Vilnius to Riga transfer: Rundale Palace & Bauska Castle

Two castles and a Baroque palace between Vilnius and Riga

A one-way private transfer from Vilnius to Riga that includes stops at Rundale Palace, a Baroque summer residence designed by the architect of the Hermitage, and Bauska Castle, a 15th-century ensemble of military and residential structures. Your English-speaking driver provides basic information, handles logistics at each site, and recommends local restaurants for lunch. The journey takes 7 to 8 hours. Licensed guides are available at additional cost if arranged in advance.

The experience

You're picked up from your Vilnius hotel and driven south into Latvia's Bauska region, where two significant historical sites break up the route to Riga. Rundale Palace comes first: a Baroque building completed in 1768 and designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the Italian architect behind the Hermitage and Peterhof in Russia. The palace served as a summer residence for the Duke of Courland before becoming a museum in the 1970s. Your driver will lead you to the ticket office and wait while you explore at your own pace.

After Rundale, a short drive takes you to Bauska Castle, a two-part ensemble where a 15th-century Livonian Order fortress (built with firearms in mind and now mostly ruins), stands alongside a late 16th-century residence built by the Dukes of Courland. The residence section, reconstructed starting in the 1970s, shows the fortified design typical of Latvia's military architecture from that era. Again, your driver handles the entry logistics while you walk the grounds. Lunch happens at a local restaurant your driver recommends along the way.

The route is flexible: if either site is closed during winter months (which happens), your driver will suggest alternatives to fill the day. The vehicle is air-conditioned, bottled water is provided, and the whole transfer (pickup, transport, parking) is included. Entrance fees to the palaces and castles are separate, as is any tip for the driver.

What’s included

• One-way private transfer from your Vilnius hotel to Riga.
• air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water.
• English-speaking driver.
• parking fees.
• all taxes and handling charges.
• driver assistance at ticket offices for both palaces and castles.

Options for this experience

2 options

Sedan for up to 3 passengersUp to 3 per booking · 09:00Car, includes pickup

Minivan for up to 7 passengersUp to 7 per booking · 09:00Minivan, includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to23h before

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 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Baltic Transfers and Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the sedan if you're traveling as a couple or single traveler. The minivan seats up to seven, so families or small groups travel together in one vehicle. Either way, the stops at both palaces fit inside a single day because the route runs direct from Vilnius to Riga. You're not backtracking or waiting for a group to assemble.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What is Rundale Palace and why is it worth the stop?

Rundale Palace is a Baroque summer residence built between 1736 and 1768 by the Duke of Courland, designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also designed the Hermitage and Peterhof in Russia. It's considered one of the most significant buildings in the Baltic region and now operates as a museum.

Do I need a licensed guide, or does the driver provide commentary?

Your English-speaking driver gives basic information, answers questions, and leads you to ticket offices, but does not provide licensed guide service. If you want a professional guide at either Rundale or Bauska, you can arrange one at additional cost. Just let the operator know in advance.

How long does the whole transfer take, and when do we eat?

The trip takes 7 to 8 hours from hotel pickup in Vilnius to arrival in Riga. Your driver recommends local restaurants along the route where you can stop for lunch on your own schedule.

What happens if Rundale Palace or Bauska Castle is closed when I visit?

Some sites close certain days during winter months. Your driver will advise you of closures in advance and suggest alternative sites to visit so your day stays full.

Can I ask the driver to adjust the route or add stops?

Yes. The operator notes the route is flexible, so you can request detours or changes in advance and they will adjust the itinerary to fit your interests.