Should you visit Riga or Istanbul?
Should I visit Riga or Istanbul? 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.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
Which city is cheaper, Istanbul 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 Istanbul 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Istanbul 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 Istanbul is about €64 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
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 Istanbul is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €3.01 per person, per day, on local transportation in Istanbul.
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
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry
€0.18
-
Local Bus
€0.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
-
Istanbul Airport Transfer / Private Airport Transfer:
$3.73
-
Istanbul Airports Transfer:
$6.22
-
istanbul airport cheapest vip transfer by private car:
$14
-
Safe Airport transfer service in istanbul:
$16
-
Private Airport Transfer Arrival or Departure in Istanbul:
$17
-
Sabiha Airport Arrival Or Departure Hotel Transfer:
$17
-
PRIVATE DEPARTURE TRANSFER - Istanbul European Side To Istanbul New Airport:
$18
-
Istanbul New Airport Private Transfer:
$18
-
New Istanbul Airport Private Transfer:
$18
-
İstanbul Private Airport Transfer:
$19
-
Istanbul Airport Arrival Or Departure Hotel Transfer:
$19
-
One Way Istanbul Airport Transfer to SultanAhmet:
$22
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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.
On average, meal and food prices in Istanbul cost around €13 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €5.20.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Riga €26
Istanbul €13
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
Typical Food prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice
€0.13
-
Turkish Delight
€0.04
-
Dessert
€0.54
-
Pastries
€0.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$29
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show:
$30
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer:
$34
-
Alaturca Ottoman Dramatic Stage Show & Dinner Cruise ( Non - Alcoholic ):
$35
-
Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive):
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul:
$37
-
Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner:
$37
-
Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus:
$38
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$39
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise with Sema Ceremony:
$40
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 Istanbul typically cost an average of €19 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
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
-
Just Hagia Sophia Tour /Skip The Lines:
$8.71
-
VR Dervish Experience:
$10
-
Museum of Illusions Istanbul Ticket:
$11
-
Piri Self-Guided Audio Tour: Istanbul, Historical Peninsula:
$11
-
Old City Insider Walking Tour:
$11
-
Bosphorus Cruise with Audio App:
$11
-
Basilica Cistern VIP Tickets:
$12
-
Vip Ticket For Hagi̇a Sophi̇a:
$12
-
Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque&Hippodrome Guided Tours Everyday /No que / No line!:
$12
-
Istanbul LEGOLAND Discovery Center Entrance Ticket:
$14
-
SEA LIFE Istanbul Entry Ticket:
$14
-
Hagia Sophia: Entry with Guided Tour:
$14
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 €4.60 on alcoholic beverages in Istanbul 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 Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
-
Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Istanbul, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.
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