Saint Petersburg to Riga transfer via Pskov and Koidula
If you need to get from Saint Petersburg to Riga without a bus and without changes at stations, Artsantaxi arranges a door to door trip through the Kunichina Gora - Koidula border crossing. In Russia one of our drivers takes you to the border, you cross it on foot, and in Estonia a second car meets you and drives you to Riga, to your address or to Riga Airport.
Who the Koidula crossing suits for a trip to Riga
The road to Riga via Koidula is about 30 km longer than via Luhamaa, but the walk here is the shortest. From the Russian checkpoint to the Estonian one it is about 350 metres. This is convenient for elderly passengers, families with children and anyone travelling with suitcases.
Many of our clients have already travelled through Koidula, know this crossing and choose it again. Our drivers are at the border almost every day, so before the trip they will tell you where it is calmer that day: at Koidula or at Luhamaa. The Luhamaa option is described on the page Saint Petersburg - Riga transfer via Pskov and Luhamaa.
Kunichina Gora - Koidula border crossing: what to know
The Kunichina Gora - Koidula pedestrian crossing is open from 7:00 to 19:00. It lies away from towns, there are usually few people, and the checks take from 30 minutes to an hour.
Facilities are basic: on the Russian side there is only a petrol station, on the Estonian side one cafe. So it is better to eat beforehand, and the driver will stop on the way wherever suits you.
Veterinary control works on both sides at all crossings. If you are travelling with a dog or a cat, tell the manager when booking.
The route step by step
The driver picks you up in Saint Petersburg at your address, at Pulkovo Airport or at a railway station and heads south through Pskov. From Pskov to the Koidula crossing it is 60 km, about 50 minutes.
At the Kunichina Gora checkpoint the driver drops you off as close to the entrance as possible. While you go through the checks, he lets the driver on the European side know that you have gone to the border. You receive the drivers' names and the details of both cars before the trip.
At the exit from the Koidula checkpoint a car of our company with Estonian or Latvian plates is waiting for you. If the checks take longer, the driver will wait, and there is no charge for waiting. From there the road runs through Estonia and Latvia straight to Riga.
Riga - Koidula: distance and travel time
Saint Petersburg - Kunichina Gora: about 350 km, around 4 hours 30 minutes.
Kunichina Gora - Koidula border: from 30 minutes to an hour.
Koidula - Riga: about 260 km, around 3 hours 30 minutes.
The whole way from Saint Petersburg to Riga via Koidula is about 610 km and takes around 8.5-9 hours including the border.
Where in Riga, and what about your flight
We drive you to any address in Riga or to Riga Airport, the price is the same for both. If you are flying out, tell the manager your flight time: you need to be at the airport 2 hours before departure, and the road there goes through the city, where there can be traffic during the day. The manager will work out when to leave Saint Petersburg.
If you need to go to Jurmala, see the route Saint Petersburg - Jurmala transfer. If you are going to Tallinn through the same crossing, use the route Saint Petersburg - Tallinn transfer via Pskov and Koidula. Return trips and other options are on the page Riga ↔ Saint Petersburg transfer.
FAQ about the trip to Riga via Koidula
What is the distance from Riga to Koidula?
About 260 km. By car it takes around 3 hours 30 minutes.
What is the distance from Pskov to Koidula?
About 60 km, around 50 minutes by car. Pskov is on the way, so the road to Riga via Koidula passes it.
How far is it from Saint Petersburg to Riga via Koidula and how long does it take?
About 610 km. Including the border crossing the trip takes around 8.5-9 hours.
Which is better for a trip to Riga: Koidula or Luhamaa?
The road via Luhamaa is a little shorter, while the walk at Koidula is shorter, about 350 metres instead of 900. If you want to walk less with luggage or you are used to Koidula, choose it. If you are not sure, the driver will tell you where it is calmer on the day of the trip.
How far do you walk across the Kunichina Gora - Koidula border?
About 350 metres from the Russian checkpoint to the Estonian one. The drivers drop you off and meet you as close to the checkpoints as possible.
What are the opening hours of the Koidula crossing?
From 7:00 to 19:00. The manager plans your departure from Saint Petersburg so that you have enough time to cross the border.
Is there a queue at Koidula?
There are usually few people, and the crossing takes 30 minutes to an hour. If you are delayed, the driver on the European side will wait at no extra charge.
Can I travel to Riga with a dog or a cat?
Yes. Veterinary control works on both sides of the crossing, so let the manager know about your pet in advance.
Why is a transfer more convenient than the bus from Saint Petersburg to Riga?
You are picked up at your door, there is no timetable and no stops for other passengers, and you are dropped off right at your address in Riga. We stop on the way in Russia and in Europe whenever you ask, and the stops are included in the price.
Do you have child seats?
Yes, on request. Our cars are clean and well kept: a sedan for 1-3 passengers and a Mercedes-Benz V-Class or Vito for groups of up to 8.
Do I need to prepay, and can I book on the day of the trip?
No prepayment is needed, you pay the drivers on the spot. You can also book on the same day, even a few hours ahead. WhatsApp or Telegram is the easiest way to reach us.
Saint Petersburg to Riga via Koidula transfer price
Sedan, 1-3 passengers: 430 euros. Of this, you pay 17 000 roubles to the driver in Russia and 260 euros to the driver in Europe.
Minivan Mercedes-Benz V-Class or Vito, 4-8 passengers: from 580 euros. 25 000 roubles to the driver in Russia and 330 euros to the driver in Europe.
If it is more convenient, you can pay the whole amount in one currency, in euros or in roubles at the rate of the day.
The price is fixed and does not change because of waiting at the border or stops. In Riga it is the same for an address and for the airport. Only a pickup at an address far from the centre of Saint Petersburg costs a little more.
Book 24/7:
Phone: +372 5802 4209
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Email: artsantaxi@gmail.com