Which place is cheaper, Katowice or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Katowice?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Katowice? 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 Katowice?
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.
Katowice
Katowice is a city east of Krakow, in the Silesian province of southern Poland. A large dome crowns the Cathedral of Christ the King, built between 1927 and 1955. The adjacent Archdiocesan Museum exhibits Silesian sacred art. The ultramodern Silesian Museum features several glass structures on the site of a former coal mine. It exhibits Polish art and chronicles the history of Upper Silesia. Historically, Katowice is a product of the 19th-century industrial boom, but it only became a city in the interwar period. After WWII, at the height of the Stalinist cult craze, the city was renamed Stalinogrod, but reverted to its old name soon after Comrade Joe died in 1953. Katowice has few significant historical monuments, but it's a major commercial and cultural center and holds sufficient attractions to make it worth a stop.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Warsaw.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Katowice €43
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Katowice is €43. 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 Katowice in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Katowice €18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Katowice €36
Compare Hotels in Riga and Katowice
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Katowice? 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 Katowice Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Katowice €12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Riga Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $38
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $52
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
- Private Transfer from Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $70
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Katowice
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Katowice:
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: Fast-Track Ticket & Guided Tour No Transfers: $32
- Katowice Pyrzowice KTW to Krakow City Private Transfer: $129
- Katowice Airport: Private Transfer to or from Krakow: $186
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Katowice with Private Transfers: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Katowice?
Prices for flights to both Katowice 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 €33Katowice €18
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Katowice
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Katowice.
- Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Katowice €6.00
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
- Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.49
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.45
- Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
- Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
Tours and Activities in Katowice
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katowice are as follows:
- Ticket Pass and Guided Tour in Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum: $28
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: Entry Ticket with Guided Tour: $32
- Entrance Ticket to Auschwitz Birkenau with Guide and FREE ebook: $32
- Auschwitz-Birkenau - Skip the Line Tickets : $32
- Katowice and Nikiszowiec: bicycle tour with guide: $42
- Auschwitz & Birkenau Live Guide Tour Entrance Ticket: $55
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour: $95
- Katowice Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour: $99
- Private City Tour with Stories & Viewing Points: $154
- Private Tour to Auschwitz Birkenau: $156
- Katowice Private Vodka Tasting Tour: $159
- Katowice Private Polish Beer Tasting Tour: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Katowice €5.33
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Katowice
Also in Katowice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Tyskie Brewery Tour: $111
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Katowice, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Katowice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katowice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katowice 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 Katowice.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Katowice Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Katowice?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Katowice. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Katowice, 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 Katowice?
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.
Should I visit Riga or Katowice in the Summer?
Both Katowice and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Riga is around the same temperature as Katowice in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Katowice fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In July, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Katowice. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Katowice 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Riga or Katowice in the Autumn?
Both Katowice and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In the autumn, Riga is cooler than Katowice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Katowice averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in October than Katowice. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Katowice 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Riga or Katowice in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Katowice. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Katowice can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Katowice fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Katowice. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Katowice -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Riga or Katowice in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Katowice. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Riga is cooler than Katowice in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Katowice fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in April than Katowice. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Katowice 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Katowice and Riga
| Riga | Katowice | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 50 mm (2 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.