Which city is cheaper, Berlin or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Riga or Berlin? 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Berlin is a diverse, historic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berlin 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 Berlin.
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.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Berlin has many famous sights for visitors. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island.
Both Riga and Berlin offer a number of unique restaurants to choose from.
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.
Berlin has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel.
Evening events are similar in both Riga and Berlin.
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.
Berlin is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.
Both Riga and Berlin 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 people travel to Berlin specifically to go shopping. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Berlin.
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.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Berlin. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.
With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Berlin 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.
Berlin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus.
Both Riga and Berlin 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 Berlin, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.
Riga and Berlin are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.
Riga is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city's affordability and vibrant atmosphere make it a great spot for international students. There are many places to hang out and a lively nightlife scene that appeals to young travelers.
Students come from all over the world to visit Berlin. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.
Both Riga and Berlin 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 Berlin can take you anywhere. There transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.
Riga and Berlin 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.
Berlin is a very walkable destination. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.
Both Riga and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin 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 Berlin is 2-7 days.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Riga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Berlin 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.
Riga is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Berlin 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Riga. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Berlin is a historic 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.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the off-the-beaten-path destination of Riga. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Berlin is a artsy 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 Berlin is €110. 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 Berlin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Berlin? 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.
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Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Berlin 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
Also in Berlin, 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 Berlin, we can see that Berlin 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 Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin than you might in 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.
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Berlin. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Berlin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Riga is cooler than Berlin in the summer. The temperature in Riga is usually 17°C (63°F) in July, and Berlin stays around 19°C (66°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in July than Berlin. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Berlin and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In the autumn, Riga is cooler than Berlin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October are around 7°C (45°F), and Berlin is about 10°C (50°F).
In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Berlin. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Berlin and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Berlin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Berlin can be very cold. Riga can be very cold during winter. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Berlin. Temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Berlin stays around -0°C (31°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Berlin. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Berlin. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.
Riga is much colder than Berlin in the spring. The temperature in Riga is usually 5°C (42°F) in April, and Berlin stays around 9°C (47°F).
In April, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Berlin. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Riga | Berlin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
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