Renting a car in Latvia is a straightforward process, offering a convenient way to navigate the country's well-maintained roads. To rent a car, you'll typically need to present your international driver's license, a credit card, and pay the insurance fee. Rental centers are readily available throughout Latvia, with options at airports, major cities, and near hotels. Requirements for renting a car include having 1-2 years of driving experience, and the minimum age varies between 19 to 25 years, depending on the rental company.
Car rental prices in Latvia vary depending on the car's class and the rental duration. You can find options ranging from 30 to 100 EUR per day. Most commonly, ordinary SUVs or cars are available for 50-70 EUR per day. Weekend packages often provide cost savings, allowing you to pick up the car on a Friday and return it no later than Monday morning, with discounts of 10-25% off the regular rate.
When you make a payment or reservation using a credit card, the agreed-upon amount is typically not immediately debited but rather temporarily blocked in your account. This serves as insurance for the rental company in case of unforeseen expenses outlined in the rental contract, such as delayed return or returning the car with an incomplete tank. The actual funds will be debited after the car is returned.
Speed limits in Latvia, unless otherwise indicated by signs:
Cars and motorcycles:
In populated areas - 50 km/h.
Outside populated areas - 90 km/h.
On a highway - 110 km/h.
Trailer vehicles:
In populated areas - 50 km/h.
Outside populated areas - 80 km/h.
On a highway - 90 km/h.
Maximum speed in a residential area - 20 km/h.
Latvia's traffic rules are strictly enforced, including the requirement for dipped beam headlights to be on 24 hours a day, all year round. Penalties for traffic violations in Latvia are substantial. For instance, the fine for driving without dipped beam during the daytime is 7 EUR, while driving without dipped beam at night or in poor visibility conditions carries a fine of 40 EUR. Seat belts are mandatory for both front and rear passengers, with a fine of 30 EUR for non-compliance.
Latvia does not impose tolls for the use of highways
There are no tolls for the use of roads in Latvia. Only entry to the Jurmala resort area is subject to tolls.
The toll is charged from April 1 to September 30. The rest of the time - from October 1
October 1 to March 31 - entry to Jurmala
free of charge. The amount of the fee is 2
EUR per entry. Entry must be made within 1 hour from the moment of purchase.
purchase. A 1-month pass costs 31 EUR.
Unleaded gasoline (95 and 98) is available in Latvia
and diesel fuel. There are LPG gas stations. The cost of a liter of gasoline in
Latvia varies in the region of 1.04 EUR for
A95, 1.101 EUR for A98. Diesel costs less than 1 EUR per liter. The cost of gasoline in
Latvia depends on the region of the country, but in general prices adhere to the specified
ranges.
