Which place is cheaper, Riga or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut or Riga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Riga. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Beirut or Riga?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.25Riga $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.25, while the average daily cost in Riga is $116. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Beirut and Riga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Riga $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Riga $118
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Riga
Looking for a hotel in Beirut or Riga? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Beirut Hotel Prices and Riga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Riga $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $274
- Riga Private Premium - Class Airport Transfer: $99
- Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $133
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $153
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $54
- Riga City to Riga Airport (RIX) - Private Transfer.: $70
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $42
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $41
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $54
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Riga?
Prices for flights to both Riga and Beirut change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBeirut $0.71Riga $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
- Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Motorbike Tour in Beirut with Local Street Food Dinner: $50
- Motorbike Tour with Local Street Food Dinner: $50
- Beirut Street Food Tour, Lebanon: $74
- Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch$6.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $54
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $66
- Delicious Pizza Masterclass: $67
- Unique Guided Walking & Food Tour: $104
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $111
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $134
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $143
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Riga $24
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $10
- Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
- City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- Beirut Walking Tour - Discover Beirut by foot: $25
- Hidden Gems of Hamra and Ras A Walking Tour: $30
- Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $35
- Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
- Lebanon's Historic Gems: Private Tour of Jeita, Byblos & Harissa: $40
- Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
- Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $49
- New Small-Group Tour Semi-Private to Jeita,Harissa&Byblos: $50
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $28
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town : $73
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $82
- 3-Hour Private Paintball Game Experience in Zīles: $88
- 5,5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $84
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $145
- Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $12
- Aeroplane Flight Experience: $75
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $5.20
- Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $66
- Art Nouveau in Written & Audio Guides Tour: $8.95
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $8.77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Riga $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bekaa Valley Wine Tour: Savour Lebanon's Finest: $50
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
- Private Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch from Beirut: $82
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $106
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $19
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $34
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $36
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide! : $39
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $47
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $49
- Riga Brewery Tour: $55
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $55
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $56
- Riga Brewery Tour: $72
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $77
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Riga, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East and Riga is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga than you might in Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Riga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Riga?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Beirut and Riga, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Beirut or Riga?
Riga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Beirut experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Beirut or Riga in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Riga. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Beirut is much warmer than Riga in the summer. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Riga fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Riga. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Riga receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Riga 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Riga in the Autumn?
Both Riga and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Beirut is much warmer than Riga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beirut in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Riga averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In October, Beirut usually receives around the same amount of rain as Riga. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Riga receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Riga 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Riga in the Winter?
Both Riga and Beirut during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Riga can be very cold during winter. In January, Beirut is generally much warmer than Riga. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 13°C (55°F), and Riga fluctuates around -5°C (23°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Riga. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Riga receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Riga -5°C (23°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Riga in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Riga. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Beirut is much warmer than Riga in the spring. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Riga fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In April, Beirut usually receives more rain than Riga. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Riga receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Riga 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Riga and Beirut
| Beirut | Riga | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.