Should you visit Riga or Bratislava?
Should I visit Riga or Bratislava? 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.
Bratislava
The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.
Which city is cheaper, Bratislava 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 Bratislava is €97. 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 Bratislava 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.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €39. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Bratislava the cost is €78 on average.
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 cost of a taxi ride in Bratislava is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €21 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bratislava.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
-
Private Departure Transfer from Riga City to Riga RIX Airport:
$15
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$18
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga City Center:
$19
-
Private Departure Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport (RIX):
$19
-
Private Transfer: Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$21
-
English Speaking Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport:
$25
-
Airport transfer & private driver services:
$25
-
Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Sedan Car:
$26
-
Private Minibus Departure Transfer to Riga Airport:
$27
-
Private Taxi transfer from Jurmala to Riga:
$27
-
English Speaking Private Departure Transfer to Riga Airport:
$37
-
Transfer service Riga airport:
$37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
-
Private Airport Transfer: Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bratislava:
$18
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Bratislava to Bratislava Airport (BTS):
$18
-
Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Business Car:
$19
-
Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Business Car:
$19
-
Private arrival OR departure transfer in Bratislava (hotel OR airport pick-up):
$22
-
Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service:
$25
-
Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Van:
$25
-
Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Car:
$37
-
Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Luxury Car:
$37
-
Deluxe Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City:
$50
-
Private Transfer Bratislava Airport BTS to Vienna Airport or City - Business Car:
$52
-
Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Vienna Airport VIE by Luxury Van:
$67
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Bratislava?
Prices for flights to both Bratislava 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
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.
The price of a meal in Bratislava can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €36 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Riga €26
Bratislava €36
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.
-
Private Guided Virtual Food Tour of Riga:
$12
-
Central Market Latvian Food Tour:
$34
-
Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
-
Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
-
Bratislava Traditional Food Tour:
$102
-
Traditional Food Tour:
$118
-
Vegan Bratislava Food Tour:
$118
-
Local Beer & Food Tour:
$128
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.
Entertainment and activities in Bratislava typically cost an average of €24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
-
An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom:
$5.00
-
Riga's Architecture: An art nouveau history audio tour:
$5.00
-
Riga Art Nouveau walking tour:
$8.71
-
Classic Car Museum Tour:
$9.95
-
Riga Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
-
Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat:
$16
-
Gastronomic tour with professional chef:
$19
-
The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$22
-
Daily Riga Bike Tour:
$22
-
The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$23
-
Best of Riga Walking Tour - Regular Walking tours:
$25
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
-
Bratislava Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$11
-
Old Town Cake Tasting Experience:
$11
-
Bratislava by Sightseeing Bus:
$14
-
Bratislava Nightlife Ticket:
$14
-
Old Town Tour in Bratislava by Prešporáčik Oldtimer:
$15
-
Nedbalka Gallery with Coffee and Cake Ticket:
$16
-
1-Hour Small Group Walking Tour:
$18
-
City Sightseeing Afternoon Walking Tour:
$18
-
City Highlights Running Tour:
$18
-
Bratislava Classical Walking Tour:
$21
-
Bratislava City Private Walking Tour:
$22
-
Best customized walking tour with bonus:
$25
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.
The average person spends about €15 on alcoholic beverages in Bratislava per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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 in Riga:
$37
-
Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!:
$47
-
Riga Public Pub Crawl:
$60
-
Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl:
$64
-
Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
-
Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
-
Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl:
$83
-
Riga Wine Tasting Session:
$115
-
Gauja National Park Tour: Castles and Wine Tasting:
$149
-
Culinary, Historic and Wine Tour to Sigulda and Cesis:
$224
-
Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting In Riga:
$380
-
1.5-Hour Latvian Wine Tasting Experience:
$476
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
-
Modra: Private Wine Tasting at a Family-Operated Winery:
$28
-
Burlesque show:
$37
-
3 Hours Bratislava Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Beers & Bites:
$55
-
Bratislava Wine Tour:
$75
-
Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting:
$93
-
Bratislava Food and Wine Tour:
$100
-
Bratislava Half Day Hubert Sparkling Wine Tasting:
$115
-
Private Wine Tour to Small Carpathians:
$156
-
Devin Castle Tour With Currant Wine Tasting:
$163
-
Private Small Carpathian Wine Tour:
$214
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Bratislava, we can see that Bratislava 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava than you might in Riga.
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