Riga to Hill of Crosses Private Transfer: Pilgrimage & Free Time

A site of pilgrimage where locals and visitors leave crosses to honor the lost

A private transfer from Riga to the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking driver who gives you unguided time to explore the site at your own pace. The round trip takes roughly three hours and forty minutes of driving, plus however long you want to spend on the hill itself. You can purchase a cross on site, bring one from home, or make one to leave as part of the growing memorial.

The experience

The Hill of Crosses sits about an hour and fifty minutes from Riga, and this transfer gets you there without arranging a rental or joining a group. Your driver picks you up from any central address in Riga and handles the route while you settle in. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the driver speaks English. Once you arrive, the driver steps back and gives you the hill to yourself: no scheduled tour, no guide narration, no time pressure. You decide how long to stay.

The site has been a place of pilgrimage since the 1830s, when people began placing crosses to pray for loved ones lost in the Lithuanian-Polish uprising against the Russian Empire. During Soviet rule, locals kept returning to add more crosses even as authorities tried to destroy them, turning the hill into a quiet act of resistance. Pope John Paul II visited in 1993, and since then the site has drawn pilgrims and visitors from around the world. You're welcome to leave a cross yourself: buy one on the hill, bring one from home, or make one before you go.

The total time away from Riga depends on how long you spend at the Hill of Crosses. The driving alone is roughly three hours and forty minutes round trip. Pickup time can be arranged to fit your schedule, and the driver will be waiting when you're ready to head back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from any central address in Riga.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking driver.
• free time to explore the Hill of Crosses at your own pace.
• return transfer to Riga.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Latvian Gem

Is this one for you?This transfer works best if you have a free afternoon or morning in Riga and want to reach the Hill of Crosses without renting a car or joining a group tour. The driver handles the route and waits for you, so you control how long you spend at the site, whether that's an hour or three.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

13 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long does the drive from Riga to the Hill of Crosses take?

The drive is about one hour and fifty minutes each way, so roughly three hours and forty minutes of driving time for the full round trip.

Will I have a guide at the Hill of Crosses, or do I explore on my own?

This is a transfer with free time, not a guided tour. Your English-speaking driver takes you there and gives you unguided time to walk the hill and leave a cross if you wish.

Can I purchase a cross at the Hill of Crosses, or do I need to bring one?

You can buy a cross on site, bring one from your home country, or make one yourself before the trip. Leaving a cross is optional and part of the pilgrimage tradition.

What time can the driver pick me up from my hotel?

Pickup time can be arranged depending on your needs, so you can choose a departure that fits the rest of your day in Riga.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

Yes, the vehicle is air-conditioned for comfort during the drive to and from the Hill of Crosses.