European Planetary Science Congress 2017
17–22 September 2017
Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija | Riga | Latvia

Location

The European Planetary Science Congress 2017 will take place at Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija, Riga, Latvia, from
17–22 September 2017. The conference will be held in the spacious halls on the second floor.

Riga, the capital of Latvia, lies a few kilometres from the Gulf of Riga on the banks of the Daugava River. As one of the biggest cities of the Baltic region, it is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its architecture reflects the various periods of the city's history since 1201, from the traditional wooden architecture of the city centre to one of the world's largest and best preserved collections of Art Nouveau buildings. Riga is full of unique museums dealing with various areas of history and nature, art, and architecture. However, Riga is also a busy modern metropolis and an international centre for business and pleasure. Nearly half the population of Latvia lives in Riga.

Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija

Elizabetes 55
1010 Riga
Latvia

How to reach Riga

By plane

Riga International Airport is just 15 km from the city centre and the airport currently offers more than 85 direct flights from Riga to Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and CIS countries, making Riga a favourite travel hub between east and west. To get more information visit www.riga-airport.com.

By ferry

Ferry connections to Riga are available from Stockholm. Tallink operates regular daily ferry connections from Stockholm to Riga.

By train

Riga is linked with direct railway services to Moscow, St Petersburg, and Pskov, through the Latvian State Railway Company “Latvijas dzelzceļš”. The train station is located just 1.5 km from the city centre. To get more information, visit www.ldz.lv/en.

By bus

If you are coming overland to Riga, the chances are higher that you will be arriving by coach rather than by rail. Ecolines, Eurolines, and Nordeka are some of the companies which offer routes to and from the likes of Tallinn, Vilnius, Warsaw, Krakow, and Prague – as well as a wide range of western European destinations. The Central Bus Station is located just 1.5 km from the city centre.

By road

Several national roads have their beginning in Riga and the Via Baltica, European route E67, crosses Riga from the south and north. It is a significant road connection between the Baltic states. Riga is 300 km from Tallinn, Estonia, and 260 km from Vilnius, Lithuania.

How to reach the Radisson Blu Latvija from the airport

At the airport exit, you will have options for differently priced taxis to the Radisson Blu Latvija. It takes about 15–20 min from RIX airport to the Radisson Blu Latvija.

Official taxis

There are two taxi companies which have legal rights to the airport: Baltic Taxi (GREEN) and Red Cab Taxi (RED or WHITE/RED). These will cost about €13–15 to the Radisson Blu Latvija and similar cost to the other locations of the Riga city centre. The taxis are located directly at the main exit door of the airport, after you pick up your luggage. Baltic Taxi also operates a shuttle service (GREEN), if you have a lot of luggage or a lot of people in your group, which runs from the adjacent lane from the curbside, where the official taxis operate.

Unofficial taxis

There is a type of taxi system like Uber called “Taxify” which has transformed the Riga taxi price structure. These taxis cost €7–10 from the airport to the city centre. If you are interested to try, go here to learn more http://www.taxify.eu.

On the next floor up from the floor where are the luggage carousels, are where all of the unofficial taxi companies can meet you. You will need to pre-arrange their service by calling the Taxi company. Panda Taxi is the cheapest: +371 / 67000000. Panda Taxi is also the taxi most often used for the Taxify service.

Public transportation

Riga is a walkable city, but you may wish to travel further, not by foot. Or you may wish to see the sights from the bus. The #22 bus travels slowly to/and from the RIX airport to the city center for €2. It picks you up one lane away from the official taxis on the same level as the RIX luggage conveyor belt. The public transporation is managed by Rīgas satiksme.

There are four public transportation methods and routes around Rīga:

  • Trams (runs on the rails)
  • Trolley-bus (electricity provided by the electrical cables strung above the streets)
  • Buses (usual)
  • Shuttle buses

The rides are validated by an E-talon card that is pre-loaded with a desired number of rides on a card panel near the vehicle's entrance. The E-talon card can be purchsed at the convenience shops: Narvesen, on many street corners colored in blue and orange. All four cost about the same: €2/ride. A ride can most conveniently purchased in advance using the E-talon. You can also pay cash for your ticket to the driver or at the larger tram stops, where ticket and E-talon machines are located.

 
Copernicus Meetings