Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Riga?
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 Riga or Akureyri?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Akureyri? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Akureyri?
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.
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesAkureyri Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Akureyri €169
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is €169. 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 Riga and Akureyri in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Akureyri €92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Akureyri €184
Compare Hotels in Riga and Akureyri
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Akureyri? 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Akureyri €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minibus: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga by Sedan: $37
- Baltic Explorer Private Riga–Tallinn/Tallinn–Riga Transfer & Tour: $205
- Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minibus: $120
- Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minivan: $51
- Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $69
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $161
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Pärnu City Tour: $680
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $494
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $448
- Private Transfer from Hotel to Riga Airport with English speaking driver: $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Akureyri?
Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Riga 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 dayRiga €57Akureyri €63
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
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
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Akureyri €16
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- Riga Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.57
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour: Riga's Century of Shadows and Light: $5.47
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour The Hidden Monopolies of Riga: $6.84
- Old Riga Walking History Tour: $9.13
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.22
- Old Riga Walking Tour: Discover Stories and Legends: $10
- Riga Historic Boat Tour with Audio Guide and Captain Stories: $10
- Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $10
- Riga Sightseeing by Canal Boat with Audio Guide: $11
- Old Riga E-Cart Guided Tour with Local Driver & Audio Guide: $11
- Hidden Gems and Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $11
- Old Riga walking tour with a local: $11
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- Húsavík Whale Museum Ticket: $22
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $23
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
- From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $74
- Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Heated Indoor Seating: $78
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $82
- Whale Watching and Puffin Tour from Hauganes: $90
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
- Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Akureyri €13
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $33
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $34
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
- Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!: $40
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Akureyri Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Akureyri?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Akureyri, 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 Riga or Akureyri?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Riga or Akureyri in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Akureyri. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Riga is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Akureyri 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Riga or Akureyri in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Akureyri. 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.
Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. Riga is much warmer than Akureyri in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Akureyri. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Akureyri 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Riga or Akureyri in the Winter?
Both Akureyri and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Riga can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Akureyri. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Akureyri averages at about -2°C (28°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Akureyri. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Akureyri -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Riga or Akureyri in the Spring?
Both Akureyri and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. In April, Riga is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in April than Akureyri. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Akureyri 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Akureyri and Riga
| Riga | Akureyri | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.