Find the cheapest flights from Riga to Tallinn in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Riga (RIX) → Tallinn (TLL)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 3h 15m – 5h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €95 | low |
| February | €85 | low |
| March | €110 | medium |
| April | €125 | medium |
| May | €145 | medium |
| June | €195 | high |
| July | €220 | high |
| August | €205 | high |
| September | €145 | medium |
| October | €115 | medium |
| November | €95 | low |
| December | €130 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- airBaltic (connecting): from €95 — airBaltic Hub: Book through airBaltic website directly for cheapest connections via Riga, Helsinki, or Warsaw. Tuesday-Wednesday connections often cheapest.
- Finnair (connecting): from €130 — Finnair via Helsinki: Best for reliability and baggage included. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for €120-150. Avoid weekend departures.
- LOT Polish Airlines (connecting): from €115 — LOT via Warsaw: Solid alternative. Warsaw connections typically 4-5 hours total. Checked bag often included in Flex fare.
- Ryanair (connecting): from €75 — Ryanair via London/Frankfurt: Rarely operates this route directly. When available, book early – seats at €40-70 go fast. Read baggage rules carefully.
Booking Strategy
The Riga-Tallinn route has no direct flights, making connection timing critical. airBaltic offers the most frequent connections through their Riga hub, typically with 1-2 hour layovers. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for optimal pricing of €80-130. February and November offer the cheapest fares at €80-100, coinciding with Baltic off-peak. Tuesday and Wednesday departures save €20-40 compared to Friday-Sunday. Consider flying into Helsinki (HEL) and taking the 2-hour ferry to Tallinn – sometimes cheaper than direct to TLL and offers a unique travel experience. Use Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ search to compare all connection cities. Avoid booking within 48 hours of departure; prices jump to €180-250+.
Route Tips
- Skip the flight entirely: Lux Express buses run 8-10 times daily from Riga Bus Station to Tallinn (4h 30m, €20-35) with free WiFi, power outlets, and coffee stops—often faster than flying when accounting for airport security and connections.
- Book through airBaltic.com directly: They price-match and often offer exclusive web-only fares not found on aggregators. Their Baltic Planner feature shows combined bus+flight options.
- Consider flying to Helsinki instead: Sometimes flights to Helsinki (HEL) are €20-40 cheaper than to Tallinn. Take the 2-hour Tallink ferry (€28-45) from Helsinki to Tallinn—a scenic bonus rather than a drawback.
- Check LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw: Not always the cheapest but often has the best checked baggage policy included, making it better value than bare-bones carriers when luggage is needed.
- Download the Bolt app before arrival: Tallinn has excellent ride-share pricing (€5-10 to anywhere in city center) and electric scooter rentals everywhere—ideal for exploring beyond the Old Town.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Riga to Tallinn?
There are no direct flights between Riga (RIX) and Tallinn (TLL). The shortest flight route takes approximately 3h 15m with airBaltic via Helsinki, involving a 45-minute flight to Helsinki followed by a 55-minute flight to Tallinn. Other common routes via Warsaw (LOT) take 4-5 hours total, including a 1h 30m layover. The bus alternative via Lux Express takes 4h 30m-5h and costs €20-35, making it competitive for budget travelers who don’t mind ground transport.
How much does it cost to fly from Riga to Tallinn?
Flight prices range from €80 to €250 depending on season and booking timing. The cheapest fares of €80-100 appear in February and November during Baltic low season. Summer months (June-August) see prices rise to €150-250 due to tourism demand. Budget carriers like airBaltic offer base fares around €80-120, while Finnair and LOT typically charge €120-180 including baggage. Booking 4-6 weeks in advance secures the best deals on this route.
Are there direct flights from Riga to Tallinn?
No direct commercial flights operate between Riga and Tallinn. The distance of approximately 280km is considered too short for profitable direct air service. The main transport alternatives are: Lux Express buses (4h 30m, €20-35), Ecolines buses (5h, €18-30), and train services via Valga requiring a change (5-6 hours). If you specifically need to fly, all connections go through Helsinki, Warsaw, or other European hubs with total journey times of 3-6 hours.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Riga to Tallinn?
February offers the cheapest flights with average prices around €85, making it the best month for budget travelers. November follows closely at €95 average. These months fall during Baltic low season when tourism drops significantly. Avoid July (€220 average) and August (€205) when prices peak due to summer vacation travel. Shoulder months like April, May, September, and October offer moderate pricing at €115-145 with fewer crowds.
Which airlines fly from Riga to Tallinn?
No airline offers direct flights. The main carriers for connecting service are: airBaltic (most frequent, via Helsinki or Warsaw, €95-130), Finnair (via Helsinki, €130-180, excellent reliability), LOT Polish Airlines (via Warsaw, €115-150), and occasional Ryanair seasonal routes via European hubs. airBaltic typically wins on price, while Finnair offers the best onboard experience and baggage allowance. All carriers require at least one connection.
What airport do I fly into in Tallinn?
You fly into Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL), located just 2km southeast of Tallinn’s city center. Terminal transport to the city center: Bus 2 or 2A runs every 10-15 minutes (€2, 10 minutes), or take a taxi (€8-12, 8 minutes). Uber and Bolt operate widely in Tallinn. The airport is modern and compact, with car rental desks, currency exchange, and a small selection of cafes. Tax-free refund available for EU-bound passengers.
How far in advance should I book Riga to Tallinn flights?
Book 4-6 weeks ahead for optimal pricing of €80-130. This route follows standard European booking patterns where fares start rising 3 weeks before departure. For February travel, book 6-8 weeks ahead to secure €80 deals. Last-minute bookings (under 48 hours) are expensive at €180-250+. The sweet spot is 4 weeks for business travelers or 6 weeks for leisure, avoiding both early-booking premium and last-minute surge pricing.
Is it cheaper to fly from Riga to Tallinn on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently €20-40 cheaper than Friday-Sunday on this route. Monday and Thursday fall in the middle. The difference is most pronounced during business travel season (September-June) when weekday demand from business travelers dominates. Weekend leisure traffic does increase prices slightly but not as dramatically as on major tourist routes. For maximum savings, book Tuesday-Wednesday departures 4-6 weeks in advance.
Data updated: 2026-03
