Travelling from Istanbul to Riga International Airport (RIX): What you need to know
There are a couple of airports where your trip can begin in Istanbul. Check out your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when searching for a flight from Istanbul to Riga International Airport (RIX).
Expect to be travelling for 3 hours 10 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct Istanbul to Riga International Airport flight.
Riga International Airport is located in Riga. The city is in the UTC+2 timezone and is one hour behind Istanbul.
The most popular route is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Riga International Airport (RIX), with 15 direct services every week. If you're looking to take off without delay, the earliest flight from IST to RIX is the 7:05am Turkish Airlines option. If a later flight fits your day better, the final departure is at 4pm with Air Baltic.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Istanbul to RIX. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the mad dash to your gate.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. The recommendation for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Riga International Airport (RIX) take off from this terminal.
You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Riga International Airport with Turkish Airlines. This leading airline offers services from IST.
The airline most travellers choose when flying between IST and RIX is Turkish Airlines.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even tour another city. When browsing cheap flights from Istanbul to RIX leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul to Riga International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Check a new destination off your list or just take a moment to reset with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Istanbul to Riga International Airport, check out these options when setting off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
SAW is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take you 55 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your Istanbul to RIX flight? Relax in a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your holiday officially begins. These stays are expecting you:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance of 76.93%. This figure reflects how often flights that take off from this airport land on time.
About Riga International Airport (RIX)
If you have a late flight from Istanbul to Riga International Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these options near RIX:
Go where the road takes you with a Riga International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Panek, Green Motion or Carwiz and chase adventure across Riga and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle around four weeks before your Istanbul to Riga International Airport flight.
Getting from Riga International Airport (RIX) to central Riga
Riga International Airport is around 11 kilometres from the centre of Riga. It takes around 20 minutes or so to drive to the city.
Travelling on public transport takes around 50 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Riga International Airport (RIX)
ج.م. 4,982 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Riga International Airport. Return flights start from ج.م. 9,740. These prices may change based on availability.
Get cheap flights from Istanbul to RIX by booking one month ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
Organise your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring an incredible deal on Istanbul to Riga International Airport tickets. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a lower fare pops up on flight tickets from Istanbul to RIX.
Find an affordable flight from Istanbul to Riga International Airport by using filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Riga International Airport (RIX)
July is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul to Riga International Airport (RIX). Visit Riga in February if you prefer a quieter experience.
Before locking in your Istanbul to RIX flight ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Riga, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC to 26ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Riga International Airport in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC and 4ºC.
More about Riga
After booking your flight from Istanbul to Riga International Airport, find a hotel that offers a good mix of location and comfort. Make one of these options your base for exploring Riga:
You'll find loads of awesome things to do in Riga when you're ready to go sightseeing. Make your way to Old City Riga (Vecriga) followed by Picturesque Rīga and Riga Central Market.
Explore more of Latvia
You've visited Riga, now it's time to discover other corners of Latvia. Travel around 193 kilometres south-east to Daugavpils to tick off its must-visit sights. From St. Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Church to Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre and Daugavpils Fortress, your itinerary will be busy.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in Latvia, head for Ventspils, about 153 kilometres west of Riga. Kurzeme coastline, Ostgals historical city district and Ventspils Water Park are among the biggest draws.
