow to Riga along the federal highway M9 ("Baltic") is about 950 kilometers. Travel time without stops is 11-12 hours.

The route goes through Volokolamsk, Rzhev, Velikiye Luki to the automobile border points Burachki (on the Russian border) and Terehovo (on the Latvian border). Further on the territory of Latvia the route passes through Ludza, Vilany and Ogre.

The road after repair, according to the latest reviews of motorists, is really good. The exception is small areas near Rzhev. In the Tver region, where the worst part of the road was, new asphalt was laid and fresh markings were applied.

The road is slightly worse on Latvian territory from Ludza to Viljana(all in patches), but there are practically no holes. In general, Latvian roads (A6, A12) are of fairly good quality.

Of the advantages of this route, one can name a small number of settlements where the driver has to slow down a lot... Therefore, you can get to Riga quickly enough.

Of the disadvantages of this route, tourists note a small number of cafes and gas stations.

There are often queues at the Russian-Lithuanian border, in which you can stand from 2 to 6 hours. Point Burachki-Terekhovo considered the busiest from 4 automobile checkpoints located on the border of Russia and Latvia.

Cars with small children skip the line. The customs inspection itself is fast. The main thing is to have all the necessary documents.

Latvian border guards are just going to introduce electronic reservation of places in queues at the border, following the example of their Estonian colleagues, so queues are rarely avoided.

Burachki-Terekhovo point works around the clock.

Checkpoint technological breaks: 08:45 - 09:00 in the morning and 20:45 - 21:00 in the evening.

Route on the M1 highway on the map

Two options are possible here.

Option one: leave Moscow along the Minsk highway (M1 highway), and then, just before reaching Smolensk, turn onto the road towards Velizh-Nevel, and in the Pustoshka area, take the Baltiya highway (M9). Then you can continue moving towards the Russian-Latvian border;
Option two (via Belarus): from Moscow, move along the M1 highway, after the Smolensk bypass, you need to turn onto the road to Vitebsk. Go further in Belarus along the P21 and P20 highways... The border crossing is carried out at the checkpoints Urbany-Silene and Grigorovshchina-Paternieki.

The distance from Moscow to Riga is just over 1000 kilometers. Travel time is approximately 13-14 hours non-stop. And although the route is slightly longer than the M9 highway, you can get to Riga faster.

This is due to the lower congestion of automobile checkpoints on the border of Belarus and Latvia. Therefore, as a rule, there are no such queues as at the Russian-Latvian border.

Works around the clock . The average waiting time in queues at the border with Latvia is approximately 1-2 hours.

The checkpoint Grigorovschina-Paternieki is also located in the Vitebsk region along the road R-20 Novopolotsk-Verhnedvinsk-Riga.

The point works around the clock from technological breaks: from 08:45 to 09:00 and from 20:45 to 21:00.

There are more cafes and gas stations on the M1 than on the M9. However, the last gas station is located in the Polotsk region. Next gas station in Latvia. Autotourists should remember that in Gasoline is much more expensive in Latvia so it is best to fill up the tank full before crossing the border.

Duty free to the Republic of Latvia allowed to import:

one full tank of gasoline plus one canister with a capacity of 10 liters;
40 cigarettes or 10 cigars;
1 liter of strong alcohol or 2 liters of weak alcohol, or 4 liters of wine.

It is prohibited to import dairy products and meat, including sausages, into the Schengen countries.

Also, motorists should take into account that in Latvia you can not use the anti-radar, so it is better to take it off before the border. Studded tires are allowed only in the autumn-winter period (from October 1 to May 1).

The car must have an emergency stop sign and a reflective vest.