Transfer from Saint Petersburg to Riga via Pskov and Luhamaa
Artsantaxi takes you from Saint Petersburg to Riga through the Shumilkino - Luhamaa border crossing. In Russia our driver takes you to the border, you cross it on foot, and on the European side a second car is already waiting to take you to your address in Riga or to Riga Airport. It is a convenient alternative to the Saint Petersburg - Riga bus: no bus stations, no changing with luggage, no timetable, and door-to-door service.
Why Shumilkino - Luhamaa is the best way to Riga
Of all the southern crossings, Luhamaa is the closest to Riga. Via Koidula the road to the Latvian capital is longer, so for trips to Riga we use Shumilkino - Luhamaa.
You will not be left without food or a break here. The Russian checkpoint at Shumilkino has a filling station with its own cafe. The Estonian side at Luhamaa offers a waiting terminal where travellers can eat a proper meal, change money, use the toilet or take a shower.
The checkpoint is open from 7:00 to 19:00. Scheduled buses also use it, so our manager plans your departure from Saint Petersburg so that you go through control between them. Read more about the crossing itself in our article Luhamaa - Shumilkino border crossing.
How the trip to Riga works
The journey starts at your door in Saint Petersburg, then follows the road through Pskov to Shumilkino. The car stops right next to the checkpoint and you walk through passport control, a stretch of roughly 900 metres.
In advance you receive the names of the drivers and the details of both cars. The drivers stay in touch: the Russian driver lets his colleague know that you have gone to the border and sends your photo if needed. After control you are met by a European Artsantaxi car, Estonian or Latvian, which takes you to Riga.
If the border takes longer, the driver on the European side will wait for you at no extra cost.
We stop on request on both sides. In Europe you can stop at a petrol station to eat, buy something or use the toilet. All stops are included in the price.
Distance and travel time to Riga
First leg, Saint Petersburg to Shumilkino: 351 km and about four and a half hours. Pskov lies on this road, 60 km or roughly 50 minutes before the border.
Passport control at Shumilkino and Luhamaa: usually half an hour to an hour.
Luhamaa to Riga: about 230 km. About 3 hours 30 minutes to the centre of Riga and about 3 hours 50 minutes to Riga Airport, depending on the time of day.
In total about 581 km and around 8.5 to 9.5 hours including the border.
If you are flying from Riga Airport
You need to be at the airport 2 hours before departure. The road to the airport goes across the whole of Riga, and there can be traffic in rush hour. So when you book, our manager will ask for your flight time and suggest when to leave Saint Petersburg so that you have time to spare.
Pickup and drop-off
Pickup points in Saint Petersburg are any central address, Pulkovo Airport and the city railway stations. For addresses well outside the centre there is a small surcharge, which the manager quotes when you book.
In Riga we take you to your address or to Riga Airport, at the same price. If you need to go to Jurmala, there is a separate route transfer Saint Petersburg - Jurmala.
If you are going to Tallinn, see transfer Saint Petersburg - Tallinn via Pskov and Luhamaa. All the options between Riga and Saint Petersburg are on the page transfer Riga ↔ Saint Petersburg.
Questions about the Saint Petersburg to Riga transfer via Luhamaa
How far is it and how long does it take from Saint Petersburg to Riga?
About 581 km. Including the border, the trip takes around 8.5 to 9.5 hours: about 4 hours 30 minutes to the border at Shumilkino, 30 minutes to an hour at the border and about 3 hours 30 minutes from Luhamaa to Riga.
Is there a queue at the Shumilkino - Luhamaa border?
Usually not. The pedestrian crossing here is quiet and there are normally few people. A short delay is only possible if a scheduled bus is going through control at the same time as you, so our manager plans your departure between the buses.
Why is a transfer more convenient than the Saint Petersburg - Riga bus?
You are picked up at your door and taken straight to your address in Riga or to the airport. There is no need to get to a bus station, wait for a departure or follow a timetable, and we stop whenever you need.
Will the driver wait if I am delayed at the border? Do I pay extra?
Yes, the driver on the European side will always wait and will not leave without you. There is no charge for waiting, and the price stays as agreed.
Can we stop on the way?
Yes, on request both in Russia and in Europe. You can stop at a petrol station for a snack, to buy something for the road or to use the toilet. Stops are included in the price.
How will I know who meets me after the border?
You receive the driver and car details in advance. The drivers are in contact with each other, so you are met as close as possible to the Luhamaa exit.
Will I make my flight at Riga Airport?
Tell our manager your flight time when you book. He will plan the departure so that you are at the airport 2 hours before your flight, allowing for the drive through the city.
What cars do you use, and do you have child seats?
A sedan for 1-3 passengers or a Mercedes-Benz V-Class or Vito minivan for groups of up to 8. The cars are clean and well kept. Child seats are available on request, and pets are welcome, just let us know in advance.
Is there a deposit or prepayment?
None at all. Each driver is paid on the spot for his part of the journey.
Can I book a transfer to Riga on the day of travel?
Yes. Booking a few days ahead gives the most choice, yet a same-day request, even a few hours before departure, is also possible. Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram, the manager answers around the clock.
Saint Petersburg to Riga via Luhamaa transfer price
Sedan, 1-3 passengers: 420 EUR door to door, split as 17 000 RUB for the Russian driver and 250 EUR for the European driver.
Mercedes-Benz V-Class or Vito minivan, 4-8 passengers: from 570 EUR, split as 25 000 RUB for the Russian driver and 320 EUR for the European driver.
If it is easier, you can settle the full fare at once in euros or roubles at that day's rate.
The price is fixed and agreed in advance. It includes waiting at the border and stops on the way. The price is the same for an address in Riga and for Riga Airport. It changes only for pickup far from the centre of Saint Petersburg.
Book 24/7:
Phone: +372 5802 4209
WhatsApp: message us on WhatsApp
Telegram: message us on Telegram
Email: artsantaxi@gmail.com