When navigating a new country, knowing local transportation terms can vastly improve your travel experience. For those of you learning Latvian and planning a trip to Latvia, mastering these essential transportation terms will assist you in getting around smoothly and interacting with locals. Here is a list of useful Latvian transportation vocabulary along with their definitions and example sentences to help reinforce your learning:

Autobuss
This means “bus” and is a common form of public transportation in Latvia.
Es iekāpu autobusā, lai doties uz pilsētas centru.

Vilciens
The term “vilciens” refers to a “train”. Trains are an efficient way to travel between different cities in Latvia.
Vilciens uz Liepāju atieks piecas minūtes.

Tramvajs
In Latvian, a “tramway” or “streetcar” is called “tramvajs”. It’s a convenient mode of transport in urban areas.
Tramvajs Nr. 5 mūs aizvedīs līdz muzejam.

Taksometrs
This word stands for “taxi” and is used when you need a private ride.
Pasūtīju taksometru, lai aizbrauktu uz lidostu.

Lidmašīna
This is the Latvian word for “airplane” and is essential when discussing air travel.
Mūsu lidmašīna uz Londonu tika atcelta.

Ostas
“Port” in Latvian is called “ostas”, which you might use when you’re taking a ferry or dealing with maritime travel.
Šodien mēs dosimies uz ostu, lai redzētu jahtu sacensības.

Prāmis
When crossing a body of water by boat, you would use the word “prāmis”, meaning “ferry”.
Prāmis uz Saaremu salu iet reizi stundā.

Velosipēds
If you’re opting for a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transport, you’ll need the term “velosipēds”, which means “bicycle”.
Aizņēmu velosipēdu, lai izbraukātu apkārtni.

Motocikls
For those who prefer a faster two-wheeled option, “motocikls”, meaning “motorcycle”, is your go-to word.
Viņš iegādājās jaunu motociklu pilsētā braukāšanai.

Pietura
The term for “stop” or “station”, as in a bus stop or train station, is “pietura”. It’s a key word for hopping on or off any form of public transit.
Autobusa pietura atrodas tieši pretī veikalam.

Biļete
This means “ticket” and is necessary for accessing most forms of public transportation.
Vai tu jau iegādājies vilciena biļeti?

Understanding these transportation terms can significantly ease the stress of travel and allow you to navigate the Latvian transport system with greater confidence. Practice them on your journey, and soon enough, you’ll be moving around like a local!