How to find a cheap car rental deal in Latvia
Pick up a cheap rental car in Latvia from $12 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, so you can quickly compare prices and book.
For extended getaways, $82 is the lowest available rate for a weekly rental.
Browse the car rentals in Riga and keep more cash in your pocket. It's the most affordable place in Latvia to book your ride.
Riga is the most popular city for car rentals.
If you're not sure which provider to go with, check out Green Motion. It stands as the number one choice in Latvia.
Collect your ride from the airport if you're flying in. Riga International Airport offers car rental pickup locations either at the terminal or close by.
You can easily rent a set of wheels in cities including Riga, Jūrmala, Alanda, Liepaya and Skulte.
Book a one-way rental and you could pay less. If a city is running low on vehicles, providers often lower the price to encourage returns there. Select 'Return car to a different location' to find those cheaper routes.
Need wheels for a few weeks? Sometimes you can score a discount when you book for 30 days or more, so play around with your dates to find the lowest rates.
Avoid extra costs by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You drive away with a full tank and bring it back full, paying only for what you use.
Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey instead of watching the odometer tick over. Check for this feature under the 'Policies' filter and cover more ground without added fees.
Best time to book a car rental in Latvia
Here's the secret to booking at the right time. Four weeks in advance gives you the best shot at finding the best price on a car rental in Latvia.
Time your visit for November to take advantage of average daily rates of $40. This is the most affordable month to rent a car.
If you want to travel outside the priciest time of year, avoid booking during June.
Compare car rental types in Latvia
Economy: Hit the road in one of these and help keep your travel budget on track. Lower daily rates and impressive fuel efficiency mean you spend less overall while still getting a smooth, easy-to-handle ride.
Small: Including mini and economy classes, small cars are ideal for everyday travel. If you're searching for a cheap rental car in Latvia, this is where you'll find some of the best deals. They're perfect for city streets and quick getaways, with low fuel use, easy handling, and enough space for the essentials.
Medium: Need more space without going all out? Medium rentals (which include compact and intermediate models) strike the perfect middle ground. They feel right at home on city streets, on highways and just about everywhere in between.
Large: No squeezing in. No stacking bags at your feet. Also known as full-size, large cars offer real passenger space and the luggage capacity to match. Choose this level when you're covering some serious ground or bringing the whole crew.
SUV: Road trips across Latvia are a breeze in one of these. The elevated seating position offers a wider view of what's ahead and helps you stay aware of your surroundings. Engineered for versatility, they can take you from busy urban streets to off-the-radar stretches with ease.
Van: For relocations or large group transport, this category of car for rent in Latvia has the extra carrying power you need. These commercial vans and trucks prioritize volume and practicality, helping you transport more in fewer trips.
Luxury: Want to step into something next level? From bold good looks to cutting-edge tech and powerful performance, luxury vehicles kick the entire driving experience into high gear. This is what to book when you expect nothing less than exceptional.
Insurance and optional extras
Car rental excess insurance isn't mandatory, but it's something you should consider. If you're in a collision, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying a big excess fee. Different providers have different insurance policies and coverage levels, so check the details before booking.
Make travel easier when you rent a car in Latvia by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a navigation system to make sure you never miss a turn, or reverse cameras that make parking feel effortless.
Driving in Latvia: What you need to know
Rental age requirements generally aren't a one-size-fits-all. Providers can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could encounter extra costs or restrictions. Check the rules for the supplier you choose before booking your rental in Latvia.
Travelling with kids? Child car seat laws vary from one place to another, and the best setup may depend on their weight, height and age. Be sure to add the right one to your car rental reservation in Latvia.
You'll be asked for a few things when picking up your rental car: a valid driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds for the security deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. Any additional requirements will be listed in your booking.
Spend a moment familiarising yourself with your rental. Adjust your seat and mirrors, learn where everything is, and get a feel for its handling before you set off. And remember to stay on the right side of the road in Latvia.
Local speed limits may vary, but it's typically around 45kph in urban areas and 100kph or so on highways. Always obey the road signs.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Latvia is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink at all.
Where to road trip in Latvia?
Latvia is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Riga, Jūrmala and Liepāja, plus airport pickup points at Riga International Airport and Liepāja Airport. If you're planning car rental in Latvia, the routes below show how pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types can shape your drive across the country's varied regions.
History and Culture: Riga to the Gauja Valley
Pick up your car in Riga and head northeast into one of Latvia's most historically layered inland regions. It's a well-paced option if you want architecture, medieval heritage and manageable daily distances without pushing too far between stops.
Recommended car: Compact sedan or small hatchback.
Suggested pickup point: Riga International Airport or Riga city centre.
Good for: History enthusiasts, couples and first-time visitors.
Road conditions: Paved highways, well-maintained rural roads.
Best time to go: May to September for long daylight hours.
Trip length: Three to four days.
Key stops: Sigulda, Cēsis.
Coastal Drive: Rīga Gulf Shore to the Courland Peninsula
Start in Jūrmala and follow the Baltic coast southwest toward one of Latvia's most remote and wind-swept shoreline regions. The drive suits travellers who prefer unhurried pacing, with easy pull-offs and small seaside towns breaking up the distance.
Recommended car: Mid-size SUV.
Suggested pickup point: Riga International Airport or Jūrmala city centre.
Good for: Couples, nature lovers and slow travellers.
Road conditions: Paved coastal roads, some sandy or gravel sections near the shore.
Best time to go: June to August for warmest weather.
Trip length: Four to five days.
Key stops: Kolka, Ventspils.
Nature and Adventure: The Latgale Lakelands
Pick up your car in Daugavpils and drive north into Latvia's most lake-dense region, a quiet interior stretch dotted with forests and waterways. It's a good fit for outdoor-focused travellers who want unhurried access to nature without long daily drives between stops.
Recommended car: Mid-size SUV or all-wheel-drive crossover.
Suggested pickup point: Daugavpils city centre.
Good for: Hikers, wildlife watchers and photographers.
Road conditions: Paved regional roads, unpaved forest tracks.
Best time to go: May to September for accessible trails and wildlife activity.
Trip length: Three to five days.
Key stops: Rēzekne, Ludza.
Weather and driving conditions in Latvia
Weather
Latvia has four distinct seasons — spring runs from March to May with mild, gradually warming days, summer brings warm and often sunny weather from June through August, and autumn turns cool and wet from September through November. Winter lasts from December to February and brings cold temperatures, frequent snow and short daylight hours across the country.
Snow settles heavily across Latvia's roads from late autumn through early spring, so fitting winter tyres before you set off is essential for driving in Latvia. Rain and fog roll in frequently along the coast and through forested inland routes, and slowing down well ahead of bends gives you the visibility margin you need.
Driving conditions
Main highways out of Riga are in good shape, but a road trip in Latvia often leads onto gravel roads in rural areas. These unpaved stretches are especially common in Latgale and other countryside regions, so check your rental agreement covers them before you set off.
Riga's historic centre has a tight one-way street network and limited parking, so expect to use paid parking zones or garages near the old town. Traffic builds on the main bridge crossings during morning and evening rush hours. {NS} Outside Riga, roads narrow quickly and signage shifts to Latvian only with fewer pictograms. Gas stations become sparse in the forested eastern regions, so filling up before heading into rural areas is a practical habit.
Moose, deer, and wild boar are a genuine concern on Latvia's rural roads, particularly near forested stretches at dawn and dusk. Your chances of an encounter are highest in autumn, when animals move most actively.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
Whether you're going far or keeping it local, the right stay makes a big difference when you've put in the miles. After booking your car rental in Latvia, check prices for hotels in Riga if this major stop is on your route. It's also easy to find Daugavpils accommodation options or check out more places to stay in Jelgava as you plan the rest of your route.
