Which place is cheaper, Riga or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Riga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Riga can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nairobi or Riga?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, and The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesRiga Prices
Latvia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Riga $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Riga is $141. 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 Nairobi and Riga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Riga $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Riga $120
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Riga
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Riga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Riga $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer in Nairobi Kenya: $20
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
- Beyond Boundaries Tours and Transfers: $30
- From Wilson Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax: $30
- Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
- Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $52
- Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $52
- Sightseeing Transfer from Riga to Tallinn: $133
- Super Grand Prix - Go-Kart Racing with Transfers: $249
- Snowmobile Adventure with Transfer: $196
- Go-Kart Racing & Pub Crawl with Transfers: $136
- Canal and River Cruise with Old Town Transfer: $20
- Abandoned Building Exploration Tour with Transfer: $288
- 4x4 Off-Road Adventure with Hotel Transfers: $254
- 2-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $311
- 100% Private Countryside Sauna, Hot Tub & Transfer: $565
- Riga Shooting: AK-47, Glock & Winchester + Free Transfer: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Riga?
Prices for flights to both Riga and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $13Riga $66
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch$6.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Riga Central Market Food Tour with Guide & Tastings ENG, DE: $26
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples: $52
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $69
- Latvian Cooking Class in a Local Home: $114
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $127
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $128
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Riga $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Kibera Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
- Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Nairobi History and Modern Culture Walking Tour: $22
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23
- Cultural Discovery Tour of Unfiltered Mathare: $24
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town: $105
- 24h Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $35
- 5,5 Hour Small Group Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $88
- ATV Quad guided off road tour: $200
- Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $13
- Aeroplane Flight Experience: $80
- Ancient Private Walking Tour in Riga Old Town Hunt: $99
- Art Nouveau Riga Walking Tour Architectural Gems and Highlights: $176
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
- Bobsleigh - Truly Unique Winter Adventure!: $170
- Civilization Secrets Private Walking Tour in Riga: $455
- Comprehensive 2.5 Hour Riga City Tour by Bus and Foot: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Riga $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
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: $29
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
- Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
- 2 in 1 - Old Town Walking Tour & Pub Crawl: $40
- Private - Riga Pub Crawl: $40
- Riga 2 in 1 Tour: Art Nouveau Tour & Pub Crawl: $45
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $51
- Authentic Latvian Brewery Beer Tasting & Riga Highlight Tour: $51
- Pub Crawl for 50+ with Folk Clubs & Authentic Bars: $52
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Riga, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa 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 Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Nairobi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Riga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Riga?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.
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.