Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary?
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.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €76. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Riga and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Karlovy Vary €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $487
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $459
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $427
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $342
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $267
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $230
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $182
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $150
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $138
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $131
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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 €33Karlovy Vary €25
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 Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $96
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $138
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $139
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
- 3-Hour Private Paintball Game Experience in Zīles: $86
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
- Beer Bike Experience : $36
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $181
- Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
- City:canal:tour: $21
- Crafted Cocktails: A Masterclass Experience: $80
- Daily Bike Tour in Riga with Professional Guide: $44
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Karlovy Vary €6.13
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: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $37
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $96
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $523
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,320
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Karlovy Vary?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?
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.
Should I visit Riga or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Karlovy Vary. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In July, Riga is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Riga or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Riga is cooler than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Riga or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Riga can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Riga or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Riga is generally much colder than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Riga
| Riga | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.