Find the cheapest flights from London to Riga in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (STN) → Riga (RIX)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 4h 30m – 7h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €85 | low |
| February | €75 | low |
| March | €95 | medium |
| April | €105 | medium |
| May | €115 | medium |
| June | €145 | high |
| July | €165 | high |
| August | €170 | high |
| September | €120 | medium |
| October | €95 | medium |
| November | €80 | low |
| December | €140 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Ryanair (direct): from €45 — Book directly on Ryanair website for lowest fares. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are cheapest days. Use ‘Ryanair.com’ rather than third parties to avoid booking fees.
- airBaltic (direct): from €85 — airBaltic often has sales in January and September. Sign up for their newsletter. Their ‘Standard’ fare offers best value with included baggage.
- Finnair (connecting): from €145 — Best for those wanting comfort with shorter layover in Helsinki. Finnair flights are often priced competitively when booked 6-8 weeks out.
- Lufthansa (connecting): from €155 — Lufthansa offers excellent connection times through Munich. Checked baggage always included in standard Economy fares – good value vs Ryanair when bags needed.
Booking Strategy
For London to Riga, the sweet spot for booking is 6-10 weeks before travel for both direct and connecting flights. Ryanair and airBaltic dominate the direct route, with Ryanair consistently cheaper (€35-80) but airBaltic offering better baggage inclusions. Flying mid-week (Tuesday/Wednesday) saves €20-40 versus Friday/Sunday. January and February offer the lowest fares at €60-100 return, while August sees peaks of €150-200. Use Skyscanner to compare all airlines, then book direct with the carrier for cheapest overall. Google Flights Explore shows cheapest dates visually. For Riga specifically, Stansted (STN) is the main UK departure point with 2h 30m flight time – significantly shorter than connecting via other hubs. Avoid peak summer dates unless booking 3+ months ahead.
Route Tips
- London Stansted has budget-friendly Ryanair flights but allow extra time for security queues – Stansted can get busy. Gatwick airBaltic flights offer better departure timing and easier airport navigation.
- UK citizens need only a passport (not visa) for Latvia stays up to 90 days. Ensure passport valid for 3+ months beyond return date.
- Riga Airport is compact and immigration is usually quick. Download the ‘Riga Airport’ app for real-time flight updates and terminal maps.
- For transport from Riga Airport to city centre, Bus 22 runs every 10-15 minutes and costs €2 – much cheaper than €10-15 taxis. Purchase tickets from the RigsAT ticket machine or via the ‘Riga Card’ app.
- Book direct with airlines (Ryanair.com, airBaltic.com) rather than using third-party sites – you’ll get better customer service if flights change and often lower total prices due to hidden booking fees on aggregators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Riga?
The direct flight from London Stansted to Riga takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Ryanair operates this route most frequently with 3-4 weekly flights. If flying with a connection (via Helsinki, Munich, or Warsaw), expect total journey times between 4h 30m and 7h 30m depending on layover duration. airBaltic also offers direct flights from London Gatwick, taking around 2h 35m. Connecting via Helsinki with Finnair typically offers the shortest indirect route at about 4h 30m total travel time.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Riga?
Return flights from London to Riga start from as little as €60 when booked in low season (January-February) with Ryanair. Direct flights with airBaltic typically cost €80-150 return. Summer peak (June-August) sees prices rise to €140-220 for direct flights. Connecting flights via hubs range from €130-250 depending on airline and season. Budget carriers offer the best value, though you’ll pay extra for checked baggage. The cheapest round-trip deals usually appear when booking 8-12 weeks in advance outside school holidays.
Are there direct flights from London to Riga?
Yes, direct flights are available from London Stansted with Ryanair (up to 4 weekly, seasonal variation) and from London Gatwick with airBaltic (2-3 weekly). Ryanair’s Stansted service operates year-round with varying frequency, while airBaltic runs seasonal schedules. These direct flights take just 2h 30m and are significantly cheaper than connecting alternatives. No other UK airports currently offer non-stop service to Riga. If Stansted or Gatwick don’t suit your UK location, connecting flights via European hubs remain the only option.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Riga?
February offers the cheapest flights with average return fares of €75, followed closely by January (€85) and November (€80). These winter months see significantly reduced demand as they’re outside tourist season. The most expensive period is August (€170 average), with July (€165) and June (€145) also commanding premium prices due to summer holidays. For the best deals, target late January through mid-March or October-mid-November. Easter and Christmas/New Year periods also see elevated prices despite being technically low season.
Which airlines fly from London to Riga?
Ryanair operates the most frequent direct flights from London Stansted, offering budget fares starting €35 one-way but with strict baggage policies. airBaltic flies direct from London Gatwick with better baggage inclusion and more comfortable service. For connecting options, Finnair via Helsinki offers shortest connection times, while Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines provide Star Alliance routing through Munich or Vienna. SAS flies via Copenhagen. All major airlines except British Airways serve this route through code-sharing agreements. Wizz Air previously operated but has currently suspended this route.
What airport do I fly into in Riga?
You fly into Riga International Airport (RIX), located 10km southwest of Riga city centre. The airport is modern and efficient, handling over 7 million passengers annually. To reach the city centre, take bus route 22 or express bus LV-202 (€2, 30 minutes), or a taxi (€10-15, 15-20 minutes). Uber operates in Riga and is often cheaper than taxis. The airport has car rental desks (Sixt, Budget, Europcar), currency exchange, and basic facilities. Terminal is relatively compact with good signage in Latvian and English.
How far in advance should I book London to Riga flights?
For London-Riga, book 6-10 weeks ahead for direct flights to secure the best fares. Ryanair and airBaltic release seats roughly 6-9 months in advance, with the cheapest windows appearing 2-3 months out. Booking too early (12+ weeks) can sometimes mean higher prices as airlines haven’t yet adjusted to demand. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) rarely yield deals on this route, especially in summer. For December travel, book by October. Shoulder season (March-April, October-November) offers more flexibility with 4-8 weeks advance booking typically sufficient.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Riga on weekdays?
Yes, flying mid-week significantly reduces costs on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically save €15-40 compared to Friday or Sunday flights. This pattern holds for both direct (Ryanair, airBaltic) and connecting services. Sunday is consistently the most expensive day to fly, particularly for return flights from Riga to London. Monday also tends to be pricier due to business travelers. If your schedule allows flexibility, shifting departure by just one or two days can result in substantial savings. Use Skyscanner’s ‘cheapest month’ or ‘whole month’ view to identify the lowest-price days for your specific travel dates.
Data updated: 2026-03
