Riga and Dubai feel like opposite ends of the travel mood board: one is Baltic cool and Art Nouveau; the other is desert ambition and glossy skylines. The good news: the air link between Riga (RIX) and Dubai (DXB) is now straightforward, with nonstop options plus plenty of one-stop alternatives depending on your budget and your tolerance for layovers.
Quick route facts
- Nonstop flight time: roughly 6h 50mâ6h 55m (varies by schedule and winds). flydubai.com+1
- Main airports: Riga International (RIX) â Dubai International (DXB) flydubai.com
- Direct operators: airBaltic and flydubai on the RIXâDXB city-pair. FlightsFrom
1) Best overall: Nonstop (RIX â DXB)
If you value your time (and your sanity), the nonstop is the clear winner. Two carriers matter most here:
âš flydubai â best for Dubai connectivity + late-night departure
flydubai operates 3 weekly nonstop flights on this route, with a published flight duration around 6h 55m and a late departure time that can suit after-work travel. flydubai.com
Why itâs a great pick
- Strong connectivity in Dubai for onward travel (especially if youâre continuing in the region).
- A simple, no-nonsense nonstop that gets you straight into DXB.
âš airBaltic â best for âRiga home carrierâ convenience
airBaltic also serves the route and advertises one-way fares âfromâ a certain level in promos (availability varies). airbaltic.com
Skyscanner also shows early departures on some days (again, schedule-dependent). Skyscanner
Why itâs a great pick
- Familiar product if you fly airBaltic often in the Baltics.
- Handy timing options depending on the day.
Pro tip (avgeek-ish): flydubaiâs expansion into the Baltics has made this route more competitiveâand that usually helps pricing over time. Simple Flying
2) Best value: One-stop itineraries (often cheaper, sometimes longer)
If the nonstop fares spike (or your dates donât align), one-stop routes can be excellentâjust watch the total journey time.
Common âgoodâ one-stop patterns
- Major European hubs (solid reliability, alliance perks, easier rebooking)
- Scandinavian/Baltic connections (often efficient on time, sometimes better priced)
A simple rule: try to keep your total travel time under 10â11 hours unless youâre saving serious money.
3) âWhich Dubai airport?â (DXB vs DWC)
For Riga specifically, the practical nonstop target is Dubai International (DXB). Some tools show no direct service to Dubai Al Maktoum (DWC) from Riga. FlightRoutes.com
So if you see DWC in search results, itâs likely a connection or a different routing.
4) Pricing snapshot (what youâll typically see)
Prices swing wildly by season, day of week, and how far ahead you bookâbut here are realistic planning ranges pulled from airline/aggregator snapshots:
One-way economy (indicative)
| Type | Typical âseen fromâ range | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| Promo nonstop fares | âŹ215+ | airBaltic promo pages (availability varies) airbaltic.com |
| Nonstop fares | âŹ219+ | flydubai fare messaging (market varies) flydubai.com |
Round-trip (indicative, especially when starting in Dubai)
| Type | Example ranges shown | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| DXB â RIX round-trip examples | AED ~1,995â2,105 (sample dates shown on page) | Expedia UAE snapshot listings expedia |
Booking reality check: those âfromâ numbers are great when they appearâjust donât plan your whole trip around the absolute minimum fare. Use them as a benchmark.
5) My pick, depending on your travel style
- Fastest & simplest: take the nonstop to DXB (flydubai or airBaltic). flydubai.com+1
- Cheapest (often): compare one-stop options on your exact dates and accept a longer day. Google
- Most flexible schedule: mix nonstop one way + one-stop the other, if it saves money without turning into a 14-hour saga.