Which place is cheaper, Gdansk or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Riga or Gdansk? 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 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.
Gdansk is the capital and largest city of the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The port dates back a thousand years and was an influential city in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. The city was essentially destroyed during World War II but has rebuilt into one of Europe's most beautiful port cities. The city now has a population of around 460,000 and is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the globe. It is known for its impressive city center, its great museums, and its beaches that line the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk. In particular, it is a popular summer destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Gdansk is €51. 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 Gdansk in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Gdansk? 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:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gdansk:
Prices for flights to both Gdansk 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Gdansk.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Gdansk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gdansk:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Gdansk, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Gdansk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gdansk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gdansk 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 Gdansk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Gdansk Expensive?.
Riga has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Gdansk. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Gdansk, 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.
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 Gdansk. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Riga is around the same temperature as Gdansk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Gdansk averages at about 17°C (63°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Gdansk. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Gdansk. 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.
In October, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Gdansk. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Gdansk fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in October than Gdansk. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Gdansk 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.
The weather in Gdansk can be very cold. Riga can be very cold during winter. Riga is much colder than Gdansk in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Gdansk fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).
In January, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gdansk. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Gdansk 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.
In the spring, Riga is cooler than Gdansk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Gdansk averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in April than Gdansk. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Riga | Gdansk | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |