Keep the old EU liquids drill; Fast Track (€10) is the peak-hour shortcut, not a liquids waiver.

airBaltic and Ryanair banks can stack the single security filter on weekday mornings and Sunday evenings. Pack liquids ≤100 ml in one clear ≤1 L bag and be ready to bin open bottles before the lane — the airport’s own liquids page still publishes the classic rule. Buy RIX Fast Track (€10, 04:00–00:00) ahead for peak banks; under-12s go free with a paying adult. Intra-Schengen travellers with mobile boarding passes and no bags to drop can sometimes tighten toward 90 minutes off-peak; keep a full two hours for checked bags, non-Schengen passport control, or first-wave departures.

Follow Schengen / non-Schengen and B/C pier signs before you settle; lounge access is upstairs near B1 / toward C.

Landside check-in and bag-drop sit on the upper departures level; arrivals reclaim is downstairs. After screening, confirm whether you need Pier B (mostly Schengen) or Pier C (mixed) before camping in a café. Primeclass Business Lounge is airside on the 3rd floor via the lift by Gate B1 / toward the C-gate flow — Priority Pass and paid walk-ups share that door. Kepler Club sits further along the airside corridor (PP: toward Gate B2 / opposite Tickerdaze on some listings). Gate walks are moderate, not hub- marathon; still re-check boards after a lounge visit.

Coffee, bakery and casual plates airside; a real Latvian meal is still cheaper in the city.

Expect Narvesen, Costa-style coffee, casual cafés and duty-free rather than a destination food court. Primeclass covers snacks plus soft and standard alcoholic drinks for eligible guests; Kepler Club emphasises rest pods, showers and simple lounge drinks more than a full buffet. Buy sealed water landside before the 100 ml lane, then refill at airside fountains where signed. Free Wi-Fi (commonly RIX-Free-WiFi) covers maps and boarding passes — reconnect after security if the splash session drops.

Flat passenger year vs 2024 with fewer transfers; watch airBaltic schedule changes and live works notices.

Official 2025 figures landed at 7,110,792 passengers with cargo at 20,147 t (+7%). Direct traffic grew while transfers slipped — connection banks can still be busy even when headline growth is flat. SAS returning stronger Copenhagen flying and airBaltic network tweaks into 2026 are publicly flagged by the CAA wrap — always re-check live departures. Rail Baltica airport station works mean bus 22 / taxi / Bolt remain the real city links; do not plan on airport trains yet.