Currently, there is no passenger train from Riga to Ventspils. There is a railway line from the capital to Ventspils but passenger trains end at Tukums II station. Passenger trains between Riga and Ventspils were suspended in the spring of 2001.
Passenger services were resumed on 1 Septemper 2008. Following year, from 19 October 2009 passenger trains were partially replaced by buses. On 16 February 2010 passenger trafic was ceased for good due to economical reasons.
Sometimes there is information about initiatives to reinstate the train. On 23 April 2018 a passenger train with representatives of “Latvijas dzelzceļš” (Latvian Railways) and “Pasažieru vilciens” (Passenger Train) entered the Ventspils railway station.
Ventspils is the only major city in Latvia without passenger trains.
The railway is unable to compete on cost and time with numerous coach services. Railway stations between Tukums and Ventspils are located usually far from the villages and towns. Buses run often, journey time is about 3 hours (2 hours from Tukums), tickets are not expensive. Buses stop in the centre of the villages and towns. Only disadvantage is no toilet on board of the bus.
1188.lv – timetable and prices
There is no chance for train from Riga to Venstpils in the nearest future.
The railway station in Ventspils is located 3 km from the city centre. Abandoned building has been recently renovated and is considered most beautiful railway station in Latvia (exterior). The building is not open to public.
In Ventpils you can take a ride of narrow gauge railway.
Ventspils – tourist attractions:
– Livonian Order Castle (Local history museum)
– cobbled streets and wooden houses
– cow-themed sculptures
– open-air museum
– narrow gauge railway “Mazbānītis”
– adventure park
– toboggan track
– sandy beaches
See also:
