Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Kathmandu? 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 Kathmandu?
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.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Kathmandu €48
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is €48. 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 Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Kathmandu €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Kathmandu €60
Compare Hotels in Riga and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Kathmandu? 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 Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Kathmandu €5.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Canal and River Cruise with Old Town Transfer: $20
- Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $33
- Riga Airport Transfer: $34
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga by Sedan: $37
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $44
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $52
- Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $52
- Private Transfer from Hotel to Riga Airport with English speaking driver: $56
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $56
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $56
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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Taxi Ride€1.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Private Airport Transfer to Kathmandu Hotels: $12
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $13
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $19
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle: $20
- Kathmandu to Pokhara or Pokhara to Kathmandu Private Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Kathmandu Airport Vehicle: $35
- Kathmandu to Nagarkot One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu 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 €57Kathmandu €11
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.
- Riga Central Market Food Tour with Guide & Tastings ENG, DE: $26
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples: $52
- Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $69
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $69
- Latvian Cooking Class in a Local Home: $114
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert€1.03
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Dinner for Two€2.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
- Newari Cooking Class with a Home Chef- From market to the plate.: $50
- Kathmandu Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $53
- Food Tour in Kathmandu: $57
- Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Kathmandu €6.13
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- Riga Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.58
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour: Riga's Century of Shadows and Light: $5.48
- Old Riga E-Cart Guided Tour with Local Driver & Audio Guide: $6.87
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.22
- Riga Historic Boat Tour with Audio Guide and Captain Stories: $10
- Old Riga Walking Tour: Discover Stories and Legends: $10
- Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $10
- Riga Sightseeing by Canal Boat with Audio Guide: $11
- Riga Boat Tour from Central Market with Audio Guide: $11
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
- Old Town E-Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $12
- Old Town Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two€1.15
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two€2.87
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Swayambhunath Stupa€1.15
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car, Temple Visit & Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Site: $9.00
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $9.50
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
- KATHMANDU FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR (6-hrs): $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Kathmandu €4.37
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 with Local Guide: $29
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $33
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $34
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
- Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!: $40
- 2 in 1 - Old Town Walking Tour & Pub Crawl: $40
- Private - Riga Pub Crawl: $40
- Riga 2 in 1 Tour: Art Nouveau Tour & Pub Crawl: $45
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Kathmandu, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Kathmandu is in Asia, 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 Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Kathmandu, 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.
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.