Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?
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.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesBuenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Buenos Aires, Argentina €50
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is €50. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Buenos Aires, Argentina €35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Buenos Aires, Argentina €70
Compare Hotels in Riga and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Buenos Aires, Argentina €1.86
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: $122
- Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minivan: $52
- Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $71
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $164
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $563
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $503
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $468
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $87
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Riga International Airport RIX to Riga City: $38
- Private Transfer from Riga to Baltics: $262
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $134
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $19
- Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $20
- Private Aeroparque (AEP) Airport Transfer TO Buenos Aires City: $23
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $29
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Private Transfer from Ezeiza (EZE) to Buenos Aires Cruise Port: $35
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Ezeiza: $35
- Private Ezeiza (EZE) Airport Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $35
- Madero Tango Show in Buenos Aires Without Transfers: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 €57Buenos Aires, Argentina €6.71
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.
- Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $127
- Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
- Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $245
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $28
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $40
- Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $43
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47
- Tango Dinner-Show at El Aljibe with Optional Classic Bus Transfer: $48
- BA: Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $49
- Chacarita Walking Tour - Spooky Cemetery, History & Pizza: $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Buenos Aires, Argentina €27
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- Medieval Quest Experience: $8.15
- Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $8.16
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
- Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
- Riga Old Town Walking Tour: Stories, Legends & Riga Black Balsam: $9.33
- Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
- Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga Panorama trip – Golden Autumn | River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $11
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $7.08
- Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.15
- Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
- Walking Tour in Retreat Palaces and Trains and Authentic Mate.: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
- Guided tour of the Mate Museum: $13
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
- Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13
- Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
- Small Group Tour of Buenos Aires Historic: $15
- Recoleta Cemetery Tour in English: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Buenos Aires, Argentina €8.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
- Riga Pub Crawl: $41
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
- Latvian Brewery Visit and Beer Tasting: $52
- Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
- Riga Brewery Tour: $75
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
- Shooting Range and Old Town Pub Crawl: $106
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $35
- Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $60
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown: $97
- Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga than you might in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Buenos Aires, Argentina is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Riga has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Riga or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Riga is cooler than Buenos Aires, Argentina in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
Buenos Aires, Argentina receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRiga 17°C (63°F)Buenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Riga or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilRiga 7°C (45°F)Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Riga or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Winter?
Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Riga can be very cold. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyRiga -5°C (23°F)Buenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Riga or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring?
Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
Riga is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
Buenos Aires, Argentina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in April than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberRiga 5°C (42°F)Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Riga
| Riga | Buenos Aires, Argentina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.