Two medieval squares, two first Christmas trees
This is leg 1 of 1, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Tallinn & Riga
Tallinn to Riga
Tallinn and Riga sit about 279 km (173 mi) apart in a straight line, with Riga to the south. It is leg 1 of 1 on our Tallinn & Riga itinerary, a 5-day trip. It crosses from Estonia into Latvia. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 279 km · 173 mi
- Est. road distance
- 335–391 km
- Est. drive time
- 3 h 30 min – 6 h
- Direction
- Heading south
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By train
Our Tallinn & Riga itinerary is easy to do on public transport, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.
By car
Driving is an estimated 335–391 km (208–243 mi) and 3 h 30 min – 6 h at typical average speeds, not a routed time.
Lux Express and other coaches run Tallinn to Riga many times a day in about 4.5 hours, with wifi and seat power; airBaltic also flies the route in about an hour. There is no direct train yet. Both Old Towns are compact and walkable; tram 4 runs from Tallinn airport to the centre, and bus 22 links Riga airport to the Old Town.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Riga
Old Town markets and Europe's densest Art Nouveau district; 2 nights.
Riga Christmas Market
Red-and-white striped stalls and a tall tree on Dome Square, beside Riga Cathedral, selling mittens, honey and hot food.
Town Hall Square
Square where an octagonal plaque marks Riga's claim to the first decorated Christmas tree, set up in 1510.
St Peter's Church
Gothic church whose 123 m spire has a lift to a viewing gallery over the Old Town and the Daugava.
Black Magic
Dark wood cafe-bar on Kaļķu iela pouring Riga Black Balsam cocktails, with handmade chocolates.
Hotel Neiburgs
Hotel in a 1903 Art Nouveau building on Jauniela, a block from Dome Square.
House of the Blackheads
Ornate Dutch Renaissance guild house of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, rebuilt in 1999 after wartime destruction.
Before you leave Tallinn
Walled Hanseatic Old Town with a market on Town Hall Square; 2 to 3 nights.
Tallinn Christmas Market
Wooden stalls, a tall fir and mulled-wine counters fill Town Hall Square, where Tallinn says a tree stood as early as 1441.
Tallinn Town Hall
Gothic town hall from 1404, the oldest surviving in Northern Europe, with Old Thomas the weathervane on its spire.
Olde Hansa
Candlelit medieval-themed restaurant in a merchant's house off Town Hall Square, serving game, honey beer and spiced almonds.
On this curated route
Where Tallinn → Riga sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Riga to Tallinn is the same 279 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in May, when Riga averages highs 3°C warmer than Tallinn.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tallinn high | -2° | -3° | 1° | 6° | 13° | 17° | 21° | 20° | 16° | 9° | 4° | 0° |
| Riga high | -2° | -2° | 2° | 10° | 16° | 19° | 22° | 21° | 17° | 10° | 4° | 0° |
| Tallinn rain | 52 | 42 | 40 | 40 | 48 | 72 | 65 | 72 | 57 | 71 | 68 | 57 |
| Riga rain | 59 | 48 | 46 | 48 | 51 | 76 | 82 | 80 | 59 | 78 | 74 | 63 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Riga month guides.
Tallinn to Riga: questions travelers ask
How far is Tallinn from Riga?
Tallinn is about 279 km (173 mi) from Riga in a straight line, with Riga to the south. By road, we estimate 335–391 km (208–243 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Tallinn to Riga?
An estimated 3 h 30 min – 6 h, assuming 335–391 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.
Which itineraries include the trip from Tallinn to Riga?
Our Tallinn & Riga itinerary includes this leg. Tallinn & Riga runs about 5 days across 2 stops, best in Late Nov – Dec.
Guides for both ends
- Tallinn travel guide
- Tallinn weather best time to visit
- Riga travel guide
- Riga weather best time to visit
Riga by month
More to explore
Plan Tallinn → Riga with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.