Should you visit Riga or Amsterdam?
Should I visit Riga or Amsterdam? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital, and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. There are over one million residents in the metro area. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that criss cross across the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The architecture, bridges, and cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.
Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Riga?
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 €133. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €42. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Riga the cost is €84 on average.
A hotel room in Amsterdam is about €154 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
Riga food costs typically run travelers around €26 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
In Amsterdam travelers spend around €33 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Riga €26
Amsterdam €33
Typical Food prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
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Private Guided Virtual Food Tour of Riga:
$12
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Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
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Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
Typical Food prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
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Live online cooking class from Classic European 2-course meal:
$23
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Three course lunch/dinner voucher:
$42
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Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Amsterdam's Favourite Private Food Tour with a Local:
$50
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Private Pizza Canal Cruise Amsterdam:
$62
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Dinner with an Amsterdam artist on the river:
$62
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Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café:
$63
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Amsterdam Small Group Food Tour:
$69
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Food Tour in the Albert Cuyp Market Amsterdam:
$73
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Delicious Dutch Dinner in an Amsterdam Canalhouse:
$75
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The Pizzaboat Amsterdam Min. 8 pax:
$75
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Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner:
$76
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Joy of Life - Bistro Dinner on an Amsterdam Canal:
$84
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Riga is €12 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Amsterdam is €16 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
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Airport transfer & private driver services:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minibus:
$93
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Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minivan:
$46
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Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Sedan Car:
$26
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English Speaking Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport:
$25
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English Speaking Private Departure Transfer to Riga Airport:
$37
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English Speaking Private Minibus Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport:
$49
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Mercedes-Benz Viano Van Transfer from Riga to Vilnius/Talinn/Any Baltic Country:
$425
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PanCars CITY RACE + airport/hotel transfer:
$81
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Private Airport Transfer: from Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$18
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Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga City Center:
$19
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Private Departure Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport (RIX):
$19
Typical Local Transportation prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
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Ultra - Amsterdam Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Amsterdam City Centre:
$9.55
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Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol:
$9.55
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Ultra - Amsterdam Private Transfer from City Centre to Amsterdam Cruise Port:
$9.55
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Private Departure Transfer from Amsterdam City Center to Airport Schiphol (AMS):
$32
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Private Airport Transfer from Amsterdam to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS):
$32
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Private Transfer from PTA Cruise Terminal to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS):
$32
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Amsterdam City to Airport:
$34
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Premium Private Transfer from Amsterdam Hotels to Airport:
$35
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Private Amsterdam Airport departure Transfer:
$38
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Private Departure Transfer from Amsterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport:
$39
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Private Transfer from Amsterdam City Center to Zaanse Schans:
$40
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Amsterdam local transfers:
$42
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or 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.
Entertainment
Riga's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €17 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Amsterdam's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €30 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
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An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom:
$5.00
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Riga's Architecture: An art nouveau history audio tour:
$5.00
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Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads:
$8.28
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Riga Art Nouveau walking tour:
$8.71
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Classic Car Museum Tour:
$9.95
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Riga Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
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Gastronomic tour with professional chef:
$19
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The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$22
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Daily Riga Bike Tour:
$22
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The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$23
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Best of Riga Walking Tour - Regular Walking tours:
$25
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Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems:
$31
Typical Entertainment prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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An Amsterdam introduction: Explore the origins of Amsterdam on an audio tour:
$5.00
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A tasty stroll through Pijp: An audio tour of some of Amsterdam great food spots:
$5.00
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Amsterdam West Specialty Coffee Spots Cycling Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.41
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Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.41
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Vondelpark and Old West Neighbourhood Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.48
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Amsterdam Private Tour: Red Light District Exploration Game:
$5.65
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The Red Light District self-guided Virtual Experience: The Highlights:
$7.45
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Absolutely Tip-Based Walking Tour With Super Local Guide (2,5 Hours):
$8.09
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Amsterdam Red Light District: A Walking Audio Tour on your Phone (1hour):
$9.94
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Silent Disco Club Experience:
$9.95
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Small-Group Cheese Tasting Experience in Amsterdam:
$12
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Self-Guided City Experience:
$12
Alcohol
The average person spends about €16 on alcoholic beverages in Riga per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Amsterdam may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Pub Crawl in Riga:
$37
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Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!:
$47
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Riga Public Pub Crawl:
$60
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Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl:
$64
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Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
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Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
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Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl:
$83
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Riga Wine Tasting Session:
$115
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Gauja National Park Tour: Castles and Wine Tasting:
$149
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Culinary, Historic and Wine Tour to Sigulda and Cesis:
$224
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Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting In Riga:
$380
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Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting in Riga:
$765
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Distillery Tour & Tasting:
$22
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Amsterdam Bar Crawl:
$27
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Amsterdam Shared Bar Crawl:
$31
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Private Amsterdam Red Light District and pub tour:
$61
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4 hour Amsterdam Brewery Tour:
$81
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High Class Culinary Lunch in Amsterdam - Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$102
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Drew's 3-Hour Amsterdam Brewery and Bar Tour to Top Rated Bars:
$106
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Discover 3 gastronomic restaurants in Amsterdam - self-guided food & wine tour:
$129
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Experience 4 Culinary Restaurants in Amsterdam Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$152
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Amsterdam Bachelor Party Bar Crawl:
$488
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.
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