Though Riga sits on the Baltic in Eastern Europe, its location does not mean you'll need to rent a car. Many travelers arrive in the city by plane or boat, and Riga itself is well equipped with transportation options (including a bus, trolley, and tram system). We recommend exploring the Latvian capital by foot.

If you're looking to take some day trips beyond Riga, however, there are plenty of car rental options.

In terms of driving rules specific to Latvia, know that foreigners planning to drive in the country for a period longer than six months must exchange their license for a Latvia-issued license. To rent a car in Latvia, you must be at least 21 years old.

A good rate for a three day manual drive economy car rental in Riga is around 140 LVL (€198).

To get the best price, reserve a car before leaving home. Ask for an all-inclusive rate with full insurance and unlimited kilometers. Many of the less expensive rental cars in Europe will have neither air conditioning nor roll-down windows. To get the best deal, shop around, reserve ahead of time and pay in advance.

Check out our trusty consolidator AutoEurope to find the best car rental deals in Riga and the rest of Latvia.