Most international visitors arrive by Stena Line ferry from Nynäshamn (south of Stockholm) — the overnight crossing takes about 8 hours and is a useful way to combine Latvia and Sweden. There is also a less frequent freight-and-passenger service to Travemünde in Germany.
By road, Ventspils is about 190 km from Riga; bus services run frequently and take just over three hours. The drive west on the A10 motorway is straightforward.
Ventspils International Airport handles only private and seasonal flights; commercial visitors arriving by air come through Riga.