The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival at the bus terminal or autoosta (open 05:00 - 24:00) are the impressive hangars of the Central Market to your right just above the murky waters of the Riga canal. Inside, LuxExpress and Ecolines offices are located to your left as well as ATMs, a left luggage room and lockers (€1 - 2 for the first hour, €0.50 each additional hour) and toilets (€0.30 - ask for paper). You’ll also find a number of shops and a pharmacy (07:00 - 20:00, Sat 07:00 - 19:00, Sun 09:00 - 19:00). A bar/cafeteria, a baby-changing station and even shower facilities are available upstairs. The bus station's information centre is located at window Nr.7 and is open from 09:00 - 21:00 (closed from 12:30 - 13:00 and 17:30 - 18:00). Outside along the canal is a waiting area and an e-talons office (open 09:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00; closed Sun) where you can buy public transport tickets as well as a ticket machine.
Getting to town: trams N°1 or 7 stop in front of the bus station; ride one stop into the centre (buy a €1.15 from the Narvesen newsstand outside or a €2 ticket from the driver on old trams or from a ticket machine on new trams). To get there on foot, cross the street, turn left and walk through the underpass. Follow the signs ‘Vecrīga-Vaļņu iela’ to Old Riga. The cabs outside are notoriously dodgy, so either order a taxi by phone (see Getting around - Taxis) or use public transport.