Airport taxi overcharging in Latvia

Riga International Airport

How it works

Official airport taxi vouchers are already expensive at €33. Some taxis try to charge even more illegally.

Warning signs

The fare is unclear before departure.
The driver demands more than the agreed or voucher price.

How to avoid it

Use the Bolt app to see the rate and enter your destination.
Confirm the full fare or meter rate before getting in.
Keep your booking or voucher details.
Consider bus 22 as an alternative.

If it happens to you

Save the booking, voucher and receipt. Record the vehicle registration when safe, and raise the charge with the booking service or police.

Get to a safe place. If you are threatened, injured or prevented from leaving, call 112.
Contact your card issuer if your card was stolen or used for a disputed payment. Freeze it if needed and ask about a payment dispute.
Save receipts, bills, booking details, messages and screenshots. Write down the time, location and what happened.
Report the incident to police. The state police number is 110. Ask for a report reference or copy.
Notify the relevant taxi service, venue, rental company or course provider. Make any refund request in writing.
Contact your insurer with the evidence and police report. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen or you need help replacing travel documents.

What it can costSome taxis demand more than €33; €33 is the official voucher price, not itself a scam charge.

Where it happensRiga International AirportRiga

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in LatviaTaxi detours: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the airport taxi overcharging scam in Latvia?

Official airport taxi vouchers are already expensive at €33. Some taxis try to charge even more illegally.

How can I spot it early?

The fare is unclear before departure. The driver demands more than the agreed or voucher price.

How do I avoid airport taxi overcharging in Latvia?

Use the Bolt app to see the rate and enter your destination. Confirm the full fare or meter rate before getting in. Keep your booking or voucher details. Consider bus 22 as an alternative.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Save the booking, voucher and receipt. Record the vehicle registration when safe, and raise the charge with the booking service or police.

Where in Latvia does this happen?

Riga International Airport It has been reported in Riga.

How much can it cost me?

Some taxis demand more than €33; €33 is the official voucher price, not itself a scam charge.

How common is this scam in Latvia?

Occasional. Latvia is generally safe for independent travellers, but petty theft and tourist scams do happen. The main concerns are bar extortion, taxi overcharging, extra restaurant charges and language-course payment scams in Riga.

Are there similar scams in Latvia?

Yes: taxi detours, excessive taxi meter rates, taxi meter manipulation.

Who can I report it to?

Emergency services: call 112 for immediate danger, threats, injury or being prevented from leaving. State police: call 110 to report a scam or theft. Keep evidence and ask for a report reference. Help after bar scams has reportedly been uneven. Card issuer: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact number. Report stolen cards, forced payments or disputed charges and ask what recovery options apply. Taxi booking service or taxi company: use the trip's support option or the company's official contact channel. Provide the receipt, route, vehicle registration and details of the disputed fare. Travel insurer: use your policy's claims channel. Submit receipts, evidence and the police report when requested. Your embassy or consulate: use its official contact details if your passport is stolen or you need help replacing travel documents.

What number do I call in an emergency in Latvia?

General emergency: 112, State police: 110, Ambulance: 113, Natural gas emergencies: 114.

Reviewed by @snuck