Riga to Amsterdam is a short, popular Northern-European hop that airBaltic flies non-stop in under two and a half hours. It is one of the easiest routes out of Riga for both business and city breaks, with several departures most days and fares that stay reasonable outside the summer peak. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return looks like in euros, and when to book to pay less.
Route: Riga (RIX) → Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Distance: approximately 1,400 km (870 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 2h 20m – 2h 35m
Direct flights: Yes — airBaltic flies non-stop from Riga to Amsterdam, with roughly three departures a day (around 20 flights a week). It is currently the only carrier we have seen operating this route non-stop.
Fares from Riga to Amsterdam (EUR)
Amsterdam is a year-round city break, so fares are driven more by demand than weather. The cheapest seats show up in the quieter winter and early-spring weeks; prices climb through the summer holidays and around the Christmas and New Year period, plus one-off spikes for big events and tulip season in April. 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-high (tulip season) |
| 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We do not quote a target fare for this route.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 2½ hours):
- airBaltic — the only non-stop operator, flying RIX → AMS several times daily on its Airbus A220 fleet; hand-baggage and checked-bag fares available, with paid seat selection on the cheapest tickets.
One-stop (occasionally cheaper on off-peak dates):
- Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich — useful if the non-stop is sold out, though usually slower and not much cheaper.
- LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw — another connecting option that can undercut the direct fare on quiet dates.
On a route this short the non-stop is almost always the sensible choice: a one-stop itinerary can double the travel time for little or no saving, so only reach for it when airBaltic’s direct flight is full or awkwardly timed.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–8 weeks ahead for the best short-haul fares; airBaltic tends to release cheap seats early and raise prices as the flight fills.
- Travel off-peak — November, January and February are the quietest and cheapest weeks; avoid the July–August school holidays and the Christmas period.
- Watch April: tulip season and King’s Day (27 April) push Amsterdam fares and hotel prices up, so book early if you want to go then.
- Travel light if you can — airBaltic’s cheapest fares carry very little baggage — since 6 May 2026 its cheapest ticket, Economy MINI, includes a personal item only (40 × 30 × 15 cm) and no cabin bag; Economy BASIC adds the cabin bag — so compare the all-in price once a checked bag is added.
- Midweek beats the weekend — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually a little cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
Arriving in Amsterdam
All flights land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), about 15 km south-west of the city centre. The train is the easiest way in: Schiphol’s station sits directly under the terminal, and trains run to Amsterdam Centraal every few minutes, taking around 15–20 minutes for roughly €5–€6 one-way. A taxi to the centre costs about €45–€55, and the airport is a single, well-signposted terminal so connections and transfers are straightforward.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Riga to Amsterdam?
The non-stop flight takes about 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes. airBaltic operates the route directly, so there is no connection to add on — the total journey time is essentially just the flight plus your airport time at each end.
Are there direct flights from Riga to Amsterdam?
Yes. airBaltic flies non-stop from Riga (RIX) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) roughly three times a day, around 20 flights a week. It is currently the only airline we have seen operating this route without a stop, so booking the direct flight is almost always the fastest and best-value option.
How much does it cost to fly from Riga to Amsterdam?
A typical economy return runs about €95–€230 depending on the season and whether you add a checked bag. Hand-baggage deals dip to around €85–€110 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 Amsterdam?
January, February and November are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid July and August, the April tulip-season weeks, and the Christmas–New Year period, which carry the highest fares and the biggest crowds.
Which airlines fly from Riga to Amsterdam?
airBaltic is the only carrier we have seen flying non-stop between Riga and Amsterdam. One-stop connections are also possible with Lufthansa (via Frankfurt or Munich) or LOT Polish Airlines (via Warsaw), but these take much longer and rarely save money on such a short route.
Which airport do I fly into in Amsterdam?
You land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), the city’s main and only major international airport, about 15 km from the centre. It has its own train station directly beneath the terminal, so getting into Amsterdam takes only 15–20 minutes by rail.
How far in advance should I book Riga to Amsterdam flights?
Aim to book 3 to 8 weeks ahead for the best short-haul fares. airBaltic usually releases its cheapest seats early and edges prices up as the flight fills, so last-minute booking tends to cost more, especially in summer and around holidays.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights. Flying out and back midweek can shave €20–€40 off a return, and it is one of the simplest ways to cut the fare on this route.
Does airBaltic include a checked bag to Amsterdam?
Not on the cheapest fares. airBaltic’s cheapest ticket, Economy MINI, includes only a personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) — no cabin bag and no checked bag. The cabin bag starts at Economy BASIC and a checked bag at Economy CLASSIC, so below CLASSIC the hold bag is always a paid add-on. If you need to check luggage, compare the all-in price of a bag-inclusive fare against buying a bag separately — sometimes the higher fare works out cheaper.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
