LATVIA : Taking into account the rapidly increasing number of passengers and the residents’ interest in travel opportunities this summer season, the bus transport company “Lux Express” will open the summer route Riga-Pērnava-Kuresāre (Saaremaa) on June 16. Thus, the residents of Latvia will also have the opportunity to conveniently visit the island of Saaremaa and its largest city, Kuresari, from Riga this summer. The new route will be available in the summer period from June 16 to August 20.
“Lux Expresss” provides 13 flights to the Estonian cities of Tallinn and Pärnu every day, while there are 3 flights daily on the Riga-Tartu route. Tartu is located in the south of Estonia and is the second largest city in Estonia, which has been the center of scientific development and culture for centuries, but will also be the European capital of culture next year.
Ingmar Roos, head of Lux Express’ intercity services business: “People want to travel again, and this is also reflected in the increasing number of passengers. For example, on the Riga-Tallinn route in the first five months of this year, the number of passengers has increased by more than 50% compared to the first five months of 2022.”
The island of Saaremaa has always been a very popular destination during the summer months, while Kuressaare is one of the leading resort towns in Estonia, with possibly the highest density of SPAs in the world in relation to the number of local residents – one SPA for every ten inhabitants.
The most important attractions on the island of Saaremaa are the medieval fortress and palace complex of the bishop of Kuressaare, the House of Libra, the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, the ancient House of Chivalry, the historic Town Hall, Kūrmāja, the Solar bed or Kāli meteorite crater, the Kuresāre Health Park.
The route is designed in such a way that travelers have the opportunity to visit not only Saaremaa, but also Muhu Island, where the bus stops. Muhu Island is smaller than Saaremaa, but it is also endowed with beautiful nature and abundant flora. On the island, travelers have the opportunity to see the village of Koguva with its stone fence, the Pedastes manor, the steep bank of Īga, as well as one of the oldest shrines in Estonia – the Church of Katarina with pagan tombstones. There is also an ostrich farm and the Tihus horse farm on the island of Muhu.
Considering that both Saaremaa and the island of Muhu are very suitable for cyclists, it will be beneficial for travelers to use the Lux Express free tickets for bicycles. The company allows up to four bicycles on one bus to be transported free of charge on all routes between the Baltic cities and Warsaw. The free bicycle ticket must be reserved by purchasing a “Lux Express” travel ticket on the website luxexpress.eu.
The duration of the trip from Riga to Kuresāre is approximately six hours, while from Kuresāre to Riga – half an hour shorter. The bus will leave Riga at 9:00 and Kuressaare will arrive at 15:05. The schedule is perfect for SPA tourists, as check-in usually starts at 3:00 p.m. On the other hand, the departure time of the bus from Kuressaare is at 16:55 with arrival time in Riga – at 22:25.
A growing interest of Latvian travelers can also be observed in Latvia’s southern neighbor, Lithuania. This year, Vilnius has an important anniversary – it celebrates its 700th anniversary. Therefore, celebrations and various festive events in the capital of Lithuania this year are pouring out as if from a cornucopia. “Lux Expresss” provides 7 daily flights to Vilnius from Riga this summer.
