Summer Cruise to Riga
A Summer Trip to Riga – The Pearl of the Baltics!
At the end of June, Riga comes alive in all its glory: the pastel-colored houses of the Old Town glow in the sun, cafés spill out onto the streets, and the banks of the Daugava River are filled with a summery atmosphere. Riga’s Old Town is like stepping into the middle of a living postcard. Narrow cobblestone streets, colorful Hanseatic merchant houses, and impressive churches make the area one of the most charming in Europe.
A cruise to Riga is the perfect way to start your vacation—a relaxing sea voyage combined with a culturally rich city destination makes for a unique and easily accessible experience. The sea breeze, beautiful archipelago scenery, and the ship’s comprehensive services create the perfect start to your summer trip. Choose from the ship’s restaurants, enjoy the entertainment, or relax on deck—the journey will fly by, and one of the Baltic’s most fascinating cities awaits you upon arrival.
The price of the trip includes Matka Mäkelä’s bus transfer to Helsinki, to the port, where the driver will distribute ferry tickets to everyone. The cruise itself is self-guided, allowing you to enjoy the ship’s and city’s amenities. Back at the port in Helsinki, the familiar bus and driver will be waiting to take the group home!
Summer Cruise to Riga, June 26–28, 2026
- Chartered bus transportation with Matka Mäkelä at the Finnish end
- You can also board the bus outside the city area at stops along the route, subject to prior arrangement
- Cruise in the selected cabin class
- Ferry company fuel surcharges
- Shipping company’s emissions surcharges
- Arrangement fees and VAT.
Date
- June 26–28, 2026, Fri–Sun
Trip price
- €395 per person / 2-person inside cabin
Club Offer – €30 per person, valid until March 15, 2026!
Additional charges
- €43 per person for a buffet dinner on board (one way)
- €22.50 per person for a sea breakfast on board (one way)
- €100 per person for a double cabin with a window
- €7 per person for a round-trip shuttle bus to Riga
- €34 per person for a guided city tour of Riga
Schedule
Bus schedule for Friday, June 26
9:00 a.m. Jyväskylä, Travel Center charter bus platform, if at least 5 passengers
9:30 a.m. Petäjävesi, Kyläsepän piha, if at least 5 passengers or the Jyväskylä departure takes place
10:00 a.m. Keuruu, bus station
10:30 a.m. Mänttä, Ratakatu stop
12:30 p.m. Tampere, Lahdesjärvi ABC
2:45 PM Helsinki, West Terminal
Ferry schedule Fri, June 26 / Sun, June 28
Fri, June 26 Helsinki–Riga 4:15 PM–10:30 AM (+1) / Victoria I
Sat, June 27 Riga–Helsinki 6:30 PM–1:00 PM (+1) / Victoria I
Departure date:
- Friday, June 26, 2026
Reservations:
By May 24, 2026! The trip requires a minimum of 30 participants to take place.
Free cancellation:
By May 24, 2026.
Club Mäkelä:
Read more about our club, Club Mäkelä, here! Joining is easy—you can even do it right when you make your reservation!
Preliminary itinerary
Friday, June 26, 2026
We will depart on Friday morning according to a separate schedule, and there will be a coffee break en route (at your own expense). At the port, you will receive the necessary tickets from the driver on the bus, after which everyone will board the ship with their luggage on their own. Accommodation in cabins. The same cabins will be used for the entire trip. The bus and driver will remain in Helsinki.
The ferry trip from Helsinki to Riga is a comfortable journey aboard Tallink’s Victoria I. You’ll have the evening to enjoy the ship’s various dining options and entertainment offerings. The ship also has a sauna area, which offers relaxation during the sea voyage for an additional fee.
You can purchase a buffet dinner in advance for the outbound journey.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
You can start the morning with a sea breakfast (for an additional fee) before disembarking to explore Riga on your own. Disembarkation in Riga takes place via the ship’s car deck at 10:30 a.m. You’ll have 7.5 hours ashore, and you must be back on board by 6:00 p.m. at the latest.
The Riga cruise port terminal is located about 1.5 kilometers from the Old Town. You can purchase a round-trip ticket between the port and the city center for an additional fee.
The ship departs for Helsinki at 6:30 p.m. local time. The evening is once again a time to enjoy the ship’s restaurant offerings and other services.
You can also book a buffet dinner in advance for the return trip, if you wish, for an additional fee.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Before arriving at the Port of Helsinki, you can enjoy a varied breakfast at an additional cost, make use of the ship’s facilities, and do some souvenir shopping.
Once the ship arrives in Helsinki, everyone will disembark on their own with their luggage. A bus and driver will be waiting at the port, and the return trip will follow the same route as the arrival. There will be another coffee break en route, at your own expense.
Riga shuttle bus
You have the option to purchase a round-trip ticket for the shuttle bus between the port and the city center for an additional fee. The ticket is valid for one day on all departures: buses run continuously from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM from the port and from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM from the city center. The last departure from the port is at 12:00 PM, and from the city center at 5:00 PM. The bus runs approximately every 30 minutes. The bus stop address is Aspazijas Boulevard 5.
Guided city tour by bus and on foot with a Finnish-speaking guide
You have the opportunity to participate in a combined bus and walking tour of Riga for an additional fee. The tour begins by bus, during which you’ll see the city’s most important landmarks and get a comprehensive overview of Riga. The journey continues on foot through the narrow alleys of the Old Town, where every corner tells a story. A local Finnish-speaking guide brings the city to life with their stories.
At the end of the tour, we’ll return to the port. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
Please note that the tour departs at 11:00 a.m. local time and returns to the port at 1:00 p.m. The last shuttle bus leaves the port at 12:00 p.m.
Riika, Latvia
Riga is a compact city that’s easy to explore on foot. Its Old Town is a favorite among tourists for good reason. The city center’s popular attractions are located in and around the Old Town. The Old Town is home to many popular sights, such as churches that seem to reach higher and higher.
Prices in Latvia are affordable by Finnish standards. Latvian and Finnish culinary traditions have a lot in common. Those interested in local specialties can look for items on the menu such as gray peas, a cold soup made from buttermilk and beets, or lampreys.
Travel documents
When traveling to Latvia, Finnish citizens must carry a passport or a photo ID card issued by the police.
Personal data provided for this trip will be transferred to partners and authorities essential for the completion and booking of the trip, both within the EU/EEA and to regions outside them. The processing of this data is subject to the principles of the EU General Data Protection Regulation. For more information, click here.
Victoria I
Tallink’s Victoria I was built in 2004. The ship has 739 cabins.
B-standard inside cabins are 8 m² and are located on decks 5, 8, and 9. These cabins do not have a window.
A-standard sea view cabins are 9 m² and are also located on decks 5, 8, and 9. These cabins have a window overlooking the sea.
Both cabin classes feature a private toilet and shower, a TV, and air conditioning.
