Port information & tips for Liepaja
Liepaja, the charming "City of the Wind," welcomes its visitors as a cultural jewel on the Latvian Amber Coast. The port city impresses with a fascinating mix of Hanseatic heritage, magnificent Art Nouveau architecture, and a kilometer-long, fine sandy beach. Special highlights include the monumental Holy Trinity Cathedral with its world-famous organ, the historic Karosta district with the golden-domed St. Nicholas Maritime Cathedral, and the extensive Seaside Park. Cruise ships dock at the Liepaja Central Terminal in the modern free port. From this pier, the city center, which is about three kilometers away, is easily reachable in a few minutes thanks to provided shuttle buses or a short taxi ride, inviting you to extensive explorations.
The port of Liepaja, a significant gateway on Latvia's Baltic coast, is easily accessible thanks to good road connections and regional transport routes. Cruise ships dock in the immediate vicinity of the city center, allowing guests to comfortably explore the charming city. Due to potentially longer journeys from the DACH region, an overnight stay in advance is often recommended for a relaxed start to your cruise.
Car
Liepaja is excellently accessible from the DACH region via the European long-distance road network and in Latvia via the well-developed main roads A9 (from the direction of Riga/East) and A11 (from the direction of Lithuania/South). The cruise terminal, at Brivostas iela 14A, is clearly signposted and is located in the commercial port area. Approximately 20 unguarded parking spaces are available directly at the ferry terminal (Stena Line, in the same port area). Additionally, there are paid parking zones in Liepaja in the city center (Zone L) and in the area of Seaside Park (Zone L2), as well as free parking options near the "Lielais Dzintars" concert hall and at the end of Kurmajas Prospekts. Payment is easily made at machines or via app (Mobilly, EuroPark, Carsleep).
Airplane
For international guests, Riga International Airport (RIX) is the main point of entry. It is located about 210 kilometers from Liepaja and offers numerous direct connections from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. From Riga Airport, you can reach Liepaja directly in about 3.5 to 4 hours by bus (line 22 to the Riga bus station, then transfer to a long-distance bus). Alternatively, the smaller Liepaja International Airport (LPX) is available, located only about 6 kilometers from the city center and mainly offering domestic flights, often in connection with Riga. From LPX, you can reach the city center and thus the terminal comfortably by taxi or city bus (line 2) in about 15-30 minutes. Private transfers are also a comfortable option and shorten the journey from Riga to approx. 2.5 hours.
Train
Liepaja Station (Liepaja-Pasazieru) is located at Rigas iela 71 and is about 4 kilometers from the port. From there, the cruise terminal can be reached in less than 30 minutes on foot or comfortably with a short taxi transfer. A direct train connection exists between Liepaja and Riga, with a travel time of about 3 hours and 15 minutes. This usually runs twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays to Liepaja, and on Saturdays and Sundays from Liepaja to Riga. For travelers arriving in Riga by plane from the DACH region and wishing for a scenic onward journey, the train ride is an attractive alternative to the bus.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the trip: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always follow the current announcements and the notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
The port of Liepaja, a significant gateway on Latvia's Baltic coast, is easily accessible thanks to good road connections and regional transport routes. Cruise ships dock in the immediate vicinity of the city center, allowing guests to comfortably explore the charming city. Due to potentially longer journeys from the DACH region, an overnight stay in advance is often recommended for a relaxed start to your cruise.
Car
Liepaja is excellently accessible from the DACH region via the European long-distance road network and in Latvia via the well-developed main roads A9 (from the direction of Riga/East) and A11 (from the direction of Lithuania/South). The cruise terminal, at Brivostas iela 14A, is clearly signposted and is located in the commercial port area. Approximately 20 unguarded parking spaces are available directly at the ferry terminal (Stena Line, in the same port area). Additionally, there are paid parking zones in Liepaja in the city center (Zone L) and in the area of Seaside Park (Zone L2), as well as free parking options near the "Lielais Dzintars" concert hall and at the end of Kurmajas Prospekts. Payment is easily made at machines or via app (Mobilly, EuroPark, Carsleep).
Airplane
For international guests, Riga International Airport (RIX) is the main point of entry. It is located about 210 kilometers from Liepaja and offers numerous direct connections from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. From Riga Airport, you can reach Liepaja directly in about 3.5 to 4 hours by bus (line 22 to the Riga bus station, then transfer to a long-distance bus). Alternatively, the smaller Liepaja International Airport (LPX) is available, located only about 6 kilometers from the city center and mainly offering domestic flights, often in connection with Riga. From LPX, you can reach the city center and thus the terminal comfortably by taxi or city bus (line 2) in about 15-30 minutes. Private transfers are also a comfortable option and shorten the journey from Riga to approx. 2.5 hours.
Train
Liepaja Station (Liepaja-Pasazieru) is located at Rigas iela 71 and is about 4 kilometers from the port. From there, the cruise terminal can be reached in less than 30 minutes on foot or comfortably with a short taxi transfer. A direct train connection exists between Liepaja and Riga, with a travel time of about 3 hours and 15 minutes. This usually runs twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays to Liepaja, and on Saturdays and Sundays from Liepaja to Riga. For travelers arriving in Riga by plane from the DACH region and wishing for a scenic onward journey, the train ride is an attractive alternative to the bus.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the trip: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always follow the current announcements and the notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
From the port, the central location of the berths allows you to quickly reach the city center and the historical sights of Liepaja.
On foot
The berths are located in the immediate vicinity of the city center, and the historic old town as well as the modern promenade can be easily reached in about 10 to 15 minutes walking time.
The tram
Liepaja has the oldest electric tram network in the Baltics, and the lines offer a charming way for a direct trip to the extensive seaside park and the fine sandy beach.
Taxi
Taxis are available directly at the port exit and will take you in a short time to destinations in the surrounding area or to the impressive Karosta district in the north of the city.
To make the most of your stay in Liepaja, we recommend a diverse exploration tour that combines the fascinating maritime heritage of Karosta with the historic architecture of the city center and the relaxing Baltic coast.
Karosta & St. Nicholas Cathedral
The history-steeped Karosta district impresses with its golden-shining orthodox St. Nicholas Cathedral and, thanks to its fascinating mix of Tsarist military architecture and hidden beach fortifications, offers a deep insight into the region's moving past.
Historic Center & Great Amber
The cultural heart of the city impresses with charming wooden houses as well as the futuristic concert hall Great Amber and, thanks to the short distances, is perfectly suited for a relaxed stroll to the city's melodic music monuments.
Liepaja Beach & Seaside Park
The award-winning beach with its exceptionally fine, white sand is ideal for a break by the sea and, thanks to the extensive Seaside Park, also offers an idyllic setting for a relaxing walk under shade-providing trees.
Liepāja Beach
The award-winning beach of Liepāja is easily accessible from the port in about ten minutes by taxi and impresses with its exceptionally fine, white sand and the prestigious Blue Flag. Thanks to the extensive promenade and charming beach cafes like the "Red Sun Buffet," you will find a perfect infrastructure for relaxed hours by the sea. Use the morning for an extensive walk along the Baltic Sea coast and then stroll back through the adjacent, idyllic Jūrmala Park towards the city center. For a stress-free end to your shore excursion, ideally plan to return to the ship ninety minutes before the scheduled departure.
The journey back to the Port of Liepaja is very relaxed thanks to the clear city layout and good connections, ensuring you reach your ship safely and on time.
Taxi and Rideshare Services
You can reliably find taxis at central stands at Rožu laukums (Rose Square) and directly in front of major hotels such as Hotel Liva or the Promenade Hotel. Additionally, the Bolt app can be used conveniently to arrange a direct ride to the terminal from the beaches or the sights in the Karosta district.
Shuttle Service and Bus Connections
Most cruise lines offer a shuttle bus that runs regularly between the city center near the tourist information office and the port terminal. You can also use local bus lines 3, 4, or 7 from the Kuršu laukums stop, which will reliably bring you back near the port area and provide easy orientation.
On Foot
If your ship is docked at the Tirdzniecības kanāls (Trade Canal), you can walk back on board in just a few minutes through the pedestrian zones of the old town. For berths in the Free Port, simply orient yourself by the prominent Oskars Kalpaks Bridge and follow the well-paved sidewalks that lead you safely back to the port gate.
