Route guide

Riga → Bucharest

1399 km · Latvia to Romania · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €44+ by bus

How to travel from Riga to Bucharest

There are 4 ways to travel between Riga and Bucharest — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€99–292

Duration: 11h 40m

via Pasažieru vilciens, CFR Călători

~20 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€44–118

Duration: 19h 59m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~39 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€91–288

Duration: 4h 22m

via Ryanair, easyJet

~218 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€168–308

Duration: 15h 33m

~238 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Riga and Bucharest highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 1399 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Latvia into Romania. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Riga to Bucharest — every option in detail

Riga to Bucharest by train

Trains link Riga (Latvia) and Bucharest (Romania) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 11h 40m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Pasažieru vilciens, CFR Călători.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €99 to €292. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 20 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 218 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~198 kg on this distance.

Riga to Bucharest by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Riga and Bucharest with a typical journey of 19h 59m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €44 when booked in advance, rising to €118 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Riga to Bucharest by flight

Flights between Riga and Bucharest take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 22m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet.

Typical fare range is €91–288. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 218 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Riga to Bucharest by car

The driving distance from Riga to Bucharest is approximately 1609 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 15h 33m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €168–308 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Latvia–Romania border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 238 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Riga and Bucharest is approximately 1399 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

↔ Reverse: Bucharest to Riga All routes from Riga All routes to Bucharest