Page 386 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

384 SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Latvia If the journey starts at a major
station, it is best to buy a ticket
The public transport network in Latvia is extensive and before boarding. Otherwise
affordable. Travelling by coach tends to be quicker than by train, tickets can be purchased from
although the buses are often old and can be uncomfor table. the driver. If your luggage is
Major urban areas and places of interest to visitors usually very large, you may have to pay
to stow it in the luggage
benefit from frequent coach services. However, in the country- compartment, but otherwise it
side, there may be only one bus or train per day in each is normal to take it on board.
direction. This means that visitors who wish to get off the beaten
path will find it difficult to rely on public transport. Car hire is a Understanding
popular choice, despite the variable state of the roads in the Timetables
country. The combination of a flat landscape and relatively short Outside of Rīga, it can be
distances makes cycling pleasant, especially in good weather. difficult to find station staff
who speak English. Time tables
are written on boards at the
railway station and are also
available by telephone and on
the Internet. Details of several
common routes are also
available in the publi cation
Rīga in Your Pocket (see p387).
For further enquiries visit the
Latvian Railways website.
Timetables at train or
bus stations rarely include
timings of return journeys from
various destinations. Express
buses are generally indicated
by the letter “E”, while the
Commuters entering the Central Railway Station, Rīga equivalent for trains is
indi cated by three-digit route
Travelling by Train
visit several towns in a single numbers. Pietur indicates
The state-owned Latvian day. Although more expensive that a train or bus stops at a
Railways runs all trains in the than travelling by train, bus particular destination, while
country. Trains tend to take a travel is still good value. For nepietur means that it does
little longer than buses to reach overnight jour neys, it is not. Buses and trains listed as
their destinations, but the advisable to carry a blanket darbdienās run on weekdays,
journey is slightly more com- or sleeping bag. and the days of the week are
fortable, especially if travellers Autoosta (Rīga’s central bus often listed by their initial.
bring along cushions for the station) runs services to Bauska, Latvian stations number their
hard benches. However, the Cēsis, Sigulda, Daugavpils, perons (platform) and ceļš
windows rarely open, making Liepāja, Valmiera and Ventspils. (track) separately.
the carriages stuffy in summer.
The heating can be erratic.
The most useful routes are
from Rīga to Jūrmala Beach,
Jelgava and destinations in
Gauja National Park. There are
also train services to places
further afield such as Valmiera,
Daugavpils and Rēzekne. Rail
enthusiasts should take the
narrow-gauge line between
Alūksne and Gulbene.

Travelling by Coach
Regular coach services run
between most large towns and
cities. Other places are less
frequently served, therefore
careful planning is impor tant to One of the many extra-long public buses typical of Daugavpils