Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Riga or Amsterdam? 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.
Riga is a fun, high energy, and off-the-beaten-path city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Amsterdam is a scenic, historic, and canal-lined city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and shopping.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amsterdam and Riga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the sights and museums in both Riga and Amsterdam.
Riga offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As a capital city with a diverse history, you'll find a number of museums and landmarks in the area. Visitors frequently visit The Freedom Monument, St. Peters Church, the Riga Cathedral, The House of the Black Heads, and any of the many museums around town.
Many visitors head to Amsterdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace.
Most foodies will appreciate the restaurant options in Riga a bit more than Amsterdam.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Riga. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.
Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!
Evening events are similar in both Riga and Amsterdam.
Riga is a world class party destination. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.
Amsterdam is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.
Both Riga and Amsterdam are good shopping destinations.
Riga is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the most interesting shopping in the city is in the old town. Prices might be a little more expensive than you expect but it's possible to find some unique items. The city also has many markets, including the largest food market in Europe, which is a must-see.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Amsterdam.
Riga is a family-friendly place to visit. During the winter months, there are a number of museums that are fun to explore with kids including the Nature Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Aviation Technology Museum, and the Riga Firefighter Museum. There are also several indoor play areas. When the weather is warmer there are a number of outdoor parks and playgrounds to explore.
Amsterdam is not always a place people visit with their families. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.
With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Amsterdam make for a good place to visit.
Riga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a charming old town that you can explore, taking time to relax in the city squares or sip coffee at a cafe. There are also many nice restaurants that will make for a romantic date night.
Amsterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.
Both Riga and Amsterdam are popular destinations for backpackers.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Riga. There are many affordable hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can grab a cheap meal. The city offers a great European experience at a fraction of the price of many cities.
A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.
Both Riga and Amsterdam offer public transit options.
Riga has some very good public transit options. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Amsterdam can take you anywhere. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.
Riga and Amsterdam both are comparable when exploring on foot.
Riga is a very walkable city. The city is small enough that most areas can be explored on foot.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.
Both Riga and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than Riga.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Riga is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Amsterdam is 2-7 days.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Riga. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Amsterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun destination of Riga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Amsterdam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Riga. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Amsterdam is a party-oriented big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Riga is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Amsterdam is a party-oriented city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €82, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is €138. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Amsterdam in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Amsterdam? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Riga.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Amsterdam. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Riga is around the same temperature as Amsterdam in the summer. The temperature in Riga is usually 17°C (63°F) in July, and Amsterdam stays around 17°C (62°F).
In July, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amsterdam. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Amsterdam. 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. Additionally, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Riga is cooler than Amsterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October are around 7°C (45°F), and Amsterdam is about 11°C (51°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in October than Amsterdam. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Amsterdam 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. Riga can be very cold during winter. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Amsterdam. Temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Amsterdam stays around 2°C (36°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Amsterdam 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. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.
Riga is cooler than Amsterdam in the spring. The temperature in Riga is usually 5°C (42°F) in April, and Amsterdam stays around 8°C (46°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in April than Amsterdam. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Riga | Amsterdam | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
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