Coach operator Lux Express said on October 23rd it is extending its Rīga–Liepāja–Palanga–Klaipeda route until 3rd January 2027 as passenger demand remains strong beyond the summer season.
The route was initially planned as a seasonal service, but the company said its data show that overall demand is currently at a similar level to May, while passenger numbers between Rīga and Klaipeda have increased by 16%.
"Steady demand has allowed Lux Express to extend the route for the second time. In August, services were extended until 25 October, and they will now continue until 3 January, providing connections over the year-end and New Year holiday period," the company said.
However, unless the service is extended again, it will mean that the connection to Lithuania is lost just before Liepāja starts its year as a European Capital of Culture in 2027.
“After the summer season, we expected passenger numbers to decline, but the actual demand has been a positive surprise. It shows that interest in travelling to the Lithuanian coast does not end with the summer holidays. We have therefore decided to continue the service until early January, providing a convenient connection between cities in Latvia and Lithuania throughout the autumn and winter months,” said Aldis Ķibēns, Management Board Member of Lux Express Latvia.
While Latvian and Lithuanian residents continue to make up the largest passenger groups on the route, Lux Express said it is also seeing growing interest from international tourists. Travellers from Germany stand out in particular, with their number increasing by 8% this year compared with 2025.
“Our data show that Riga is increasingly becoming a starting point for international tourists who want to explore more of the Baltics. People arrive in the Latvian capital and then travel on to other cities, including Liepāja and Klaipeda. This change in travel patterns is a positive sign not only for transport operators but also for regional tourism, as it helps attract visitors beyond the traditional summer season,” said Ķibēns.
For now, Lux Express continues to operate the route as a seasonal service but, depending on passenger demand, does not rule out running it year-round in the future.
The Rīga–Liepāja–Palanga–Klaipeda route will continue to operate once a day in each direction, with the current timetable remaining unchanged.
From Monday to Saturday, buses depart Rīga Bus Station at 07.00 and Liepāja Bus Station at 10.30. On Sundays, departures are scheduled for 11.30 from Rīga and 15.00 from Liepāja. From Klaipeda Bus Station, buses depart at 12.55 from Monday to Saturday and at 17.10 on Sundays.
The journey from Rīga to Klaipeda takes approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes, while the journey from Liepaja to Klaipeda takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
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