Which place is cheaper, Riga or Pamukkale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pamukkale or Riga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pamukkale and Riga can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pamukkale or Riga?
Pamukkale
Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.
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 Tours for Seniors to Turkey, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPamukkale $156Riga $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Pamukkale is $156, while the average daily cost in Riga is $111. 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 Pamukkale and Riga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPamukkale $56Riga $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPamukkale $112Riga $112
Compare Hotels in Pamukkale and Riga
Looking for a hotel in Pamukkale 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: Pamukkale Hotel Prices and Riga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pamukkale $35Riga $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale
Also for Pamukkale, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels: $81
- Antalya: Guided Pamukkale Tour w/Lunch/Transfer: $84
- Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $90
- Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $98
- Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $100
- Transfer from Denizli Airport to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $102
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $104
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $104
- Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $109
- Pamukkale to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport-Departure Transfer: $125
- Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $136
- City of Pamukkale/Denizli: Antalya Airport Private Transfer: $165
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $487
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $459
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $427
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $342
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $267
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $230
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $182
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $150
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $138
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $131
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Pamukkale or Riga?
Prices for flights to both Riga and Pamukkale 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 dayPamukkale $69Riga $35
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch$6.18
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: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $96
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $138
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $139
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pamukkale $54Riga $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale
For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance fees Travertines & Pool$2.01
Tours and Activities in Pamukkale
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pamukkale.
- Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Tour With Optional Balloon Flight: $37
- Pamukkale City Highlights Small Group Guided Tour with Lunch: $40
- Full Day Pamukkale City Tour From Pamukkale And Karahayit Hotels: $45
- Pamukkale Paragliding Experience By Local Expert Pilots: $48
- From Antalya: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with Lunch: $48
- Shared Pamukkale Group Tour from Pamukkale: $57
- From Bodrum: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Guided Tour with Lunch: $63
- Kusadasi or Selcuk: Pamukkale Guided Group Tour: $67
- Pamukkale Tour From Pamukkale : $71
- Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $80
- Shared Cultural Tour in Pamukkale and Hierapolis: $81
- Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour: $85
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
- 3-Hour Private Paintball Game Experience in Zīles: $86
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
- Beer Bike Experience : $36
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $181
- Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
- City:canal:tour: $21
- Crafted Cocktails: A Masterclass Experience: $80
- Daily Bike Tour in Riga with Professional Guide: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPamukkale $15Riga $21
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: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $37
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $96
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $523
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,320
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamukkale and Riga, we can see that Pamukkale is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga 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 Pamukkale would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamukkale than you might in Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pamukkale Expensive? and Is Riga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pamukkale or Riga?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Pamukkale. When comparing the sizes of Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale or Riga?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Pamukkale or Riga in the Summer?
Both Riga and Pamukkale during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Pamukkale is generally much warmer than Riga. Daily temperatures in Pamukkale average around 28°C (82°F), and Riga fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Pamukkale usually gets less rain in July than Riga. Pamukkale gets 3 mm (0.1 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 JulyPamukkale 28°C (82°F)Riga 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Pamukkale or Riga in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamukkale and Riga. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
Pamukkale is much warmer than Riga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pamukkale averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Riga fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In October, Pamukkale usually receives less rain than Riga. Pamukkale gets 39 mm (1.5 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 OctoberPamukkale 19°C (67°F)Riga 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Pamukkale or Riga in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pamukkale as well as Riga. Additionally, many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In the winter, Pamukkale is much warmer than Riga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pamukkale in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Riga averages at about -5°C (23°F).
Pamukkale receives a lot of rain in the winter. Pamukkale usually gets more rain in January than Riga. Pamukkale gets 111 mm (4.4 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 JanuaryPamukkale 9°C (48°F)Riga -5°C (23°F)
Should I visit Pamukkale or Riga in the Spring?
Both Riga and Pamukkale are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Pamukkale is generally much warmer than Riga. Daily temperatures in Pamukkale average around 17°C (62°F), and Riga fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In April, Pamukkale usually receives more rain than Riga. Pamukkale gets 52 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 AprilPamukkale 17°C (62°F)Riga 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Riga and Pamukkale
| Pamukkale | Riga | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (51°F) | 129 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.