thetrainfamilyOur next destination after Riga is Daugavpils, Latvia’s second-largest city. The city is located only 25 km from the border to Lithuania and 35 km from the border to Belarus. The train from Riga to Daugavspils departs from Platform 1 at the Riga central station everyday.
Ticket purchase:
The cost of the trip was 26 Euros for the five of us, and we had easily purchased the tickets in advance on the Latvian Railways’ website, which is also available in English: https://www.pv.lv/en/. However, our youngest child, who is 6 years old, didn’t need to pay as children up to that age travel for free. The journey took 3.5 hours in a regional train, which made frequent stops.
It’s not possible to reserve seat tickets, but we managed to find seats together. The trip was pleasant, though a bit hot since it was 30 degrees Celsius on that day, and the train lacked air conditioning. Upon arriving in Daugavpils, we took the bus, and the fare was 0.70 Euros to get to our apartment. Interestingly, we discovered that the bus fare remains the same, whether the distance is long or short. Once again, our 6-year-old child traveled for free.
Facts about Daugavpils:
- Daugavpils is the second-largest city in Latvia after Riga and is situated in the southeastern part of the country.
- The city has a rich history and boasts numerous historical and cultural landmarks, including Daugavpils Fortress, the Mark Rothko Art Centre (dedicated to the famous painter Mark Rothko, who was born in Daugavpils), and the Saints Boris and Gleb Cathedral.
- Daugavpils is known for its diverse population and is home to various ethnic groups, contributing to a vibrant cultural scene.
- Daugavpils is an important center for education and science, with several universities and research institutions based in the city.
- The beautiful Latgale region surrounding Daugavpils is characterized by picturesque landscapes, lakes, and forests.
