Route guide

Riga → Salzburg

1260 km · Latvia to Austria · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €40+ by bus

How to travel from Riga to Salzburg

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

🚄Train

€91–267

Duration: 10h 30m

via Pasažieru vilciens, ÖBB (Railjet)

~18 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€40–108

Duration: 18h

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~35 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€85–271

Duration: 4h 11m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Austrian Airlines

~197 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€151–277

Duration: 14h

~214 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 1260 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 Austria. 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 Salzburg — every option in detail

Riga to Salzburg by train

Trains link Riga (Latvia) and Salzburg (Austria) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 10h 30m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Pasažieru vilciens, ÖBB (Railjet).

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €91 to €267. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 18 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 197 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~179 kg on this distance.

Riga to Salzburg by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Riga and Salzburg with a typical journey of 18h. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €40 when booked in advance, rising to €108 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 Salzburg by flight

Flights between Riga and Salzburg take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 11m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Austrian Airlines.

Typical fare range is €85–271. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 197 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Riga to Salzburg by car

The driving distance from Riga to Salzburg is approximately 1449 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 14h of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €151–277 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Latvia–Austria 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 214 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Riga and Salzburg is approximately 1260 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.

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