Latvia

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Flag of Latvia Latvia
Information
Language: Latvian
Capital: Riga
Population: 2,261,100
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Hitchability: <rating country='lv' />
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots or BeWelcome
<map lat='57.029' lng='24.599' zoom='6' view='3' country='Latvia' />

Latvia is a Baltic country. It is a member state of the European Union as well as the Schengen Agreement. It borders Estonia, Lithuania, Russia and Belarus. There are a lot of young people just hitchhiking around the country, to their hometowns, festivals, etc., especially during summer, so you'll probably meet someone on the road as well. People are used to hitchhikers and it is fairly easy to get a lift, whether along important routes such as the E67 (Via Baltica) or in the middle of nowhere.

Legality

It is allowed to hitchhike in Latvia (at least there are no laws which forbid that), but of course in places where you do not danger road safety. It is a common practice here to use signs of the cities or countries where you want to get a ride to, but thumb also works fine.

Cities

Language

The Latvian population is divided into Latvian speakers and Russian speakers. Most of adult Latvians will know both languages. If you know some Russian, feel free to use it here. Most of young people will speak English as well. If they don't, they will at least try to communicate in it if they see you are a foreigner who needs help. Some people might speak German as well.

To catch some phrases you can also check Eastern Europe phrasebook.

Border crossings

Towards Russia

Terehova-Zasitino, for direction Moscow
Grebnova-Gavry, for direction Pskov, St. Petersburg


Towards Belarus

Urbany (BLR) / Silene (LV) (bel. Урбаны, rus. Урбаны) – located on P68 some 35 km to the south-east from Daugavpils on the way to Braslaŭ.
Ryhoraŭščyna (BLR) / Paternieki (LV) (bel. Рыгораўшчына, rus. Григоровщина) – located on A6 some 75 km to the east from Daugavpils and 35 km from Krāslava on the way to Vierchniadzvinsk, Polack, Navapolack, Viciebsk.


Because of Schengen agreement, there are are no border control points between Latvia and Lithuania / Estonia.

Roads

Roads are getting better but don't expect European standards, especially in winter and early spring when temperature fluctuations destroy asphalt pretty easily. Be careful on dirt roads in countryside regions. Not only you get dust in your face from vehicles, but sometimes you can be hit by stones. On the other hand, traveling those roads usually offer the most beautiful and authentic scenery.

Gallery

Useful things

Free internet is available in public and university libraries. Also almost all of Latvian cities and even villages will have free internet in the town's center - it is now a prestige thing.


There exist Facebook groups for ridesharing where you can often get a ride from Riga to other parts of Latvia for little money.. Group names are in form "Riga - (city/town name) - Riga". Use Facebook search to find them. For example, for Liepaja direction use https://www.facebook.com/groups/840988475937147/ These groups are mostly used by young people and they are very likely to speak good English. http://www.blablacar.com is also popular.


Weather in Latvia can change pretty fast so don't lose hope if rain comes. Hide and wait. Sometimes it's over in 15-20 minutes.

Personal Experiences

Summer 2018 & 2022: Good and easy hitchhiking experience. You rarely wait a long time and you have a big chance to pass by Latvia, or get into the capital by one or two cars. I did nearly 200km in one drive with a guy going from Lithuania to Riga. Afterwards took A3 to Tartu (est). Because there are a lot of people going directly to Tallinn from Riga you have a good chances make all that trip in one car. I was going to Tartu, so it was harder but anyway I was there in the same day. The majority of drivers spoke English. -- HHer-Vert

Nomadwiki & Trashwiki

Check Nomadwiki for info on accommodation, showers etc. or Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :)