Klaipeda to Riga Transfer: Cold War Museum to Rundale Palace

A day between two cities, several stops that span Lithuania's history

A private transfer from Klaipeda to Riga that stops at four major sites along the route: the Cold War Museum in a former Soviet missile silo, the Hill of Crosses pilgrimage site with an estimated 100,000 crosses, Rundale Palace (a baroque palace built for the Dukes of Courland), and Bauska Castle, a 15th-17th century fortress. Hotel pickup in Klaipeda and drop-off in Riga are included. The itinerary is customizable. Skip any attraction if you prefer a direct route or want to spend more time elsewhere.

Step-by-step itinerary

Transfer from Klaipeda to Riga with stops

• Depart from Klaipeda
• Visit Cold War Museum in Plateliai
• Visit Hill of Crosses
• Visit Rundale Palace
• Lunch at Restorāns Rezidence in Rundāle
• Visit Bauska Castle
• Arrive at accommodation in Riga

The experience

The journey starts with hotel pickup in Klaipeda and heads toward Riga, but the route is built around four stops that break up the drive and anchor the day to specific places. The Cold War Museum occupies a former Soviet ballistic missile silo complex that operated from 1963 to 1978, housing four medium-range missiles with thermonuclear warheads. It is a stark, concrete reminder of Cold War infrastructure in Lithuania. From there, the route continues north to the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, a pilgrimage site where an estimated 100,000 crosses, crucifixes, statues and carved effigies have accumulated over generations. The exact origin is uncertain, but the practice is believed to have started after the 1831 Uprising.

The second half of the day moves south toward Riga through Rundale Palace, one of two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland, and Bauska Castle, a two-part fortress complex that mixes 15th-century Livonian Order ruins with a 16th-century ducal residence fortified with bastions and earthen ramparts. The castle is the only partially preserved residence of the Dukes of Kurzeme and Zemgale Ketler. The vehicle is air-conditioned and equipped with WiFi. There is room for a reasonable amount of luggage. The transfer concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Riga.

Because the itinerary is customizable, you can skip any of the four stops if you prefer a faster journey or want to allocate time differently. Entrance tickets to the attractions are not included, nor is food and drink: the route passes through Restorāns Rezidence at Rundale, which serves local dishes including goat cheese from Celmi and house-made pesto, but that is optional. Specialized infant seats are available if you are traveling with young children, and service animals are permitted.

What’s included

• One-way private transfer from Klaipeda to Riga.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board.
• room for a reasonable amount of luggage.
• specialized infant seats available upon request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:40

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 36 pickup points.

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

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Neringa Tours

Is this one for you?The full journey takes nine hours, which means you are in transit most of the day. Book this if the four stops themselves are your destination, not if you need to arrive in Riga with time to spare for the city. Skipping attractions shortens the day, but the route is built around these sites, not around speed.

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Top questions

What is the Cold War Museum and why is it on this route?

The Cold War Museum occupies a former Soviet ballistic missile silo complex built in 1963 and operated until 1978. It housed four medium-range missiles armed with thermonuclear warheads and is one of the few preserved sites of its kind in Lithuania, making it a significant stop on the route between Klaipeda and Riga.

How many crosses are actually on the Hill of Crosses?

The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai holds an estimated 100,000 crosses, crucifixes, statues and carved effigies, though the exact number is unknown. The practice of leaving crosses there is believed to have started after the 1831 Uprising, and the site has grown into a major Catholic pilgrimage destination over generations.

Can I skip stops if I want to get to Riga faster?

Yes, the itinerary is fully customizable. You can skip any of the four attractions (the Cold War Museum, Hill of Crosses, Rundale Palace or Bauska Castle) if you prefer a direct transfer or want to spend your time differently.

Are entrance tickets to the palaces and museums included?

Entrance tickets are not included in the transfer price. You pay separately for any attractions you choose to visit. The transfer itself covers transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi and luggage space.

What is Bauska Castle and when was it built?

Bauska Castle consists of two parts: the Livonian Order Castle, built in the middle of the 15th century (now ruins), and a ducal residence built at the end of the 16th century. It is the only partially preserved residence of the Dukes of Kurzeme and Zemgale Ketler and represents 15th-17th century military architecture in Latvia.