Which place is cheaper, Kemi or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Kemi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Kemi? 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 Kemi?
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.
Kemi
Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Finland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Kemi €134
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Kemi is €134. 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 Kemi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Kemi €74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Kemi €148
Compare Hotels in Riga and Kemi
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Kemi? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Kemi €39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $267
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $138
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $131
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $52
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $52
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
- Riga Airport Transfer: $33
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $487
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Kemi?
Prices for flights to both Kemi 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 €33Kemi €34
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 €21Kemi €29
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 Kemi
For Kemi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- SnowExperience365 Kemi entrance: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Kemi €12
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 Kemi, we can see that Kemi is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga 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 Kemi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kemi than you might in Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Kemi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Kemi?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kemi. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Kemi, 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 Kemi?
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 Kemi in the Summer?
Both Kemi and Riga during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Riga is around the same temperature as Kemi in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Kemi fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in July than Kemi. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Kemi 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kemi in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Kemi. The autumn months attract visitors to Riga because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
It's quite cold in Kemi in the autumn. In the autumn, Riga is much warmer than Kemi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Kemi averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In October, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kemi. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Kemi 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kemi in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Riga as well as Kemi. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Kemi. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. In January, Riga is generally much warmer than Kemi. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Kemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Kemi. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Kemi -12°C (10°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kemi in the Spring?
Both Kemi and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Kemi can get quite cold in the spring. Riga is much warmer than Kemi in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Kemi fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In April, Riga usually receives more rain than Kemi. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Kemi -1°C (31°F)
Typical Weather for Kemi and Riga
| Riga | Kemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 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.