How to Rent a Car in Latvia: Everything You Need to Know

If you want to explore Latvia beyond Riga – which I would highly recommend – then the absolute best way to do so is by renting a car.  When you have a car, you have the freedom to explore the small towns in Latvia, to change your mind at the last minute, and visit any of the numerous attractions in Latvia on your own schedule.

I rented a car in Latvia while exploring the country solo, and it was relatively straightforward and seamless.  This is how to rent a car in Latvia, what you need to know, and what to keep in mind when driving in the country.

 

If you’re planning a trip to Latvia, don’t miss…

• The Ultimate Latvia Travel Guide – What to See, Eat, & Know Before You Go
• Latvia Packing List – What to Bring for Every Season

 

Do You Need a Car in Latvia?

If you’re only planning on visiting Riga, you do not need a car.  However, if you want to explore Latvia beyond Riga, then I would highly recommend renting a car to get around.  Having a car allows you the freedom to travel at your own pace, you don’t have to rely on public transportation to get around, and it’s relatively cheap to rent a car in Latvia.

 

 

Requirements for Renting a Car in Latvia

When you’re renting a car in Latvia, here are the Latvia car rental requirements…

• Age:  21 (although some rental companies do rent to drivers starting at 19)
• Valid drivers license from your home country
• Credit card used to rent car (I highly recommend using a credit card that has car rental insurance)
• Passport

As an American, you do not need an international drivers license to rent a car in Latvia.  However, I had one rental company (Green Motion) tell me that I had to have one (even though it isn’t necessary) and refused to rent to me without one.  If you want to avoid something like this happening to you, your best bet is to go ahead and get an international license before arriving.  You can do that online here.

 

Where to Rent a Car in Latvia

You can rent a car anywhere in Latvia, but you’ll have the best luck and the most options if you rent a car in Riga.

When you rent a car in Riga, you can rent from the Riga airport or downtown Riga.  In my experience, renting from the airport was much cheaper and gave you more options so I would recommend doing it this way.  When picking up your car from the airport, you’ll need to go to the arrivals area (terminal E located downstairs) where you’ll find multiple different car rental companies.  The company you’ve rented from will give you your car keys and then you’ll need to walk about 10 minutes to the parking lot to pick up your car.

When renting a car, I prefer to use Discover Cars because you’re able to search through multiple pickup locations, compare prices across multiple companies at once, and search for features you want to have in your rental car (i.e. automatic vs manual).  Plus when you use Discover Cars your rental comes with 24/7 support, free cancellation, and the website is very straightforward and easy to use.

 

BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR HERE!

 

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Latvia?

Depending on what type of vehicle you rent, the price of car rentals in Latvia range from about €25-€60/day.  Other things to consider include the extra cost of car insurance, gas, optional add-ons (GPS, car seat, etc), and putting a deposit down (which you should get back when you return the car).

If you’re renting a car with a credit card that has car insurance, check your policy because you might not need to purchase extra insurance which can save you a lot of money.  For instance – if you reserve a car with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, that credit card comes with up to $75,000 of car insurance.

 

Driving in Latvia – What You Need to Know

Driving in Latvia is straightforward and rules are similar to those in the United States.  For starters, you drive on the right side of the road (the same as in the US) and the roads are well-paved and well-marked.  Other rules to keep in mind include…

• Speed limits are in km/hr instead of mi/hr
• Headlights in Latvia must be on 24/7
• Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt at all times
• Winter tires are required from December-March
• BAC must be under 0.05%
• Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited (unless you’re using a hands-free device)

 

Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience

To ensure you have the smoothest experience renting a car in Latvia, here are my top tips…

• Make sure to book a car in advance (using Discover Cars)
• Take your own photos and videos of the car before driving off the lot (you want to catch any scratch or dent before leaving so that you don’t get blamed for it when you return)
• Confirm car insurance
• Check fuel policy
• Know the car rental phone number in case anything happens when driving
• Get an international drivers license just in case a rental company asks for it
• Download maps in case you lose cell service

 

FAQs About Renting a Car in Latvia

Q:  “Do you need an international driving permit in Latvia?”

• A:  Technically, no.  However, when I rented a car in Latvia I had one rental company told me that they could not rent to me without an international permit.  For that reason, I suggest getting one just in case.

Q:  “Is it safe to drive in Latvia?”

• A:  I drove around Latvia solo and didn’t have any issues.  I felt safe and for the most part, everyone followed the rules of the road.  The only thing I noticed was that people passed cars frequently when there was only one lane so make sure to keep an eye out for that.

Q:  “Can you cross into Lithuania or Estonia?”

• A:  Yes, but you need to tell the rental company that you plan to cross borders.  This will come at an extra charge.

Q:  “Are automatic cars common?”

• A:  I’m not sure whether or not they are common but they are available.

 

Latvia Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Latvia

 

I hope that if you’re visiting Latvia, you’re considering a rental car to see more of the country.  If you have any other questions about how to rent a car in Latvia, let me know in a comment below!

 

If you’re visiting Latvia, don’t miss…

• 2 Days in Riga – The Perfect Itinerary for Latvia’s Vibrant Capital
• 5 Day Trips from Riga Worth Taking
• The 8 Day Vacay – Traveling Through the Baltics:  Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
• A Solo Experience in a Latvian Sauna

 

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For more information on Latvia, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinlatvia” or under my highlights for “Latvia”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Latvia” highlight

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