Riga to London is one of the busiest and best-value routes out of Latvia, with three airlines flying it non-stop into three different London airports in around three hours. That competition keeps fares low, so with a little flexibility on airport and dates you can cross Northern Europe for the price of a night out. This guide covers who flies where, what a fair return costs in euros, and how to book smart.
Route: Riga (RIX) → London (LGW / STN / LTN)
Distance: approximately 1,660 km (1,030 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 2h 50m – 3h 05m
Direct flights: Yes — airBaltic flies non-stop to London Gatwick, Ryanair to London Stansted, and Wizz Air to London Luton. Between them there are multiple non-stop departures most days.
Fares from Riga to London (EUR)
With three carriers competing, Riga–London fares are among the cheapest on any route out of Riga. Prices are lowest in the quiet winter and early-spring weeks and climb through the summer holidays and the Christmas–New Year peak. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | low |
| February | low-medium |
| March | medium |
| April | medium |
| May | medium |
| June | high |
| July | very high |
| August | high |
| September | medium |
| October | medium |
| November | low |
| December | high (Christmas & New Year) |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 3 hours):
- airBaltic — non-stop RIX → London Gatwick (LGW) on its Airbus A220 fleet; the full-service-lite option, with hand-baggage and checked-bag fares and the most central London airport.
- Ryanair — non-stop to London Stansted (STN); usually a competitive headline fare, but the cabin bag rules are strict and everything beyond a small under-seat bag is a paid extra.
- Wizz Air — non-stop to London Luton (LTN); another budget option, comparable to Ryanair on price, with its own baggage tiers.
One-stop (rarely needed):
- Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich, or LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw — connecting options into Heathrow if the non-stops are full or you need a specific London airport, though they take longer and seldom save money.
Because three carriers compete non-stop, the direct flights are almost always both the cheapest and the fastest. Compare the all-in price across all three airports — a budget fare that looks cheaper can lose its edge once a checked bag is added.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–8 weeks ahead for the best fares; the cheapest seats on all three airlines tend to go early and prices rise as flights fill.
- Be flexible on London airport: Gatwick (airBaltic), Stansted (Ryanair) and Luton (Wizz Air) all connect easily to central London by train — check all three before booking.
- Travel off-peak — November, January and February are the quietest and cheapest; avoid the July–August holidays and the Christmas period.
- Mind the baggage rules: Ryanair and Wizz Air fares are hand-baggage only by default, so add your bag when comparing against airBaltic’s fares.
- Midweek is cheaper — Tuesday and Wednesday departures usually beat Friday and Sunday, especially on the budget carriers.
Arriving in London
Which airport you land at depends on the airline. Gatwick (LGW) connects to central London on the Gatwick Express and standard trains (about 30–35 minutes to Victoria, roughly £12–£20 / €14–€24). Stansted (STN) uses the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street (about 50 minutes, around £20 / €24) or cheaper coaches. Luton (LTN) has a fast shuttle to its rail station, then trains to St Pancras (about 30–45 minutes total, roughly £16–£22 / €19–€26). All three are well outside the centre, so factor the transfer time and cost into your plans.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Riga to London?
The non-stop flight takes about 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 5 minutes, depending on the London airport and winds. airBaltic, Ryanair and Wizz Air all fly it directly, so there is no connection to add — your total journey is essentially the flight plus airport time.
Are there direct flights from Riga to London?
Yes. airBaltic flies non-stop to London Gatwick, Ryanair to London Stansted, and Wizz Air to London Luton. Between the three carriers there are non-stop departures most days, which keeps fares low and gives you a choice of London airport.
How much does it cost to fly from Riga to London?
A typical economy return runs about €70–€220 depending on the season and baggage. Hand-baggage deals dip to around €70–€100 return in the quieter winter weeks, while summer and the Christmas peak sit toward the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Riga to London?
November, January and February are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid July and August and the Christmas–New Year period, which carry the highest fares and the biggest crowds on this route.
Which airlines fly from Riga to London?
Three airlines fly it non-stop: airBaltic (to Gatwick), Ryanair (to Stansted) and Wizz Air (to Luton). One-stop connections via Frankfurt, Munich or Warsaw with Lufthansa or LOT are also possible into Heathrow, but they take longer and rarely cost less.
Which airport do I fly into in London?
It depends on the airline: airBaltic lands at Gatwick (LGW), Ryanair at Stansted (STN), and Wizz Air at Luton (LTN). All three connect to central London by train, so compare the fare and the transfer cost together when you choose.
How far in advance should I book Riga to London flights?
Aim to book 3 to 8 weeks ahead. The cheapest seats on all three airlines usually sell early, and prices rise as departure approaches — particularly in summer and around holidays — so booking ahead almost always wins.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday, especially with Ryanair and Wizz Air. Flying out and back midweek save a little on a return.
Which is the cheapest airline from Riga to London?
Ryanair and Wizz Air usually post competitive headline fares, but they are hand-baggage only by default. airBaltic can work out just as cheap once a checked bag is added, and it flies into more central Gatwick — so compare the all-in price rather than the lead fare.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
