The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival at the bus terminal or autoosta (open 05:00 - 24:00) are the impressive hangars of the Central Market to your right just above the murky waters of the Riga canal. Inside, Eurolines and Ecolines offices are located to your left as well as an ATM, baggage room (0.40 - 1Ls for the first hour, 0.20Ls each additional hour) and toilets for 0.20Ls (ask for paper). To your right is the waiting room and internet area. A bar/cafeteria, a baby-changing station, a shower and even a small hostel are available upstairs. At the far end of the hall are a tourist and bus information centre (open 08:00 - 21:00), currency exchange (open 07:00 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 17:00) and pharmacy (open 07:00 - 20:00) or aptieka in Latvian. Outside along the canal is an e-talons office (open 09:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00; closed Sun) as well as a ticket machine where you can buy public transport tickets.
Getting to town: trams N°7 or 9 stop in front of the bus station; ride it one stop into the centre (buy a 0.70Ls ticket from the driver). To get there on foot, turn left, walk through the underpass and follow the signs ‘Vecrīga-Vaļņu iela’ into Old Riga. The cabs outside are notoriously dodgy, so either order a taxi by phone (see Getting around) or use public transport.