However, there is still a chance tourists risk being seriously overcharged as their welcome to Latvia, if a new investigation by Latvian Television is to be believed.
These days, when arriving at Riga airport, there are several options to choose from to get to the city center. There are stands with public transport prices and routes. Also new this summer is an express bus to the center which is more expensive than a regular bus but cheaper than a taxi.
But the area around the airport is still busy with unofficial options. Some drivers do not buy a license to work in the airport area, leave their car in the parking lot and lure customers to their vehicle. A licensed taxi driver gave a video to Latvian Television of how some people continue to deceive customers and are not keen on being filmed.
This led Latvian Television to try its own price survey at the airport.
Coming out of the airport without a microphone - it was hidden in a bag - an offer was immediately received for a trip to the "Origo" shopping center at the railway Central Station for 45 euros – a very high amount for a journey of about 8 kilometers. Unfortunately, this conversation could not be recorded. But there were also other offers and offers at high prices from licensed taxi drivers.
"Choose only "XTAXI" orange. Normal prices. 22-23-25 euros. In case of traffic jams, then 25 euros maximum." says one offer, which offers a ride at the lowest offered price. Others are ready to offer fixed prices, but when refusing a trip or complaining about the price, are ready to show where the bus stop is.
When Latvian Television asks a taxi driver how much a trip to Riga Central Railway Station costs, he answers that it will be around 35 to 37 euros. When asked why it is so expensive, the driver answers sarcastically: "You are an expert on the economic situation in Latvia?"
Another taxi driver says that the price is high, because it is fixed specifically for the driver, while another recommends that it is better to take a bus, the ticket for which will be only 2 euros.
And then there are audible conversations between the drivers, in which they discuss the undercover LTV reporter's appearance, ability to pay, and other matters. They seem to assume this traveller doesn't understand the Latvian language so they can say whatever they like without fear of detection.
"Why does he have to pay? We're n*****s to him . We have to pay less. A man has a choice now," said one taxi driver, while another replied, "Yes, he can choose to go to the second floor and fly back [where he came from]. We'll show him!"
"What kind of tourist is he, look at him. A student. He'll leave about 50 euros here maximum," the drivers tell each other.
Another driver added that "Now all those tourists are so stingy and it's not like before".
They may be right – at least about tourists being much more informed about their travel options and reasonable pricing than they used to be. LTV observed that a large proportion of flight arrivals chose public transport and that the cheap, ordinary bus to the center is full even in the middle of the day.
Meanwhile the driver of the new express shuttle bus says that even in the evenings, it often happens that there are no free seats on the buses.
"They expressly come and look for public transport, because they know that it is safe, that they will be taken and not ripped off. They will be taken and there will be one [fixed] price," said the bus driver.
Currently the biggest problem in the industry is a lack of bus drivers. It is not as big as after the Covid-19 pandemic period. Since 2022, more than 70 taxi drivers have also lost their licenses because they cannot prove Latvian language skills.
